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spudguns on resume
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:55 am
by iknowmy3tables
This may sound outrageous but really there’s got to be a way to use spud guns in a collage or job resume. Some people might use there computer hobby, or crappy education summer camp, or robotics club. Why not spud guns? So how do you think I could phrase this to make spudguns sound valid?
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:09 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
I think this is mostly a bad idea. Most people don't know anything about guns in general other than what they see in the movies and what the media tells them, and are likely to view such an interest in a negative manner.
If you're confident that the interviewer is an enthusiastic hoplophile, or you're applying to join an engineering firm that works with pressurised tanks, valves etc. then by all means, weave your hobby and experience into the conversation, but as a general rule I would omit such interests from my resume.
You could also just make a vague reference to "kinetic hobby projects" or similar.
As an example, we do a lot of air cannon experimentation using the plumbing available to us where I work, but would have telling the manager I would do so during my interview helped me get the job? I doubt it.
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:47 am
by iknowmy3tables
you got the idea jack, people having negative views an lacking understanding on guns and stuff is one of the problems
but there has to be a way to make them understand or overlook the whole gun thing and focus technical aspect of it of "making high speed valves" "machining parts" etc
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:51 am
by Hotwired
Pneumatic launchers perhaps. And even then only if it's involving manual engineering and not a serious desk type job.
Yes I would like to join your law firm and in my spare time I build illegal projectile weaponry....

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:53 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
You can mention that you have experience with high pressure air systems that involves working with standard plumbing components as well as manufacturing your own custom parts.
"And what sort of projects did you work on?"
"Shooting potatoes through sh!t... dude!"
"Next!"

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 2:27 pm
by iknowmy3tables
that sounds like a good way to put it jack,
but i wonder with the whole "shoting potatoes through sh!t" what would it be like to mention that you shot a potato faster than the speed of sound
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:40 pm
by psycix
You can drop things into the conversation and see how they react, if positive, tell more about your devices of doom. (call it a "Pneumatic projectile accelarator")
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:44 pm
by frankrede
Instead say
High pressure pneumatics and hobby level engineering?
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:58 pm
by mtronic
Id say leave it off your resume, it will make you look like a terrorist to the general public especially if you live in the USA lol but if say in an interview your hobbies come up, try, like mentioned above to make it sound more about engineering than total devastation of random objects
Most managers were once fun loving prankster kids before they got a suit, hell my manager was a complete bad ass compared to anything I've ever done so you never know.
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:43 pm
by Velocity
What sucks for me is that I enjoy the building process much more than the shooting. If colleges and jobs could understand that, my life would be a lot easier...
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:04 pm
by HaiThar
" I have a high level of experience in pneumatic engineering as well as a background in the production of improvised advanced weaponry"
^ Apply to be a navy seal. >:D
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:44 pm
by homedepotpro
i actually took my piston valve to my physics teacher and he was amazed with my knowledge of pneumatics. he said if i were to put a project together and show colleges, it could possible get me a scholarship.
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:54 pm
by jackssmirkingrevenge
homedepotpro wrote:i actually took my piston valve to my physics teacher and he was amazed with my knowledge of pneumatics. he said if i were to put a project together and show colleges, it could possible get me a scholarship.
It all depends on what you're applying for, a physics project is one thing where spudgun knowledge is a plus but not something an office employer will be seeking in a job candidate.
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:56 pm
by Blackett
yeah i would avoid this unless you re worded it to something like advanced circuitry, pressure venting systems, pneumatic airflow, or any other plethora of useful skills that everyone uses to assemble a nice gun, hybrid pneumatic or combustion that the general public remains oblivious too. Like glue priming. or any other number of things that are always helpful to know at any given time.
the best word i've heard thus far is : ballistics.
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:06 pm
by ammosmoke
Well, I would say keep it off. Period. Well, you can put parts about experimenting with valve and such, but why would somebody, other than a spudgunner, want to do that??? They will wonder why somebody does such things, and unless you come up with something good, your in trouble...