Slow work environment common?
Slow work environment common?
(OP)
Hi Guys,
I originally started my engineering career in construction and it was a fast paced environment where there was always some work to be done. I switched over to the consultant side and was able to go through a number of positions to experience different departments. My question is I have never found a department where they seemed to be busy or needed work to be done. I have a task or two to do and then nothing. I've also worked in construction inspection/management and its the same thing. I'm not laid off as they have some work in the pipeline but after 1.5 years its getting old. Is this a common experience in engineering consulting. At this point I'm thinking of working again in a mid-size construction company to get going again.
Thanks
I originally started my engineering career in construction and it was a fast paced environment where there was always some work to be done. I switched over to the consultant side and was able to go through a number of positions to experience different departments. My question is I have never found a department where they seemed to be busy or needed work to be done. I have a task or two to do and then nothing. I've also worked in construction inspection/management and its the same thing. I'm not laid off as they have some work in the pipeline but after 1.5 years its getting old. Is this a common experience in engineering consulting. At this point I'm thinking of working again in a mid-size construction company to get going again.
Thanks





RE: Slow work environment common?
RE: Slow work environment common?
My last job was with a multi-disciplined industrial consulting engineering firm. Over the 8 years I was there, we experienced slow downs over 3 extended periods. Again, 4-day work weeks were employed, unless you were on certain projects that had schedule issues. The "favorite sons" mostly worked 40+ hour weeks on those projects while the rest were on 32 hour weeks on the more mundane projets. There were also differences from department to department with the Civil/Structural group generally being hit the hardest.
Layoffs were not considered in that management was overly optimistic that every proposal written would end up being the job that would solve our problems.
gjc
RE: Slow work environment common?
Not my cup of tea! I like to be busy. Good luck.
RE: Slow work environment common?
Maine Professional and Structural Engineer.
(Just passed the 16-hour SE exam, woohoo!)
RE: Slow work environment common?
RE: Slow work environment common?
RE: Slow work environment common?
I've heard this from other engineers - they switch industries and learn that the definition of 'we are really swamped' changes
RE: Slow work environment common?
"Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively."
-Dalai Lama XIV
RE: Slow work environment common?
I feel as though this is the average workflow for the company while keeping enough idle employees for when they are swamped. Its almost as though I'm working for the state or city. I've learned to accept it. But I'm slowly realizing for my sanity I need to move on.