Student: SS Training or No..?

@MBBinWI Thanks for the response!

I have several objectives in learning six sigma: 1) Within the ag industry, the movement is towards “factory” farms, and I could see there being a higher demand for quality control as firms get larger (some six sigma concepts apparently originated in ag), 2) The skills within six sigma are transferable across several industries and therefore beneficial if I pursue logistics/supply chain/quality control outside of the Ag sector, 3) I am genuinely very interested in the topic for its own sake and see it as being a beneficial tool to add to my repertoire of skills.

When I first researched six sigma, I was all for going through the course/getting certified throughout the summer. But, then I got cold feet as I went through some of the forum topics. It seems the education is much more worth it if you already have a job at a “six sigma company” and can exploit your education in real world projects. Also, it seems it does little in enhancing your resume unless you can highlight the results it gave to XYZ company.

So, I guess I’m still debating. But, here’s a follow up question: Say I get educated in GB material…would I be able to initiate some sort of project(s) in a “non six sigma” company, and then use the results to leverage my break into a real six sigma project? I know for a fact that my experience and education alone would not allow me to get the break that I need to advance my career opportunities. Some might say I chose the wrong major, heh.

@phillperry – As I always tell folks, Six Sigma is 50% tools and 50% (and sometimes MORE) culture change. It’s good to have some real-world experience in order to fully appreciate the second part. I’ve seen some very smart and capable statisticians who are not good belts. That’s one of the reasons for seeing a track record of successful projects.

One opportunity that folks often overlook in seeking out projects are local non-profits. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, food pantries, churchs, etc. are usually trying to stretch limited funds to limitless projects. Helping them to become more efficient/effective as a training project has multiple benefits, both to you and them. You can do a project in any company, it’s just that a company that already embraces six sigma has lower barriers related to terminology and understanding (NOT non-existant, just lower). If you do your project in a non-six sigma company, just call it continuous improvement. I would spend more time using graphs (nearly everything done with a statistical tool can be graphically portrayed) to describe things than in a SS company.

As for the Ag industry, it is far gone to industrialization, and generally for the better. My grandparents had a dairy farm and I spent summers working there – learned a lot of things about prioritization and pragmatism as well as developing a love for machinery. My kids never had that experience. That said, we couldn’t afford the innefficiency of that family farm.

@phillperry – good luck. Come back and let us know how it went (or bring back questions when/if you have them).

@phillperry I second Chris’ comment about Moresteam. Actually I wouldn’t even mention Villanova (which is not Villanova – it is Bisk – read all the fine print on the website) in the same sentence with Moresteam.

Moresteam does have an offering for a “less than free MBB” that might be quick and interesting.

This is just my opinion. You sound motivated and obviously still young. Relax a little. Enjoy life and get some experience. You have a lot of time to get this stuff done. I always found out the classroom made more sense once I had done something other than school. Best of luck to you.

@MBBinWI I think there is some type of symbiotic relationship there. Bill dreams it and ISSISSIPPI builds it – and we all know “if you build it they will come.”