Career Roadmap
David's work combines: Business, Engineering, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
Graduate Degree
Systems Engineering
University of Southern California
Certification
Planner
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Aerospace Engineers:
Bachelor's Degree: Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Degree: Systems Engineering
Certification: Planner
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Military pilot.
2.
General Motors Construction division building new automotive plants.
3.
GM Powerhouse supervisor, production shift supervisor. Had a mentor - tough boss - who knew I needed Detroit time to understand the bigger company.
4.
Detroit - Long Range Planning for production plants - got to be a "bag man" for GM VP - traveled to 22 plants to evaluate them for future use - or sale!
5.
New Mentor said - only stay in Detroit 3 years - then move on. Went to Indianapolis - Allison Gas Turbine - Used What color is my parachute" book technique to get what I wanted.
6.
Worked as many different departments as I could - Manufacturing, Engineering, Production Manager, Program Manager, Future Planning task force, Marketing, Strategy, and Finance.
7.
Tried to learn nearly every program we produced, background, who were the experts, what succeeded and what did not.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Never any real discouragement - but some really tough bosses at times.
How I responded:
Make sure you are right - then push through it.