You've mastered 3D printing skills at work. How can you turn that into a promotion opportunity?

I believe showcasing what you know isn't just about letting others know, but rather creating an opportunity for those who need help in that area to reach out to you for guidance. This allows you to apply what you've learned and demonstrates the value of acquiring knowledge that can be practically implemented. In this way, you don't need to promote yourself—your knowledge will speak for itself.

To leverage your 3D printing skills for promo, start by closely observing daily operations in your department or office and identifying areas where your expertise can solve practical problems. This could be something simple, like creating customized door labels, or more complex, such as designing a tool holder or organizer for an engineering team. Once you’ve developed a solution, present it to both management and colleagues, showing how it saves time, improves workflow, or adds value. Starting with coworkers creates immediate impact, and as they adopt your solutions, you can demonstrate a broader organizational benefit to management, multiplying the visibility of your contributions and showcasing the value of your skills to the company.

I was able to utilize my personal experience in 3D Printing, owning my own business while being employed, by being able to offer my main employer a rapid prototyping service for aircraft components (specifically one that was no longer in production). This has led to the conversation of potentially integrating additive manufacturing within the company now that a use case has been established, utilized and proven. This evolution was able to reduce waste and cost significantly, bringing an aircraft back into service before it's contract deadline, and show an expanded capability of the company by utilizing method of manufacturing which could be used for subsequent customers of the company.

Mastering 3D printing skills can be a game-changer for career advancement. To turn this expertise into a promotion opportunity, start by leading complex projects and mentoring colleagues to showcase your leadership. Innovate by introducing new techniques or optimizing workflows that improve efficiency and quality. Quantify your impact by highlighting measurable results like cost savings or faster production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, using your skills to support design, R&D, and manufacturing, establishing yourself as a key expert ready for the next step. #3DPrinting #CareerGrowth #Promotion

Innovation with 3D printing shouldn’t just solve current problems—it should also focus on future opportunities. While addressing immediate needs is important, consider small inefficiencies or long-term ideas that can bring lasting change to your company. Whether it’s automating repetitive tasks with custom tools or developing prototypes for future products, consistently offering forward-thinking solutions showcases your value. By proposing innovations that streamline workflows or open new business avenues, you position yourself as a forward-thinking problem-solver, demonstrating leadership potential for future promotions.

As a biomaterials and 3D printing researcher, especially working with Ti64, mastering 3D printing opens up numerous opportunities, but constant innovation is essential for career advancement. Continuously explore new techniques for optimizing Ti64 scaffold designs, improving efficiency, and enhancing product quality. Experiment with reducing production time or innovating material usage in biomedical applications. Propose how your expertise in Ti64 3D printing can benefit teams like R&D or prototyping. By driving innovation and pushing boundaries, you show your value and readiness for increased responsibility. #Ti64 #Biomaterials #3DPrinting #Promotion

I would offer to conduct training sessions or workshops for colleagues to share my expertise in 3D printing. This not only helps elevate the team's overall capabilities but also demonstrates my commitment to team development and knowledge sharing.

If you're the first to master 3D printing in your organization, you'll naturally become the go-to person for knowledge, positioning yourself to have a positive impact on training others. To maximize this opportunity, consider leading workshops or creating resources like manuals. One effective way to engage people is by hosting live demonstrations with small 3D-printed objects, showcasing the process in real-time. As you share tips and tricks, you’ll not only train your colleagues but also build your reputation as the in-house expert. This proactive approach can establish you as a leader and pave the way for future promotion opportunities.

As a biomaterials and 3D printing researcher working with Ti64, I’ve leveraged my expertise not only through innovation but by training others. I’ve trained students and colleagues in advanced skills like 3D scanning, lattice design, morphing for medical imaging, and segmentation. By sharing knowledge in these critical areas, I’ve helped enhance the team’s capabilities and improved project outcomes. Leading these training sessions has not only solidified my skills but also demonstrated commitment to developing talent, positioning for greater leadership opportunities. #3DPrinting #Training #Leadership #Promotion

Building a strong internal network is just as important as mastering 3D printing itself. The more departments and colleagues you engage with, the faster you’ll grow your own skills and increase your visibility across the organization. By sharing your expertise and learning how 3D printing can benefit different areas, you position yourself as a valuable cross-departmental resource. This not only elevates your profile but also creates opportunities to inspire others to join you in advancing 3D printing initiatives, fostering motivated team building and future collaborations. Ultimately, this internal support can help advocate for your promotion when the time comes.

Networking internally is a key factor for career advancement, especially in fields like 3D printing. By collaborating with various departments, you can expand your impact beyond your immediate role. Regularly engaging with colleagues allows you to demonstrate how your 3D printing skills and expertise can benefit different teams and contribute to larger organizational goals. Building these relationships helps you gain visibility with leadership, showcase your value, and position yourself for greater opportunities and responsibilities. Strong internal networks are essential for growing within an organization. #3DPrinting #Networking #CareerGrowth #Promotion

Communicating your success is crucial for career advancement, especially in fields like 3D printing. By regularly sharing your achievements with colleagues and leadership, you can highlight how your 3D printing expertise is making a tangible impact on projects and organizational goals. Whether it's through team meetings, reports, or presentations, effectively communicating your successes helps build your reputation and demonstrates your value. It positions you as a key contributor, opening doors to greater responsibilities and career opportunities. #3DPrinting #CommunicateSuccess #CareerGrowth #Promotion

Effective communication is key when aiming for a promotion, especially in showcasing your 3D printing successes. Even if your skills and projects are exceptional, poor communication or presentation can undermine your efforts. It’s crucial to not only highlight your technical achievements but also frame them in terms of business value—focusing on aspects like investment, cost savings, long-term benefits, and alignment with the company's goals. Management needs to see how your work contributes directly to the bottom line. A company won't invest in projects for 'fun'—they need clear, tangible value that supports their broader objectives. Ensure your message resonates by aligning your successes with what matters most to the business.

Quantifying your savings to the company, either as time or money, or ideally both, and then presenting that to a wide audience within your organization is a great way to make traction on a promotion. Most managers and executives want to see hard numbers - I saved you this many dollars and this many hours. If you have the opportunity to present what you have done to use 3D printing to save time/money/resources at a company wide event, such as an all hands meeting of a lunch and learn, jump on those chances to get yourself in front of more people, and communicate the success to the whole organization!