Machining Fundamentals 14
A
career
is a job that requires specialized train-
ing and commitment to the profession. Many people
want a career that is both challenging and interest-
ing. Their philosophy is that if you enjoy your job,
you will never “work” a day in your life. Others
are satisfi ed with whatever job comes along. With
which viewpoint do you agree?
If you are looking for a career that is challenging,
interesting, and rewarding, the fi eld of machining
offers many opportunities. See Figure 2-1. Whether
you choose one of the machine shop areas or select a
career in a related fi eld, you will fi nd that the study
of Machining Fundamentals is basic to all of them.
No matter which occupational choice you make,
you should realize that you will have to keep up with
technical progress. To be successful and advance in
your career, a continuing program of education is
usually necessary.
2.1 Machining Job Categories
Jobs in material machining fall into four general
categories:
• Semiskilled worker.
• Skilled worker.
• Technicians.
• Professionals.
2.1.1 Semiskilled Workers
A
semiskilled worker
performs basic, routine
operations that do not require a high degree of skill
or training. Semiskilled workers may be classifi ed
into the following general groups:
• Those who are helpers for skilled workers.
• Those that operate machines and equipment
used in making things. The machines are set
up by skilled workers.
• Those who assemble the various manufac-
tured parts into fi nal products, Figure 2-2.
Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
Figure  2-1. The field of metal machining offers many
opportunities for semiskilled and skilled workers, technicians,
and professional personnel.
Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com
Figure  2-2. Many semiskilled workers are employed in
assembly industries, where they assemble manufactured
parts into complete units. Training periods to learn these job
skills are relatively short.