Chase Miller

Chase Miller

Sales Engineer; CASCO USA

What was your first job?

Intern/Parts Department

What do you do in your current role?

I support local manufacturing plants with their needs such as compressed air, process cooling systems, and pumps.

How/why did you begin your career in manufacturing?

I grew up in the manufacturing industry, working locally since I was old enough to start working. When I graduated college in 2020, I worked locally for 2 years before working in Germany for one year as part of a training program with a manufacturer in Coburg.

What is your educational background?

Bachelors Degree

When you were in middle school/high school what sparked your interest in the manufacturing career pathway?

When I was going through school, I knew I wanted to help make the things that make up the world around us. Watching “How Its Made” clips on Youtube inspired me to dig deeper into industry, and to look for educational opportunities to get involved in working in the manufacturing sector. I wanted to both make a difference with the work I do, and to continue to help make Pittsburgh a hub for global innovation.

What do you like most about your current position and work you are doing in manufacturing? 

My favorite part of my job, as a sales engineer in manufacturing, is walking into plants all across the Pittsburgh area, and seeing how they make parts that are then shipped all around the world. My job allows me to go out and see what other companies are doing to impact the world, then it enables me to get involved in making their process more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective. I can make a difference for the companies that I work with, and they, in turn, can better compete on a global scale.

What is the biggest thing that surprised you about manufacturing when you started working in the industry? 

Industry is more complicated than I would have ever thought. Every machine is made up of little pieces that are frequently sourced from hundreds of different companies. Sometimes when you think about a machine, you assume that everything is made in one place. However, the plastic, metals, and other materials to make the machine have to come from somewhere. Then, the materials have to be processed in order to be used in the way that the company intends to use them. Next, the process materials need to be machined and assembled for the specific, intended purpose. Finally, the part/machine/tool has to be sold to end users. The complexity of the manufacturing of everything around us is sometimes hard to see.

What is your #1 piece of advice for young people to prepare for a successful future?

My advice would be to challenge yourself. Learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom at night, and learning doesn’t stop when you leave the classroom once you finish your formal education. The most successful people are constantly learning, and even though its can sometimes feel embarrassing to ask for help or to reach out to people who know more than you, you should take advantage of all the opportunities you can to learn.

Why should someone consider a career in manufacturing?

A lot of people struggle to see the direct impact they make at work day-to-day. In manufacturing, you start with a collection of parts and materials, and at the end of the day you can see the difference you have made by looking at the end product. If you make that product well, and that product makes a difference elsewhere, you can have pride in helping shape other people’s lives, even when they don’t always realize it.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of work?

I like to go bouldering. It allows me to have fun, challenge myself, and keep active, all while spending time with my friends.

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