Change in Engineering Direction
Change in Engineering Direction
(OP)
I have been working as a design engineer for the last 4 1/2 years in the light engineering sector. Although I enjoy my job most of the time I am considering a move into building engineering. I think (although I am basing this on work I did in between engineering jobs when working on building sites) that I would enjoy working on buildings rather than small components.
I know that building companies wouldn't be interested in me at the moment as I have a BENG in Mech Engineering and am considering doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Building Services Engineering.
For those of you out there who work in the building industry do you think I would stand a chance of getting a job if I gained a post grad qualification. I would be happy enough to take a pay cut if it meant working at something I enjoyed.
I know that building companies wouldn't be interested in me at the moment as I have a BENG in Mech Engineering and am considering doing a Post Graduate Diploma in Building Services Engineering.
For those of you out there who work in the building industry do you think I would stand a chance of getting a job if I gained a post grad qualification. I would be happy enough to take a pay cut if it meant working at something I enjoyed.





RE: Change in Engineering Direction
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
The course I am thinking of doing is a two year distance learning course which covers, Introduction to Construction Technology; Air Conditioning; Building Acoustics; Energy Studies; Contracts and Procurement; Economics and Finance in the Built Environment; Project Management. It costs about £1000.
Am wondering if it would be enough to change direction. I would be about 32-33 when I finished it.
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
I did the same type of design as you for a while, but was very hard to get back into it. A lot of that type of engineering is contracted out and is hard to get a job with them unless you have arch/civil eng degree/experience.
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
Hopefully this won't sidetrack you, but I'm curious: Why you are trying to get away from component design? I find myself drawn toward it.
STF
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
For essentially the same reasons, I went the manufacturing/industrial route in my career. I am definitely not in front of a PC all day and I get to work on a variety of problems. It is never dull to see what happens with a new design once you throw some volume at it along with a variety of people working on it.
Just curious as to whether it is the attraction of potentially working on "systems" instead of component level design or is it project scale that makes you interested in doing buildings?
Regards
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
I'm having trouble even getting an architectural firm to return my calls. I'm not asking them for a job. I'm asking them to call me to give me some professional input on the best steps to take to make the transition.
What kind of fedback are you getting?
David
Just an out-of-work designer... Again!
Tired of the drama!
RE: Change in Engineering Direction
I am taking AutoCAD courses right now, which seems to be the standard. Any other insight from those in the industry would be appreciated.
RE: Change in Engineering Direction