New job but nothing to do
New job but nothing to do
(OP)
I'm in a new job where I was relocated at great expense. Since my arrival the amount of work has dropped considerably and I'm finding myself killing time on overhead. The company is doing well but our particular department is running low on work. My boss doesn't seem to be looking for anything either.
I'm spending time working with some tools to improve my skill set and am studying material that will help my knowledge base but I just aren't feeling that I'm contributing and aren't getting any feeling of accomplishment.
I'm spending time working with some tools to improve my skill set and am studying material that will help my knowledge base but I just aren't feeling that I'm contributing and aren't getting any feeling of accomplishment.
Tunalover





RE: New job but nothing to do
Tunalover
RE: New job but nothing to do
RE: New job but nothing to do
That's the problem. When I ask the boss when work is going to materialize he says that there is nothing on the horizon.
Tunalover
RE: New job but nothing to do
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: New job but nothing to do
RE: New job but nothing to do
If your manager will not do anything, go to your coworkers or other departments for work.
If your manager isn't giving you work, there is something brewing within management. Don't wait for him/her.
Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: New job but nothing to do
You will soon be busy and whatever you managed to learn in the interim may prove to be useful.
Or you'll be out on the street looking for a new job and what you managed to learn may prove to be critical.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: New job but nothing to do
If not, then be thankful you've not been thrown into the fire and make the best of it. When I started my current position, there wasn't much to do and I hadn't been around long enough to have ongoing tasks. Years later, I can't imagine ever getting to the end of the pile, even when times are slow. You accumulate things as you're around longer if you are useful. In addition to talking to the boss, maybe you could poke around with some of the old heads and see if they have any lingering projects they would be interested in your help on.
RE: New job but nothing to do
The ones you taught yourself?
Remember how you never had time to work the tutorials?
Now, you have the time.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: New job but nothing to do
This way you are getting upgraded (within the corporations education budget) and your "educator" can bill to a similar account.
RE: New job but nothing to do
The best thing is too still look busy. Hokie66 makes sense. Let your boss know that you are hitting the books in between billable hours.
Does your office have a library? Pull out some books along your area of expertise, or something of interest. If not, take a look at your own books and notes from college.
I am sure that stuff will get redundant too. Hang in there.
RE: New job but nothing to do
corus
RE: New job but nothing to do
- Steve
RE: New job but nothing to do
RE: New job but nothing to do
As to what to do with your time, above gives some ideas, a similar topic of what to do when not busy comes up every now and then I'd try and find a couple of those threads.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: New job but nothing to do
When you said "I'm still a bit surprised someone with your experience really stopped looking" I don't understand what you're saying.
Tunalover
RE: New job but nothing to do
Generally accepted wisdom on this site at least, and from my Director for that matter, seems to be always keep your resume up to date and have an eye out for other opportunities. Not necessarily spending a lot of time on it but not completely ignoring it either.
You said "I can't decide if I should start looking for a new job" which implied to me you hadn't been keeping an eye out.
Make sense?
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: New job but nothing to do
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net
RE: New job but nothing to do
Good luck,
Latexman
RE: New job but nothing to do
thread731-232263: Not enough work to do, what should I do?
Are just a couple of previous vaguely similar threads, though not sure they were as concerned with implications on continued employment.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: New job but nothing to do
RE: New job but nothing to do
At least you're putting your time and effort into something which should prove beneficial
BTW, we now prefer the name NX as opposed to UG, but even I still catch myself slipping at times.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: New job but nothing to do
Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net