Engineer to Project Manager
Engineer to Project Manager
(OP)
I have been offered a job by a current client as a project manager/estimator. It is a very good offer with a 14% increase in salary, some nice perks and possibly very good bonuses.
However, I would not be performing any engineering, or utilizing my license.
While I would not be advancing my engineering, I would be gaining management skills that would be useful.
My question is for those of you who have made this transition:
How feasible is it to make the transition back to the engineering side?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
However, I would not be performing any engineering, or utilizing my license.
While I would not be advancing my engineering, I would be gaining management skills that would be useful.
My question is for those of you who have made this transition:
How feasible is it to make the transition back to the engineering side?
Thanks in advance for the advice.





RE: Engineer to Project Manager
I don't know if that's because it's difficult, or grass is greener on the project management side.
RE: Engineer to Project Manager
My last company, if you left engineering you were dead to the engineering management and if you wanted to get back into an engineering role, you would need to leave the company
RE: Engineer to Project Manager
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
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RE: Engineer to Project Manager
RE: Engineer to Project Manager
RE: Engineer to Project Manager
I have been blessed with 40 years of engineering experience ,and have had many roles from Junior Engineer thru to Project Manager, Dept Manager, Engineering Manager. But I have had the good luck to work with smaller companies where you get to wear many hats and have had the opportunity to change hats frequently. This allowed me to keep up my technical skills, where as If I had worked exclusively for larger companies, I may have lost that opportunity.
Today I have reverted back to the technical side, as an Engineering Specialist, and have never been happier (plus I earn a lot more money than a Project Engineer).
My advice to any young engineer is; any role is OK as long as you are learning new things, when you stop learning it is time to move on. And oh, have fun while you are doing it.
Anyways that's my story, and it worked for me.
Regards & good luck,
GG
"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." -- Bob Seger
RE: Engineer to Project Manager
After speaking more with the client, they are willing to pay for continuing education, and are open to me doing engineering work on the side.
So, I think I am going to give it a go, and hopefully I'll be able to keep my engineering skills somewhat sharp.
After a year or two, if I find the work doesn't suit me, it sounds like it is not unprecedented to return to design.
Thanks again.
RE: Engineer to Project Manager