Is my current job right for where I want to go?
Is my current job right for where I want to go?
(OP)
I just graduated in May from the University of Nevada, Reno with a BS in Electrical Engineering, and have been working for a little over a year with a sub-construction firm as an assistant designer in order to learn AutoCAD. To make it clear, I perform computer assisted drafting to support the technical services of the Company. I use AutoCAD 2006 to generate various design/build construction drawings consisting of lighting, power distribution, fire alarm systems, renderings, report graphics and other digital images while using additional software systems to enter the required data for calculating loads, faults, photometric layouts, and sizing for wire and conduit.
So now, my AutoCAD seems well honed, I just passed the EIT, and now I want to pursue my PE. The sub-construction firm I work at doesn't have any PEs, let alone engineers....just my boss, a designer with tons of experience in the field and related work. I'm looking to get a job with an engineering firm so I can pursue my PE and use my degree to its full potential. All the engineering firms I've found require at least 2, if not 5 years experience along with CAD experience. I'm getting peanuts for pay at the moment, but figure I have to make the sacrifice in order to reach my goal.
Nevada just passed a new statute that allows people to take the PE exam once they have passed the EIT exam. However, this doesn't make the person a PE until they have completed 4 years of training under a licensed engineer. So my next step is to take the PE in October of this year, and get it done with.
The questions I have are:
1.) Is my current job right for the type of experience the potential employers are looking for or am I just wasting my time?
2.) Have I made the right choices and what else can I do to increase my chances of getting hired by an engineering firm?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
-Sam
So now, my AutoCAD seems well honed, I just passed the EIT, and now I want to pursue my PE. The sub-construction firm I work at doesn't have any PEs, let alone engineers....just my boss, a designer with tons of experience in the field and related work. I'm looking to get a job with an engineering firm so I can pursue my PE and use my degree to its full potential. All the engineering firms I've found require at least 2, if not 5 years experience along with CAD experience. I'm getting peanuts for pay at the moment, but figure I have to make the sacrifice in order to reach my goal.
Nevada just passed a new statute that allows people to take the PE exam once they have passed the EIT exam. However, this doesn't make the person a PE until they have completed 4 years of training under a licensed engineer. So my next step is to take the PE in October of this year, and get it done with.
The questions I have are:
1.) Is my current job right for the type of experience the potential employers are looking for or am I just wasting my time?
2.) Have I made the right choices and what else can I do to increase my chances of getting hired by an engineering firm?
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
-Sam





RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
The rule of thumb is to ask yourself are you gaining experience as an engineer, or as a CAD operator? If the latter then you need to get out of Dodge.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
Oh and by the way, never take those experience requirements in ads too seriously. Apply anyway, you'll be suprised how often you'll be considered even without the exact requirements in the ad.
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
TTFN
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
Admittedly, the only times I've been designing stuff on the tube I've spent much more time calculating and sketching and so on than actually building the model.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
Hg
Eng-Tips guidelines: FAQ731-376
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
WEH, PE
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
All in all, my current position is the best thing I have right now to get my foot in that door. If all these firms are looking for experience....well this is the best I can get next to working for a firm with licensed engineers right?
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?
Now with drafting experience in you field of engingeering, if you enter the engineering work force and are given a new drafter right out of the local ACAD academy, you will be much more comfortable. For myself, on my first few projects I had to do the engineering, communicate to the drafter/designer what I wanted, review the drawings for compliance with the firms drafting standards, and finally try to ensure that the drawing communicated the design efficiently and without confusion. In my opinion, drafting experience with document control is much more important than knowing all of the short-cut commands for ACAD. One year should plenty for an “on the job” introduction to design and drafting.
RE: Is my current job right for where I want to go?