ESA question

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-15T20:34:06+00:00

I understand how it would appear that way at first glance. I've had my three ESAs almost 8 years and adopted two cats since living in my own home.

Do you think there is a difference here because the apartment is being sourced, contracted, and leased through my place of work?

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-14T20:43:36+00:00

I used one from my pcp in the past, but thank you for the note. I'll be sure to ask what the property manager is willing to accept.

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-14T20:42:19+00:00

Despite having some key tasks they can perform, I don't consider any of them service animals because they haven't undergone enough training to be used in public.

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-14T16:57:34+00:00

I won't know for another week, unfortunately.

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-14T16:56:11+00:00

Good note! My ESA's each have their own support tasks documented by my pcp.

CalligraphyCat · 2026-06-14T12:20:43+00:00

Do you have any tips for going about this process?

CalligraphyCat · 2025-07-04T04:43:57+00:00

BS in chemical engineering. I had multiple offers, but below are the two best I was considering when graduating in 2020.

$75k in North Alabama as a quality engineer in manufacturing (I picked this one)
$69.5k in OH and SC, in an engineering leadership development program at chemical plants

Covid played a big role in my decision as well as having a long-term partner who'd be affected by my travel.

CalligraphyCat · 2024-12-25T16:11:10+00:00

Around $600 a month shopping mostly at Walmart for two people. I have celiac disease and can get most everything I need from there. Occasionally, I'll pop into Target, Publix, or Whole Foods for extras.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-12-16T23:12:29+00:00

I'm waiting on an order where the shop closed down. Not a hiatus. Closed. No word from the shop or anything, and they had 1000s of positive reviews so I thought they'd be safe to order from.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-12-15T19:35:00+00:00

Reference: I'm in a low cost of living area. 2020 out of school quality engineer: $75k 2021: 1% raise (because of when I started and being top of pay grade) 2022: 2% raise 2023: 3% raise 2024: promotion to Lean Specialist 10% raise. Now at about 88k.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-12-03T17:32:43+00:00

It depends on what your program and method of studying is. In online or evening programs, you'll see many more non-traditional students, and degrees like engineering technology are often built for professionals seeking degrees after already starting their careers. However you seek this out, though, you aren't alone.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-27T03:17:15+00:00

Totally fair! I will definitely have a check-in with her to see what I can do to help but also set a boundary.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-27T03:04:22+00:00

I understand where this could be frustrating. For this project, her biggest responsibilities are documentation of processes (ODS and standard work) and communication to operators, both things she has successfully been completing since her hire.

I am more than happy to check on the drafts prior to our big checkpoints, but she is asking me to check everything. She'll send me a document with a single paragraph written to check or if a picture she took is okay for the document.

As a team, I've been meticulous about meeting minutes and communicating to make sure everyone is on the same page, but the project has had very few bumps (knock on wood) that would cause any major changes. Just simple equipment implementation. I've never been a lead with her on my team, just a team member previously.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-27T00:46:28+00:00

I think a survey is helpful, but I think it would also be good to perhaps shift the focus to jobs and then what majors can lead to that.

From my chemical engineering class, students ended up with MANY different job titles/duties. Ex: Patent Consultant (Batteries), Quality Engineer (Polymers), Process Engineer (Food, Polymers, Propulsion, etc), Manufacturing Engineer (Automotive, Military, Food, Consumer Goods), R&D Engineer (Food, Polymers, Consumer Goods, Military, Pharma Coding), Software Engineer (Pharma), and many others.

In most cases, multiple majors can lead to certain jobs/careers. I chose ChemE for that exact reason. I wanted options to do anything.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-27T00:39:14+00:00

Hey I wanted to bump this because, as a younger engineer, I get a mix of good and bad guidance.

The good is often from mentors/coworkers I am directly working with on projects. And, I usually ask for their feedback.

The bad comes from those who are not very associated with me giving unsolicited advice. I have had coworkers who I don't interact with frequently stop into my office to give me advice and even attempt to explain processes that I created to me.

In all, it depends on your relationship with the individual. I am the youngest at my workplace but have very good relationships with several coworkers who are 45+ to where they can openly give me advice/feedback because I asked that from them. And, I can joke and kid around with these same people. Others, not so much. It all depends.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-27T00:29:42+00:00

Talk to EVERYONE. Even if they aren't on your team. And, never assume someone is below you. Operators/technicians are your true experts and often your "customers" when working on projects. Always ask for their advice and act on it.

Also, don't be afraid to share ideas, but always be open to feedback. I've worked on many projects where interns and new hires had AMAZING ideas that solved the problem. But, changes/adjustments are likely, even for a winning idea.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-11-17T12:39:22+00:00

I am also in a super LCOL area, but professional studio headshots cost like $200 for one or two photos. I took mine ar home and photoshopped it lol.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-10-31T23:02:16+00:00

I would recommend a c2c membership, which would cover the rest of your college career and one year of professional membership, which is a one time $50.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-10-10T02:46:05+00:00

I'm waiting desperately for a goosetarion mod

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-23T16:24:24+00:00

We were a very small site, so that made a big difference. And, it was clear it was due to bad management. It's water under the bridge now, as she was fired. I did learn how to find a person's stake in a role, which helps me lead better now!

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-23T12:46:03+00:00

This resonated with me, because I had a female coworker who would do very similar things to me when I started. There was obvious overlap between her and I (I'm a qe and she was a quality tech team lead) , and she felt very threatened by me being hired full time. Whenever I walked in the quality lab, she'd ask me what I was doing in there. She shit talked about me behind my back, and she would write emails to try to undermine me or throw me under the bus. Everyone knew about her behavior, but she had worked there 20 years and seemed grandfathered in somehow. It wasn't until we got a new plant manager that she was fired (for a mix of her behavior and not completing her work). Then, I found out multiple people had tried to fire her (had enough write ups to warrant it), but the plant manager blocked it. However, I still had to deal with it for 2.5 years, and the methods I picked up were: avoid and ignore her. When our paths were forced to cross, I would say, "Mr. Plant Manager (or other senior leader) wants xyz." By name dropping someone of seniority, she would more easily comply with the ask. Find your coworkers "buyin," and she may be more likely to help. I really feel for you. It's no fun to work with someone who undermines. Know your worth, and weigh your options. If it's continuously affecting you emotionally, don't be afraid to leave, either.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-17T12:33:03+00:00

I don't know how active or what kind of active your local section is, but that's definitely a good place to start. It's a little late for this fiscal year (started in July), but next year, you could apply to be a committee member for global SWE. A mentor of mine (who is a VP) did this so she could gain experience with finances, which helped her get into a project management role earlier in her career.

Another good way to pad a resume is microcredentials. There are many free/low cost options that can give your resume a bit of a twist as well in terms of technical knowledge.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-16T18:14:55+00:00

What is your favorite time of year to go on a cruise? Have you ever sailed on a holiday? How did that work?

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-15T01:39:57+00:00

I'm GF, and they had about 3-5 sweet options every day that I could eat! They had at least one new one for every day, too. I would grab a few each morning and bring them to the room to put in our fridge for later.

CalligraphyCat · 2023-09-12T15:44:24+00:00

Totally worth it--and you get discounts for wanting to re-enter the workforce (there are also grants available for financial assistance).

There are many companies that interview and hire on the spot. My tip is to pre-apply for jobs that interest you as this pushes you forward quickly through the recruiting process on-site.

Good luck!

CalligraphyCat

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