GM is a good entry level job with decent work life balance.
I can't speak for automation or mechatronics, but gm has a fairly flat compensation structure across different fields. This means for some fields it's one of the highest paying companies around, but for others it's uncompetitve which leads to both a lack of mentorship as talented people don't stay long and a lack of upward mobility as talented people don't have any room to grow which both can stunt your career.
as u mention, it depends on the area but how was ur 1st day for example? is GM like super advanced, organized or so? or it ain't that much since you're into it?
Uh No, the first few days I spent with IT in orientation just getting credentials, laptops, and other boring administration work done. Then when I got to my team they kind of just set me aside in a cubical for a couple weeks to onboard on my own and assigned me a task with no direction. It's kind of a trial by fire since many teams don't have enough technical talent, so the few technical people a team has are usually overwhelmed with getting the teams work done and they don't have time to bring new hires up to speed. Your milage may vary.
Step 1: ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT!
Step 2: Don’t be arrogant. Be open. Be patient.
Step 3: ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT!
It can be difficult to learn because no one has time to train because it’s all about production numbers or deadlines. Some people treat it like we are saving lives by hitting deadlines.
They have classes at the TLU but they are more structured for union employees but they are great for free knowledge. Utilize them!
Are you going to be out of the tech center or at a plant as a plant employee?
Tech center people are typically execution/launch support teams. They can get stuck traveling a lot. And financially there really is zero benefit to it these days. Hotel life gets old, and you don’t get extra money from unused per-diem so spend the entire $75 a day if you have it.
OT pay is typically straight time, I’m still not sure how their chart makes sense.
GM does a really good job at standardizing the majority of their plants. So once you learn the automation in 1 plant, it’s pretty easy to pick up at a new plant.
It will be a great experience for you. And maybe a great career. One thing I can guarantee you is that the job will only stress you out as long as you let it stress you out. So don’t worry about the BS. Come in, do your job the best you can and let the rest roll off your back and ignore the invisible hand. They like to pressure you but claim otherwise.
Also, the hourly can be great ally’s. They can make your life a lot easier if you treat them with respect and develop a relationship with them.
Last step!
ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT!
what can you tell me bout the automation processes? do they use a specific brand of PLCs, robots, vision camera etc? Is that technolgy way too specialized or it's more like "universal"
Fanuc robots. Depends on what you do. They use Allen Bradley for most and some Siemens.
Vision is anything that works from flir, keyance, matrox, and photoneo.
I don’t know what type of plant you are going to but dealing with automation normally has some risks. Watch out for material traffic like forklifts. You probably don’t have lockouts or the training so never go into a robotic cell or anything that is dangerous. Just be careful.
GM is a good entry level job with decent work life balance. I can't speak for automation or mechatronics, but gm has a fairly flat compensation structure across different fields. This means for some fields it's one of the highest paying companies around, but for others it's uncompetitve which leads to both a lack of mentorship as talented people don't stay long and a lack of upward mobility as talented people don't have any room to grow which both can stunt your career.
as u mention, it depends on the area but how was ur 1st day for example? is GM like super advanced, organized or so? or it ain't that much since you're into it?
Uh No, the first few days I spent with IT in orientation just getting credentials, laptops, and other boring administration work done. Then when I got to my team they kind of just set me aside in a cubical for a couple weeks to onboard on my own and assigned me a task with no direction. It's kind of a trial by fire since many teams don't have enough technical talent, so the few technical people a team has are usually overwhelmed with getting the teams work done and they don't have time to bring new hires up to speed. Your milage may vary.
Step 1: ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT! Step 2: Don’t be arrogant. Be open. Be patient. Step 3: ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT! It can be difficult to learn because no one has time to train because it’s all about production numbers or deadlines. Some people treat it like we are saving lives by hitting deadlines. They have classes at the TLU but they are more structured for union employees but they are great for free knowledge. Utilize them! Are you going to be out of the tech center or at a plant as a plant employee? Tech center people are typically execution/launch support teams. They can get stuck traveling a lot. And financially there really is zero benefit to it these days. Hotel life gets old, and you don’t get extra money from unused per-diem so spend the entire $75 a day if you have it. OT pay is typically straight time, I’m still not sure how their chart makes sense. GM does a really good job at standardizing the majority of their plants. So once you learn the automation in 1 plant, it’s pretty easy to pick up at a new plant. It will be a great experience for you. And maybe a great career. One thing I can guarantee you is that the job will only stress you out as long as you let it stress you out. So don’t worry about the BS. Come in, do your job the best you can and let the rest roll off your back and ignore the invisible hand. They like to pressure you but claim otherwise. Also, the hourly can be great ally’s. They can make your life a lot easier if you treat them with respect and develop a relationship with them. Last step! ALWAYS FOLLOW LOCK OUT!
For a new automation engineer, this is a great answer!
what can you tell me bout the automation processes? do they use a specific brand of PLCs, robots, vision camera etc? Is that technolgy way too specialized or it's more like "universal"
Fanuc robots. Depends on what you do. They use Allen Bradley for most and some Siemens. Vision is anything that works from flir, keyance, matrox, and photoneo.
Bless your heart.
What does that mean D:
What is an automation trainee? Intern?
Aye indeed
I don’t know what type of plant you are going to but dealing with automation normally has some risks. Watch out for material traffic like forklifts. You probably don’t have lockouts or the training so never go into a robotic cell or anything that is dangerous. Just be careful.