# What's Your Expertise? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 22, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292 "2015-11-22T18:12:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/1 "2015-11-22T18:12:36Z")
I have noticed a tremendous variety and depth of knowledge on this board, from electricians to linguists. I thought it would be interesting to start a thread inviting everyone to share an area they consider themselves to be knowledgeable about, be it professionally or hobby. In short- what’s your thing? Further, an opportunity to mention if there’s something you think people should know about “your thing.” By way of example: I have been in pharmaceutical development for over 20 years. While “D” is always grouped with “R&D” I don’t suspect that people understand the difference (in pharmaceuticals; other industries may be different). Development doesn’t really invent a new treatment, but takes it from idea, proof of concept, and animal studies and makes it into a product that can be marketed and sold. So we’re mostly looking at how can we make it stable over the long term, how can we get it into a formulation that is practical and tolerable to the subjects, what is the appropriate container and delivery method, etc. In my experience (though this is not universal) the Clinical team, responsible for running the trials, is part of Development and I have often worked closely with that team to support their needs. I wish people had a better understanding of the process by which a drug comes to market, especially when I see a common plot device in television whereby the pharma companies make money on clinical trials. We don’t- we spend obscenely on them (with the hopes of making that back in commercial sales, of course). A plot device in an episode of Elementary I saw recently revolved around how a patient was getting the money to pay for treatment she was getting in a trial, and that is so wrong on so many levels, it just infuriated me because I know there will be plenty of people who think that’s how it works. They even peppered the dialogue with real terms, which made the misinformation even worse. Hint guys: terminally ill subjects are not given experimental phase 1 drugs. My personal area of expertise is in parenteral (injectable) manufacturing. Parenterals by their nature are among the highest risk products because they bypass all the body’s defenses. Our processes and controls are pretty amazing, in terms of our ability to keep the product clean and safe. So I am the person who finds an appropriate facility to manufacture the product, I arrange for the audits and inspections, work with Legal to develop the contracts, oversee the technology transfer and site qualification, and ultimately oversee the routine production. I currently oversee manufacturing at about 15 facilities in 5 countries. It’s been a good career, and at times I am immensely proud of the work I do, and at other times I’m so bored I wonder if I should quit and get a job at Home Depot. Anyone else want to play? ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/2 "2015-11-22T20:08:05Z")
I work for a fire alarm and safety equipment company. I have been installing, maintaining, servicing and repairing cutting edge fire alarm systems for 37 years. about a third of the guys working in this field, for any company in the local area, started out working under me. My current project is a very large data center owned by a client that insists upon confidentiality. My crew spends our days testing the fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems for proper operation. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/3 "2015-11-22T21:41:08Z")
I am an expert in the processing and administration of logistical technical documentation (operating manuals and the like) for US Navy submarines. There’s probably a few dozen people in the US with my level of expertise on this (admittedly incredibly specialized) field. I’m also an expert in the history and background of the world of George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”, a much more common field of expertise, and much, much less useful. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/4 "2015-11-22T22:27:52Z")
You might care to look up the ‘Ask the…’ threads. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/5 "2015-11-22T22:51:03Z")
Behavioral neuroscience, medical devices and implants manufacturing and logistics, IT (databases, ERP systems, radio frequency devices, systems interfaces and hardware interfaces to heavy machinery). ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/6 "2015-11-22T22:55:42Z")
There’s probably no single person in my state that has a better understanding and knowledge of the policies/procedures/capabilities of the NCIC-National Crime Information Center and our associated state system. Actually there may be one. At MOST two but it’s not likely. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/7 "2015-11-22T23:49:20Z")
I’m an embedded software engineer. I did kernels and device drivers for cell phones for over a decade, then a brief stint in marine electronics. Most of my career I’ve also served as the interface to the electrical, mechanical, and factory teams. I’ve been a senior engineer on products that have sold more to 10 million units. To be fair, I’m sure they would have done ok with someone else doing the work…but it had to be done, and I did it. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/8 "2015-11-23T00:36:16Z")
There is a very recent thread on Employable Skill Sets: > **[How many employable skill sets do you possess right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=774577)** > > You’re laid off work next week. There’s no open jobs in your field. What other skill sets do you have in your background? Work that you could apply for and earn a living wage? It might be harder and more unpleasant but it can pay the bills. just... ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/9 "2015-11-23T00:39:11Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > There’s probably no single person in my state that has a better understanding and knowledge of the policies/procedures/capabilities of the NCIC-National Crime Information Center and our associated state system. So you’re head and shoulders above the rest? ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/10 "2015-11-23T00:42:17Z")
If you hit the ground, in terrible physical distress, I can most likely keep you alive until we get to a medical facility. Of course providing you have enough actual parts left to sustain life. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/11 "2015-11-23T01:15:18Z")
> [@DeepLiquid](#): > > If you hit the ground, in terrible physical distress, I can most likely keep you alive until we get to a medical facility. Of course providing you have enough actual parts left to sustain life. somehow this seems to be a …most appropriate… username/post combo Myself errm, well, I dunno, I tend to get bored with a job after a few years and leave to do something totally different. I’ve been a mechanic, worked as a microbial remediation specialist and department supervisor in the area of structural disaster recovery (I dried and cleaned your flooded/burned crawlspace, attic etc.) but I know that my knowledge and skills in that area are now obsolete. Currently I am a mover, I can come into your house, pack your stuff, load it on a truck, drive (depending on the size of the truck) and deliver your stuff back to you. You get 4 courtesy boxes unpacked for free (unpack costs extra)and I don’t put things away for you in cabinets closets and so forth. Packing and loading doesn’t seem like much of a skill, but I’ve ceased to be surprised at peoples amazement that all their stuff fits in such a small amount of space in the truck. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/12 "2015-11-23T01:19:33Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > There’s probably no single person in my state that has a better understanding and knowledge of the policies/procedures/capabilities of the NCIC-National Crime Information Center and our associated state system. > > Actually there may be one. At MOST two but it’s not likely. So you’re just like Eddington. “I’m trying to think of the third!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/13 "2015-11-23T17:31:15Z")
I am an expert at database design, implementation, optimization and security. I am also an expert at the use of force. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/14 "2015-11-23T17:38:00Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > So you’re head and shoulders above the rest? And in many cases, armpits and nipples. > [@D18](#): > > So you’re just like Eddington. “I’m trying to think of the third!” 😉 I didn’t get that reference at first and had to look it up. Totally remembered it then though, so thanks for the reminder! ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/15 "2015-11-23T17:48:04Z")
I’m not sure I’d go so far as to call myself an expert (because I want to avoid the wrath of Drs. Dunning and Kruger). But I’m reasonably good at computer forensics, investigations, and incident response. These days I manage security incidents at a really big company that provides IT services to other really big companies. I occasionally speak at conferences on the topic of information security and investigations, and I’ve made a few contributions to the field through my blog. I’ll be teaching a graduate level course in information security management at UM-St. Louis in the spring. I’m not one of the leading lights in my field or anything, but I’m not a dilettante either. I did an “Ask the…” [thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=726458)a while back. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/16 "2015-11-23T18:23:03Z")
Affairs of the heart. ---
**Author:** ![WildBlueYonder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce7236/32.png) [@WildBlueYonder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildBlueYonder)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/17 "2015-11-26T20:25:55Z")
Not the most perfect or expert but I seem to be extremely good with genealogical research. Not how to organize it the best Also numbers. and straight lines but not together ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/18 "2015-11-27T03:04:53Z")
Well, as I’ve said before my username is my profession. I’m pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. I don’t specialize either, I’m a Jill of all trades in the bakery field. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/19 "2015-11-27T03:10:28Z")
I babysit a datacenter…so I’m REAL good at reading the internet and watching cartoons…every now and then I have to reboot something…but sometimes there is new installs or decomms to be done. Not very challenging, but also no stress. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292/20 "2015-11-27T03:11:57Z")
Agriculture. Specifically irrigation ag. I grew up on a farm, and for most of my adult life have been a working farmer and/or employed in agribusiness. Spent some time in horticultural research (viticulture). Also spent some time in forestry, where a lot of crossover skills apply. I did a “Ask the farmer” thread a few years ago. SS [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-expertise/738292.md?page=2)