Switching professions
Switching professions
(OP)
The past 6 months I have been working as a temp at Symbol Technologies on Long Island. After having some trouble finding an entry level position in Electrical Engineering I decided to take a "Test and Validation tech" position as a way to get my foot in the door and meet some EEs. This was my first job comming out of college and I must say the experience was not what I expected. First my contact with EEs are extremely low and second I have noticed a huge decline in the amount of technology and EE jobs in the US. My company alone has been laying people off left and right. All of this has completely turned me off from the industry and is making me think of switching my profession all together. I have been seriously thinking about going back to college and earning a degree in structural or aerospace engineering, but am unsure on whether I should go for a bachelors or masters degree. I am wondering if any of you have had an experience in your life where you decided to change your profession and go into something else? I would really like to hear your thoughts on this.





RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
I'm new to the engineering world as well. Commercial aerospace engineering probably isn't what you're looking for if you want to get down and dirty. From what I've gathered, all you'll get is a bunch of papercuts and a gently shove-off when the 'big wigs' no longer need your services! Now, I'm not sure about defense positions, but I can tell you that commercial aerospace is severly lacking innovation and R&D (well..I shouldn't say this because the 787 and A380 are still progressive, but they are not advancing the industry by leaps and bounds, by any means). However, I do understand the reason behind this trend; it makes no sense to build a hi-tech plane that airlines cannot afford (we cannot forget about the bottom line). Read my post in "Where's engineering going in the next 5 years" thread. I've calmed down a bit after I posted, but I still feel ya!
RE: Switching professions
For every ~$15000/year of salary, it takes ~1 month of searching to find a job (expect to make ~$45000 - expect to take ~3 months).
This also assumes that you are being very flexible in your job search - location, etc. The more restrictions you place on your job search, the longer it will take. If you need to stay in a specific town/area - I guess it could probably take a lot longer to find a position than if you are willing to relocate.
Also - most jobs are located through networking - just sending resumes blindly to companies via US Mail or web is not effective.
Was layed-off and had the benefit of a job placement service for a couple of months - helped me find a new position quicker than the average.
RE: Switching professions
I hear many experienced engineers complain about the quality of young engineers, but in my experience I have found that it is extremely difficult to find any true mentorship and training. Throughout my short career, senior level engineers have merely found the level of competence that I possess and assigned tasks based on what will require the least amount of their time.
I am now on my second job since I graduated around 2.5 years ago, but I have been somewhat disappointed in my development since school. Most of my education since school has been a result of self study. I don't know if this is the normal method of training in my industry(MEP), but I would definitely prefer some true mentorship. I was hopeful that I could acquire a better learning environment by changing jobs, but this has not proven true thus far. I am already taking a look at the potential to make a switch to the product design/development industry in hopes of jumping into an entry level position and better developing my skills.
If all else fails, there is always grad school.
RE: Switching professions
MEP is a funny industry in that you cannot seem to get a job unless you have 5 years of experience. I spent about a year learning the business on the side and knocking on doors before finally someone let me work with them. There is an awful lot to learn in MEP business and it takes time and tends to be all "on the job" training as firms just design differently. Learning stuff on the side is not a bad approach and the year I spent doing that has helped me tremendously. I highly recommend the Carrier design manual and their commercial systems quick reference book. ASHRAE also has some good continuing ed classes (I found it to be a surprise actually), and I still refer to all the books mentioned. The funny thing is you are looking to take a reverse route than the one I took. I spent 5 years as a product design engineer and switched to MEP about 3 years ago. Product design does have its positives as there are quite a few jobs out there and it can be a bit more creative at times. My experience was pretty much all on the job with that career as well. If you do switch to product design be very selective and do research on the company. I managed to jump from one sinking ship to another ship that was taking a torpedo in the side. Layoffs, plant closings, etc were an annual occurrence, six months after I left the last company they announced moving all production to China and massive layoffs ensued. I am well aware that MEP has down cycles as well but we tend to compete with the guy down the street, not one half way around the world.
RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
I would think that with a BSEE you'd be more than qualified to start the process of a MS in Strucural. You'll probablly be a year or so "out" of the program making up the deficencies in core structural undergrad coursework, but would be able to take those as defeciency credit... but enjoying the coursework, time will fly by.
Wes C.
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There are no engineers in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a 'hottest part' implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent engineer would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible.
RE: Switching professions
RE: Switching professions
My suggestion.... Learn the theory. You'll then have a lifetime to perfect the practical.
Wes C.
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There are no engineers in the hottest parts of hell, because the existence of a 'hottest part' implies a temperature difference, and any marginally competent engineer would immediately use this to run a heat engine and make some other part of hell comfortably cool. This is obviously impossible.
RE: Switching professions
I would imagine most curriculums would be equivalent (in regards to being more theoretial rather than practical) when comparing schools for a BS or MS in structural. I agree with Wes in that you will learn the practical out of school, not in it. School will provide the foundation and it may take years on the job to fully appreciate that. I personally am more in favor of "summer internships" than co-ops. Reason being is that a co-op delays your start date (and years of experience) as a full time engineer. I had a good friend co-op his way through school and it took him about 3-4 years longer to graduate. Unfortunately, co-op experience will not get you much more "experience credit" than the summer jobs when talking with HR depts, engineering managers or recruiters looking for an experienced engineer. They seem to want full time experience as a graduate engineer. Getting your feet wet with some experience is valuable though and why I would recommend a summer job between semesters.
PS- have you ever considered a different area in electrical? My experience as a mechanical showed me there are industries you do and others you do not want any part of.
RE: Switching professions
As for the BS versus MS, I'd recommend getting the BS in structural, as this would probably only take you a year or a year and a half. Work for a year or two, figure out if you like it, and then look at getting your masters degree if you still want to.