If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
(OP)
I've been thinking about this recently. Not because I am unhappy with engineering, but because so many other things also sound so interesting to me.
I'd like to hear from the rest of you. If you had to pick another career, what would you choose?
I'd like to hear from the rest of you. If you had to pick another career, what would you choose?





RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Doctor -- not that different that reverse engineering
Drummer -- in my dreams
TTFN
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
The stats say that U students who drop out of engineering but continue are most likely to graduate as economists.
Probably correct - the job is still the mathematical analysis of problems/situations.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Then a cop. Didn't make it.
Fell into engineering.
If I could start over, I would be a surgeon.
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks Pro 06/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I already decided not to be a professional musician or professsional linguist.
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
-The future's so bright I gotta wear shades!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
--------------------
How much do YOU owe?
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
--------------------
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Or maybe a politician.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
One of my college classmates/teammates is the new lead for the Blue Angels, great work if you can get it. He's presently commanding a squadron of F-18s out of Atsugi, Japan, Kittyhawk
Regards,
RLS
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
HAPPY
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
You leave at the end of each day with no carry-over worries about meetings, reports, etc. At the end of each job you have proof that you actually did something constructive.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Talk about the best of the best of the best...
--------------------
How much do YOU owe?
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
--------------------
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
http://
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Naval Architect
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Cyril Guichard
Mechanical Engineer Consultant
France
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
In reality, I probably would have gone into some computer related field had I not stuck with engineering. I actually started in computer science in college and then got sick of it and decided to try something new. I tried engineering and liked it so I stuck with it. It has treated me well so I certainly have no right to complain.
If I wanted to try and do something a little more adventurous though, I would really like to be able to be a recording/audio engineer and someday open up my own recording studio but that's more of a dream than a reality.
In my extreme dreams, I would like to be a musician, but that's definitely out of the picture since I'm not good enough at music to make a living off of it.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
That way, I can spend my time doing what every comes to mind and tickles my fancy.
Getting there is the tough part I guess, eh?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If I had to work for money: stock analyst or spec ops sniper
If I had money working for me: treasure hunter (summer) mad scientist (winter)
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Heavy Equipment
Construction
If you can't build it, break it.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I actually do landscape design on the side seasonally. I got a diploma from distance learning.
It's one of those professions that has little preparation in HS. That's why there is a demand for professional assistance in horticulture/landscape design. I use my engineering background to tackle drainage problems, the most prevalent challenge. Form following function generally brings good results. One year I had a string of jobs from MD's. The word got around. It helped put four kids thru college. On another occasion, I did a nice job for a subdivision developer; that brought a number of jobs.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I will have to stick to 5 gal batches of homebrew for now!!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
The owner of a steel erection firm somewhere in the US (those of you who know him will know exactly who I'm talking about) has on his business card, among other words, the following:
Wars Fought
Revolutions Started
Assassinations Plotted
Governments Run
Uprisings Quelled
Stud Service
Tigers Tamed
Bars Emptied
Computers Verified
Orgies Organized
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
LewTam Inc.
Petrophysicist, Leading Hand, Natural Horseman, Prickle Farmer, Crack Shot, Venerable Yogi.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If he hasn't had that card for at least 30 years he's not the first one to have it.
The one I still may have somewhere also had Manure, Strawberries, and some other things and said "Not Pizza" as a line item. I have seen lots of variations.
He wasn't a VP of anything, he was a card carrying memere of the UA (pipefitter).
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Or, maybe an architect, but I'm not very artistic (and neither are most architects from the looks of most buildings).
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Steven K. Roberts, Technomad
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Would you work with a hat and glasses?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Today - staying at home, playing with the grand kids and working on cars for fun.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Orch. musician - was once on my way, don't know if I can bring it back after 30 years.
Recording Engineer - doing high school bands, orchestras, etc.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Forensic Pathologist, Medical Art Technician or Sex Therapist
"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Wildlife cameraman.
Plumber. The trade needs some honest members.
----------------------------------
I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I wanted to be a vet, but I love animals too much.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
"I always wanted to be an alchemist or blacksmith, but jobs for those professions are few and far between, so I settled on Metallurgist."- me one night in the bar a month or two ago.
Realistically I wanted this job since I was in the third grade, I've never known any different. But I do run a small live audio/performance production company. (Crew of 5-7 and Gear.) That wouldnt be too bad.
Or a professional driver, truck/chauffer/cabbie. (I do this now to make beer $$ on the weekends.)
(Hmmm... am I the only one who has hobbies that pay? or that does all of the things that I really ever wanted to?)
Nick
I love materials science!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
My dream job was to be a sportscaster - maybe some of you remember the radio days when you could hear all kinds of games on the AM dial. I was (still) a Yankee fan but I loved listening to Jack Buck.
I did get to broadcast some minor league arena football though in Michigan - a friend of mine invited me up to the booth to comment on the 3rd quarter of the game. A thrill that I will never forget.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
1) Mech Engineer/Drafter
2) Part-time semi-pro Jazz drummer
Previous positions:
1) Sydney Taxi Driver
2) Semi-pro Lead Guitarist (melodic punk)
3) Semi-pro Bass Player (noisy folk-rock)
4) Technical writer
5) Bus driver for Rock Bands (highly recommended)
6) Telephone market researcher
7) Pizza deliverer
8) Cleaner
9) Long-term unemployed
Careers are meant to be fun. Follow the entertainment.
Alan64
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Steve Braune
Tank Industry Consultants
www.tankindustry.com
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Answer # 2) Composing music with a room full of guitars, keyboards, midi interfaces and computers
tg
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Enough said.
(Please note, I'm not a proper engineer, although I play one at work on regular basis. I was a combat engineer for eight years, but I hardly think that that sort of thing counts for much...)
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
My answers would have to be:
1) Pyschiatrist
2) Photojournalist
3) President ;)
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Mike
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
HAZOP at www.curryhydrocarbons.ca
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
DLauEng
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
maybe president then?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
in my case, no... The question was "If you had to pick another career, what would you choose?". So I'd either choose my childhood dream and be a vet, or I'd choose something inetersting and dynamic as criminal law - unless I'd end up in a looneyhouse during schooling!
BUT... If I had to pick ANY career, I'd have still chosen engineering! I love every bit of it... Though, you might be right, in about 15 - 20 years, I may have had my "fill" and will want to move on to something different. It's not "seeing the light", if it DOES happen, it means it would have happened with anything!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
What I want to to, I'm not so good at.
What I do to make money, I happent to be good at.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If that doesn't pay the bills, then definitely a Bobcat pilot.
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I always enjoyed the entertainment industry, I used to bounce at a night club, the work was always 'entertaining', I met plenty of girls, got free booze and got to meet the occasional rock star....I also managed to scare the pants off that ugly singer guy from Sum 41 :)...he deserved more than a scare though.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I'd like to be a Piano Player in a Bordello.
Every one of you would say "Really!".
But tell someone you are an Engineer and they roll their eyes and look for someone else to carry on the conversation with. (OK, maybe I'm too pickey)
Guess I should learn to play the Piano.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
REALLY !!!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
That schmuck from Sum 41 deserved a good beating though, the wuss locked himself in his tour bus, the rest of the band were pretty cool though, they thought it was funny :) .
As for post #2, it was a cabaret/bordello, apparently my wife picked up her grandmother's theatrical gene.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Could work
--Off all the things i've lost , i miss my mind the most--
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If not O would opt for Money market trading
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Dubya makes it look so eeeeeasy! How hard can it be?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Maui
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Heavy Equipment
Construction
If you can't build it, break it
Now that is either initial susess or total failure.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Those guys have so much fun, in spite of the fact that their luck saves their fannies more than their knowledge/research/caution do.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Perhaps, a FAITH HEALER.
This opposes to PATRICK, "If you can't build it, break it"
if you break it, i'll mend it.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Car Servicer.
Wedding waitress.
Restaurant waitress.
Bugerking cashier.
Macdonalds cashier.
Asda Cashier
Children’s Party entertainer – fire juggler
Bartender.
Worked on numerous production lines packing baby wipes / aeroplane meals and checking cadbury walnut whips for walnuts.
Betting shop cashier.
Can everyone put down your worst jobs as well to remind me why I spent 4 years at uni working full time to get the job I finally have now.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Each to their own. Success is not predicated on career choice, industry, or market. Success can be had in any career, industry and market.
I know of a guy who has a high school education, started delivering pizza, and eventually, owned a couple of pizza stores (not chains, family business). How do I know him? I tutored his son.
I know a bartender that works about 35 hours a week, at an upscale club. He makes a decent wage, plus tips. Has a life, and a plan for his future. I think in about 10 years, he will probably own a bar, have a staff of about 30, and be very successful.
I know lots of engineers who work 40 hours, live paycheck to paycheck, and wonders what happens when the crude oil cycle crashes, or we run out of oil, or electric/hydrogen cars take over. He's not sure about the future in engineering with all the off-shoring, cheap engineers in India, China and the next emerging nation, and is pondering why he got into engineering in the first place.
You are only 24. If engineering is your dream job, good on ya. If engineering doesn't seem like the job of your dreams, at 24, you still have a lot of time ahead of you to do something that you both are good at and enjoy. Keep your eyes open. Sometimes, our dreams should stay that way - a goal that hasn't been reached yet - instead of the becoming the reality of our life.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
My parents and most of my grandparents as well as their brothers and sisters all have advanced professional degrees in something, most commonly engineering and architecture, with a doctor or two in there. However the most successful person in our family was my great grandfather, he quit school in the third grade, became a shoemaker's apprentice and eventually ended up owning a huge shoe factory and quarry with over 200 people working for him. My grandmother took over for him, she had a high school education and a certificate here and there, but she was the only one of his children w/ the stones to run his businesses...they also ran booze during prohibition to make extra cash......come to think of it my wife's great grandmother had zero education and ran a brothel and also ran liquor during prohibition...what are the odds of that.
On a side note, I know of a few engineers who haven't gone into engineering.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Market stall - age 14-16: great people, great atmosphere, awful conditions, lousy pay. Loved it.
Barman (later Asst. Manager): great people, magical atmosphere, long hours. Loved it.
Production engineer: Ok people, terrible atmosphere, average hours, lousy pay. Hated it.
Production engineer: great people, good atmosphere, good hours, average pay. Enjoyed it.
Design engineer: great people, great atmosphere, great hours, good pay. Loved it.
R&D engineer: great people, great atmosphere, great hours, great pay, lousy location. Hated the place, miss the people and the work.
Electrical & control engineer: great people, good atmosphere, lousy hours, average pay (for the hours), reasonable location. I've been here over seven years and I'm still deciding if I love it or hate it!
It depends what you want in life as to what makes a great job. Your perfect job will be someone else's living hell. The things I value have changed over time. You need to move a couple of times to work out what is important to you.
----------------------------------
I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
If you weren't an engineer, what would you be? - dead six feet deep
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
That scumbag probably faked his own death to get out of doing hard time, I guess the thought of a 300lb man named Bubba as your cellie would do that to you.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Maui
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Why? How do you know that you would actually enjoy being a professional pilot? Or is it because you like the image of the fighter pilot, and the idea of flying jets?
I was the latter, got onto pilots course, got through basic training, then scrubbed out on advanced course. I realised that I actually didn't want that life: constant training to keep your skills up, endless emergency drills, endless cyclic stress prepping for flights, not to mention having to train for a job you are not likely to ever have to actually do.
If I had my time again I think I would have gone into cooking. I love food, kitchens, working with my hands etc... but I could never get over the bad pay you start out on!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
www.bloomautomatic.com
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
And I could work from home, which would make my dogs happier.
Wes C.
------------------------------
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Charlie
www.facsco.com
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Most people learn about fighter pilots from recruitment advertising, TV and movies.
If that's fair game, how about an idealized occupation from TV.
You know, maybe idiot tool salesman, hot wife, sense of humor (with constant laugh track), that somehow supports a family in a $300k home, has everything he/she needs, with the responsibilities, intellect and concerns of an immature child.
Perhaps the American Dream!
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
It's a bummer when you have to rely on everyone else for a ride.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
2. College prof.
I did have the ulitimate job. I left my engr mgr job to own/run an ice arena and got to do all of the activities: zamboni driving, skating, hockey playing, 1st aid, and watching figure skaters. But I had some really bad biz partners so I had to come back after 2 years.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Wes C.
------------------------------
No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
I'm an avid history reader and enjoy putting the history together with science.
Regards,

Qshake
Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Geologist
Silversmith
RV Technician
Randall Shelaga C.E.T.
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
Supervisor at Right Aid.
That's what I had to do for nearly a year before my current position came along.
Ken
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
RE: If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?