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In this career interview, an electrical automation engineer shares his experience in the industry, including his plans for the future, and how much you can expect to make in the field. This is a true career interview as told to DiversityJobs.com. This is one of many interviews with individuals in the engineering field including interviews with a software engineer and with an IT engineer.

I have worked for an earthmover tire manufacturer in the capacity of electrical automation engineer for 25 years. Using only three adjectives, I believe the words that would best describe me are dependable, creative and conservative.

I am a Caucasian male. I don't believe that either my gender or ethnicity has played a negative role inside or outside of the workplace.

As an electrical automation engineer, my work is multi-faceted. My primary job function is to design and improve automated machinery. The work I do is relatively straightforward and therefore I do not believe there are any misunderstandings regarding my position.

On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my job satisfaction as an 8. I am fortunate to work for a company, and with a group of like-minded people, who are passionate about their jobs and look forward to coming to work each day. In order to reach that full-leveled satisfaction, I would prefer fewer meetings and less non-engineering related responsibilities.

I don't know that this job necessarily moves my heart; however, I do find it rewarding to make improvements that make people's work-life significantly better. I do believe I have found my niche in life as an electrical engineer.

Over the years I have turned down many opportunities for management positions because I enjoy what I am doing so much. I believe this is unique as most people try to get out of their current position in order to move ahead. I am not against moving ahead; I just believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

I gravitated toward this type of work because of my love for electronics as a young kid and teenager. If I could go back and do things differently, I would have pursued a masters degree immediately upon finishing my undergrad degree.

I don't believe I have had to learn anything the hard way, although, prior to this job, I served four years in the army, which convinced me of my need to go to college. The single most important thing I have learned outside of school is that from your employer's perspective, it's not all about your fulfillment or advancement, it's about you doing well what they hired you to do.

The strangest thing that has ever happened to me on this job has to be the time when I was working as a maintenance shop supervisor and one of my employees pulled out and then flipped open a big switchblade knife to strip insulation off of a wire, which is not only against company policy, but is also against the law to even possess!

I have had a long career in this industry and am fortunate to have many proud movements to draw from. I recently automated a machine that was previously manual, removing the necessity of several operators doing something they all hated to do every day they worked. It made a big impact on their lives and they each expressed their appreciation for my work.

While there is a lot of good, there are also some not-so-good issues that sometimes make me just want to throw up my hands. These include financial constraints, many design standards to know and follow and dependence on others who are not always as motivated as I am to successfully complete a job.

My job can be pretty stressful at times but most of the time there is a good balance. I go home and try to leave the job behind. I have many other interests that allow me to do so.

A rough salary range for this position is $80,000.00. I do believe I am paid enough and I am satisfied. I am entitled to six weeks of vacation time including holidays.

In order to get hired in this field you must possess a four year engineering degree. Experience always helps. I would definitely recommend this job position to a friend as a great career option.

If I could write my own ticket I would like to be a retired Wal-Mart greeter in five years.