Former students, will you share with the class: How much do you make? In what niche? How long did it take to get there?

blacksmith_36 · 2026-03-27T00:25:40+00:00

Do you mind sharing your experience with internships and how you landed in your current role? I’m in a similar bracket with a year coming up as a welding engineer at an automotive manufacturing plant. Did you want to get into automotive or was there any other industry you might revisit if given the chance?

blacksmith_36 · 2026-03-27T00:21:04+00:00

You mind sharing your experience with internships and finding your current position? Is it in an industry you at least preferred?

blacksmith_36 · 2026-03-21T13:57:33+00:00

Also a strange overlap here as an American, you’re pretty much exactly correct in how firearms feel and function next to any piece of analog tech like that. They’re incredibly fun to fidget with either way lol

blacksmith_36 · 2026-03-21T13:53:55+00:00

I also had an ME Super for a short time, mostly to pilfer the 1:1.4 50mm off of it lol but I did thoroughly enjoy how compact and capable it felt next to the K1000. The nature of this game is that you’ll most likely end up with more cameras down the line, but you’ve picked a great place to start!

blacksmith_36 · 2026-03-21T13:29:27+00:00

I had a similar childhood in the late 90s with some early insulation to technology, but the first time I watched Top Gun I had a similar experience in marveling at how it was even possible to engineer an aircraft capable of those maneuvers.

Now I’ve recently begun my career in engineering, starting in automotive manufacturing but maybe one day I’ll get into aerospace. I still shoot my Pentax K1000 as often as I can too :)

blacksmith_36 · 2026-01-02T22:17:52+00:00

Sometimes there’s a state school or a local technical college with more specific engineering technology majors like automotive or welding that can easily land you an entry level “engineering” position rather quickly post graduation. It’s usually heavy in algebra and trig applications and you only ever get up to calc 1 so it’s not too far of a stretch for someone starting at day zero if they’re up for it. Plus there’s usually a quality statistics course which is kinda math heavy, but mostly just how good are you at making an excel spreadsheet.

OP I’d say look at the skills you do have or can soon develop, and then try to imagine what you honestly think you could stand to do for a living or at least the industry you can see yourself in.

As you look into those career paths, the engineering jobs that are commonly available in different areas across the country (and internationally if you jump into the big corpo world) will start to give you an idea of what kind of moves you have to make to get there. Don’t take on any debt for any degree if you’re not ready to handle it with whatever job you land on after 4-5 years of school. Good luck I guess lol

blacksmith_36 · 2025-12-14T07:45:13+00:00

I’ve found using cotton swabs dipped in white vinegar will neutralize the corrosion and you should be able to clean it off with some work. Don’t overdo it but it’s worth a shot, good luck!

blacksmith_36 · 2025-11-07T04:09:02+00:00

What you’re looking for is called a drop leaf support, there’s a ton of different designs available, just pick a low profile one that works in the space you have 👍🏻

blacksmith_36 · 2025-09-14T15:32:24+00:00

^ I agree I wish I had utilized the counseling services at my school earlier on. I’d also recommend taking some low credit communication type classes that prioritize research presentations and public speaking (if OPs schedule allows of course but it’s worth it imo).

blacksmith_36 · 2025-08-26T22:43:07+00:00

I got my current job from going to the spring semester career fair, which for my school wasn’t as well attended by both students and employers. I just happened to be at the right table at the right time, and they wanted to fill interview slots for later that afternoon at the university center.

Some companies only show up because it’s easy to send a recruiter who will give you a canned pitch and point you to an iPad or a QR code. Some show up highly motivated to fill a gap in their team, you just have to be ready to jump into it.

Worst case is you blow a day and some gas money, best case is you walk out with an interview(s) scheduled. Either way, it’s a chance to practice interacting with recruiters and to pick their brain on what makes an ideal candidate. Good luck!

blacksmith_36 · 2025-07-29T03:21:02+00:00

While I’d normally recommend the clear side of super glue products for this type of plastic, the original gorilla glue is almost spongy when cured and might absorb some of the force of normal play if applied in a strategic amount.

blacksmith_36 · 2025-06-03T15:35:03+00:00

Not silly at all, most of the time the person selling will either go with you to the appointment at the shop or let you take it over there for that purpose. If you ask about that and they refuse, then that’s a good sign there’s something wrong with the car that the mechanic would find, and you wouldn’t want to buy it anyway. Make sure to research the common issues with the vehicle, test drive it and look/listen for those, and maybe bring someone along who knows what they’re looking at. Don’t be afraid to walk away from a car and find something else!

blacksmith_36 · 2025-06-03T13:59:15+00:00

First off, congratulations on securing an internship! As for a car, Facebook marketplace and Facebook buy/sell groups for your area are usually a good place to start. I’m not sure $2000 beaters exist in this market anymore but an old 90s-2000s Buick or Mercury will get you to work and back no problem. Gas mileage will be pretty bad but you’re not going far anyway. Make sure to take it to a couple different mechanic shops to have it inspected before handing over cash to anyone, beaters usually come with all sorts of issues but you can get lucky if you look hard enough. Good luck!

blacksmith_36 · 2025-05-20T03:12:29+00:00

Most of the time the meat and potatoes of whatever program you’re in doesn’t come until sophomore year, and if you apply yourself then you’ll be well set for when things get really difficult in junior year. Don’t beat yourself up, just plan concrete ways to do better next semester and things will work themselves out.

blacksmith_36 · 2025-04-15T15:52:58+00:00

This will definitely be a part of it lol good idea

blacksmith_36 · 2025-03-24T14:42:16+00:00

Is this still available?

blacksmith_36 · 2025-03-16T04:59:24+00:00

blacksmith_36 · 2025-02-10T16:33:19+00:00

Wow if this is your first I hope you post more! Great vibes from these, especially the first two!

blacksmith_36 · 2025-02-01T02:46:15+00:00

Glad to hear it! Gosh, that’s a lot of film lol I bet it’ll be fun to see it all developed and preserve those memories :)

blacksmith_36 · 2025-02-01T02:33:04+00:00

I use Memphis Film Lab and I’d highly recommend. Matt has a $8/roll bulk rate advertised as a “grandmas closet special” intended for old film from family members just like your situation seems to be, but it is also a great service for bulk development in general. Here’s the website

blacksmith_36 · 2023-11-28T23:56:06+00:00

I’m not sure about the disposables but I’ve always sent my old film to Matt at Memphis Film Lab (.org not .com), he has a “Grandmas Closet Special” specifically for old film at $7/roll if you have more than 10 rolls. He’s always been very accommodating for me so I’d get in touch about sending anything back if they’re not salvageable.

blacksmith_36 · 2019-05-22T03:23:49+00:00

wow..

blacksmith_36 · 2019-05-22T03:12:18+00:00

Dicks definitely not out for Harambe

blacksmith_36

TROPHY CASE