Junior Engineer Woes
Junior Engineer Woes
(OP)
I have two years of job experience with the same employer, one in the field and one in the design office. This is my first full-time job after college.
In the design office I've primarily been a draftsman. The majority of my time has been spent cleaning up CAD files created by ill-trained, less computer savvy, senior level engineers. I've gotten very good at it...
It's grunt work. I don't want to specialize in correcting other peoples CAD mistakes, yet there seems to be no end in sight. I've put up with it for a year. Before I start seeking other employment opportunities I'd like to know if anyone else has been in the same boat.
Perhaps I'm just another plebe from generation whine, living in the age of entitlement.
In the design office I've primarily been a draftsman. The majority of my time has been spent cleaning up CAD files created by ill-trained, less computer savvy, senior level engineers. I've gotten very good at it...
It's grunt work. I don't want to specialize in correcting other peoples CAD mistakes, yet there seems to be no end in sight. I've put up with it for a year. Before I start seeking other employment opportunities I'd like to know if anyone else has been in the same boat.
Perhaps I'm just another plebe from generation whine, living in the age of entitlement.





RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Oh and your situation is about the same in any generation.
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
That doesn't mean you'll be leading the design of the next big thing. However, maybe you'll get to directly assist a more senior engineer working alongside them rather than just picking it up when they're 'done'. Or it might mean being given a small aspect of the project to be your 'baby'.
Are you doing detail drafting or just modeling? If drafting then my guess is that after 1 year you still have a lot to learn - if you choose to.
Only you know all the details of the situation, but nicely asking for some more challenging work doesn't sound unreasonable from what you say.
If they say 'no you're a CAD grunt no more' then perhaps actively start pursuing other avenues.
(By the way, the fact you even ask about the 'whine' suggests either you don't need to worry, or you're just somewhat smooth so should look to advance in sales or management.)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Darn right there's no end in sight. Plenty of good money to be made doing it, too. It's not engineering, but it has the makings of a business.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
KENAT, it's drafting; state DOT contract plans, specifically highway bridge sets. There is MUCH more to learn.
Aside from being insanely bored (repositioning call-out leaders, changing line weights and styles, and adjusting base mapping clip-masks for nine hours straight is excruciating) I'm afraid of being pigeonholed; I'll be up for my PE in but two years and have had barely two months of solid engineering experience.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Do remember it's a tough job market right now so finding a job where you actually get to do more hardcore engineering may not be easy. Also they may be less inclined to accommodate your wishes than when the job market is better. At least the experience you are getting is fairly relevant.
Do a little research on if time spent drafting counts toward PE in your state before you talk to your supervisor.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
That being said, The Tick is absolutely right. Not everyone ends up where they thought they would. Many are much better off for it.
Having good CAD skills is extremely valuable for a structural engineer, so don't begrudge this learning experience. Having good engineering skills, however, is even more important. You may even think that the engineering tasks are grunt work. Some of them are, but it's the best way to learn.
Expect some CAD assignments, but only you will know when "engineering opportunities" are passing you by. Employers may say a lot of things to try to kepp you content, but actions are what will speak the loudest.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Count yourself lucky that you can correct drawings by typing. Doing it by erasing vellum or scratching ink off linen was no fun, especially when you made a hole in the drawing.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I think I should talk to him and convey that I'm concerned I might be falling into said trap.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Don't start offering to redesign everything until you learn the difference between a bad design and a good compromise.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Look at it this way. At least you are working with a cad file.
You could be working with a sketch drawn on the back of a cigarette packet. Laying this down on Vellum or Mylar, then dealing with, " That was not quite what I meant, this goes over here."
B.E.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
While it is true what others have said about young engineers with CAD skills getting pigeon-holed into drafting work, I think this is seldom the case in most decent firms. If yours is a "decent" firm, you will soon transition into performing some real engineering work when your superiors feel you are ready for it. When I first started out, all I did was use a red pen to mark RFI's on record set drawings for a year. I hated it and often thought of quitting. I hung in there and was doing "real" engineering work shortly. I ended spending almost ten years with that firm and it was the best experience I ever had.
Hang in there. If you've been doing this for a year as you say, then you should soon be moving on to other tasks. If not within a few months, then it may be time to move on to another firm. If that ends up being the case, this has still been very valuable experience and you should make the most of it while you can.
Good luck.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
The only people I've seen permanently pigeonholed have been people who really deserved it. They saw the menial task as their "job" and applied their imagination and enthusiasm to their after hours hobby instead of to their job. People who take a crap job as an opportunity to learn about the company's activities and try to find small and subtle ways to make them better don't get stuck in a dead-end job.
In other words, don't "tell" your boss you are ready for more responsibility, "show" him that you are taking the initiative to assume more. Everybody hates the "I hired on to be an Engineer not a toady" discussion and I can't recall a single time that it did any good. Most people like the "I wonder if the proposed DOT reg will impact the way you have to do XYZ" as long as it is with someone on the project and not a manager over the Project Manager.
David
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
There is nothing wrong with spending a year learning how the drawing office works. There is a lost opportunity if all you have learned is how to correct drawings.
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
We prefer to call them "revisions".
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I wrote 14 WI under such circumstances. Writing WI is supposed to be the function of experts, but your contributions now will support your efforts to relocate later or gain promotions.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
but of course the main software you should be using is staad or risa3d or similar..
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
After two years experience, it's time for some advancement. As others have stated, discuss with your supervisor or mentor. If discussions do not bear fruit, seek advancement elsewhere.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
But, speak with your supervisor and ask about getting more responsibility. And be realistic. Don't fall for the "he's a nice guy and will do what he promises". I was in a small company and doing a lot of drafting. I stuck with it b/c of some of the promises made. I found out later that one of the roles I was promised, was also promised to another guy, and it never even materialized.
And don't believe that business is going to pick up simply because the boss says so. I fell for that. What a disaster. Look into the industry yourself if you have to. But, unless you are 100% sure an opportunity will come up for you within that company, start looking for a job while you have one.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Fixing CAD errors I now see is pretty valuable and a positive is that you have a chance to probably see lots of different types of plans and styles.
A lot of people didn't know I had a degree plus I look much younger. I wouldn't mind that, as long as the higher ups know what you are, that's all that matters. Of course you can't just go in every day to work and not try to learn and talk to others. Talking about projects is where your supervisor will realize he might be able to teach you how to do more than CAD file fixing.
Goodluck trying to find another job right now. It has to get much worse before things will get better.
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Let me predict your future, but before I do let me just say that with whatever you do you must always do it to your best abilities. Never compromise, so for now continue doing the best you possibly can.
Now for my prediction. You will move on from your current position if you have enough guts to finally do it. You will start designing and you will get raises (provided the economy allows for that). You will thank your boss for the opportunity for making more money for him than you take home. If you get married you will force your wife to work so you can enjoy your "life style". By the time you retire you will continue working because the economy didn't work for you as you had planned, social security is gone, and your investments didn't provide you with the returns you had hoped.
How dare I predict this? Because 95% or more of the people reading this post will end up in the same situation.
Sorry.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
That omniscience must be a terrible burden.
Charlie
www.facsco.com
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I got the impression from the OP that it was literally just fixing mistakes etc. so figured much more than a year of literally just being given these tasks is pushing it. If he's acting more as an assistant to these Engineers, taking some responsibility for overall preparation of the drawings and so on then it may well warrant much more than a year.
Sure it's in part up the the OP to make the most of whatever opportunities he's given, but there's a point where you just need better opportunities.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
The ability to calculate and communicate design requirements by verbal means, sketches, or other methods, was, in the description.
Draughtsmen and subordinates are used to assist the senior engineer in his efforts.
I think the OP's comments about senior level Engineers being ill trained are inappropriate. It is most likely that these people are self taught in the local CAD system so they have a better way of explaining what they want to their juniors.
B.E.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
So the reason why you believe that your prediction is accurate is because you predict the very same thing for at least 95% of readers?
That's no proof.
Do you resent being forced to work?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
You're reading 'ill-trained' in a negative way.
Surely 'self taught' can be a sub-set of 'ill-trained'?
I don't do CAD and agree that it's not necessary, but I can see that it would be useful.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I learned to draft mostly by machining parts from hundreds of drawings. Through the magic of poor drafting, I had the privilege of producing thousands of parts that met print specifications but failed to function as desired. Why? Because the person drawing did not know how to ask for what he needed. I can't read minds; I can only read prints.
Now it's my turn to draw, and I know how to ask for what I need.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I don't believe that senior engineers necessarily need to know how to draft to a high level, I especially don't think they need to know how to use the latest CAD software at expert level.
However, having some appreciation of it is a good thing. Knowing that their drafter lackey has actually specified the parts correctly etc. and accepting that occasionally things get done 'that way' because of limitations of the CAD package but sometimes because of limitations of the CAD Jockey etc. are highly beneficial.
The best Senior Engineer we have here is useless at CAD (well, he's picked up a little over the last few months) but fairly good at knowing a good drawing and what needs to be in it etc. This is more than I can say for many here, they might be OK on the CAD package but their drawings - oh dear.
I got told at a job fair just a couple of weeks ago by a potential employer that they don't employ many 'drafters' any more and the engineers are expected to do their own drafting/CAD. (This conversation conspired because I foolishly put 'Design Enginer/CAD Draftsman' on my resume thinking having another potential role would open doors not slam them in my face!)
Many of the 'great' engineers of the first half of last century, and probably before, started out on the board. I'm thinking RJ Mitchell, Camm, the guy that designed the Titanic (Assuming you accept it sinking was the operators fault not his) etc.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Seriously...
How is the work culture in the U.S. and overseas with respect to the level of CAD skills required from an engineer? I perceive that it is more common than not, whereas here, it's essentially nonexistent. Personally, I think thad CAD experience and that skill set would be of great benefit to all engineers, and I wonder why we don't see more of that here.
Regards,
SNORGY.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
In Australia, at my current job, I don't use CAD at all. I'd much rather sit with an experienced draftie, get him to understand what I need, than try and duplicate his experience with manufacturing (most of our experienced drafties came in via the toolroom, and have an enormous knowledge of manufacturing processes).
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
We write way fewer memos, so the inefficiency of hunt&peck hasn't gotten us behind on that front, but I'm uncertain whether forcing the senior engineers to do the detailed design was an overall gain. Supposedly, our overall productivity is up, but I'd like to see some hard data. In some respects, the real advantage is that the senior engineers are busy all the time, compared to them idling while someone else did the detailed design that the senior engineers would check at a much later date.
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
You are right I was reading "ill trained" in a negative way.
It gave a connotation of being taught by somebody who did not know what they were doing.
Upon reading your comment I realize that "self taught" also falls straight into that category.
B.E.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Chris
www.value-design-consulting.co.uk
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
When I started my recent job, I asked for CAD, and it was apparently a mindblowing question. I was told we already had a guy that could draw.
I ended up with an AutoCAD viewer, which although isn't all I need, is better than nothing.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I needed to prove my drive, commitment and knowledge to a close-knit team of highly capable engineers from many different disciplines so I kept my head down, chin up and treated every task, no matter how menial, as if it was the most important job ever done.
This attitude was noticed by my line management and now, 8 years later I am working in a research team with a substantial budget and I feel I am a valued member of the team.
Everytime a graduate comes in he/she is given the data analysis/processing tasks I used to do and I see myself there grinding out the figures but I saw something else that everyone should be aware of upon starting that first job. My management team watch the new kids constantly to determine one thing.. ATTITUDE.!! If you come in, grind the work out and stay positive, enthusiastic and committed the promotion is there to be had. If you come in and sit at your desk with a face like a pitbull eating a bee don't expect to be staying there long or gaining any respect or promotion.
Engineering is a dynamic industry where constant change is a given. An ability to stay creative, commited, conscientious, enthusiastic and HAPPY even when doing the dullest of jobs will be noticed and rewarded or the company will lose you... and they know it..
Please don't take this as a personal sleight but if after two years your company has not promoted you or even discussed your career prospects its maybe time to use some reflective practice to see if it is you or them that is the problem.
If it aint broke, break it, take it apart and make it better.. Thats engineering
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Thank you to everyone else.
I postponed running up on my boss and risking faux pas in favor of discussing it at my yearly review. That should be plenty of time to mull it over.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
by proof is statistics and recent articles. There are many more for many industrialized nations.
http://
http://w
http://
Excuses are used "I want to work". How many have said on their death beds "I wish I could have spent more time at the office." People's main regrets is not spending time with loved ones. That's what people really want to do, not work.
Also, I do not resent work. For now it bring in income while I build my business on the side, with my wife and family. I resent a system that didn't teach me how to do that earlier in life.
Anominal
For now, good call. Learn all you can, and do all you can. Approach your boss with a positive attitude. Rehearse your questions and concerns and learn to state them in a positive way. "Your attitude will determine your altitude."
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I have to run the numbers to design the beam, and while running the numbers I can't draw the beam in AutoCAD.
It does not seem efficient to design a beam, draw it and design the next beam, but to design all the beams give the designs to a drafter to draw and while he is drawing I can design all the columns. Otherwise, I have to wait to design the columns until I finished drawing the beams.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I assume you are in the US. In my opinion, your position is not typical though not unheard of. Though drafting is important in engineering, that is what drafters/designers are for, not engineers. I give my sketches, or sometimes just my thoughts, to a good designer. As an engineer, it helps to know drafting standards though, but it sounds like you have 0 years experience toward your PE.
Someone else offered a prediction, so I'll offer mine. You will eventually leave where you are at. I'm guessing it is a small place with less than 25 employees in an office off the beaten path. You will realize this whole other engineering world and the excitement (yeah, I like my job) of actually sizing steel and concrete. You will look back and wonder how you ever ended up at that sweatshop/drag on my career/(fill in the blank).
I have worked for 6 different places in my career. I have heard of places like yours, but fortunately never worked in any. We would have someone like you checking calcs. That gets mind numbing itself, but it is ENGINEERING. There are ways to pay your dues that involve what you went to college for.
There is something better out there. When you are ready, choose carefully and ask the right questions, not just what's the salary. Good Luck!
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
What I read from the OP was the following
"I am in my first job after college and I am doing grunt work which I think that after one year, I should have moved on"
I see this as the manure flowing downhill scenario. What I don't see is if there are other junior engineers there and what they are doing. Some jobs HAVE to be done and it usually falls on the new guy or the lowest qualified guy. The upper management equation is that the cheapest labor gets the grunt work.
Because of the economy the company may not be growing as quickly so you may find yourself mired in this position for a lot longer than you think. But in time you'll look back.
Many of us here didn't have forums where we could ask questions like this. We took what our bosses gave is at the start and ran with it. It was a boost in our confidence when we finally got a piece of a project or even the whole project itself, but I can guarantee you it wasn't in our second week on the job.
I have learned so much "engineering" that really isn't necessary for my current role, but that's the beauty of this career. Unlike the bean-counters of the world, you can have five completely different days every week. And everything you learn will help you in some way down the road.
Take this current "grunt work" and learn from it. You may have something learned to bring to your next position, or company.
drawn to design, designed to draw
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
"You may be being taken advantage of... a little. But this is common. There are still learning opportunities. Be smartly proactive about your advancement"
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I have worked with other structurals in the same office on civil projects and they generally drafted their designs pretty quick and gave the simple tasks to drafters to finish up.
I speak mainly coming from a civil/grading background as looking at a plan, sketching a basic design and drafting/designing straight into the computer is way faster than anything else I have seen. And goodluck designing a retaining wall and having a drafter draw up a retaining wall profile. This is probably not the case for other disciplines as calcs are more important up front.
What kind of structural work are you doing?? Either way, realize you have to pay your dues before you can start designing and/or leading a project
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
drawn to design, designed to draw
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
...or
...you can continue as you are.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I do try to engage my betters and learn from example. New guy on the scene asking questions can elicit various responses; some people react better to questions than others. It's a balancing act knowing when to pursue what you don't know and when to shut up and just do the work. There should come a point when I'm ready to take on greater responsibilities. This thread and my own personal barometer suggest that I should be gently prodding my manager for different kinds of work; I don't know everything about what I'm doing right now, but I have a firm foundation in it. I may not want to know much more than I have to.
If in fact this is all that is in store for me at this company, I need to get OUT. Paying my dues? Ok. Learning valuable skills? I'll buy it. Endangering future opportunities for the sake of keeping status quo? Risking being pigeon holed? Hell no.
I have a feeling my super will be responsive.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Desire is good. If you are not driven from inside, there's no use kicking the outside.
Keep in mind that not much is really happening for anybody. The economy is soft, and available opportunities will reflect that. People are staying in jobs they normally wouldn't keep. Hiring and expansion is slow, and growth and promotions are slow too. Personally, I have seen the market value of my core skills drop significantly.
Start to worry if the next hire is senior and you have one more chin to wipe.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I will also second what was mentioned about attitude earlier. I make no bones about the fact that the tasks I assign to the new guys are crap work that I don't want to do, but that somebody has to do them. I tell them to think of these assignments as a test, and they are being "graded" on their ability to get the tasks done correctly, with minimal guidance, on time, and all the while having a good attitude. I remind them that successful completion of this "test" will lead to them being assigned bigger, more interesting tasks, and that eventually they can be responsible for entire projects. We had one kid right out of school that had an attitude problem. He thought the work I was assigning him was beneath him, and while he never came right out and said it, it was plainly obvious in his behavior. He really screwed himself because since he thought these menial tasks were beneath him and he never really put in the effort to learn to do them correctly. So not only did his attitude stink, but most of the tasks he was assigned were done wrong. He is no longer with us, and frankly I was glad to see him shown the door.
I will add a final bit of advice: Before deciding if you want to try and get more responsibility and interesting work at your current employer, or find a new job, you need to take a long hard look at the structure of your existing company. Is there a career path at your current employer? Does advancement depend on somebody else leaving or retiring? Keep in mind that if you work for a very small firm, this might be it. Ten years from now you will still be doing the same tasks you are doing today and your only chance to move up is if someone above you leaves and you can fill their position. This was the negative side I saw to the only small company I worked for. There was really no interesting work going on and little room for advancement. So I left, which gets me back to what I said in the first paragraph about trying different things. My first job out of school was for a large defense contractor. I didn't like being just a number. My next job was the total opposite, I was one of only five engineers in the entire company and I saw no future, so next move was to more of a medium sized company that had an engineering department of about 50 people. This is where I found that I enjoy a medium sized company because they tend to have the career opportunities of a big organization, but they are small enough that you can be more than just a number.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Regarding your last paragraph - AMEN! You nailed it about the company size (and my work history also). I tell the new engineers that it's a bad thing that they started working where I work because eventually they are going to get the idea to go somewhere else just to find that things are better here.
At the consulting firm that I work for, I will always get to do some actual design, and I love that. I do get the opportunity to get progressively greater responsibilities and job titles. I would recommend companies of, I'd say, 75-250 people.
But the small firm I worked for was a great opportunity for me for several years. I learned a lot due to a (forced) close relationship with an incredibly talented engineer who, if I had one, I'd call my mentor. Forced only because there were only 3-6 engineers at one time. I got some good experience, but in retrospect it could never have been permanent.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I know we like to make these sweeping generalizations about company size but I think there's still quite a bit of variation even amongst similar sized companies.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
"I will also second what was mentioned about attitude earlier. I make no bones about the fact that the tasks I assign to the new guys are crap work that I don't want to do, but that somebody has to do them. I tell them to think of these assignments as a test, and they are being "graded" on their ability to get the tasks done correctly, with minimal guidance, on time, and all the while having a good attitude. I remind them that successful completion of this "test" will lead to them being assigned bigger, more interesting tasks, and that eventually they can be responsible for entire projects."
At my company: "oh look, since you like grunt work and you did such a good job, here's more of it!!"
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Unlike Spongebob007 I did not tell them they were being graded. None the less that was, precisely, what I was doing.
The ones that handled assignments competently got given more interesting tasks,the ones that copped an attitude or did not do well, stayed at the level they were at, or eventually left, or were let go.
B.E.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
I was in the exact same position about a year ago, doing mostly drawings and the like for about a year and a half, and before that, while still studying I was a steel worker.
Got a job at another company and am climbing the ladder faster than the other junior engineers. I work for a company of about 25 but with some very big projects.
All the small stuff started coming to me because I could do the structural sizing but more importantly I could guide a junior draftsman to produce a drawing that is understandable and correct, without a lot of checking from my bosses. They liked this because it was nominal input from them and they got to charge for this.
The other junior engineers had to work with the more experienced draftsman, who didn't really have time for engineers that is not so sure about what they were doing.
Bottom line: 6 months down the line I got a nice little team together. I learned a lot more design than the other engineers, the bosses needed to search for design work for them to do in a project,they sometimes got a bit pigeonholed in one thing. I got a complete project, experience on the complete design, as well as bringing in about three times what they do.
I actually got a section on a huge project we are tendering for, I get to join all the prelim meetings, am involved in the costing phase, prelim designs etc. I have more responsibility than any of the other junior engineers, even though some of them are more than 2 years my senior.
And it all started with a crappy 15 months of drawing, for a very low salary.
RE: Junior Engineer Woes
Thank you for your input. I had my yearly appraisal last Friday and the conversation was good.
I avoided using the words "pigeon hole" and instead expressed my desire to have more "meat and potatoes" engineering. My boss liked the phrase. He admitted to me that the type of work I had been seeing wasn't ideal for my professional development; but it was work that had to be done. Empty promise or not, he said when new opportunities are presented to the company that I would be well positioned for increased responsibility.
A side note, I've drifted away from CAD in the past two months... so I'm quite happy with how everything is turning out.