Career Corner
Why Quality Careers Are Still Important
Jobs like implementing systems, being the champion
and providing training still remain important--but you have to
be prepared
by Teresa Whitacre
The role of the quality professional has definitely changed
in the last decade, particularly the last few years.
The traditional quality employee was an inspector who watched
a product through its various manufacturing steps or checked the
quality of a part or product before it was shipped. Traditional
quality employees also included managers who oversaw the inspection
or control function. But the times have been a-changin' thanks
to what are known as the "new economy" and the "new organization."
The new organization strives to make the quality of the product
or service every employee's responsibility. Over the years, old
slogans like "quality is job one" became the mottoes of many organizations.
Making quality everyone's job is an excellent idea, in a business
sense. Each employee can take pride of ownership and responsibility
for doing a job correctly the first time. The responsibility for
shipping good parts does not just belong to the quality control
department--it belongs to everyone.
Now that every employee is responsible for producing good quality,
it would seem likely the quality control department's job would
be made a little easier. But, instead of having less stressful
or simpler jobs, traditional quality control department employees
are frequently finding themselves without jobs.
Still a place for inspection
The new organization in the new economy still has a place for
career quality professionals, however. In some industries, there
is still a need for the inspection function--it's just not as
prevalent. Heavily regulated industries (for example, nuclear,
pharmaceutical and aerospace) have a need for constant, rigorous
inspections. Other industries, in which the cost of one failure
or defective part is astronomical, also need the traditional inspection
function.
The question going through your mind may be, "What is prevalent
in the new organization, as far as quality professionals are concerned?"
Look through the classifieds in publications like Quality Progress,
and view Web sites, such as
Monster.com or CareerBuilder.com,
and you will see a great need for those who can do more than traditional
quality.
Some of the jobs are for implementing quality systems like ISO
9000, being a promoter of continuous improvement, effectively
providing training throughout the organization, and understanding
and implementing Six Sigma philosophies--in short, for being the
overall quality champion and driver of the quality bus.
How to prepare
What can you do to prepare yourself for this evolution of quality
in the new economy? If you are an inspector or technician, use
your knowledge of the inspection process as a steppingstone. Inspection
requires blueprint reading and measurement skills, but it also
requires you to think about how to inspect or test a part, particularly
in the absence of detailed instructions or blueprints. This involves
problem solving skills.
Remember what happens when the truck is waiting at the dock
and you have to tell manufacturing some parts are on hold because
they did not pass inspection? Finding a solution requires interpersonal
and conflict resolution skills.
What if you had to trace the reason a set of parts was defective?
This involves root cause analysis and auditing skills. One activity
every organization needs, in my opinion, is quality improvement.
Take your inspection and test knowledge, plus the other hidden
skills I just mentioned, and you have the makings of a certified
quality improvement associate (CQIA). Sign up for a review course,
if possible, and take the ASQ CQIA exam.
Another way to prepare yourself is through networking and research.
I can personally attest this method is successful because I used
it. Attend ASQ meetings, courses and conferences--anything that
gets your name and face known. Research various sources of employment
information: classified ads, newsgroups and Internet sites. These
sources will give you a general idea of what skills, education,
training and certifications are expected for those positions.
Try to find a mentor who has done any or all of these things and
can give you guidance.
Above all, don't be shy about getting involved in making things
happen for yourself. It's your career we're talking about.
Create change
I see quality professionals extending beyond quality control
to systemwide improvement. Think of quality as more than the parts
you put into the box to ship. Rather, it is the ability to create
change in the thinking processes and the quality of interactions
within an organization.
Real improvements in the business systems require real improvement
in thinking and interacting. This is the direction quality professionals
need to take to be valuable resources in the new millennium.
Determine your skills and interests. Determine what you need
in the way of training, education and experience to make the shift
to the new organization's quality and business system. I personally
did so--and I am much happier with my work. My life as a quality
professional has taken on a whole new meaning and importance,
and I am having much more fun.
TERESA WHITACRE is a quality systems manager for CTP Carrera
in Latrobe, PA, and principal of Marketech Systems. She authored a quality
technology text used by the ASQ Pittsburgh Section for instructing certified
Quality Inspector and certified quality technician courses and has
instructed both courses herself. Whitacre holds a bachelor's degree
in quality engineering from Pacific Western University and holds ASQ
quality engineering, quality manager, quality technician and quality
auditor certifications. She is a Senior Member of ASQ.
If you would like to comment on this article, please post your remarks
on the Quality
Progress Discussion Board, or e-mail them to editor@asq.org.
