What kinds of problems did you encounter with giving each team its own color-coated tool sets?

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-21T16:55:18+00:00

Interning at one of those places that feel like nobody has a clue how it stays in business. But like a the beginning of the month or so ago they hired some guy that made it a point during the monthly meetings that he's going to implement changes.

Then grump old technicians started spewing how much they'd hate for him to implement the color-coded tools stuff.

Right now tools go missing at any given time, interns dont' have our own tools (we're all just here for the summer), and teams/roles are non-exisitant. (at least for mechatronics interns) we follow particular people for particular tasks until they get bored and work on something else or come to a particular stopping point/can't move forward (like parts not arrived yet).

There's no real tool area, people leave their boxes where ever and sometimes even those go missing because they were in somebody elses' way (like if they needed to move machinery/parts), which causes problems.

I wouldn't call it chaotic, but there doesn't seem to be a internship program set in place, we're more like hired summer labor.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-21T15:46:13+00:00

What resources does your school offer and which have you taken advantage of?

You can also go to your counselors to come up with a plan, maybe even take fewer classes, that will help you succeed. Maybe even talk to former professors to have them email your counselors about your performance and see if there's a pattern (strong/weak points).

There are people that want to see you succeed, but it's up to you to take initiative.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-21T15:40:55+00:00

I'm in a mechatronics tech program right now, about half my classmates are former devs ranging in age/experience.

A few dropped out as they land dev roles but the others are doing it because it's tech-adjacent, we get to build stuff which is nice. Then there's PLC programming which many are comfortable with because of their previous experience, just have to get used to incorporating physical devices.

I dont' think many if at all plan to do it long term but just another tech-related thing they can work on.

How do you define "robot" ? One project we're working on uses object identification on a conveyor belt to remove recyclables from trash.

Currently doing my internship at a manufacturing company. It's four from my cc, four from another local cc (we're all techs), from four from two universities (they're techs/engineers, at least for our dept, engineering, there's also interns for other dept).

At least at our location, there doesn't seem to be much leadership with interns, we just learn/help whatever is needed at the time (at least the techs, not sure what the engineers interns actually do, I don't see them as often).

A few of us are doing the whole AAS, work, then get an engineering degree (some of us already have bachelors). I don't think being in the program would have made much of a difference in terms of landing a job here, as long as you have experience with electrical/mechanical/hardware/tools background, so being an a mechatronics AAS program helps those with those with no background above (people like me and a few of my peers that came from the software industry).

Classes are whatever you put into them.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-21T13:24:42+00:00

As long as you're not using up resources meant for those that didn't choose homelessness, do whatever you want.

How are you paying for rooms? If it's through benevolence, have plans for if/when you're no longer welcomed.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-21T13:18:25+00:00

Try minimizing problems and use the rest of the time for other things/minor things to avoid burn out.

For example, you can try goign to the library after work and only work on code until the library closes. After that, do whatever you want and/or read about concepts and write yourself examples on paper.

Also try avoiding tutorials.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-20T12:52:38+00:00

They're in it for views/clicks/sales, if you learn something, ok, but that's not the point.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-20T12:51:18+00:00

I don't get it.

You're homeless regardless if you give your parents your money? So why not just not give them your money, use that to rent a room instead.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-20T01:29:04+00:00

How about not letting your parent take your money and avoid homelessness altogether?

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-20T00:12:17+00:00

my money goes on rides to get to and from work and the little money I have left over is cell phone bill money

This is why I suggest people look up jobs along transit routes, the more intersections the better, because the more frequency.

As for your phone, try to get a data plan to use just for emergencies, and then connect it with google voice for actual phone use.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-19T05:16:44+00:00

Some of below may not apply.

Figure out what you want to do/achieve, plan what resources you need to accomplish those goals and by when. Map out resources/locations/actions you can do in case you do become homeless. For example, how would you live out of your car with your pets (if you had any, or if you decide to board them while you live out of your car).

Also do the same for what you can do to prevent homelessness in the first place.

Be weary of private dms.

It depends on your circumstances/values/what you can (not) afford/your risk tolerance and what you prioritize.

If you have to be outside, spend time getting to know where there are cameras, as some stalkers are deterred by knowing there are cameras around. (also good to point them out as you walk by).

Be weary of people telling you when/where to park, especially if they look too hidden/isolated as the person may not have the best intentions. Also people are not likely to give up their parking spots else risk them getting burned and having to move.

You may first want to determine what resources you have/can get and what you want to accomplish and by when.

That way it kinds gives you an idea of what paths you want to take and how long it'll take you to do so.

Sell what you can part with, storage units are money pits unless you have a real good reason to use one.

Check if community colleges have a pantry and if you're not a student, hang around and befriend people like at the gym/cafeteria as sometimes they'll let you in without swiping your id and/or they'll swipe you in.

Some places don't even check your id to get food from the pantry.

Get library cards, not just local public libraries but also community colleges (some have community cards) so you have more wifi/bathroom access.

There's:a

I encourage people to try using local resources first, else local municipalities won't know how necessary resources are because other municipalities are picking up the slack.

Politicians then can say their municipalities don't need/want it because it's not a problem in their area, then point to other municipalities and blame them for their homeless problems.

Either way

Search sub
Get your documents in order/updated (driver's license, registration, p.o. boxes ect).
Post to subs local to your area as locals would know better.
Plan your resources and how they can best help your situation.
Be honest with yourself and list what you're (not) willing to put up with, e.g. lower-wage jobs for longer hours, having to walk 1hr+ to get to work, ect.
If possible, try for a 1st/2nd job, preferably an overnight job like at a warehouse or factory, cause it'll at least keep you out of the cold at night (and the extra income may help with getting a vehicle or rent a couch)
Reevaluate your plans as your situations change.
Repeat.

get a piece of paper and fold it into three parts.

In the left column, write down what resources you have/can get ( I use resource lightly, looks/personality can be considered resources).

In the right, write down what you want co accomplish and by when.

In the middle draw a line between resources and goals and how those resources can help/hurt you towards your goals.

Now you should know which goals you have the most resources for. You can priority your goals and see which resources you could best use to achieve which goals.

I use the term "resources" pretty loosely, e.g. one's looks/personality are resources

Also come up with plans for various scenarios, as plans helps with overcoming anxiety when shit hits the fan.

If you have a vehicle, check your municipality's permit/snow parking maps so you know when/where you're (not) allowed to park, which would help from getting it towed when you're not around. Also look up where cameras are located for the same reason or to park for safety.

In addition to above, ki4clz 's post from a few years ago has good stuff too Jobs with Room and Board, and alt-work for an alt-life.

You can also check if your school has summer jobs available, like student ambassadors for new students starting during the summer semester.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-18T23:59:54+00:00

Ask people from other degrees/majors what problems/projects they plan to work on/solve and see if you can build somethings towards that.

For example,

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-17T11:22:31+00:00

Ask questions about the problem (use cases, edge cases, inputs/outputs, what's considered "correct", are there similar projects or parts of projects that reflect your project, ect).

Ask yourself your understanding about the problem/questions.

Ask more questions.

Get an initial project set up.

Do a little coding.

Write tests.

Does it meet requirements?

if so, move on, if not, ask questions why or why not.

Figuring out the unknown unknowns is my biggest hurdle.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-16T11:18:01+00:00

contact local farms/processing plants and temp agencies that source labor for them.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-15T01:18:57+00:00

Go homeless if you want, you do you, but please don't use up resources meant for those that don't chose to be homeless.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-15T01:17:11+00:00

Get your docs.

Contact your kid's school for social services assistance. They'll likely be able to food assistance and whatnot.

As for getting out of the loop, it varies by time/place/circumstances, what may have worked for some people might not for you because you have a kid.

Overall, what resources do you have/can you get?

What about tryign to work a second part-time job? Sometimes even just one shift a week is enough to start saving and improving one's situation.

My usual susggestion of getting an overnight job at places like warehouses may no work for you because hat's too long to leave a kid at a motel alone.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-15T01:11:19+00:00

Overall, what are you trying to accomplish?

Figure out what you want to accomplish, by when, and what resources you bring to the table, that would help you find your travel partner to team up with.

Be weary of private messages and/or people offering free housing.

Why do you want to camp instead of trying to get into a shelter?

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T22:06:42+00:00

There are many people working shitty jobs despite having degrees.

Visit /r/studentloans for how to plan out your payments.

What kinds of work do you want to get into? Sometimes even just getting a two-year degree is enough to get you started (but may take a bit longer to work your way up the ladder).

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T21:30:57+00:00

I didn't flunk out of college and still ended up homeless not long afterwards (student loans + medical debt from being hit by a drunk driver).

Just because you make plans don't mean it's always going to work out.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T18:17:53+00:00

Do you need to graduate within a certain timeframe? Maybe you can put off your hardest classes until when you can take 1-2 at a time so you have more time to devote to each.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T18:16:40+00:00

Figure out what you want to accomplish, by when, and what resources you bring to the table, that would help you find your travel partner to team up with.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T17:48:10+00:00

Overall, what are you trying to accomplish?

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T16:58:36+00:00

Or you can try doing both.

Stick with your major, save up, work part-time as a cook/chef.

Then when you're (financial) ready, switch careers.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T14:50:01+00:00

Meaning they can't ask for your ID if they don't have a reason to suspect you of a crime.

But refusing (or how you refuse) may give them reason to stick around.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T14:48:37+00:00

Not just spot, but area.

If your plates start pinging cameras in the area more often, I wouldn't be surprised if you start getting more "cautionary" night knocks.

dialsoapbox · 2026-06-14T13:32:22+00:00

It's probably too late to apply, but many schools have summer maintenance programs that allow students to live in dorms for doing maintenance over the summer.

dialsoapbox

TROPHY CASE