Working From Home
Working From Home
(OP)
A friend of mine who is a civil engineer just started a new job where he works from home. Is this common in engineering? He does water/wastewater design. I ask because I am looking for a new job and would like to work from home 1 or 2 days of week due to the commute. Thanks for any input.





RE: Working From Home
RE: Working From Home
But everything is negotiable. Here in northern CA, the big thing is now no private cubes or offices. How that's going to work for engineers, since I personally have lots of references that are not on line, I don;t know. YOu can see if companies bring up the topic-it is usually seen as a perk.
RE: Working From Home
RE: Working From Home
I work pretty much alone with a few trusted colleagues and the software I really need. A fast internet connection makes this all the easier.
Most of the software I use is either free (e.g. HEC-RAS, EPANet, SWMM, etc.) or low cost ( Hydraflow Hydrographs, HydroCad, Excel, etc.). I do not use AutoCad but work with ACAD draftsmen, Surveyors and others. I don't use ArcView or other GIS stuff because I can usually buy the products as needed on a project by project basis.
My time and my schedule are, finally, under some control. My income is less but so is my heartburn.
good luck
RE: Working From Home
there's no way i could do it more than a couple of days per month at the most. we've had some people working from home regularly and in my opinion, we were paying them way to much to not have to handle some of the field work that pops up. luckily, most of those kind of folks leave (with some pushing). my industry (geotech and material's testing) doesn't work as well for teleworking though.
RE: Working From Home
"Here in northern CA, the big thing is now no private cubes or offices."
I'm looking at new office space, which will require us to upfit the space (build walls etc.), I'm considering moving from an office to all cube environment (so I can take my walls with me when I leave) but haven't considered...no divisions? What exactly do you mean "no private cubes or offices"
As far as working from home...I'd say it really depends on what you're doing. I have worked from home as much as 20 hours a week, but usually make it in to the office every day as well (I'm fortunate enough to live only 10 minutes away). But if I'm working on a big model or a spreadsheet or something like that, I could do most afternoons from home while that's going on. I have a laptop with all the software so that's not an issue...I identified three isssues to hinder me working from home:
1) My personal reference library that I keep at the office. I prefer books over electronic reference, so I feel a little bit handicapped when it's not within arms reach.
2) I also receive a lot of phone calls to the office...I've found that most folks haven't really bought into calling someone on their cell phone all the time. I don't like to miss calls...I don't always answer, but I like to know when people are calling me.
3) The high speed, 11x17 laser printer and scanner at the office is far more efficient than the 8.5x11 bubblejet here at home.
RE: Working From Home
RE: Working From Home
Also, as francesca mentioned, places are not putting up cubes or dividers, and just have desks scattered around. I find it hard to concentrate in that atmosphere. There is always someone who hasn't learned to use his/her "indoor voice" on the phone. If I worked in a place like that, I would work from home more often. I kinda like having to get up away from my desk to talk to a co worker-gives me a break, as we do not have formal breaks.
Plus, a private office lets me confine my dog when I need to. Yup, he comes to work with me.
RE: Working From Home