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Meet Joe Paz
Electronic Mechanic and Instrumentation Technician
Who I Am
I am an electronic, mechanic and instrumentation technician for the Tunnel
and the Model. We have responsibility over maintaining the instrumentation
on the model and in the tunnel. Each morning we check with the engineer
for the test to hear about any problems that he is having with the data
from the test. If they are critical we get to work on solving the problem
if not then we go on with our daily work including checking with all the
daily work of checking all the systems. Then solving the minor problems.
My Career Path
I was in the Air Force for four years and I worked for the Navy for twenty-one
years. I worked on the actual aircraft making modifications. During this
period of time I did a lot of traveling. I attended 50 different training
schools. I also attended San Jose City college where I studied engineering
for two years.
When I first came to NASA Ames Research Center, I worked on the flight
line. I learned a great deal about instrumentation there and that is how
I came to the wind tunnel to work as an instrumentation technician.
Why I Like My Job
I get a great deal of satisfaction when I see a job completed. The technicians
in the wind tunnel are the best people I have ever worked with. We work
very closely with one another to solve problems and working as team has
generated a family like atmosphere.
As a Child
My early childhood was spent in a small town called Montecello, Utah from
there my family moved to Fremont, California. I always was interested
in aircraft and knowing about all the latest models. My father was a big
influence on me. He taught me to work hard and encouraged me to follow
my interests.
Advice
My advice to young people interested in getting a technician's job is
to get the most out of your education. To choose a profession and find
out which of the local companies will offer advancement in technical fields.
Some companies even offer apprenticeship programs. Learn to read and practice
so you can read technical manuals.
Personal
I enjoy fishing, I fish on the ocean, in fresh water lakes. My favorite
kind of fishing is trout fishing. I enjoy walking along streams up in
the Sierra Mountains. I also like to work outdoors and garden.
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