Steve Pierce
Quality Engineer
ThyssenKrupp Presta

For Steve Pierce, the ThyssenKrupp company is like family - literally. Steve's mom and dad have both worked at the company since the company first came to Danville in 1991. Steve's dad actually worked at Wyman-Gordan, the predecessor owner of the Forge Division.

Steve graduated from Covington High School and received a bachelor's degree from Culver Stockton College in Technical Theater. Since graduating from college, Steve has worked at ThyssenKrupp Presta for four and one-half years. He began as a Lab Technician and Gauge Technician and then was promoted to Quality Engineer. But his exposure to ThyssenKrupp Presta actually started while he was still in high school working as summer help. "The only paycheck I've ever known has come from ThyssenKrupp Presta," he expresses proudly.

Steve says without question that the key skills necessary for his position are problem-solving, critical thinking and good communication. "We work every day with customers. You need to be able to think on your feel as well as create an educated answer in a timely manner. ThyssenKrupp Presta is a really good place to advance, learn and basically forward your career in any way you want to."

What Steve likes best about his position as a Quality Engineer are the day-to-day challenges. "You're always thinking. There is not a lot of dead time. A lot of times 5:00 comes a lot quicker than what I expect simply because the day is always full of new challenges and a lot of hard work."

Steve thinks the greatest challenges of the job depends on one's personality. "For some, the greatest challenge might be the multi-tasking, and I don't mean that in the traditional sense. You have a lot of things flying at you in a matter of minutes. You could have a different task that you need to perform at that very moment." Steve says that being very organized is critically important, as well.

The greatest reward from what he does is completing tasks where you can see your work from start to finish. "Whether it is a corrective action from a customer concern or an internal issue such as scrap reduction, you always see the results of your work."

Steve's advice to those in high school would be to take advantage of any summer help or internship opportunity that might be available. "When I started as a summer helper, I simply looked at the job as a paycheck, but now I realize what an invaluable experience I gained. When I graduated from college, I then came into the Lab Technician position with a wealth of knowledge that a lot of kids don't have the advantage of having."

For adults seeking a career change, Steve suggests taking any classes they can dealing with problem solving or critical thinking. "Just get your mind used to using critical thinking skills."

Steve is also a cheerleader for the field of manufacturing and the Danville area. "It's wrong to think that coming back to this area and working in a factory is a bad thing. Our company is continuously growing, even during the recent recession. Young kids need to realize that the opportunities here in this area are almost limitless.

When I say I'm a Quality Engineer most people don't know what that is. They just know I work in a factory. However, my job is a desk job just like someone working in a bank in a desk job. Quality Engineering is the first line of defense when there is a customer concern, so you get customer service experience, as well.

Steve said he always knew that he wanted his kids to grow up in this area. "There is a soft place in my heart for Covington and Danville is a great place as well. The mix of small towns surrounding a city is good. It promotes a community environment.

"If someone wants to challenge themselves everyday mentally - not physically- then this is the job for them."

JUST THE FACTS
Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. There work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

• Employment is projected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations, although growth will vary by specialty; overall job opportunities for engineers are expected to be good.

Related Occupations include:
> Engineering technicians
> Industrial Engineers
> Mechanical Engineers
> Materials Engineers


Training Available through Danville Area Community College
Manufacturing Engineering Tech AAS 67 cr
Manufacturing Engineering Tech (CAD) 63 cr
Transfer AES Degree 65 cr (1st 2 years)

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