office-based role
office-based role
(OP)
hello
I am looking to start an engineering career but not in a production/plant environment or in a greasy environment. Instead I am looking for a clean office based career.
Is this feasible with an HNC only and no experience at all?
Which such roles can you suggest me? Roles that are in demand and pay well, would be preferred.
Thanks!
I am looking to start an engineering career but not in a production/plant environment or in a greasy environment. Instead I am looking for a clean office based career.
Is this feasible with an HNC only and no experience at all?
Which such roles can you suggest me? Roles that are in demand and pay well, would be preferred.
Thanks!





RE: office-based role
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: office-based role
So, yes, it's theoretically possible, but mostly likely the best you might get is doing test in a moderately clean lab environment. Frankly, I'm dumbfounded with your apparent desire to get this sort of work that's "in demand and pay well" without putting in any investment.
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
But I think there is a misunderstanding: I didn't mean that the first job will pay well, but the prospects with further experience and/or qualifications in the field will lead in a role that pays well.
Also, I would like to note that I exclude civil engineering, as it's the only engineering I don't like.
RE: office-based role
Obviously, you need to find out:
> what are you good at?
> what makes you the happiest?
> what can pay your bills?
> what actually has a shortage of people
> will your personality be a "cultural fit" to a given company
Naturally, all of these may be mutually exclusive. I think that it would unlikely that the answers you get here will lead you in a specific direction, given the diversity of disciplines here. I would scour the employment sites, like Monster.com, or even LinkedIn to see what types jobs are available and whether I can see myself doing a given job.
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
but I can't figure out if it's an office based job or not
for example C&I engineering, is it 80% office-based as I imagine?
pump engineer in oil industry?
maintenance engineer in food industry?
etc
RE: office-based role
Guessing you are in the UK, I think you'll find the openings for interesting work for a year or two are few and far between if you have an HNC only, unless you are good at CAD.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: office-based role
Unless the word "design" or "develop" or "analyze" or synonyms thereof are in the job description, it'll have lower probability of being a desk job.. Your other two examples are clearly field repair or testing types of jobs.
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RE: office-based role
If on the other hand you mean 'mostly' office based then things open up a bit. I've spent most of my career at a desk but also time in labs, on production floor at customer sites, at supplier sites at testing ranges...
From a Mechanical point of view the CAD work Greg mentions would be the obvious path so look for Designer/Draftsman/CAD technician or similar roles. These days I'm not sure how many fresh HNC chaps get to do much in depth analysis but I could be wrong.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: office-based role
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: office-based role
That said, the short answer to your actual question is 'yes, it's possible'.
RE: office-based role
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.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: office-based role
Good luck,
Latexman
Technically, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
RE: office-based role
Get a job, any job in engineering. Do the HNC on day release or at night school.
Even if you have to do manual work, it won't be for ever and would make you a more well rounded engineer. Then you can do the office based job you crave.
I wouldn't employ someone who was so fixed on desk based work. The best engineers have experience of office and manual work.
There is nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty.
HPost
BEng (Hons) CEng MIMechE
RE: office-based role
No end of paperwork. Might be just what you're looking for.
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: office-based role
but HNC (certificate) options aren't that specialized
I must choose from: mechanical, process, chemical, control&instrumentation, electrical&electronics, etc
should I choose for a specific one that would lead me to mostly office-based career or a general one and then pursue an office-based career?
RE: office-based role
You can look at something all day on paper and never actually get it until you're in the field, messing with it yourself and listening to the people who use your item. I design houses, so I also volunteer for Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) and have learned so much about what actually matters, construction-wise. I also know folks are getting a safe, affordable place to live.
Unless you have a serious issue precluding you from being easily on site, then like others said, you need to rethink your career ideas.
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
While CAD was suggested, our company's CAD is all done by MEs who will need to go to the lab to verify fit checks, or visit vendors to determine whether the vendors are capable of producing their designs. We have no one who is solely a CAD designer, because even the most mundane parts need to meet mechanical requirements that require analysis by an engineer.
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
PLC or DCS work might be a possibility from either a C&I or electrical & electronic HNC. Again, fairly clean and in reasonable demand. Most PLC work will see you on the shop floor during commissioning or fault-finding, often working with maintenance personnel.
The pump engineer role in your link is specialised and will need a fair bit of experience in the field, plus it is nuclear industry which just ramps up the requirements a bit further.
RE: office-based role
also, what does he actually do in a 12hr shift? isn't this working period exhausting?
RE: office-based role
A job that is 100% office base is the exact job I do absolutely everything possible to avoid. I agree with someone's earlier comment that said you are severely limiting your career potential.
I've been in plants that have less emissions than offices, so be careful what kind of office you pick.
RE: office-based role
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
But . . . . then I realized that if I actually desired employment, this list quickly declined from "requirements" to "fat chance".
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: office-based role
Then buy some ear plugs & a gas mask.
Seriously, it may seem we're being a$$holes but you're coming across as an entitles little individual who thinks they're too good to get their hands dirty.
I think you need to do some serious research and soul searching by yourself to at least narrow things down a bit before you come asking questions.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
Having worked in the UK on the shop floor and in the office, and knowing the culture there , once your work associates find out that you do, not, like visiting the shop floor. Guess where you will find yourself ending up.
B.E.
You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.
RE: office-based role
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil Engineer and Structural Engineer
http://bwengr.com | http://bwstructuralengineer.com | http://bwcivilengineer.com
RE: office-based role
If as an engineer you have people working to do something for you that you wouldn't do yourself because of a health and safety concern, then you really should not be asking them to do it.
Matt
RE: office-based role
You have heard from many voices of experience. That's something I wish I had before I jumped into this work. Don't dismiss our words as meaningless. If you do, years later you will find out we were right. Good luck. Engineering can be fun.
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
....wear earplugs, a jacket, a dust mask, etc. Plenty of PPE to protect yourself.
How do you even leave the house?
If you can't get dirty, don't be an engineer.
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.
RE: office-based role
"I am looking to start an engineering career but not in a production/plant environment or in a greasy environment. Instead I am looking for a clean office based career."
"the main reasons I would like to be office-based, is that I am concerned about health effects of emissions and noise."
"a maintenance engineer in a food factory, how much time he spends in the factory, exposed to the cold environment of the refrigerators and the noise of the machines?
also, what does he actually do in a 12hr shift? isn't this working period exhausting?"
Given this brief outline of your persona, I think the feedback has concluded you are severely limiting yourself in the event you took an engineering route. It may be best to rethink your career path.
Your aspirations are more in line with that of an HR professional.
RE: office-based role
Whilst I can see your reasons for replying as you do, I would not wish that kind of HR person on my worst enemy.
B.E.
You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
If you've tried working in the field before and feel its not for your, i would encourage you to give it one more shot with a different company / location. Starting your career in the field is the best way to learn. Generally in 1st world countries, industry is so safety proof that even children can work, give it another go!
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
Also, "my" weldors appreciate my way of doing things - as I know both sides of the story.
Get dirty or get out - you really don't want to know what "they" say about engineers who never come out to the production factory and let the people handle/solve the problems they created (by not having the necessary practical experience)...
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: office-based role
What's REALLY amazing is that the Marines actually landed an F18 on that same runway for an air show, but it took the pilot a 3rd pass to land it, and there was only ONE arresting cable. The runway is less than a mile long. As it was, the F18 stopped not that far from end of runway the fence, since the arresting cable didn't have an aircraft carrier attached to it.
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
Any job will have it's health effects, you just need to be aware of them and look after yourself properly.
All that really matters is to enjoy what you're doing, thats what keeps work great!
www.jcb.com
NX 7.5 with TC 8.3
RE: office-based role
apart from 'design engineer', which afaik needs more than an HNC/HND
can't you suggest me any roles?
from my research I think also an automation engineer won't leave the office but rarely, am I right?
any more suggestions?
thanks
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
In case you haven't worked it out yet, in the US (where many of the more active members of this forum are based) the use of the word engineer generally implies at least bachelors level education, and in many sectors to use engineer you may need the equivalent of CEng.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: office-based role
You are wrong.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: office-based role
Good luck,
Latexman
Technically, the glass is always full - 1/2 air and 1/2 water.
RE: office-based role
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.
The plural of anecdote is not "data"
RE: office-based role
RE: office-based role
After over 50 posts on this thread, and maybe 99% of the comments are not real encouraging, wouldn't you think that maybe your quest is in vain? Also, a number of the posts show the advantages of not being in the office all the time. Those all are from experience comments. You are lucky to have such a response only meant to help you.
RE: office-based role
I too feel that the years spent in university, getting a degree in an applied science (engineering) did entitle me to something more than the grunt jobs that the guys who smoked weed and dropped out of high school ended up with. That said, I look back on it now and I can honestly say that nothing taught me more about engineering than working in the field with the men and women who were ultimately left in charge of running the stuff that I simply drew. I have picked up hunks of clay in the field so that I now understand what "...1725 with 11% moisture..." looks, smells and feels like. Otherwise, it's just "...zone 2 fill..." - whatever THAT means on a drawing. I now understand why a welder would rather put a vent valve at the top of a 30" SCH 80 300# riser for hydro testing instead of just cracking open the blind at the top. I now know exactly what I am asking a guy to do when I call for an in-situ inspection, under mask, of all 30 bubble cap trays in an erected condensate stabilizer. I know how to turn a mounting flange inside out for a burner in an operating CO boiler to avert a site-wide outage at a major refinery (Syncrude in that instance).
My message, similar to that from others, is that it's the field work that makes you an engineer, at least to some extent. It's the best way to understand the impact that your work has on the people who inherit the finished product.
RE: office-based role
The last time I was in a factory environment was 26 yrs ago, at a semiconductor fab. While the diffusion furnaces are a bit noisy, the biggest health risk in a semiconductor fab are the nasty chemicals and gases, lots of fun acids, and lots of toxic, nerve-agent, gases.
TTFN

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RE: office-based role
That said, I'm somewhat of a pansy for dirt. Oh, I'll get down in the hole and dig it myself, if need be, but the moment it's done I want to wash my hands. I'll full-fisted grab a gear covered in packing grease to get it onto a machine... but I'm immediately grabbing a towel to wipe it off of my hands. From that standpoint, I do not enjoy being "in the field"... but if you can't suck it up for such a minor inconvenience, you should seriously reconsider if engineering of any sort is truly your calling.
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: office-based role
this is a general reply, consolidating my thoughts regarding your posts.
Safety:
PPE do work. They should be properly used to be effective. They are not magic, their effectiveness ranging from somewhere in the mid to high 90's (seatbelts and condoms) to sex panther cologne (90 % effective 60% of the time.). If you breed, you may have a son who enjoys whacking your steel toes with a hammer.
If I could catalog my various injuries and their sources without calling them grievances it would be such.
Concussions: Several, one severe. Causes range from passing out after an exciting shower to bringing a compact car to a collision. Bringing a bicycle to a race. Bringing a bicycle to an automobile collision. None occupationaly related.
Chronic illnesses: Hypertension -> Genes. Athsma- genes, smoky clubs, poorly ventilated darkrooms. Occasionally triggered at work/in industrial settings. Damaged feet- neglect of broken toe. Thoracic outlet syndrome- symptoms range from nothing to the sensation of burning wires in my arms or hot rubber bands at my wrists. Cause- mouse & keyboard operation- DESK JOBS.
Acute injuries: 50-100 sutures due to accidental laceration/incision. All recreational, or working w/ tools at home. Tissue crushing- working as a roadie, healed.
Impatience/short temper with stupid, willful ignorance.- Desk jobs in tech support & engineering.
Toxic, simmering frustration- Not doing what I liked, not being creative.
So strangely the three things that afflict me most- dislike of stupid, thoracic outlet syndrome, and joint damage, 2 come from desk jobs.
So do what you like, don't let the tail wag the dog.
RE: office-based role
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: office-based role
Strictly speaking I think he'll find that shifting 50 kg grain sacks up ladders wasn't exactly good for backs.
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: office-based role
RE: office-based role
If you are reading a job description and don't know we=hether it is an office based job or not then why not enquire. Or better yet apply for the job have an interview. You can always turn the job down if it's not what you want and you will getting to grips with interviews for engineering roles.