Switching Industries

[bacccfbr]

hi all

I am a 22 year old Chemical Engineer working at a Solvent Extraction and Electro Winning plant for a copper mine (my title is metallurgist I). I graduated with a BS in Chemical Engineering this past December. I love my job but I have always been interested in learning about different processes. I plan on staying in minning for another 5 to 7 years but I am afraid that if I want to change industries later on I will be stuck in minning. How common is it to switch indistries with years of experience. I will be staring my MBA this August and then pursue my MS in CHEE while working.

I appreciate any advice

 

[RossABQ]

If you don't initiate a change, it may be forced on you. I had three distinct changes of industry, each stint lasting 5 - 15 years. You have to adapt, have a thorough knowledge of the essentials of your field, but nothing to be afraid of. It's actually likely very necessary over the time scale of a career.

When I graduated college, powerplants were the hot field. The company I was with was heavily into nuclear plants... you know how that went. Second stint was a victim of a maturing field that simply didn't need much engineering support any more. Third and final was in semiconductor work, high-end HVAC and facility design. That too has matured, and largely moved elsewhere. I'd rather have some changes than be in the same job 30+ years, honestly.

 

[rotw]

Are you 100% sure you really love your current job?
I don't know for you but for me if I would have loved something I would have desired to get completely stuck into it for the next 25 years...

 

[Jboggs]

Got my M.E. degree over 30 years ago. Since then I have worked in: electronic components, commercial insurance risk analysis, tire mfg., metal transportation components, engineering consulting (small and large firms), engineering management, business ownership, automotive mfg., machine tool mfg., steel mills, and more. Others may disagree, but I wouldn't worry about it. If you are good at what you do, there will be a market for your services. If not,... oh well. The engineering knowledge you gain in one industry will be applicable in many others. In fact, it may make you even more valuable in others. The old saying about "a different set of eyes"...

 

[bacccfbr]

Thank you all!,

I am excited to learn as much as I can from my current job and from others in the future. My goal is to be a well rounded engineer, to be good at what I do, and to be confident in my knowledge and skills. I appreciate the advice.