Controls Engineer Joke

A controls engineer crossed a road one day, when a frog called out to him and said, “If you kiss me, I’ll turn into a beautiful princess.” He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.  The frog then cried out, “If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I’ll stay with you for one week and do ANYTHING you want.”   Again, the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.   Finally, the frog asked, “What is the matter? I’ve told you I’m a beautiful princess and that I’ll stay with you for one week and do anything you want. Why won’t you kiss me?”   The engineer said, “Look, I’m a controls engineer. I don’t have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that’s cool.”

Pendant Controls Engineers

I’m pretty sure we have several team members that identify with this joke, especially the guys in the field. They probably wouldn’t even have time to talk to something as weird as a talking frog.

Long startup and commissioning phases on larger projects are not for the faint of heart. There are lonely days and nights away from home, frustrations galore, and a task list back home that piles up by the hour. Noisy hotel rooms near the highway, fast food meals, and using portable toilets are some of the “amenities” that come with the job.

But there are the rewards of a job well done when complicated automation projects perform the way they’re supposed to. When it’s over, it looks easy because it works.

It’s like watching a great singer perform at the top of their game.  They make it look easy. But what’s not visible are the long hours and the struggles to get it just right. A competent controls engineer has to put in the hours and mind a ton of details.

We’re proud of our team and what they accomplished this year. We will be grateful to get them back for whatever interval they get before the next forays into the field.

And just in case there’s time, we’ll make sure they each get a talking frog in their stocking at Christmas…

Send one of those busy controls engineers to me for my next project