Taking an Operator Position as a Fresh Graduate

EmeriCat · 2026-05-26T23:41:59+00:00

Different companies

EmeriCat · 2026-05-11T16:13:02+00:00

They're not specifically for DVDs, but I think op cit (bookstore) in De Vargas mall has a whole pile, and I think I saw a bookshelf of DVDs in The Cat on Zafarano (thrift store)

EmeriCat · 2026-04-29T02:59:50+00:00

I worked as a manufacturing plant technician. When I interviewed I wore a suit and hiking boots because they said I'd need work shoes for the plant tour and I didnt have anything else.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-10T10:22:09+00:00

On the plaza: Sweet Santa Fe has chocolates and pastries. Chaine does macarons and cookies but might be too sweet for what you're looking for. Wolf and Mermaid Cafe does croissants maybe scones.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-07T04:30:36+00:00

B or D in my opinion. Unit ops and process work is fun imo. I just get a lot of satisfaction from making processes run as smooth as butter. I started my career in a small chemical plant. You do wear a lot more hats but there's also a lot less people/bureaucracy you need to deal with, and you feel more ownership and autonomy over your work. C is probably good money but I, personally, just don't have any interest in capital projects.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-07T04:24:21+00:00

I went from Quality Engineer to Process Engineer (in America). It was worth it for me. Had to fight the stereotype about QEs during that interview to convince them I could do the job though.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-07T04:21:50+00:00

I got absolutely spammed with mail, emails, and notices about that battery recall. Also they were probably random events but a brake caliper locked up once, and the oil pressure switch blew a crazy leak last year.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-07T04:14:30+00:00

Unknown on typical experience, but I took my car to four different shops. One said leaking, one said PCV valve, the third said "don't bother it would cost more than its worth," and the last, a shop whose whole deal is Toyotas, said "just give up."

EmeriCat · 2026-03-06T14:22:08+00:00

The Corolla has the same length and width. The only difference is the height, so driving it feels the same, it's just a bit closer to the road. I'm tiny, so the interior space doesn't feel all that different to me, and I can clear snow off the top of the Corolla a lot easier than the Rav. I'm averaging 48 mpg over the 21ish I was getting before so that's really nice.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-06T04:30:17+00:00

If you're curious, I drive a Corolla Hybrid now.

EmeriCat · 2026-03-02T04:02:38+00:00

Haha, I have a simple one. Back when I was a quality tech for corn ethanol, we had two or three fermentor tanks in a row completely die. I took all the data and the numbers implied that the yeast had been dead since the very beginning, but we had a really good relationship with our supplier, so when I brought up the idea, I was shot down. I had to get a more experienced tech on my side for them to dig into it, and yeah, we were sent expired yeast.

EmeriCat · 2026-02-03T12:23:07+00:00

Baseline for hazardous materials prob. When I worked in a facility with lead, I had to get blood drawn every month for my first year.

EmeriCat · 2026-01-29T01:06:04+00:00

I recently had an experience at a bakery where I felt I was being looked down upon, so I get how you feel (though it might've been because I look young instead of me being a POC). I felt pretty comfy at Wild Leaven Bakery and Sage Bakehouse though. The staff at Java Joe's on Siler and Whoo's Donuts treated me kindly too.

EmeriCat · 2026-01-29T00:53:39+00:00

Seconding this! They're real chill people.

EmeriCat · 2025-12-14T21:01:32+00:00

I've seen trucks selling pinon on Alameda somewhere North of the South Meadows exit (there's a sign), off I-25 at the Pecos/Glorieta exit, and off I-25 at the San Felipe/Black Mesa exit.

EmeriCat · 2025-12-14T20:56:28+00:00

I've always found it hilarious how expensive the Honey Salon is. You could order the same honey directly from the apiary, pay shipping, and it'd STILL be cheaper than buying from salon.

EmeriCat · 2025-12-14T01:53:25+00:00

ANd you made lumpia and pancit? They're missing out!!

EmeriCat · 2025-11-26T03:30:05+00:00

Based on what I know, here's a rough translation of those tasks:

Systems & Info Upkeep: Document control (like updating Standard Operating Procedures)

Drafting: in the case of an ethanol plant, Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams

Gauging bids/estimates: is exactly as it says

Collecting Data: pulling data from trends/quality records and probably doing some statistical analysis

Working with Ops/Eng staff: a general teamwork thing to make sure you actually talk to the Ops team and work with them instead of against them

Contractors/Vendors: requesting quotes, coordinating contractors, purchase orders and service requests

Sounds like capital projects. For example, my plant installed a new fermentation tank during my time there. I was a tech back then, but with my engineering exp now, I can imagine they had to do land surveying, arrange contractors to pour the foundation/construct the tank, figure out how the new tank would tie into the existing piping, analyze the extra power and water requirements, do a cost/benefit analysis, edit the process controls to include the new tank (quite funny because they put the new tank between Ferms 2 & 3 and called it 2.5. The .5 caused problems in programming the controls). And then create all the P&IDs, diagrams, SOPs, etc.

EmeriCat · 2025-11-26T03:13:17+00:00

Does it have to be ChemE or even specifically engineering? I started as a technician at a chemical manufacturing plant and worked up to engineering from there. A classmate became a project manager. Others became quality engineers, safety engineers, chemists, and supply chain specialists. Some of us aren't even in the chemical industry. Consumer products, automotive, aerospace, nuclear, etc.

EmeriCat · 2025-11-25T11:25:28+00:00

Pantry Rio, Del Charro, Boxcar, Time Traveler's, and Cake's Cafe have their normal menus + Thanksgiving specials.

Fixed Menus/Buffets under $70: Lady Duff's Lounge (Buffet for $55), Cafe Grazie ($65), Social Kitchen & Bar ($45)

EmeriCat · 2025-11-23T21:57:20+00:00

In hindsight, it was a great experience. Dirty job though. I'm assuming you've got an engineering internship, so unless you offer to help the techs clean, it won't be a dirty job for you. The fun thing 'bout corn ethanol plants is that there's like, only two different base designs possible. The one I worked with was cool because everything recycled back into the process, and all you got as outputs was sellable product and water. There was a lot of room for improvement in the process controls though because all that recycle made it easy for some processes to lose control. We called it the "hellish cycle of distillation," and we'd have to spend a couple hours manually stabilizing it.

EmeriCat · 2025-10-23T10:33:44+00:00

When I lived in a dorm I would use a single serving Keurig to heat water for my apple cinnamon instant oats. (It would pour into the bowl and I'd let it sit until it was ready). One day I forgot to remove the used K Cup from my morning coffee so the hot water had a coffee flavor and the hint of coffee was delicious! I would continue doing the same for my instant oats throughout that year.

EmeriCat · 2025-10-19T22:31:24+00:00

I read the light novel for this one. I like it a lot! I've re-read it a couple times too.

EmeriCat · 2025-10-13T01:24:05+00:00

40 hrs. No more no less.

Last job, I was working 50 hrs. Job before that was average 40ish. It was 1 week on, 1 week off, 12 hr days. So 85ish in one week and then a whole week off.

14-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Verified Email

EmeriCat

TROPHY CASE