So I don't even know where to start. For a while, I've been keeping my eye on a local company called Ducommun that does Electrical Engineering work related to Aerospace and Defense. They seem to always be hiring for various positions, including entry level Hand Soldering. I never applied as I didn't have any related "professional experience", a common thing that held me back from even getting an interview at most companies... However due to financial stress, I took the initiative to apply with what I had... And to my surprise they called me back!
The interview went amazing. Everyone Ducommun is extremely well versed in technology. It operates similar to JLCPcb, but for governmental and private companies. These entities contract Ducommun to have PCB's assembled and manufactured. Many of them are familiar with coding, electronics, and manufacturing. Even Human Resources had a ton of experience through out the company's technical position, which I rarely see in a company. We talked the standard interview questions, I did some small tests around soldering to show my skills, and then they informed me that I had the job and they would provide training for a certification they require (again, VERY rare to find from my experience).
After the interview, they took me on a quick tour of the facility and where the Soldering operations occur. And Oh, My, Gosh... My first time in a standard fabrication lab was only last year, when I joined my school's Robotics club. This company has a complete lab for soldering, fabricating, inspecting, and testing circuits. Besides the board itself, everything happens on-site. They have a hand soldering area, programming area, Wave Soldering machines, PCB washing and baking areas, ICT (In-Circuit-Testing) Machines, and so much more...
The written portion of the exam was pretty easy. There was a lot I learned about soldering standards, and what to aim for in terms of quality in my soldering. For the most part though, the studying and testing for the exam felt like an early spring break camp, for electronics lol. I was extremely prepared since I took a while to study soldering beforehand, so I ended up with a lot of "free time" (I was studying or practicing ahead of the class). The test is also open book, so you can look up what you don't remember. Besides some small catches though, a lot of the test content in the IPC-III exams can be identified by common ranges of numbers, and "What solder joints look nicer, and what likely has the best stability and durability". You also get two chances at the quizzes, so you likely won't fail.
The hands on portion of the exam was even easier and more fun! You strip, tin, and solder wires onto various components, and then you'll solder some THT and SMT components of various size, clean the board, and that's it! If you're aware of oxidation and heat transference, then it's just a matter of getting it to look like what they need.
I'm insanely impressed by this company and the quality of people in it. I just finished the classes provided by the company, and got 3 certificates in IPC-III class soldering! The test focuses on quality various specifications of general quality levels based around how a PCB is assembled. While learning about my position as a THT soldering, I've also been learning about my coworker's roles, and how we all interact to fabricate a board, suited for military grade standards. I'm extremely excited have a job working with high-reliability electronics and feel affirmation that the path I've chosen and the choices I've been making are the correct ones, despite some hick-ups on the way.
The facility I'll be working at specifically does business on a government contract basis with military equipment. So I'll be soldering electronics that lives depend on... While a bit intense, I feel very excited and honored to have this responsibility! I can't talk or post many pictures due to the security nature of the environment and work, but you can view some of the equipment and area I'll be working in, from their website here: https://www.ducommun.com/electronicsolutions/pcbas.aspx
(A coin they give new hires. They also gave me a Rocket shaped ink-pin and some other cool stuff... Pretty awesome. Wish me luck on the job!)
-Thanks for reading, Allen.