My Journey at Cynergy Systems
Location: Gastonia, NC
In September 2019, I received an offer to work at Cynergy. This was a significant turning point in my career because, ever since graduating from university, I had not used AutoCAD. However, my close friend reassured me that everything would be fine and that they would help me if I forgot certain commands. Cynergy specializes in designing and fabricating high-end cladding panels for commercial projects such as car dealerships, banks, hotels, and office buildings.
I was assigned to create shop drawings, including front views, side views, sections, and detailed drawings. At first, I struggled with AutoCAD’s command lines, often searching through toolbars and writing down shortcut commands. Over time, thanks to the patient guidance of my colleagues, I gradually adapted to the office environment and the fabrication workshop located just behind the company. I had the opportunity to work closely with engineers and cutting technicians to understand the entire workflow—from receiving project requirements and developing drawings to material estimation and preparing files for production, cutting, and transportation to the installation site.
I also had the chance to visit construction sites, where I engaged directly with engineers and project managers to better understand the critical details in shop drawings. These site visits gave me a clearer perspective, allowing me to measure and inspect various aspects of the projects firsthand. Often, the provided drawings required adjustments based on real-world conditions—something that could only be fully understood through on-site inspections.
During my time at Cynergy, my manager recognized my strength in material estimation and encouraged me to invest more time in learning and assisting the lead engineers in this area. With that encouragement, I often stayed after hours to receive guidance and gain experience from each project. After completing a project, I would reflect on my lessons learned and create a fun process diagram, which I posted in my cubicle as a reminder. Eventually, my manager asked me to formalize the entire material estimation workflow, including the steps for ordering materials. I was proud to have successfully developed this process.
My colleagues were incredibly friendly and eager to share their practical knowledge. The company even hired a team of experts with advanced equipment to train us in using laser scanners for highly accurate site measurements—down to 1/4 inch. Additionally, we enjoyed bonding through weekend gatherings and shared many great moments together.
Thank you all for everything—I am truly honored to have worked with such a professional and efficient team.
