This is my first job out of college. I've been here for a couple years now, my current role for a year. I'm currently working as a process engineer. My plan was to take on this role for experience in production, then move onto a more traditional mechanical role.

Our plant has been struggling with down time and production issues. There have been rumors and I know losing money/breaking even doesn't typically keep you open. I've been trying to make improvements (my job), but I am making very little headway with maintenance or operations. I've voiced my concerns with my manager (plant manager), but have had little success with improving the situation. Needless to say, it's frustrating to see things failing that shouldn't.

There are several internal positions available that I feel I would prefer (different site or different plant). I've only been in this role for a year, am I OK for thinking of transferring? If so, how should I go about starting the process? The consensus online is that I should discuss it with my manager before applying for an internal position. I'm just a bit unsure at this point of whether I should make the leap or try to stick it out.

Internal opportunities are there for people to move on and help to grow the company. I wouldn't look at doing this as a negative - they would not have posted the positions internally if they are not thinking that someone inside may fit the requirements. Does you boss know of your desire to move onto a mechanical position at some point?

Boottmills

It's really common for new graduates to move around in their first few years ... at least wherever I've worked. Some companies actually have graduate rotation plans in place. Any sensible employer should welcome and encourage an internal transfer. The only problem is if your line manager doesn't like the idea.

- Steve

Seeking the move, and the resultant manager discussion, may give you the opportunity to discuss why. Make sure the talk is done diplomatically. Emphasize plans for improvement, not complaints. Be prepared for a "no" answer. But also be prepared to be told to stay and given the responsibility to fix the problems.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com

Boy, I disagree with "may give you the opportunity to discuss why". You've already made it clear that you want to change things, initiating a move request with "this place is sinking, I want to bail" (even stated diplomatically) is a good way to kill cooperation from local management. I'd scan the internal opportunities and when one came up that I was barely qualified for I'd take it to the boss and tell him that this is your dream job in your dream location and that you'd like to apply. Make the discussion about the next job, not the last. Make it a growth opportunity, not an abandonment.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

"Belief" is the acceptance of an hypotheses in the absence of data.
"Prejudice" is having an opinion not supported by the preponderance of the data.
"Knowledge" is only found through the accumulation and analysis of data.

Bootmills- No, I have not really mentioned that. I probably should've..

Steve- Actually, my first year was a rotational program.

Tyger- I'm thinking I'm going to go the career improvement route, because that's really what it is. This is just earlier than I'd thought.

David - Kind of what I was thinking.

Star for David for some accurate insight on strategy.

No sense showing all your cards in a weak hand after you have successfully bluffed your way to the pot.

You're in a tough spot. Sticking it out another year wouldn't hurt you at all. Transferring after being on a job for a year is not going to look good to other companies and will not to some internal company people.

It's hard to learn the in's and out's of a site in a year and all the gyrations that go on with project justification and selection. It could be that you have a lot to learn about production still that will help you run mechanical projects better. I transferred from a couple of plants after a couple of years in each and those returned to haunt me. I was experienced with economic justification, depreciation schedules, project management, design, commissioning, and start up so it didn't take long to learn the processes. I was ready to move on and poor working conditions helped make those decisions. Some food for thought for you...

You're also a new engineer and sometimes that works against you. As you gain experience, it should change. I would venture to say all engineers experience that to some degree initially.

Hang in there and pray about it, if you're a praying individual.

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC