I had the pleasure of attending this event and hearing Don Zee past president of ISA speak on managing your career options in the process automation industry. Worldwide Process Automation was an $80 Billion USD in 2005, it is now estimated to be $100 Billion USD worldwide. There are about 200,000 automation professionals worldwide.
The Automation Hierarchy is:
1. Enterprise & Time Controls to IT
2. Enterprise Recourses Plan Systems
3. Enterprise Asset Management
4. Highbred DCS Control
5. Analog Control
6. Sensing & Measurement
He recommended that everyone have a 3-5 year rolling plan for his or her career. Augment your skills all the time. A 20 yr old degree without continuing education is a weakness. Manage your career like a project. Advanced degrees help and so doe physical fitness. Finding a mentor who can guide you early in your career can be a big boost.
Don concluded with “Find something you have a passion for! and Do something different”
Phil Sallaway - SalesForceMaven 