As we come to the end of 2015, it's a time of reflection and appreciation of what has happened in the past year. This year, like every year, has been wrought with lessons learned, and it's important to reflect on these lessons. In that being said, I realized that September 18, 2016 will mark ten years in the auto industry as a supplier. In this time, I've gone from being the youngest person in the building by a good ten years, a know-nothing, nervous intern, to confidently working for one of the world's largest automotive suppliers, with one of the world's largest automakers as my prime customer. In the past nine years, three months, and five days (but who's counting?), I've learned an incredible amount that was never taught at any college or university. Since there seems to finally be an influx of new workers my own age, as well as people returning to the industry after the 2008/2009 economic collapse, I thought it would be a good idea to share what I've learned.
1) DO. NOT. BURN. BRIDGES.
There's a reason this is number one, in caps, and each word is separated. As the Disneyland ride has sung since 1966, "it's a small world after all". And in the auto industry, it almost comes to a disturbing level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, There are nearly one-million people who work in the auto industry, not counting dealers or part stores. The chances of someone in the industry knowing the friend of someone else working in the industry? Pretty high. With the shakeup of automakers changing (See Fiat-Chrysler), suppliers opening and closing, and the mass layoff and eventual rehire after 2008/2009, the chances of someone working at one company and going another (often a competitor) are extremely high, and paths cross all the time.
In my experience, I have seen this help and hurt people. When I was laid off in 2009, I had seen some people take it very badly. In short, they're no longer working in the industry. A sort of black-listing. But when these people apply to positions where they know someone in that company/group, their actions can come back to bite them.
As Sun Tzu said: Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
2) You don't know everything
When you come in on your first day, you sit down at your desk, get your first assignment, and realize you don't know what the hell to do. Talk to your co-workers, talk to your customer, and talk to the lady at the coffee shop. Most of the stuff you learned in college or at a previous employer will be challenged and different from what needs to be done. Always have an open mind and be prepared to change your way of thinking, but don't change your ethics.
3) Take training opportunities
Often, your employer or your customer will provide a training for something. Anything from GD&T to the corporate data management tool. Not only will these trainings broaden your knowledge base, but often times will create an open discussion on why certain items are used and how they can appropriately be applied in the real world. Having this knowledge will not only make you a bigger asset to your company, but will also expand your experience in the event you're looking for a new job.
4) There is no such thing as 9-to-5
The first thing you'll notice when you walk into the office of an automotive company is that everyone looks a bit on the tired side. The reason? The automotive industry is a global industry. Depending on the project and the customer you work with, you may end up working with England at 6:00 am, then going on to work with China at 7:00 pm. It's not that your boss is trying to make you crazy from lack of sleep, it's just the nature of the industry. We're no longer making '57 Chevys, which were developed in Detroit and built in the United States. We're now building Ford Escapes, which were partially designed in the US, UK, and Germany and built in the US, Germany, Spain and China. Learning to adapt is surprisingly not difficult, especially if you're fresh out of college.
5) Keep your emotions in check
Especially approaching a major milestone, emotions can come back to bite you in the ass. Hard. Remember the pressure just before a final exam? Take that and multiply it by five. Emotions can run high, but do everything you can to keep cool. Keeping calm during a high pressure situation can prevent you from looking like an asshole in front of your colleagues and your customer. As I previously said, the auto industry is a small world, and if you come off as the guy who is difficult to work with, that word will travel extremely fast.
6) You WILL get thrown under the bus
It's nothing personal, it's just the nature of the industry. Whether it's in a meeting or on an e-mail chain, always be prepared to confidently assert yourself without coming off as brash. Don't take it personally. Realize that whoever is doing the throwing, is (usually) trying to do the best for their company and/or customers.
7) There is always someone who doesn't understand
Especially if you're in a position where you produce specialize parts, there will always be someone who doesn't understand the reason something is done. It's not their fault. If you were a specialist for developing engine blocks, you wouldn't necessarily know the specifics for developing a fuel tank. When it comes to someone not understanding why you did or didn't do something, don't look at them like a moron. Explain it to them in a professional manner, not in the way that you'd explain what you do to a five-year-old. While the amount of seemingly stupid questions can become excessive, these people are typically looking for any reason why your logic may be flawed (going back to #4), but if you can calmly and professionally explain yourself, not only will these questions be answered, but you'll be respected more.
8) Don't be an asshole, unless you absolutely have to be
99% of the time, whoever you're working with, whether in your company or with a customer, has an appreciation for what you're doing and understands you're helping for the bottom line of both your company and theirs. Even in stressful times, while it may seem like they're trying to betray you, they're pushing to provide the end-customer with the best product that can be delivered. Keep your cool, and things will be much, much easier. However, there is that 1% that is flat out difficult to work with. Under all circumstances, be as professional as possible. However, don't be afraid to be stubborn. Assert yourself, but refrain from calling the person "a fucking asshole". The customer may not always be right, but when they're wrong, explain it to them, don't just call them out on it.
9) A disturbing understanding of a secret
I'm not talking about what Shane did at spring break in Cancun. I'm talking about a secret which holds your jobs in it's hand. Automakers start projects YEARS before it's even announced to the public. Your knowledge of what an automaker is coming up with is one of those epic secrets that can't be shared outside of work (and sometimes inside, depending on the project). It doesn't matter what happens, realize that sharing that secret can result in losing your job and can end up in a PR nightmare for the customer. Yes, friends and family will get upset in you not divulging this information, but this is the one case where being as vague as possible comes out in your advantage.
"Why yes, Honda is coming out with a new car! It's going to have doors, and wheels, and a motor!"
That's the amount of information you want to divulge, until details are officially released. And even then, there is going to be a significant amount of information you cannot share.
10) Learn to understand politics
This probably combines #6 and #8, but should be made a point anyways. There's always a reason why you can or cannot do something. Or why you MUST follow a particular standard. Most of the time when you think about it, these make sense. But there are instances where the politics of how/why something is done, and the only explanation you can get is "oh, it's always been done that way." Before going in with guns blazing, sit down and examine why this is done, and don't be afraid to challenge this if necessary.
11) You will fail. A lot.
Especially in this time of "Everyone's A Winner!", it may feel like a punch to the gut when someone shoots your idea down. Especially if you've a considerable amount of time into it. But guess what. The world isn't crashing down, there are no human sacrifices, and there is no giant Twinkie growing under the city. As the old adage goes: If at first you don't succeed; try, try again. Take a lesson learned on why you failed, and always apply it to the future. If you don't fail, you won't learn from it to make your parts and career experience better.
12) An appreciation for your work
If you ever wondered what an artist feels like when others view their work, well, you probably won't feel it. Most of the time, the end-customer won't care about what you created until there's a problem with it, then they'll be swearing six ways from Sunday. But when you see a car going down the road, knowing that your parts are on that car gives you a bit of self-satisfaction. It's okay to feel smug with this.
