Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
(OP)
I'm a recent graduate of a civil engineering program. I'm working as an E.I.T. designer currently for a small consulting firm. They do a lot of specific specialized stuff, but we also do a lot of general structural engineering, ex. foundation design, roof analysis for additional loads, etc...I've been there for 6 months now, and don't mind what I'm doing however I don't see it as something I could do for much longer. My concern especially is that in working for this company I will be limiting my future options, as a potential employer could see me as someone who only knows the stuff this firm specializes in.
I thought I wanted to be a designer, and truthfully I want my PE, but I see a lot of my friends doing project management and I realized I'd be a lot more intersted doing that (judging by the way they desicribe thier jobs). Is trying to get into project management now (aka. sending out resumes w/ only 6 months experience in design, though currently employed) a good or bad idea?
Also, if changing job couldn't happen in the near future, how would my future look in converting over to more of a management type role, as opposed to a guy who crunches numbers for design in a couple of years? What is the difference in career path between someone who starts out as a designer vs. someone who starts out in project managemener? I'm talking responsibilities, salary and employment opportunity, and how does that change over time?
I'm so new to this industry, so I really want to feel out where I fit in. I appreciate any reponses! cheers
I thought I wanted to be a designer, and truthfully I want my PE, but I see a lot of my friends doing project management and I realized I'd be a lot more intersted doing that (judging by the way they desicribe thier jobs). Is trying to get into project management now (aka. sending out resumes w/ only 6 months experience in design, though currently employed) a good or bad idea?
Also, if changing job couldn't happen in the near future, how would my future look in converting over to more of a management type role, as opposed to a guy who crunches numbers for design in a couple of years? What is the difference in career path between someone who starts out as a designer vs. someone who starts out in project managemener? I'm talking responsibilities, salary and employment opportunity, and how does that change over time?
I'm so new to this industry, so I really want to feel out where I fit in. I appreciate any reponses! cheers





RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
It took me a few months to convince him that he could do things other than brackets, and that it was okay to bring his brain to work.
You, in contrast, have some variety in your work. Now that you're starting to feel confident doing it, you can amuse yourself, and expand your horizons a bit, by figuring out how to automate some of it, so you can do it faster and/or better. That effort should also get you to a better understanding of why you're doing certain things in particular ways, and why you don't do them in any number of other ways.
Whichever path you choose in the future, do it in the future.
Jumping ship now will look _really_ bad on your resume, and you will be explaining your decision for the remainder of your career. Give it at least two years.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
Keep your head down pounding out the work and your 6 months will turn to 6 years before you notice.
I personally won't assign projects to someone who hasn't done the work themselves - the more the better.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
be Very careful jumping ships just 'cause of how the other crew describe their ship ... what sounds inviting and exciting often isn't.
in 6 months i think you've learnt little about the job. now it could be that you're seeing how your company treats people, a la mike's post.
personally i'd give it a year or so before you think you've exhausted this position. before jumping ship, i'd ask to get more experience in the other areas that might interest me ... more engineering analysis, more project work, and see how you like the work. if they don't let you do this, then you've got a good reason for looking for a new job.
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
All the best.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
HTH
VoD
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
However, as an engineer you can eventually work your way up to manage engineers but if you want to climb
the corporate ladder you are probably years off.
I spent my whole career in engineering and avoided management, the technical route, so I probably don’t
know what I’m talking about. [smile]
Good luck.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
Like others have said, engineering an management require some different skills and you will face different types of challenges. It depends on what you want out of your career and what you are good at.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
6 months is barely a blip on a resume. Like others said - unless you're miserable and your work/life/whatever is suffering bigtime, stick it out. You likely won't get handed your own projects until 3-4 years out of school, if even then. But believe me, you'll look back on it and wonder why you thought you knew so much. Good luck.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
Just seems weird that I know people who have 4 months of coop experience get hired as 'project managers' right out of school.
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
RE: Can I end up where I'd like to, given what I'm doing now
I can tell you that I attended a seminar recently and my adviser from my graduate program was there. I asked him on the job outlook was for the 2013 class. He said that it was mostly contractors who were hiring students and not many consulting companies. I even got the impression that some students left the program w/o any offers at all. This may reflect the job that you are doing vs your friends.
One other thing of note, I have many friends who make is seem like they are doing the "it" thing. They glorify their job to inflate themselves to others. The truth is that every job has its share or rewards....... and what I have found is that with greater rewards comes greater problems. Choose wisely.