Long time no see, everyone!
I apologize for dropping off the radar for so long. I wanted to post, but life got real busy on my end. Mostly because….I have a new job!
Yessiree, I am now employed as a Quality Control Laboratory Technician for Gowan Milling! (Boy, what a mouthful!)
As you may expect from the job title, I conduct tests on samples of the company’s products to make sure that their properties work within the desired quantifiable specifications.
If the numbers are good, all is well, but if something fails to meet a certain quantifiable property, we let Production know what’s up so that they can fix the problem and not send off defective product and have upset customers storm us with their pitchforks and torches.
Due to legal reasons, I cannot quite speak in specifics of what kind of tests, but each product type is to be tested in a particular way from the type of laboratory glassware used, the amount of X actions per quantity of time, and so on.
When it comes down to it, while this job can be quite very repetitive, it really tests you in your time management, task prioritization, and consistency – all valuable skills for an analytical chemist. Granted, it’s more superficial than expected (i.e. more analytical equipment usage), but the experience remains to be useful, and the work-day flies by fast – there is always something to do, and the fast-paced nature of the job keeps you on your toes and becoming bored.
In fact, it can be a little exhilarating as you can challenge yourself to optimize your work process and complete a product’s series of tests more efficiently….while remaining consistent, of course. If you played a game like League of Legends, you’ll know exactly what I am talking about when you try to juggle a lot of information in your mind while you’re doing something.
Aside from my job, I’ve been reflecting on my new circumstances from adapting to life in employment, arranging my schedule, crunching numbers on how to split my paycheck and how long it would take to pay off my loans, and so on. I have begun to contemplate the value of money – it is surprising of just how much and how little $20 can get you.
Not too much going on personally as a result, but that is life living as an adult! Sometimes you have to just sit down and examine your situation.
That being said, I have much to look forward to – learning more Japanese, nurturing a social network in my new residence, reaping more knowledge from my books. The future looks bright, and I am eager to experience what’s ahead. More updates to come soon!