In seek of career advice
In seek of career advice
(OP)
Greetings:
Recently a former co-woker "Ken" from 15 years ago, I still keep in contact with, called me last week about a ME position as a company he's at, small group division which is part of a larger company. Never turning away from an oppertunity, I send him my resume. Yesterday he called me and said they like what they red on my resume and want me to come in for a casual interview/ discussion if I have time this week. I've scheduled this "interview" tomorrow after lunch, people always feel better after eating.
So here' s my dilemma.
three years ago a company I was at closed doors, 2 days after x-mass... yaya I know, sleezy, but 2 months later I found another ME job. I was there for 16 month and quit because it was a bait and switch, engnieering done in Germany, my role was support (shipping box, packing instruments, grunt work)
Currently, I'm at a better company for the last 14 month. There is over 2000 thousnad people here, I'm the only Mechanical engineer its basically a s/w company.
I have my ups and downs about my job and comapny. On the plus side, the benifits are unbelievable and everyone has the oppertunity to qualify for an incentive bonus. I love my manager, he goes to bat for his staffing if anyone gives us a hard time, he's firm but fair. Basically the company in my opinin treats its employess very good.
Not that is complete paradise,the down side, is there's almost no intersting mechanical engineer at all. Again its a s/w company, so limited ME work and no manufacturing ,r&d labs or product development at all. So my exposure to learning new technology is very limited. The company is also very top heavy in managment. In addition, alot of people are staying here because the pay and benifits are so good, but admitted they are letting there engineering skills go, we have an EE that's not doing any design.
So my concern are:
1. If I jump ship I lose out on a very large bonus check of ~7K coming in December and 100% vested in my 401K, which will be in 8-9 months from now, so i would lose another 3.5K
2. Job hopping is another concern, 14 months on one job and then another. I'm in my late 40's and I don't want to become unmarketable in he future.
3. IF I stay here I lose my engineering skills, I was seriouly considering moving on after 2 years becasue of lack of ME work
4. My wife's concerns, she thiks I'm crazy to be ever looking at a new company as she keep reminding me, you like your job, love your boss and company..
any advice and insight.. so confusing!!
Recently a former co-woker "Ken" from 15 years ago, I still keep in contact with, called me last week about a ME position as a company he's at, small group division which is part of a larger company. Never turning away from an oppertunity, I send him my resume. Yesterday he called me and said they like what they red on my resume and want me to come in for a casual interview/ discussion if I have time this week. I've scheduled this "interview" tomorrow after lunch, people always feel better after eating.
So here' s my dilemma.
three years ago a company I was at closed doors, 2 days after x-mass... yaya I know, sleezy, but 2 months later I found another ME job. I was there for 16 month and quit because it was a bait and switch, engnieering done in Germany, my role was support (shipping box, packing instruments, grunt work)
Currently, I'm at a better company for the last 14 month. There is over 2000 thousnad people here, I'm the only Mechanical engineer its basically a s/w company.
I have my ups and downs about my job and comapny. On the plus side, the benifits are unbelievable and everyone has the oppertunity to qualify for an incentive bonus. I love my manager, he goes to bat for his staffing if anyone gives us a hard time, he's firm but fair. Basically the company in my opinin treats its employess very good.
Not that is complete paradise,the down side, is there's almost no intersting mechanical engineer at all. Again its a s/w company, so limited ME work and no manufacturing ,r&d labs or product development at all. So my exposure to learning new technology is very limited. The company is also very top heavy in managment. In addition, alot of people are staying here because the pay and benifits are so good, but admitted they are letting there engineering skills go, we have an EE that's not doing any design.
So my concern are:
1. If I jump ship I lose out on a very large bonus check of ~7K coming in December and 100% vested in my 401K, which will be in 8-9 months from now, so i would lose another 3.5K
2. Job hopping is another concern, 14 months on one job and then another. I'm in my late 40's and I don't want to become unmarketable in he future.
3. IF I stay here I lose my engineering skills, I was seriouly considering moving on after 2 years becasue of lack of ME work
4. My wife's concerns, she thiks I'm crazy to be ever looking at a new company as she keep reminding me, you like your job, love your boss and company..
any advice and insight.. so confusing!!





RE: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
TTFN

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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
RE: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”
-Dalai Lama XIV
RE: In seek of career advice
There are many ways to exercise your engineering talents besides working in high tech. I just made a new "discovery" that will be very valuable in making composite parts while watching a tv show on cooking pasta. I do work in a high tech field so I don't have deal with the longing for it, which is nice. But it is still just work.
RE: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
Maybe you can find a way to increase or expand your role to challenge you more?
Do you take this attitude of 'this job is below me' into work with you each day? Even if subconsciously this could be impacting how you interact with others (yeah, yeah pot calling the kettle black here on personality stuff).
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: In seek of career advice
You certainly don't need to make your decision this instant. Go to the interview and see what happens then. You can always turn down an offer, if one is offered.
TTFN

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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
RE: In seek of career advice
On the other hand the good thing is that it definitely keeps you safe from jumping into an unknown path...
"If you want to acquire a knowledge or skill, read a book and practice the skill".
RE: In seek of career advice
But after weeks of creating assembly drawings and processing ECO after ECO, you too might want to slit your wrists. And I've been in the field long enough to know its not always glory work
RE: In seek of career advice
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: In seek of career advice
Like others say do the interview, but think long and hard about the fact that you are interviewing them not just the other way around. You're in the enviable position of not really needing to change jobs so make the most of it in the interview and potential hiring process.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: In seek of career advice
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: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
Sort got it right, there is ajust a lack of design work and so its a less stimulating environment, its a great first time job for a new grad, but not for someone with 20 years. There are lots and lots of people at this company that fall into I love the company and benifits, but the challanges are finding intersting projects...
RE: In seek of career advice
excuse the typos
RE: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
RE: In seek of career advice
Recently a former co-woker "Ken" from 15 years ago, I still keep in contact with, called me last week about a ME position as a company he's at, small group division which is part of a larger company. Never turning away from an oppertunity, I send him my resume.
unquote
I am curious to know, have you made "Ken" aware that you were not very happy at your current job before he tells you about the position ? or was is coincidental ?
"If you want to acquire a knowledge or skill, read a book and practice the skill".
RE: In seek of career advice
He's aware I'm happy with my current position, and I was not currently looking. If he told others I don't know