Career Advice

[Blackberry77]

So I have been working as a field engineer for the past four years. I have the opportunity now to complete my P. Eng and have been toying with the idea of leaving the company or switching to another department. I have been offered a job in another department as a construction project coordinator where I would have to work my way up the ranks to become a project manager. Is this something that interests me, truthfully not really. I know I want to get into management at some point in my career and am considering doing my MBA but I want to stay in the engineering discipline and love the technical aspects of my job. The money is great in the field as you can expect with out of town pay and all that but I am looking to change to a more stable 9-5 job. I have considered looking for consultancy jobs, design, P & C, etc. What should I be doing at this point? I am learning a lot in the field and am doing quite well but I need to change. My peers are not at my level and I need to move into a more engineering focused environment is what I feel. Should I accept the other job, or look for another?

Thanks

 

[macmet]

Blackberry,

I've only been out of school for 6.5 years now. My first 5 years were in a job where I was on the road a lot whenever the company was doing well. That company was terribly run and the politics sucked, but the technical aspects and traveling were enjoyable. I loved that part of the job. I found that since then, whenever I interview or speak to a headhunter, they care more about my hand's on knowledge than anything else.

Then, I got laid off. I took a job as a project engineer for a power company, then I took a job as a "project manager" (see Nov 22 Dilbert) for a utilities company. Both jobs were sooooo boring. Drove me crazy. Sitting at the same desk, doing the exact same thing.... ugh...

Anyway, now I'm back in a field job and couldn't be happier. I'm learning again. I actually think that every project I work on is benefiting my career in the long run. I don't feel trapped like I did stuck in the cubicles.

This life is not something I want forever, but while I'm "young" I think this is the best spot for me as I'm always learning and my day to day routine changes. I think it's a good way to advance.

Basically all I'm saying is be careful you don't jump out of the field work too early. If you're enjoying it and learning, only get out when you are certain it is the right move. It is easier to switch to management five years from now than it will be to switch back to field work after five years at a desk.

...unfortunately, as you can probably tell, I have a very large bias towards field work.

 

[SNORGY]

Blackberry77:

"...at some point in my career and am considering doing my MBA..."

Well...not that I am in any way bitter...

I think that if you continue to balance your attention to the technical sides of things with continued field work, sooner or later you will see where the two sides mesh together. That will teach you more about project management than anything you can ever get out of chasing an MBA.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[SLTA]

I think Snorgy has a MBA radar. The minute anyone mentions it, Snorgy's there to grump

In structural, you'd do way less actual design work as a project coordinator than you would as a design engineer. Project coordinator = paper pusher. If you want to design things, either do that in your existing company, or go somewhere new.

Good luck!

 

[SNORGY]

I guess you are right.

Whenever I hear "MBA", I get overwhelmed with profound feelings of angst and psychedelic visions of a neon sign that says "More Beer Advised".

Regards,

SNORGY.