Question about your career paths.

[davidinindy]

I've noticed in other threads that many engineers seem to have had many jobs. I just wanted to get an idea of how many jobs, and how long you were at each.
So here are my questions:
What year did you graduate college with your engineering degree, or equivalant?
What year did you get your first "engineering" job?
How many "engineering / design" jobs have you had since?
At how many companies?
How long have you been at your current employer?
Why did you look for and/or take each new job? (lay-off, fired, better position, better pay, etc.)
Do you plan on retiring from your current employer?
(if self-employed, see below)
Did you start your own practice?
What year did you start it?
Is it successfull, and when do you see yourself retiring?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I think it will give people a better idea of what to expect in this field. I come from a family where everyone had worked for the same companies for 20-30 years. I was at my first job out of college for 10 years before getting layed off, and eventually having the company close. I am not accustomed to moving from job-to-job, whether it be by choice, or not. If a company treats my right, pays what I believe I'm worth, I'll stay loyal to them. Maybe I need to change my attitude. Anyway, I'll stop rambling...

 

[ScottyUK]

What year did you graduate college with your engineering degree, or equivalant? 1994. Got my Chartership in 2003.

What year did you get your first "engineering" job? 1994. Worked at a small start-up company. A great place to learn about all aspects of running a business.

How many "engineering / design" jobs have you had since? Eight roles.

At how many companies? 5 (One being a management buy-out of an O&M contract after Enron collapsed)

How long have you been at your current employer? On this site for just over six years.

Why did you look for and/or take each new job? (lay-off, fired, better position, better pay, etc.). By job number: #1 More money; #2 Fell out with Engineering Director (he was an asshole, but that's a long story); #3 Sick of living out of a suitcase; #4 Ken Lay et. al. stole all the money. They are worse than the mafia. At least the Mafia have some sense of honour.

Do you plan on retiring from your current employer? No. I want to get into a final salary pension scheme ASAP, and this place doesn't have one.

At what age? The way things are going ni the UK, probably about 75 or so.



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If we learn from our mistakes,
I'm getting a great education!

 

[davidinindy]

Sounds like engineers have a common goal...
To die in the office!
I guess I should add my short career path to this.

What year did you graduate college with your engineering degree, or equivalant? I only have an AAS. Got it in 1993
What year did you get your first "engineering" job? 1993
How many "engineering / design" jobs have you had since?
At how many companies? 3 + a few short-term contracts
How long have you been at your current employer? currently between jobs. Was at last employer 8 months before they decided to move all engineering to Europe.
Why did you look for and/or take each new job? (lay-off, fired, better position, better pay, etc.) was at 1st job from 93-03. Layed off when mold business got slow.
Do you plan on retiring from your current employer? n/a
(if self-employed, see below)
Did you start your own practice? n/a
What year did you start it?n/a
Is it successfull, and when do you see yourself retiring?
I would love to semi-retire at 50 like my parents did. They are enjoying working part-time during the summer, and spending the winters in Florida on their sail boat.
I just nee to get back into a long-term position and am thinking about going to school evenings to get a Bachelors degree at least. I've found that eeven with my 12 years experience, some companies still won't even look at me.

 

[quark]

What year did you graduate college with your engineering degree, or equivalant?
1994

What year did you get your first "engineering" job?
1994

How many "engineering / design" jobs have you had since?
At how many companies?
3 companies


How long have you been at your current employer?
3 years

Why did you look for and/or take each new job? (lay-off, fired, better position, better pay, etc.)
This is one question I hate most, during interviews. Anyhow second company was a better one and also better pay. Third company is near my home. No advantage initially but now it is ok

Do you plan on retiring from your current employer?
(if self-employed, see below)
No

Did you start your own practice?
Not so far

What year did you start it?
Is it successfull, and when do you see yourself retiring?

I am thinking of starting my own business in 5 years if all things go well

Regards,

 

[DonPE]

Graduated in 1994 in the northeastern part of the US.

First "engineering" job was in 1995.

I have had 5 engineering jobs at 5 different companies.

I have been at my current employer a year to the day.

Left job 1, a large defense company, after a year because it wasn't challenging/didn't fit in.
Left job 2, a small startup, after 3 years because the paychecks were bouncing.
Left job 3, a small established company, after 1.5 years when the Japanese owners closed us down.
Left job 4, a publicly-traded startup, when laid off. Brought back at much more pay as contractor.
Currently in job 5, but I will not be retiring from this company. The promises made by the owner when I accepted this position have not panned out.

Have also started consulting business about 2 years ago, while keeping day job. If it is sucessful, I probably won't retire from it any time soon.

 

[Ron]

What year did you graduate college with your engineering degree, or equivalant?**1976

What year did you get your first "engineering" job?**1976

How many "engineering / design" jobs have you had since?**6

At how many companies?**5 (worked twice for same company)

How long have you been at your current employer?**3-1/2 years

Why did you look for and/or take each new job? (lay-off, fired, better position, better pay, etc.)**Personal advancement

Do you plan on retiring from your current employer?**Not sure...could depend on them!!

Did you start your own practice?**Yes-once

What year did you start it?**1983 (Sold it in 1989 and went back to work for buyer company)

Is it successfull, (**NA) and when do you see yourself retiring?**Right after JAE (also optimistic)