Career Advice
Career Advice
(OP)
The company I am working at is seeing dark times, I have been looking for jobs in the mechanical design field (what I want to specialize in). My question is this, I have found a job that sounds perfect and I fit all the qual's, but it is a highly specialized job (waste water treatment plants), should I go for this and hope that the market does not bottom out, or go with a larger firm that does everything and not be quite as qualified?





RE: Career Advice
As far as specialized firm vs. larger firm, there's no job security anywhere; in the end, you have to go with some direction you've picked out for your career--do you consider it less or more desirable to you to go with a specialty firm or with a more general firm?
RE: Career Advice
You took the words right out of my mouse.
I agree 100%.
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)
RE: Career Advice
RE: Career Advice
RE: Career Advice
He told me there was an opening at a firm that is design/build and that I could work in either the engineering side or the construction side. Hopefuly I will have an interview by the end of next week.
RE: Career Advice
But not all companies are like that. Our company has a dual progression path, so senior technical personnel can and do get compensated comparably to program managers and project leads.
TTFN
RE: Career Advice
Cheers
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RE: Career Advice
I've sent out my resume to a couple design/build firms and also to Burns & McDonnell. I have oppertunities with a couple MEP's here in town as well.
I thought I would update everyone and ask a question.
How do you feel leaving a company with projects unfinished? I have 3 project running concurrently, 1 is the Dec/Apr one, the others should finish up by Sept.
RE: Career Advice
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Career Advice
I hate leaving things unfinished and for some reason tend to feel a loyalty toward employers they probably haven't earned but it's unrealistic to expect you to stay.
Unless they really make it worthwhile for you to stay financially I'd say go the first chance you get. All you have to lose is a reference (and legally they're unlikely to say anything bad, just might not say anything good either) and if you're actually leaving for another position this isn't such an issue.
The only thing that might confuse it is if your colleagues/boss are what you consider friends, but while you can live without friends living without a job is usually more challenging. Good reason not to be close friends with colleagues!
Just my 2C worth, I’ve never really been in your position & you know what they say about free advice.
RE: Career Advice
Your obligation to your company has ended, in every sense of the situation, when they announced that they are going out of business.
Also, if they let everyone go, how will you do the job of a senior if you don't have the experience and skills?
Your employer is taking advantage of you. If you already have good opportunities available to you, I'd suggest you take them now before they disappear. If you are still looking for good opportunities, I'd suggest you look harder - December is only 5 months away!
"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: Career Advice
Obviously this is only an option if the parent company is healthy, otherwise it is bordering on madness. If the job market in your sector and locale is buoyant and you can negotiate a similar deal it might be worth considering.
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I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...
RE: Career Advice
I had an interview with a small mechanical/sheetmetal contactor here in town, but they are financially unstable. They say they have ahold of the problem and will be fine (and are fine), but it makes me wary as of what is happening now.
I also met with Burnes and McDonnell, they have 3 positions open, and I was told that I will have room to grow as an engineer, meaning they will pay for advanced degrees, professional registration, etc.
Today I met with a large MEP contractor. I was told I could do anything, estimating, project engineering, project management, deign work, etc. I will have the same room to grow there.
I am meeting with another large MEP sometime late this week or early next week. Sounds like they have the same offer as the other large MEP.
Which would be more beneficial to me? A large engineering firm that would have better fiscal benefits, more offices (if I ever were to move to another large metro area), and a solid engineering core, or a MEP that I have experince in and room to grow into the design field?
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David
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How much do YOU owe?
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/
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RE: Career Advice
Big company
Advantages--diversity of projects allow potentially more career choices
Disadvantages--mass layoffs in certain industries like aerospace are a fact of life and there may be little chance of avoiding the layoff steamroller, no matter how competent or likeable you are.
Small company
Advantages--like 'Cheers', everyone knows your name. If you fit into the culture, potentially a very rewarding career
Disadvantages--one big customer leaves and everyone is eating dog food.