MEET OUR YOUNG VALVE PROFESSIONALS!
They want you to know what a career in the valve industry is all about.
Name: Megan
Occupation: Project Manager Years in the industry: 8 “Pursuing a career within the valve industry was a departure from the 'norm' that I grew up around, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” |
Megan is a project manager for a valve manufacturing company, and while she is a veteran of eight years in the industry, this is just the beginning for Megan’s career – and she has no plans to turn back. Megan discovered valves in an industrial components class in college, and found it to be the most interesting topic covered that semester. Later, at a professional industry event, she met a representative from a valve company and the rest is history.
Eight years later, Megan’s love for the valve industry continues to grow. As a project manager, Megan’s responsibilities include assuring that each customer’s valves are progressing appropriately through various stages of production, testing, shipment and delivery. “Each step is critical to assuring the success of a project and none should be overlooked in the slightest. I serve as the liaison between the customers; I am their advocate and one of many who are assuring that their project will be a success!” Megan says her favorite part about the valve industry is the talented, driven people she gets to work with every day: “I count myself fortunate to have found such an amazing work family.” A self-admitted arcade basketball junkie, Megan loves to play board games and compete in trivia. She can often be found at her local science or art museum and loves to read books at the end of the day to wind-down. |
Name: Logan
Occupation: Marketing Specialist Years in the Industry: 1 "I never pictured myself in this industry—but I'm glad I'm here!" |
Logan, a marketing specialist for an industrial valve manufacturing company, had never pictured herself working in the industry. But when she landed herself a co-op at the company while working towards her undergraduate degree, suddenly the perfect career came right into view.
As a marketing specialist, Logan puts her BBA and MS in marketing to good use every day. “I learn something new every day. The responsibility and autonomy I am given makes it a challenging and fulfilling job,” Logan says. Between running social media campaigns, developing targeted customer campaigns, leading video and photography production, and creating product literature and marketing materials, it is easy to understand why Logan says, “there is never a dull moment.” When asked why she would recommend young people explore careers in valve manufacturing, Logan said, “The valve industry provides so many opportunities. There will always be a need for valves, they are everywhere and aren’t going away.” Logan, whose hobbies include travelling and volunteering at her local animal shelter, hit the jackpot in finding a job she enjoys and a career with stability and potential—all in valve manufacturing. |
Name: Joseph
Occupation: Product Manager Years in the Industry: 10 "Valves play—and most importantly, will continue to play—a vital part in our lives." |
Joseph is a product manager for a major valve company on the west coast and was introduced to the field by a relative of his who encouraged him to apply for a position at the company he worked for. After being interviewed, Joseph says, “I received an offer I couldn’t refuse,” and the rest is history. Now, nearly a decade after working in valve manufacturing, Joseph’s career has not only fulfilled his passion for contributing to the world through his work, but also has given him the opportunity to achieve his personal goals and enjoy his family and faith.
“The thing I like best about my job is the autonomy I am given. There is nothing more rewarding and fulfilling in like than being able to have a positive impact on those around you, given the decisions you have made.” And in Joseph’s position, there are decisions to be made all day long—he is responsible for providing the sales team with technical expertise, developing marketing collateral, designing market research campaigns to assess customer needs, and always being on top of industry dynamics so that he can prepare his team for any given project or hurtle. In his spare time, Joseph can be found enjoying the outdoors, directing his church’s choir, or spending time with his family. |
Name: Michelle Occupation: Account Manager Years in the Industry: 1 "With this job, not one day is the same and I am always being challenged." |
Michelle grew up with knowledge of the valve industry; her father had made a lifelong career in the industry, so for Michelle--a marketing major at Oklahoma State University with a minor in management--she didn’t think twice when it came to explore valve manufacturing as a career path. Michelle was able to find a position in the valve industry that matches her passion for people as an account manager for a valve distributor. In this position, she uses her marketing and communications skills to build rapport with her clients and keeps them informed about what products are available to them, acting as a strategic partner to ensure her clients’ success.
It wasn’t easy from the get-go, however. Michelle recalls that her sales skills weren’t as strong when she first started, but thanks to the mentoring she received along the way from veteran members of the industry, she enjoys knowing her sales skills are up to par. “There are always people around willing to help you learn and grow and mentor you,” Michelle notes. “Without my mentors, I do not think I would be as strong of a sales person.” A baking enthusiast who enjoys yoga and exploring new cities, Michelle loves the fact that she gets to learn something new every day while working in valve manufacturing. “I think to grow as an individual it is important to learn something new daily. With this job, not one day is the same and I am always being challenged.” |
Name: Jason Occupation: Knife Gate Specialist Years in the Industry: 4 "The valve industry has great potential for young professionals to advance quickly." |
When Jason’s brother interned at a valve manufacturing company, Jason realized that careers in the industry might be something worth looking into. After graduating with his bachelor’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering, Jason landed a position as a knife gate specialist at the same company his brother had interned for years earlier. As a knife gate specialist, Jason works in inside sales communicating with customers about which applications, valves and construction will work best for their knife gate valves. His favorite part of the job is getting to help his customers by coming up with unique designs to optimize the valves’ performance.
Prior to joining the industry, Jason had no knowledge of the industrial valve manufacturing world. While he had a general idea about household valves, his eyes were opened to the breadth of uses and significance that industrial valves have in the world today. He was also surprised to learn about the many career paths available in the industry. “The valve industry is very unique” Jason says, noting the range of opportunities “whether it is engineering, sales, or marketing.” Jason also points out that the valve industry “has great potential for young professionals to advance quickly.” An outdoorsman at heart, Jason spends his free time hunting, fishing, golfing and playing baseball, and enjoys helping his parents at their family dairy farm. |
Name: Tyler Occupation: Regional Sales Manager Years in the Industry: 2 "This business provides young people the opportunity to learn and advance quickly, through hard work." |
Tyler came across the valve manufacturing industry via a family friend who--a 35-year-veteran of the industry--encouraged him to explore a career in the valve world. Tyler did just that, and two years later, he couldn’t be happier about his decision. Seeing the success of his mentors, coupled with being immersed in the industrial sector of Louisiana where he earned his degree in business, only further confirmed his career choice in the valve manufacturing industry. Tyler soon learned that this business provides hard-working young people the ability to learn and advance quickly. “We are given the chance to succeed and build a career immediately after entering the industry.”
A true people-person at heart, Tyler has always been the archetypal social butterfly. He was that kid who was always talking in class, so naturally, a sales position which allows him to interact and engage his customers every day was the perfect fit. “Not only do I enjoy building professional relationships,” Tyler says, “but it is an integral part of the success of my career.” During his time in the industry, Tyler has also enjoyed organizing a popular fishing tournament for valve manufacturers, distributors and their customers—a yearly project which has allowed him to combine his affinity for people and communication, with his love of fishing and the outdoors. |
Name: Kyle
Occupation: Senior Design Engineer Years in the Industry: 7 "Valves are used by many industries in every part of the world." |
Kyle knew he wanted to find a career where he could design complex products and get lots of hands on experience, when he graduated with his degree in mechanical engineering seven years ago. Knowing very little about the valve industry didn’t stop him from diving into the unknown and beginning his career in the valve manufacturing industry as a senior design engineer for a valve manufacturing plant in the northeastern United States. In his position, Kyle not only gets to work with his hands and design, test and install valves—he also gets to utilize cutting edge 3D modeling software and travel frequently to ensure his designs are working well, two aspects of his career that he enjoys immensely. Despite the challenges he faces in designing such multifaceted machinery, Kyle says “I enjoy designing new products. Valves are used by many industries in every part of the world, so the demand for new and improved valves is strong and reliable. The industry is challenging and exciting!”
When he’s not working on a new valve design or visiting facilities to test his products, Kyle is quite the outdoorsman. Along with camping, hiking and kayaking, Kyle says he enjoys brook trout fishing and partridge hunting, and is always up for a live concert with family and friends. |
Name: Elyse Occupation: Project Manager Years in the Industry: 4 "Every day is a new challenge." |
As a child, Elyse had aspirations of becoming an architect—it wasn’t until she started taking advanced math and physics courses in high school that she realized engineering was her true calling. Nowadays, she plays golf, tennis and volleyball, enjoys baking and experimenting with new recipes, and is a proud graduate of Texas A&M with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Elyse discovered the valve industry during her initial job search in college four years ago, and has been working in the industry ever since. In her current position as project manager for a major valve manufacturing company, she oversees ETO projects—engineered-to-order items that are uniquely designed and custom-made based on her clients’ needs. Elyse enjoys working with customers and the wide variety of applications that she encounters in her job and says that “every day is a new challenge.” |
Name: Nang
Occupation: Global Product Manager Years in the Industry: 2 "The products we offer contribute towards the comforts of everyday life" |
Nang is a product manager for a valve manufacturing company who spends much of his free time with his seven beloved nieces and nephews. A self-proclaimed griller extraordinaire, Nang can be found on his back deck firing up delicious meals for his family when the weather cooperates. After graduating with an engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University, Nang started his career in the fluid handling industry.
He didn’t realize the breadth of valve designs or their critical role in the process industry before starting his position as a global product manager, in which he provides key commercial proposals, business development and strategic planning to his customers. In this position, Nang has noticed that the work environment offers continued professional development opportunities and industry insight. He loves working with people in various roles and backgrounds and enjoys being part of an industry that contributes to the comforts of everyday life. It’s no surprise that Nang highly recommends the valve industry to anyone seeking a great career. |
Name: Valeska
Occupation: Applications Specialist Years in the Industry: 1 "Our customers are all over the world." |
Valeska is a world traveler and amateur jewelry-maker who studied metallurgical engineering in Venezuela and materials engineering in Italy before discovering the valve industry. After working in Venezuela for a large pharmaceutical company, Valeska came across the industry in her job search and landed a position as an applications specialist with a major valve manufacturer in Canada. There, her position involves pricing products and preparing quotes for customers around the world.
Valeska has always enjoyed working with her hands, so a career in engineering made perfect sense. Having worked and studied in various countries, one of her favorite aspects of the valve industry is her ability to connect with people all across the globe. Valeska says she recommends people explore the valve industry because “There are opportunities to work in different areas, like oil and gas, depending on the product or project. There are many things to learn and working in the valve industry gives you more insight.” |
Name: Eric
Occupation: Applications Engineer Years in the Industry: 1 "The products we design make a big impact." |
Eric is a drummer and loves to cook, dance and play golf with his friends. A graduate with bachelors and masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Eric has worked as an applications engineer for a valve manufacturing company for a little over a year, where he spends his days engineering bills of materials and producing manufacturing instructions. Eric admits that he didn’t know anything about the valve industry before finding his current position through an online search, and says that he never realized how involved the industry is.
Since joining the industry however, Eric finds himself enjoying learning new things every day and working with new and innovative products. He says that one of the most rewarding parts of his job is knowing that the products he helps design make a big impact by safely delivering oil, water and gas to the public. When asked why the valve industry would be a good fit for other young people, Eric said, “It is a good industry for those with broad interests in mechanical design, fluids, electrics, and controls since it combines a little bit of each. It is also a way to have a positive impact on our economy in a business that is currently flourishing.” |
Name: Kelly
Occupation: Project Expeditor Years in the Industry: 2 "The industry will never go out of style. There will always be a need for valves." |
Kelly has been working as a project expeditor for a large valve manufacturing company in the Midwest for two years. Having studied electrical engineering in college, she discovered and entered the industry through LinkedIn, and has not looked back since. In her position, Kelly works directly with customers on special project orders and ensures that projects stay on track so that her customers get exactly what they need in a timely manner. “I love the vast range of tasks that I have been assigned and taken on…my job is never boring."
In addition to enjoying the variety of responsibilities that her position entails, Kelly always feels encouraged by her managers, which helps motivate her to always strive to do her best. Her workplace has a "family feel" which has fostered her ability to learn and develop her skills during the two years she has been working in the valve industry. When asked about the industry, Kelly thinks it’s the perfect place for young people to start a career. “The valve industry is never going to go out of style,” she says. "There will always be a need for valves." |
Name: D'Neareon
Occupation: Valve Technician Years in the Industry: 5 "Building valves is hands-on." |
For D’Neareon, whose hobbies include horseback riding and training in mixed martial arts, the valve industry is all about family. He grew up learning about the industry through his father, who was in the industry for 20 years before D’Neareon started his position as a valve technician. Seeing his dad enjoy a long and stable career in the industry gave D’Neareon the encouragement to seek a career of his own working with valves.
Nowadays, in his day-to-day routine at work, D’Neareon builds complete valves working from a blueprint to ensure he meets the clients’ demands. He says that his job is never boring: “It is challenging, and I am always learning.” D’Neareon thinks other young people should seek careers in the field because the oil and gas industry is a necessity. “There will always be room for growth and learning. This area of expertise will really be hard to replace with computers because building valves is hands-on.” |
Name: Molly
Occupation: Public Relations Specialist Years in the Industry: 2 "I never expected to be liaising with the media about industrial engineering." |
An avid runner, cyclist and pub trivia underdog, Molly has recently celebrated her two-year anniversary as the global public relations specialist for a valve design and manufacturing company. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in Spanish literature from Ohio University, Molly never expected to be liaising with the media about industrial engineering. However, she has found the valve industry to be a perfect fit for her ambitions and abilities.
Fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Molly has enjoyed the opportunity to leverage her multicultural communication skills within the increasingly globalized media landscape. With products and publications in every region worldwide, the valve industry offers a degree of diversity unparalleled in many business-to-business markets. The chance to work with media outlets in multiple countries, languages and industrial applications has given Molly a breadth of knowledge and experience that would otherwise be impossible to gain in only two years. |
Name: Alex
Occupation: Quality Control Inspector Years in the Industry: 8 months "An industry with potential...plenty of room for growth and development." |
Alex is a racecar enthusiast who enjoys horseback riding, fishing and riding his four-wheelers on the weekends. He happened upon the valve industry when searching for jobs, and although he holds several welding certifications, Alex didn’t know anything about the industry before he was hired as an inspector for the Quality Control Department of his company. A day in his position involves inspecting all new incoming parts before they get put in inventory, as well as doing final inspections on finished valves before sending them to the customer.
When it comes to his job, Alex enjoys having an important voice in the product his employer provides. “I like having the ability to give my opinion, to ensure the quality, and check the specs of our product. This helps me to fully understand the valve by getting to explore each part [according to] its dimensions and physical expectations.” Alex also believes that the valve industry is one with potential, and that a career in the field has “plenty of room for growth and development.” |
Name: Meghan
Occupation: Graphic Design Specialist Years in the Industry: 1 "Working in this global environment has enabled me to diversify my skill set." |
Traveling, golfing, playing sand volleyball and appreciation for art are among the many interests and talents of Meghan, the global graphic design specialist for a multinational valve company. Upbeat and energetic, Meghan is an Iowa native and graduate of Wartburg College who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Communication Arts and Leadership.
Before starting her career in the valve industry, Meghan’s design portfolio primarily comprised freelance work for private clients. While this experience was invaluable in developing her eye for visual balance and artistic appeal, her current position with an industrial engineering firm has enabled her to refine her skills and enhance her attention to detail. “Combining the aesthetics of design with the technical precision required in this industry has been both a blessing and a challenge. Although I never expected to start my career in the valve industry, working in this global environment has enabled me to diversify my skill set and enhance my knowledge of business-to-business marketing strategies.” |
Name: Matt
Occupation: Regional Manager Years in the Industry: 3 "There is a lot of opportunity in the industry and the time to strike is now." |
A twist of fate led Matt to find his career in the valve industry. A financier and businessman by trade, Matt was working in the food & beverage industry after graduating with a degree in business administration. His focus was on the financial world but he wasn’t having much luck. A friend at his workplace told him about the opportunity in the valve industry and after doing some research, Matt made the jump and hasn’t looked back.
Matt—an avid outdoorsman, athlete and volunteer—says that his position as a regional manager of a large valve manufacturer always has something new to offer. His job requires him to interact with all phases of the industrial world, and Matt enjoys the interaction with his customers, from the end-users to the distributors. When asked why others should consider the valve industry, Matt said, “I think there is a lot of opportunity in the industry and the time to strike is now. You see the people in the industrial and valve industries retiring, and there is a void that needs to be filled.” |
Name: Jamie
Occupation: Inside Sales Engineer Years in the Industry: 2 "There is always more to learn." |
Jamie is a graduate of the University of Buffalo with a degree in chemical engineering. She first worked in heat transfer following college, but was approached by her current employer with a job offer she couldn’t refuse. In addition to her chemical engineering background, Jamie has a host of extracurricular passions, including Crossfit, volunteering with children and at her local historical society, and restoring classic cars.
Day-to-day, Jamie's job as an inside sales engineer involves evaluating customer requests, preparing quotes, answering technical and commercial questions, assisting with contracts engineering, and acting as liaison for company reps. Jamie says that the best aspects of her job include the fast-paced atmosphere, the technical knowledge she’s accumulated, and the fact that there is always more to learn. She also thinks other young people should consider the industry because it will “put their college education to good use and will touch upon many different disciplines.” |
Name: Andrew
Occupation: Manufacturing Engineer Years in the Industry: 4 "Jobs in the valve industry are challenging but rewarding." |
Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Houston and has worked as a manufacturing engineer for the past four years. He didn’t know much about the valve industry but an online job board search led him to his current position—a career in which he gets to apply engineering principles and techniques to create and maintain safe work environments where workers can be more productive and effective.
Andrew, a soccer player who enjoys building model airplanes, has a self-proclaimed passion for manufacturing and enjoys working with others who share that passion. “Making things safer, better and more cost-effective” are just some of the reasons he loves working in the valve industry as a manufacturing engineer. When asked what other young people should know about the industry, Andrew says, “Jobs in the valve industry are challenging but rewarding.” |