Engineering Survival? 1

[Fulltimer]

An Engineering Field Question:

The fact that this area of the Forum is called "Corporate Survival" highlights my questions:

I've been doing engineering (Civil/Water/Geotech) for 20 years...cube farms, offices, a bit of field time...It seems like a lot of time is spent these days in a cubicle burning your eyes on some LCD for hours, working for a manipulative clod that thinks you want/need even more hours hanging out with the emotionally challenged.

I want out of the rat cage of engineering, but not necessarily engineering. Are there many companies out there where people do the work in a decent atmosphere, or is it as the title suggests, just Corporate Survival?

What about field engineering, or is that a thing of the last century? I don't care about a high salary...

So, please don't flame me here, I'm looking for some practical suggestions.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I can count those companies on ... on ...

... no, I don't know where they hell they are, or I'd be there.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IRstuff]

They're out there, but as with people, some are nice, some are so-so, and others are PITAs. However, again, as with people, the bell-shaped curve means that 1/2 the companies are below average, often, companies move back and forth across that divide.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ajack1]

Well I guess that depends largely on how much you don’t care about a high salary.

You could go into teaching or passing your knowledge on in some way, community projects or even working overseas in developing countries, very rewarding I would think but very low if any salary.

You could start up on your own, but chances are you will work far more hours than you do now but at least the “manipulative clod” will be you, just replace the unreasonable boss with unreasonable clients. You will probably be making what you are now in about 3-4 years time, assuming you make it through this difficult time.

You could follow a hobby or pass time and try to turn that into a business, be that engineering based, say restoring old cars or non engineering something like offering fishing trips, again high failure rate and probably very low wages.

Look at what you really want and then think how can I make that happen?

 

[Bribyk]

Look for a smaller company. Generally, you'll get a wider scope of work and a less Dilbert environment.

 

[Unotec]

Field engineering, as in going to different sites all the time for rpojects, will probably take away most if not all of the 'manipulative clod' and pay very handsomely. But it will also take a toll on your personal life, thus the pay

<<A good friend will bail you out of jail, but a true friend
will be sitting beside you saying ” Damn that was fun!” - Unknown>>

 

[nickelkid]

Finding a decent atmosphere is tough, but can be found with determination. Networking and participating regularly in a professional society is good way to find opportunities. In addition to professional development and associating with like minded individuals, you may find the key to your cage. Good luck and keep the faith.

 

[swivel63]

a few small firms are like that. most big firms are corporate and won't let engineers get out of the office. they have "techs" for that kind of thing.

 

[MechEng2005]

I have noticed that the people that tend to work in the field most in machine design often spent the first 10-15 years in the cubicle. I think it's a tricky route... You have to be good enough at the design/engineering that they trust you to work things out on your own, in the field (where time, integration, and other restraints are often greater). However, you can't be too good, or the office manager will never let you out. I think the key is to be a good engineer, and also demand things be done the right way. Being a good engineer will make you a valuable employee and capable in the field. Demanding things be done the right way will cause enough arguments with management that they won't mind you not being in the office all the time...

Just my observations... --MechEng2005

 

[HgTX]

The public sector has its own pile o' steaming BS to contend with. No financial bottom line, which is nice, but on the other hand the politicians will stick their noses in and make a big mess, and "perception" is far more important than reality. Bureacracy is about the same as at a mega-corp.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[Tunalover]

Try to get with some companies who are well-regarded by their employees. Many business magazines have "the best places to work for" lists with the results based on employee surveys. Make sure the company is engineering heavy so that the weight is on the engineer's side.

Don't give up. Just research well and interview well. Networking helps too!


Tunalover

 

[EddyC]

tunalover,

I worked for one of those "best company to work for" type of place for a number of years. It was absolutely awful, so you can't even trust the employee surveys that are taken to rate firms.

 

[Gymmeh]

Mech Eng has a good point.


I think you have to get lucky.

Comparing my last job to my current job its like night and day.

My last job was big cooperate, lost of levels of management, lost of inexperienced MBA's making bad decisions and blaming everyone else while kissing a$$$$ to their bosses...and there was no respect for engineers. but I had a lot of free time to spend on Eng-Tips. And the Christmas - wait scratch that-, the non-denominational day off from work party was a bunch of people kissing butts or tooting there own horns.

My current job is for a small engineering company. Since is small there is little slack but a lot of room to learn and be an engineer. Almost everyone in the company is engineering or technically educated. But I have worked a number of 64hr weeks. Get to actually see what I work on, and talk to the guys building it. And the CHRISTMAS party was a real PARTY and almost everyone partied like a rock stars jamming with the bosses to live music! and the boss paid for it!!

Its all a matter of getting lucky.

 

[IRstuff]

As with even actual certifications like ISO and CMM/CMMI, any actual inspection/survey is either point-specific, or broad-stroke. Employee satisfaction surveys are samples over an entire company, and the fact that few companies experience massive defections says that most employees are indeed satisfied.

But, in every barrel are a certain number of bad or rotten apples. My personal opine is that there is a conservation of a-holes law, and that every organization has a few. So, like any game of chance, you can get a good roll, or not.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Drumchaser]

fulltimer

Some DOT's cater to CE's (PE's), not sure if you could start out at what you would like (position & $$). During the last major economic crash (locally/early 80's) folks from private firms sought refuge in the govt. sector.