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What else could you do?
5

What else could you do?

What else could you do?

(OP)
Just for fun, what else could/would you do if you left your engineering job? Or if your engineering job disappeared?

Of course there are the obvious alternative choices like project management, engineering management, technical writing,"consulting", etc., but what else would you like to try?

I know one guy who started a home insepction business, and our former marketing department manager was a registered PE. Then there is the software "engineer" I know who was a waiter after a layoff.

I think in another life, I would like to do something in education, maybe high school administration or a post-secondary training school. I see so many people making stupid choices, and I guess I sometimes feel inspired to help them. . .then I remember that I chose engineering to avoid all those people. . .

RE: What else could you do?

white water rafting guide

RE: What else could you do?

real estate  smile

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

RE: What else could you do?

Easy

Manager of Ipswich Town Football Club (at which point I'm pretty sure the Premiership and FA Cup double would be a given, not interested in European Competitions, they're just an unnecessary distraction)...........

Kevin

"It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class." ~Author Unknown

"If two wrongs don't make a right, try three." ~Author Unknown
 

RE: What else could you do?

LOL, if my engineering job disappeared I would do one of two things.  Be a high school calculus teacher (maybe physics or even try to get some basic engineering courses in high school for those interested - like statics)

OR............................

Be a pro pool player.

RE: What else could you do?

But, I would venture to say that an engineering education and background puts one in a position to be able to handle almost any position.  Engineering requires thinking through problems like few other professions, and that trait will serve you well no matter what profession you decide to earn a living in.

RE: What else could you do?

A land surveyor because a bad day in the field is better than a good day in the office.

RE: What else could you do?

Closer for the Cleveland Indians.  Come to think of it, the Tribe needs a closer.  Might be time to get the ol' arm back in shape...

In all seriousness, I'd love to be able to teach baseball for a living (or for a hobby if income was of no concern).

RE: What else could you do?

Dealing with contractors, clients & other consultants.....so many different and strange personalities, makes me think a career in psychology might not be all that different from what I'm doing now.

RE: What else could you do?

giggolo

<<A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend
will be sitting beside you saying " Damn that was fun!" - Unknown>>

RE: What else could you do?

On a second thought, probably some sort of environmental consultant for the government. To see if some of the stupidity could be avoided

<<A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend
will be sitting beside you saying " Damn that was fun!" - Unknown>>

RE: What else could you do?

I would like to be a high school science (physics or chem) teacher.  Pat scale sucks, but vacation is cool.  Use vacation to make music.

RE: What else could you do?

Maybe lawyer, because I like to argue
Maybe doctor, since that's a problem solving kind of job
Maybe software, to write the programs that I really needed to do my old job
Maybe daytrading, but not sure if I have the nerves for it
 

TTFN

FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: What else could you do?

The funny thing is I have asked this question to many engineers and the most common answer that I have gotten is professional cook.  

For me though I would like to work for a large venture capital firm or the like.  I think it would be interesting to see all of the ideas people come up with for new businesses.  Who knows, maybe one day.     


SW 2007 SP 5.0

RE: What else could you do?

Carpenter, wood worker
Law Enforcement officer
Science teacher
Spy ;)

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Jul 13, 2008)

RE: What else could you do?

take out all of your retirement $$ and enter the world poker series and become a poker pro. (that is almost as bad as EIT's pro pool player idea)  smile

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

RE: What else could you do?

COEngineer-
Poker pays WAY MORE than pool! lol

RE: What else could you do?

Quote:

take out all of your retirement $$ and enter the world poker series and become a poker pro...

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

COEngineeer,

   I take it this is all after you are retired from being an engineer?  :)

                      JHG

RE: What else could you do?

Pilot

RE: What else could you do?


Aesthetician and neuromuscular massage therapist

 

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: What else could you do?

Not a sales associate in a drugstore, that's for sure, been there done that while waiting for this position to turn up.

Maybe a Rugby coach, I wasn't any good but I enjoyed playing and would enjoy inflicting all the tortuous drills on eager youngsters.  

"Time to improve foot work/speed, this will be achieved by trying to stamp on each others feet while wearing your boots and trying to avoid being stamped on, if you forgot your boots and only have sneakers/trainers, then you better be the fastest"  

Good times.  (For anyone unfamiliar with Rugby boots they have metal studs on the bottom, 1/2 to 3/4 inch long depending on anticipated playing conditions.)

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

luthier... see www.luthiersforum.com

The best way to test something is to squeeze it, slowly, until it breaks!

RE: What else could you do?

I read somewhere that stupid rich people will pay a "vacation planner" to scout out a vacation location.  Make sure the accommodations are acceptable, try all the restaurants and clubs and recommend the best ones, ensure that the rental yacht and hookers are clean, stuff like that.

I could do that.

RE: What else could you do?

Nanny.

As a one man engineering company for residential homes, I deal with:
- mad architects
- building designers who mix up the floor levels
- home owners/builders who want it all, want it now, and    want it for free
- contractors who tell the builder they have to go to Home Depot to buy materials (and charge for the time), while they actually spent a couple of hours at a table dance establishment
- construction workers who want to show up at 10 am, party to 2 pm, and then try to find somebody to sign off for 27 hours per day

Yes, I think I am qualified as a Nanny   
 

RE: What else could you do?

Archaeologist.

Im a civil engineer.  That means I like digging, ever since I was a young boy.

Archaeologists get to dig holes as well, but instead of putting stuff in they take stuff out.

RE: What else could you do?

I'd like to be my physics teacher in high school.

Without wishing to sound like an ingrate, I think I could do a better job technically (free body diagrams, and electronics, in particular).

But I doubt I could ever enthuse a bunch of kids quite like he did. Yay Mr Albert Rowse.
 

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: What else could you do?

(OP)
I also thought it would be cool to start an organic farm. . . but that is way too much work for a suburban gal like me.

RE: What else could you do?

Some of my thoughts over the years:

Go back to school for my JD to become a patent attorney (thought about doing this anyways)
Get back into architecture
I really, really want to get back into a mechanical position.  I am sick of designing plastic parts and yearn for gears.

My dream would be to write novels.  Someday I will start and use my engineering salary to supplement the money I will not get from writing ;)
 

RE: What else could you do?


HgTX,

According to some people, I have all the key attributes, strong hands, an eye for aesthetics, good dexterity for handling hot wax and a certain ruthlessness that gives me courage, even glee, in the face of the agonized cries of my victim....errrrr......I mean, client.



 

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: What else could you do?

I heard that if you are a structural guy going back to an architectural school, your knowledge of structural engineering will hinder your creativity toward architectural design.  smile

I guess what they are saying is, you would not be using too much cantilevered structure, leaning columns, and you always try to line up all of the loads!

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

RE: What else could you do?

What, you mean you create buildings that better comply with the fundamental laws of physics, terrible.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

I would open and be the host in a tiki bar, close to the beach.  I'd leave the bar tending and cooking to people that knew what they were doing.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the be

RE: What else could you do?

Call the bar Mad Mango perhaps?

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

RE: What else could you do?

   I would like to be an evil overlord.  

   As long as I do not explain plans to James Bond, I should be fine.  glasses

                             JHG

RE: What else could you do?


drawoh,

depending on your Myers-Briggs personality profile, you may already BE an Evil Overlord.

http://www.xeromag.com/fun/personality.html

 

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

RE: What else could you do?

I would be a guidance counselor at a prestigious university.  There seems to be a need for those.

thread 31-222185

RE: What else could you do?

why not a guidance counselor at the lest prestigious uni. the people their need the most help

RE: What else could you do?

I'd look at moving into Law Enforcement, either local or Federal, as that's something I've seriously looked at doing as an alternative to Engineering (and the amount of overtime incurred would help to make up for the pay differential).  I've also spent a few years doing shooting and Krav Maga/Self Defense, so getting qualified as an instructor in either of those would be great if I could eventually open my own school.

RE: What else could you do?

FutureAmerican.. I think you should be a TV host or TV show judge.  For some reason, they really dig british accent.  LOL.  Go check all of those reality TV competitions.. they all have british host or judge!

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

RE: What else could you do?

Consultant (non-medical). These guys never made anything other than money for dumb advice. I can do that ..........

RE: What else could you do?

In no particular order as I have such a wide range of interests, National Park Ranger, Photographer, Archaeologist, Travel Writer, Bar/Club Owner, Astronomer, Racing Team Manager, Fortune 500 board member (that one might be a first choice).

Regards,

RE: What else could you do?

On second thought, I would be a senior procurement officer.
Have the buyers under me do the contracts (work) while I fly around business or 1st class to the different suppliers and enjoy the free lobster dinners and drinks.
And stay at the 5 star hotels.

RE: What else could you do?

COEngineeer

Quote:

I heard that if you are a structural guy going back to an architectural school, your knowledge of structural engineering will hinder your creativity toward architectural design.

   I think that either you are creative, or you are not.

   If you are creative and you have a solid background in structural analysis, you have the ability to recognize crazy shapes that are structurally strong, and perhaps, even easy to fabricate.

                        JHG

RE: What else could you do?

Sportscaster - that was my original dream job as a kid listening to baseball games at night instead of going to sleep. I settled for metallurgist though...

RE: What else could you do?

Machinist, Machinist, Machinist...

And not CNC, either. Old Fashioned Bridgeport and Lathe.

V

RE: What else could you do?

I would want my boss's job.  Zero responsibility, no accountability and a fat paycheck.  That would be the life.

RE: What else could you do?

My mother always wanted me to be a secretary.  But, I've now been around long enough to know that I am NOT qualified for that job.

So if my government job went away (very, very unlikely), I'd just be ...


RETIRED!

Patricia Lougheed

Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of the Eng-Tips Forums.

RE: What else could you do?

Help my wife make wedding cakes. (It's good money)

RE: What else could you do?

Librarian.  I'd get an online M.S. in Library Science.  I'm sure there's some niche job waiting for someone with a combination of a P.E. license and a M.S. in Library Science.

Lawyer.  Patent agent or patent attorney.

Math teacher.  I actually taught a semester of high school algebra right after I finished my master's in E.E... the state had put out an emergency call for anyone willing to teach science or math.

Policy maker.  IEEE lobbyist or some regulatory agency like FERC.

CIA/FBI.

Retail store owner/manager.  Maybe sell computer games, comics, yarn, knitting supplies, other crafts.  Sort of a "his and hers" hobby shop.

RE: What else could you do?

Stay at home mum.

I'll get to try it out for a year or so soon anyway :)

Doesn't seem to pay much though.

RE: What else could you do?

I'm with you bk11.  It would be absolutely great to be a stay at home mom.  Fairly tedious when the kids are small, but once they get older...  I would have a huge vegetable garden and, if I needed some extra money, I might put my engineering skills to use and start a little business sewing window treatments and upholstry.  But alas, I find that I must work for the man...

RE: What else could you do?

Ohh, finally a question I can answer with confidence. My grandfather was a farrier and he had two forges indoor and outdoor.  I spent summers and winters with him: during the summer it was hard work dealing with the animals and such. But during the winter we would fire the outdoor forge and  he/we would hammer forge custom knives and tools.  I say he/we because it was my job to "shut-up, listen, learn and work the bellows" whlle he swung the hammer. That's what I would do...or am working to do.  :)

RE: What else could you do?

In no particular order... Pilot, lawyer, machinist, truck driver, math/physics/engineering teacher, computer programmer, stay-at-home parent (or maybe just stay-at-home-alone-bum), painter (walls and buildings), tradesperson (millwright, plumbing, electrician, etc).

However, I think all of those may require additional training, at least to some degree, that would be hard to justify if I didn't have a paycheck coming in.

-- MechEng2005

RE: What else could you do?

This was a fun thread to read, but it is hard to imagine not being some kind of engineer. I really liked being a prototype machinist, and I would love to be a professional race car driver, but the reason I am good at both of those is because I approach them like everything else in life, as an engineer.

I couldn't be a surgeon, unlike electronics (my first career) and mechanical things (my current one), once people quit functioning you cant just store them away to fix later :)

RE: What else could you do?

I'd really like to be a hands-on evil genius, as opposed to the blundering Dr Evil. Haha. Maybe plan elaborate heists simply 'because I can' :)

But that's just my secret life! Options for daytime alter ego, in no particular order:

- run a bookstore (rental & used books)
- mountain guide
- open a nursery or run a farm
- run a nonprofit turtle sanctuary
- wildlife photographer
- telescope maker

the list could go on...

RE: What else could you do?

bk11...the deferred compensation is more than you can imagine, though obviously not in the bigger bank account sense.  You will never get that time back with your kids so enjoy it while you can.   

RE: What else could you do?

Become an author and write a book on "How to Improve Myself to Get Ahead in My Engineering Career".

Based on the number of stars I've got in this forum it'd be a best sellar I'm sure.  Plus I'm sure none of you, or site admin, would mind be plagerising a post or two.  Heck, maybe I could get on Oprah with that technique.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

Kenat:

You hav to now how to spel to right a booke.  You knede to use spel chek.  

I'd b a pruf reedr.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

RE: What else could you do?

That's what they have editors/proof readers for right?  (Just like the reason they have checkers is so they can throw a load of %$#%^@#$ down on the page and I'll sort it all out for them.)  

Plus I won't do it in Engtips editor.  I'll cut and paste it all to word.  At least then the spelling will be correct, possibly the wrong word but hey you can't have everything.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

If you are not sure what you would do if you weren't an engineer this site can help.
It has a neat link to a myers briggs type personality test and explanations of the personality types.
an excerpt from my description:

The INTJ's combination of analytical problem-solving skills and complete and utter disregard for the morality or consequences of his actions also make him ideal for the job of hatchet man, CIA operative, and helpdesk operator.

BTW, my eng-tips editor has a spell check, I thought it was part of the site but maybe it is part of the new Firefox browser.

RE: What else could you do?

Kenet,

I have copyright on all posts I have issued to the general populace and for a small nominal fee (circa, 98% of all revenues), I would be more than happy to let you use some of my pithy compositions

Kevin

"It is a mathematical fact that fifty percent of all doctors graduate in the bottom half of their class." ~Author Unknown

"If two wrongs don't make a right, try three." ~Author Unknown
 

RE: What else could you do?

98%, bargain.  Then again, I checked your profile and you have less stars than I.  Maybe I'll forgo your content and keep all the millions for myselfwinky smile.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

Yes, Kenat, but you have to look at quality too.  prohammy has 0.080 stars per reply, where you have only 0.056.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I'm running at 0.191 stars per reply - of course that number will fall a little since I doubt this reply warrants a star!



If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

RE: What else could you do?

What can I say, I go for the shotgun approach, throw enough out there and something will hit, rightwinky smile.

Anyway, anyone familiar with my career path so far would know how much of a joke me writing that book would be.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

Kenat you have a great idea, and remember humor sells
Swearingen, I gave you a star for such excellent analysis of data

RE: What else could you do?

In that case Prohammy and I should team up, his quality & my quantity combined with our awesome comedic talents...

Funny thing is I actually thought of doing the same thing as swearingen did but thought it a bit OTT.  Story of my life, like Dans dad on Roseanne "I was this close...".

Darn, I just realized, another pointless reply and almost certainly no stars for it, I'm getting worsesad.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

RE: What else could you do?

KENAT

Had to give you a star for you reference to Dan's Dad, made me laugh so well worth it.
 

Alan M. Etzkorn  machinegun elk
Manufacturing Engineer
Wabash National Corp.
www.wabashnational.com

RE: What else could you do?

I would:
Help my wife sell AVON
Grow a garden
Practice Kung Fu until I became good enough to teach, then teach Kung Fu.
Start Fight Club j/k.
 

RE: What else could you do?

I've tutored math/physics/chemistry since high school and enjoy teaching.  I'd probably go that route.

In dream world, I'd be a race driver, then a high performance driving instructor.

Our office track-days will just have to suffice...



If you "heard" it on the internet, it's guilty until proven innocent. - DCS

RE: What else could you do?

I'd go into movie production.  When the university I attended hosted the regional steel bridge competition I made a short movie about the competition and it turned out surpisingly well, and it was kinda fun.

RE: What else could you do?

Cass, not full time belly dancing?
Here is another exponent of the art, this one gave up her science career for teaching belly dancing:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/2579334/Cambridge-scientist-turns-to-belly-dancing.html

Me? well, I don't know, I guess I'd laze around full time except that with a significant other, there is no such thing as being allowed to laze.
Are we required by the OP to be able to make a living at our alternative occupations? If so... bus or train driver, they get more money but I'd go nuts doing either job.
 
Maybe some kind of restoration work.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

RE: What else could you do?

I think I'd like to try being a US Supreme Court Justice.

RE: What else could you do?

Dinosaur,
I'd hope you'd not scruple at the death sentence, or worse, for hacker and spammers.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com
 

RE: What else could you do?

I would probably end up at a bullet manufacturer testing new designs, in addition to becoming a professional hunter, ridding the western US of prairie dogs and ground squirrels.  I like hitting things from quite a long ways away.

All for a nominal fee, of course.

RE: What else could you do?

I'd love to return to competitive international smallbore and air rifle competition.  I'm fairly confident that if I shot full time as I once did, I'd be able to make the U.S. team and live/train out in Colorado Springs.  The athletes living there are required only to have a part time job, and all other living expenses are covered.  Not to mention that the Olympic Training Center has some of, if not the, best food I've ever had, and the chef will make you whatever you want if it's not already out.  

Realistically, I'd end up doing racecar chassis fabrication, which is what I did prior to entering the welding engineering field.

RE: What else could you do?

Time traveller.  There are many things I'd like to prevent from ever getting started.

- Steve

RE: What else could you do?

jmw,

I always thought of sentencing someone to being showered in alcohol, with a cake of salt instead of a cake of soap, and receiving a vigorous scrubbing with #40 grit sandpaper.  That might be appropriate for a few unpaid parking tickets.  Spammers, hackers and my ultimate favorite, the identity thief, would receive a stiffer sentence.

RE: What else could you do?

Mr. 168: A buddy of time did that (shoot smallbore rifles for the Olympic team) in Colordo Springs for a time. He beat the world record numerous times while not in competition but never could do it in competition - his nerves just got to him. He was down there for about two years until he returned to Montana.

RE: What else could you do?

cedarbluffranch: How long ago was that?  I've been around the sport for about 12 years or so, and if it was in that time frame, I'd probably at least recognize the name!  Heck, I grew up shooting with Emily Caruso who shot womens air in Beijing this year, and shot against and on teams with Jamie Beyerle, who shot womens air and smallbore in Beijing this year as well.  I used to sit and shoot the breeze with most of the male juniors out at the Junior Olympics and in the NCAA matches as well.  All this talk sure is making me nostalgic...

RE: What else could you do?

Mr168: It was long time ago, probably when about 14 years ago or so. His last name was was Cody Voermans and he was an excellent shot!  

RE: What else could you do?

I'll probably go for farming and pretend to be Abraham, except for the fact that I'll not sacrifice my son!!

RE: What else could you do?

If I couldn't do engineering anymore, I would do some kind of law enforcement.  I would prefer detective work over being a patrol officer.

RE: What else could you do?

The cool thing about engineering is that it's one of those professions where you're unlikely to need to answer this question!  A great many in the trades have to actually figure this out for themselves, once their bodies won't put up with the punishment any more.

The immediate opportunity for me would be home reno.  I could make a good living just doing projects for my neighbours.  Build up a stable of good subs for the jobs I don't like (or am no good at!) and take on the fun/choice bits myself.  Wouldn't last, though.

I wouldn't be tempted to turn one of my hobbies into a living- saps the joy out of it right quick!

Sweetest gig?  Optometrist- by far.  Same number of years of education as it took for me to get my M.A.Sc., and to start they make twice the money.  It doesn't hurt, so people aren't stressed out when they come to see you (ie. unlike the dentist...).  The worst harm you can do is to give someone contact lenses that don't fit right- and the toughest thing you do during the day is to tell someone to go to the opthamologist so that THEY can tell them that they're going blind...Regular hours.  No housecalls.  No trauma to deal with.  Unfortunately it would be a bad gig for me, because you REALLY have to like people to do it- that more or less counts me out!

RE: What else could you do?

again, in no particular order:

archaeologist
crafter (cross-stitch)
mystery-book author
full-time mom

but my most likely: start an organization in support of women in the STEM programs at the local college.

RE: What else could you do?

50% cave topographer
30% nature photographer
20% adventure writer
+
100% good father
 

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