Seeking input on career situation
Seeking input on career situation
(OP)
I started out my career as a structural engineer, working for about three years at a structural consulting firm in the northeast, doing mostly forensics and building rehab. But I felt like I was in the wrong industry, so I left to get an MBA and have been working in biomedical engineering for about three years, doing strategic and operational mangagement of medical technology for a major hospital.
Now, for the first time in years I have a strong interest to go back to structural work, mainly because I miss working on buildings and have come to realize that of the things I've done and studied for the past few years, nothing can beat working on buildings, at least for me. Obviously it would have been easier if I had this epiphany while I was still IN structures but such is life, I guess.
So now I have been out of structures for about five years and trying to get back in. I do have my previous structural experience, as well as MS in structures, and could be ready to take the PE exam within a year, but am also 30 years old with a wife and kid.
What I would appreciate is some honest comments or advice on my situation - have I been out of structures too long to get a job in that field now? What obstacles should I expect to face? Is it worth trying to go back to my former structural firm? Any input is appreciated.
Now, for the first time in years I have a strong interest to go back to structural work, mainly because I miss working on buildings and have come to realize that of the things I've done and studied for the past few years, nothing can beat working on buildings, at least for me. Obviously it would have been easier if I had this epiphany while I was still IN structures but such is life, I guess.
So now I have been out of structures for about five years and trying to get back in. I do have my previous structural experience, as well as MS in structures, and could be ready to take the PE exam within a year, but am also 30 years old with a wife and kid.
What I would appreciate is some honest comments or advice on my situation - have I been out of structures too long to get a job in that field now? What obstacles should I expect to face? Is it worth trying to go back to my former structural firm? Any input is appreciated.





RE: Seeking input on career situation
If you are sure SE is what you want to do, then go for it.
If you think there's a chance you'll change your mind again, I'd wait a year and see if the desire is still there (you could spend that year taking a class or two and catching up with your contacts from the structural field).
RE: Seeking input on career situation
RE: Seeking input on career situation
RE: Seeking input on career situation
Only problem is that you don't seem to have settled at anything yet.
Stuff I've spent more than year working on:
cars
agricultural processing systems
underwater electronic/acosutics systems
So moving around is no big deal.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Seeking input on career situation
It's all a matter of how well you sell yourself, emphasize your abilities, and what benefit you can bring to an organization.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Advanced Robotics & Automation Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Seeking input on career situation
Regards,
RE: Seeking input on career situation
If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS
RE: Seeking input on career situation