Frustrated and Lost
Frustrated and Lost
(OP)
I recently accepted a position with a small company. I knew that there aspects of the job that I were not exactly what I was wanting, but after a 10 month layoff. I wasn't exactly being picky. After 6 months here, I have come to realize that this position is nowhere close to the original job description, and would be better off with a sales person with basic math skills. My engineering knowledge and overall skills are going to waste.
Let me explain. Upon graduation w/ EE 10 years ago, I took a position that led me into technical support and sales. I have to admit that I enjoy working with customers. In that time, I have performed system admin, purchasing, aided in structuring a growing company, app eng, design, product developement and management, sales, inventory management as well as managed a small production team. I have a unique (may not be the right word)skill of being able to communicate with lay persons and engineers alike, including determining customer needs when in many cases they do not know what they require.
Here's the situation I am in and am asking for some advice from the people here.
I have my EE degree, but have been doing mechanical designs for 10 years. I do not have the experience, and plc programming skills required for a EE position. I am willing to cut back and even tried for entry level positions. I have exceptional mechnical insight and design skills.
I have run into either not enough EE skills, companies looking for an ME and I am tossed because of the EE degree, although I probably have more ME developed skills than the requirement. I know that I could go into sales but it's not want I would like to do as I enjoy the design and thought process of development.
I would also like to thank the forum and it's many members as I find this a relief to be able to ready, understand and maybe even help a little.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Let me explain. Upon graduation w/ EE 10 years ago, I took a position that led me into technical support and sales. I have to admit that I enjoy working with customers. In that time, I have performed system admin, purchasing, aided in structuring a growing company, app eng, design, product developement and management, sales, inventory management as well as managed a small production team. I have a unique (may not be the right word)skill of being able to communicate with lay persons and engineers alike, including determining customer needs when in many cases they do not know what they require.
Here's the situation I am in and am asking for some advice from the people here.
I have my EE degree, but have been doing mechanical designs for 10 years. I do not have the experience, and plc programming skills required for a EE position. I am willing to cut back and even tried for entry level positions. I have exceptional mechnical insight and design skills.
I have run into either not enough EE skills, companies looking for an ME and I am tossed because of the EE degree, although I probably have more ME developed skills than the requirement. I know that I could go into sales but it's not want I would like to do as I enjoy the design and thought process of development.
I would also like to thank the forum and it's many members as I find this a relief to be able to ready, understand and maybe even help a little.
Any advice would be appreciated.





RE: Frustrated and Lost
I assume you do not have sufficient time, money, or motivation to get some kind of ME degree to fix the credential problem. Another possibility might be to get a PE license taking the ME exam, and note this on the resume.
Hg
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RE: Frustrated and Lost
My resume is skill based then listed job history w/ responsibilities. I have thought about going back to school but it would be for a MS.
RE: Frustrated and Lost
RE: Frustrated and Lost
This just crossed my mind when I read your post. It sounded like you are having a hard time finding work in one field to another.
Good luck.
Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane
RE: Frustrated and Lost
Thank you for you advice. I am going to look at school as an option.
Toblcane, to answer your question. Yes, I was in the industrial electrical market for a long time. Now everything (you can count on one hand US manufacturers) used for electrical connection systems are made outside the country. I am not complaining, I was ready for a change into another field just finding it is very difficult.
Thank you again for your time and assistance.
RE: Frustrated and Lost
Lateron I found an engineering job well after spending 2 years in that job. But now I am glad for those two years in which I learnt new skills of marketing, presentations, speaking and other people skills. We engineers have a general tendency to think of technicality/maths as only skill. But sure there are other things to be picked up and no job is a complete waste.
Ciao.