restless - where to go and what to do
restless - where to go and what to do
(OP)
mainly just venting, but feel free to comment...
i just turned 33 and i'm a huge geek.
I have a BS in Engineering Physics.
I love doing FEA and design work.
i tend to follow my gut and never really had a plan or guided on any particular path. (ADHD? =b)
the other engineers i've worked with seem very...vanilla.
i can't talk to them and they look intimidated/confused when i try to talk to them.
i've tried some ME/MS programs, but i can't seem to stick to anything.
(Systems Engineering, Engineering Mechanics)
I feel like I need a masters to remain competitive and keep my edge.
It really bothers me that I don't have an "engineering accredited" degree.
Sometimes it's really a pain to have to explain what my degree is when I interview.
I've considered a PE, but tend to see less and less value in it.
I've toyed with the idea of just getting a ME/MS in Mechanical.
I love what I do, but the commute and pay is crap.
The company is also not doing so well.
layoffs and people quiting are adding a lot of stress.
it's pretty hostile as well.
I've looked for years, but I can't seem to get hired elsewhere.
i feel stuck and frustrated.
i just turned 33 and i'm a huge geek.
I have a BS in Engineering Physics.
I love doing FEA and design work.
i tend to follow my gut and never really had a plan or guided on any particular path. (ADHD? =b)
the other engineers i've worked with seem very...vanilla.
i can't talk to them and they look intimidated/confused when i try to talk to them.
i've tried some ME/MS programs, but i can't seem to stick to anything.
(Systems Engineering, Engineering Mechanics)
I feel like I need a masters to remain competitive and keep my edge.
It really bothers me that I don't have an "engineering accredited" degree.
Sometimes it's really a pain to have to explain what my degree is when I interview.
I've considered a PE, but tend to see less and less value in it.
I've toyed with the idea of just getting a ME/MS in Mechanical.
I love what I do, but the commute and pay is crap.
The company is also not doing so well.
layoffs and people quiting are adding a lot of stress.
it's pretty hostile as well.
I've looked for years, but I can't seem to get hired elsewhere.
i feel stuck and frustrated.





RE: restless - where to go and what to do
You seem to think the PE has no value. It will open a lot of doors that currently are closed to you, including being able to provide engineering services on your own. I would encourage it.
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
Or if you like rapid project turnover and a steep learning curve, work for an engine consulting company. There are plenty of them any they seem recession-proof.
- Steve
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
If you need to explain your degree (credentials) having the PE will put an end to that discussion.
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
what i mean by vanilla is boring, complacent and lacking passion.
i think what i mainly want to do is engineering analysis independently. (someday)
Solidworks
APDL Coding (Ansys)
Alloy and Plastic Parts Design
Seal Design
Assemblies
Machine Design
Mechanics
Materials
Vibration
CFD (need more experience)
Moldflow
Linear and Non-Linear
Hyperelastic
Non-Linear Contacts
Failure Theory (Yield, Fracture, Fatigue)
etc.
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
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: restless - where to go and what to do
Be cautious regarding a PE license. If you can get one without much effort (is that even possible?) then go for it, but its value really only applies if you are working in construction related fields. Your interests seem to lie in product design, materials, and research. In my experience these fields would not place any extra value on a PE.
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
Sounds like you'd do well as a consultant. Find one, ask how they got there.
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
http://
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
If you don't like what you do, you should go do something different. Even something as simple as pursue another job needing any type of math related background.
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering
http://bwengr.com
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity"
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
i've actually been validating test data and astm specifications to determine a good material model fit for non-linear materials for some time. for the past few years i've assigned myself the task of increasing our "virtual prototyping" capability by comparing models to physical tests. for example, currently i am working on using a contact debonding formulation for determining fracture of plastic part weld lines. (in ansys)
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity"
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
I never have presented my work, other than just internal reports.
This week I plan on having a peer discussion about the ansys model for evaluating plastic designs using contact debonding w/ fracture energies/toughness.
Later i'll probably look at generalizing it and apply it to something non-proprietary.
I still have a lot to do in terms of calibrating and validating.
(yay! breaking stuff!)
RE: restless - where to go and what to do
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity"