Joe Miller
Director of Engineering
Potomac Photonics
Baltimore, MD USA
“Look for the resources that are going to get you to the next thing and help advance you. Little by little, you are adding to your bag of tricks.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationJoe Miller
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Grew up outside of Baltimore in a town called Catonsville, Maryland—I was always a good student, but I struggled to find my direction.
As a kid, my father instilled in me the passion for working with my hands and building things.
Attended a local community college, where I started taking classes in a variety of subjects to figure out what I wanted to do, but couldn’t land on any one thing.
I applied to a few larger colleges to transfer to, but got rejected from all of them.
Took a full-time job on-campus at the community college doing a variety of maintenance and event work, but I didn’t feel like that was getting me anywhere.
A friend hired me to work in customer service and operations for his small t-shirt company, but I wasn’t truly passionate about it.
One of my former co-workers from the community college got me a job working at Potomac Photonics, where I started working in the production and manufacturing departments.
I continued taking college courses to gain new skills in different areas of the company and discovered I had a knack for working in engineering—I am now their director of engineering.
Education
High School
Career
Director of Engineering
I specialize in the use of laser machines and design software in the digital fabrication industry.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Engineering
Technology
Building Things
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
When you are looking for a job, focus on finding a company that is a good fit for you. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Do your research and reach out for guidance when you need it. Utilize the mentoring and educational opportunities available to you.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"I can't do this. I have to find my own way."
Challenges I Overcame
Career Change
Interviewed By
Rerouting
Changing careers and reinventing your path
