Who are you and what is your position at Protolabs?
I'm Alanna and I'm one of the Designers at Protolabs in Telford.
How does a typical working day look like for you?
A typical day would be arriving at the office and looking through our task list for the day and claiming some new jobs to design or old tools to modify. Some days I may need to go down to the manufacturing floor to speak to some experienced individuals that might have more insight on a particular job. I may also have training or some meetings a few times a week.
What do you like most about your job?
I like the problem solving aspect. Sometimes we get some pretty complex parts and its takes some serious thinking to try and design the mould and all of its components. Also the fact that there is often more than one way of designing the tools, so you seem to find your own preferred way of completing the jobs.
What’s your favourite lunch routine?
During the summer months I like to eat my lunch outside and get some fresh air, but when the weather isn't so great I'll head down to the canteen or catch up on some news at my desk.
What’s the most unique thing you’ve worked on at Protolabs so far?
I've been able to work on some moulds for some well-known companies and recently been able to get more involved in the companies critical quality inspection process which has been very beneficial to my expanding knowledge in this industry.
Why did you choose Protolabs?
I knew I wanted to work in manufacturing and be able to use some of the best and most efficient technology in the industry and Protolabs was the place to find it. The customer satisfaction of the company made me see that they really paid attention to the quality delivery of their services.
What advice would you give to yourself looking back on starting at Protolabs?
To have more confidence in my ability and to push myself to try the things I thought I couldn't do, because it turns out I can!
Describe what Protolabs means to you in 3 words.
Progressive, Digital, Innovation