Seeking Employment: Meet Gary Turner

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Meet Gary Turner, a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s in material science and engineering. He is currently seeking employment in the industry. The following interview will allow you to learn about Gary and see if he might be a good candidate for a position you are looking to fill.

Barry Matties: I recently talked to Gary at the SMTA Dallas Expo about what he is looking for in a career and what drives him.

Gary Turner: To start, I’m an engineer at heart. Even as a kid, I’ve always loved science and engineering. I grew up on the “space coast” of Florida watching the rocket launches. It’s something I’ve always been excited about. To be a part of the industry and a part of the engineering world, to innovate and create something better, is what I’m passionate about.

Matties: What type of business or industries are you most interested in?

Turner: The thing I’m most interested in is environmental sustainability, so any sector that focuses on creating an environmentally conscious green future for humanity and our country, specifically, is significant to me. However, many important jobs and technologies today are developed through the aerospace industry. That is something I am particularly looking into for employment—that it aligns with my passion.

Matties: So, when you think about your daily work, what would your job look like?

Turner: I like working on a lot of things. Working in a company where I would get to do some research, some product design, a little bit of development—the more hands-on scientific type of endeavors, as well as presentation, data synthesis, and visualization. I would like to interpret information you find out in the lab and work with other engineers and clients to create that new product.

Matties: In your student career, what was the most important thing you learned and took away from your university days?

Turner: I would say work ethic was definitely the most important thing. I’ve always been very good at science and math; going into a science- and math-heavy field came easy to me. Even part of the way through my undergraduate degree, I felt like I was coasting. By the time I started to choose my own classes in the latter part of my undergrad and then dove into a master’s degree when the workload and the difficulties started to ramp up, I recognized the importance of strengthening my work ethic so it would be on par with the people I was meeting in the industry.

Matties: So you’re here at the SMTA Dallas Expo. What brought you to this event?

Turner: Actually, my dad did. He is a golf professional in Florida and connected with Jack Harris through an SMTA associate at a tournament they hosted at the golf course. Jack recommended I attend the Dallas Expo to communicate with people in the industry and see what’s out there.

Matties: What’s your sense of what you’ve learned at the event?

Turner: I’ve learned that networking is very important for the industry through communicating with many people running booths. I’ve mainly learned how important it is to sell yourself. It’s not something I’m naturally very likely to do. I don’t think anyone really likes talking about themselves that much. But when you’re communicating with employers, it’s important to display both your value and skills as an employee, as well as trying to glean information about whether you’d be a good fit for the company.

Matties: What type of company culture is important for you?

Turner: I would say the most important thing for me is collaboration. I don’t work very well sitting in a cubicle doing the same thing all day. I like working with multiple people on multiple projects in a collaborative environment; that’s important to me. So, that’s another thing I like to gauge from the folks I meet at the booths. How do they talk about their company? What is their tenure at the company? What do they like about the culture?

Matties: Many have said the big bet is on the next generation. Is it a gamble hiring you?

Turner: I like to think not. I like to think that I have put together a solid portfolio to show off my engineering skills and that I have worked hard to get where I am. I’m very proud of that.

Matties: Good for you. Congratulations. I appreciate that.

Turner: Thank you so much.

Click here to contact Gary.

Editors Note: If you are seeking employment, or know somebody who is, contact us to discuss taking part in our Seeking Employment series. 

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