getting involved in the business

[lee92 2]

i have a great interest in hockey. i just love everything about it, as well as all of the gear. i love going to stores and checking out all the new gear there. i'm just wondering what would you do to get involved into the hockey equipment business, as in designing, testing, producing, or manufacturing? what courses or programs do you have to take at a university or post seconday education? and information would be very appreciated, especially from justin or ryan as to how they got started in the business

[LegoDoom 0]

I think it's materials engineering and/or structural engineering (maybe it's a composite materials major though), but I'll leave that for Ryan and Justin to answer. All I know is it's a good amount of schooling and a lot of luck to get into the business.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Justin started at Starbucks and Ryan started picking tomatoes in a field...LOL

[kovalchuk71 212]

Are you serious lol? See everyone has to start somewhere ;)

BTW, Justin im sure u make a mean frappuchino ;)

[Ryan 0]

Hey man, you think I'm kidding about wanting to be a farmer. There's something soothing about working with the soil.

[asdfa 0]

Hey man, you think I'm kidding about wanting to be a farmer. There's something soothing about working with the soil.

hey, my mom likes gardening too.. is there any way we could get some easton gardening gear? gloves, shovels (synergy shovel?)

[Ryan 0]

All composite Therma-Tec shovels. I like it! Digs through the soil faster and easier then all other shovels!

[Stampeder 2]

You guys are crazy farming sucks, good money though.

[asdfa 0]

All composite Therma-Tec shovels. I like it! Digs through the soil faster and easier then all other shovels!

hotter blade surface actually allows you to cook whatever you dig right on the shovel! hello instant baked potatoes!

[Ryan 0]

In all honesty though, and I'm sure Justin or anyone else would say the same thing....Getting in is about persistence, hard work, networking, relationships, and just a little bit of good old fashioned luck.

[Chris_H 0]

Didn`t we have a topic like this before debating about like contacts and relationships and how you need relationships and to actually know the people and not just say yea my cousin`s friend`s cousin works for Easton, he can get me a job.

[Miseaujeu 291]

Didn`t we have a topic like this before debating about like contacts and relationships and how you need relationships and to actually know the people and not just say yea my cousin`s friend`s cousin works for Easton, he can get me a job.

Well...You do have a point there, they have to be solid business relationships and not just friendships.

Your best bet is to get in the business at the hockey shop level, choose one that is respected and knowlegeable. Since you already know the product, you'll stand out from the other kids working there and you should get noticed by the sales rep for each company. That will get you the business relationship with the company. Just impress the guys with your knowledge and the fact that you're a stand up employee.

Worked for me.

[Neo5370 132]

That is true. But I spoke to someone here that told me while the grassroots approach works it's much more likely that you'll get a job if you have an applicable college degree.

i.e.) marketing/mechanical;industrial engineering.......etc. Of course depending if you want to sell, R&D, or help manufacture.

And apparently knowing every little thing about every piece of equipment or who uses what, is of very little importance (most of what we discuss at MSH). I would compare that sort of info to having a really great slapshot. It's impressive, but not absolutely necessary (as far as being a rep is concerned).

[Miseaujeu 291]

That is true. But I spoke to someone here that told me while the grassroots approach works it's much more likely that you'll get a job if you have an applicable college degree.

i.e.) marketing/mechanical;industrial engineering.......etc. Of course depending if you want to sell, R&D, or help manufacture.

And apparently knowing every little thing about every piece of equipment or who uses what, is of very little importance (most of what we discuss at MSH). I would compare that sort of info to having a really great slapshot. It's impressive, but not absolutely necessary (as far as being a rep is concerned).

I won't argue that at all. Get your degree in one of those fields of study while working in the shops for experience in the industry.

Industrial Design is a another good field to get into...you're not limited to hockey in the long run! Oh! and take some Mandarin courses in college too, you'll need it.

[wristshot19 0]

I won't argue that at all.  Get your degree in one of those fields of study while working in the shops for experience in the industry.

Industrial Design is a another good field to get into...you're not limited to hockey in the long run!  Oh! and take some Mandarin courses in college too, you'll need it.

I had a lot of Mandarin in college but that was from the local food court;-)

I graduated from a nice engineering university, but I have a CSE (Computer Science Engineering) degree and not a Mechanical or Industrial Engineering degree. I did do about 3/4s of my ex-girlfriend's homework while at school, and she was a Mech. Engineer, so does that qualify?

To all of employees that currently work in the hockey industry...

How much of your work is focused on visual design?

[Neo5370 132]

I"m not in the industry but when I was mech. engin. major my dream job was to work for easton. I found a job listing on their site years ago for a mechanical engineer and it was pretty detailed. Described, education/experience requirements, salaries/benefits, required skills and application familiarity........everything.

I would say check all the companies' website. Look for a corporate or "jobs"/"careers" link and they'll sometimes you'll find a job opening and description of exactly what they're looking for.

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Ryan and Keith described it exactly. It's pretty freakin' hard...I've been trying for a while now. I have a couple things that might be looking good, however, if they do not work out I'm probably going to give up...

[Justin 1933 134]

In all honesty though, and I'm sure Justin or anyone else would say the same thing....Getting in is about persistence, hard work, networking, relationships, and just a little bit of good old fashioned luck.

Exactly...I got in trading surf clothes for equipment...Started out as working just on Roller pants, bags, and T's...Worked my way up to be in charge of almost everything except sticks and blade holders...

MY degree is in marketing...Not what a usual designer has....Study industrial design if you are at all interested in design...However, there are tons of other jobs that aren't R&D....

Good Luck....

[wristshot19 0]

Ryan and Keith described it exactly. It's pretty freakin' hard...I've been trying for a while now. I have a couple things that might be looking good, however, if they do not work out I'm probably going to give up...

JR,

Don't give up. You might want to read this book if you start feeling down...

[Hiub 0]

Thats quality

[kovalchuk71 212]

When you say start out at a well known hockey shop....is there really any really well known ones? Are you talking about for example: Peranis?

[JR Boucicaut 3804]

Highly recommended book by Chico.

I wouldn't say a shop like Perani's because the chances that you'll interact with a rep aren't as high as a shop like mine, for instance. I don't even run the shop but it has gotten to the point that the rep deals with me as much, if not more, than the manager.

[Miseaujeu 291]

Ryan and Keith described it exactly. It's pretty freakin' hard...I've been trying for a while now. I have a couple things that might be looking good, however, if they do not work out I'm probably going to give up...

Yup.

Ryan is dead-on when he said luck. I was very lucky I had the opportunities I had when I first came into the business...Justin knows that and was a big part of it.

I'm sure all of the "industry" folks on the board or perusing will admit that they have had some great luck in finding a job that both challenges their abilities and one that they love.

JR is right in the mix. Keep your head up shorty!

[wristshot19 0]

Here is a question for those in the biz...

What sort of design/3-D modeling tools do you use the most? I have had experience with AutoCAD and Maya, but looking in to goofing around with others.

What can I say, I am a computer geek that can throw a good hip check.

[MDE3 0]

If you want to get into the design side of things..a good reality check is...do I like to doodle with various designs of hockey equipment all the time? Have I always got some little improvements on equipment I would like to see that I know players would appreciate?, Can I present them in an attractive and understandable format?

If you aren't already doing this, it might not be where you really want to go. Having the formal technical training needed to actually do the design is handy, but a love for the game and understanding of what appeals to players about equipment is probably even more important.....the marketing side.

Designing "neat stuff" that nobody cares about is not always a productive pass-time and often a fast way to financial perdition. The mechanical ability to effect the design is an important element, but not as beneficial to the company as the understanding of what the market needs and wants.

Remember as well..if actually playing the game is of paramount importance to you...working in the industry might not always be the best solution....

Think of the golf "club pros" you may know, if you have that particular addiction..notice how little they actually get to play.