Advice for engineer in a technician Job 6

[ELEcontrol3e]

Hello all and thanks in advance,

I am currently an field service technician at chiller manufacturer. I am finnishing my masters degree.I am working with engineers, and I am being given tasks in both field and engineering. I enjoy my work, and its got a great learning curve. I am concerned about the experience in respect PE qualifications, and getting "stuck" as a technician. Any advice in regards to steering my career in the right direction? Has anyone been in a similar position?

Thanks again

 

[epoisses]

We can make this a huge thread of well-intended advice, but just to cut things short... talk to the decisionmakers, people would let you or not let you get "stuck". Get to know what they base their decisions on and act accordingly.

 

[metengr]

Forgive my obvious question, but what discipline is your engineering degree? Is your Masters degree in engineering? Seems to me, if you have your engineering degree you should be treated like a "field engineer" not a technician.

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

Hi metengr,

My engineering BS and MS are both in electrical, specializing in controls and power electronics. I have quite a bit of x-tra technician coursework in PLC programming.

I took a technician position, because I had 3years of professional inactivity, except for the MSEE and PLC courses. Does the title really matter for PE qualifications though? They were/are excited to bring me on board, but I feel that this company puts the cart before the course on a lot of things. So, I have reservations about the long term benefit of the position. As for right now, Im programming, making contacts, learning, etc.. So Im happy, but I have EE degrees and I want to use my background it.

 

[jsummerfield]

I P&P exam in control systems sounds applicable. However, state experience requirements may require engineering work under the supervision of a PE.

Let's see now, you are programming PLCs, supporting chillers, etc. Where are you located and where do you want to be when doing control systems design engineering?


John

 

[metengr]

The current job title could indeed matter. The only advice I can give you is to contact your local Board that regulates PE's. If they accept the current job title/experience submit it, and look forward to the next job assignment (as an engineer).

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

Thanks all for the good advice!
Actually this afternoon, I spoke with my supervisor and one of the senior PE's. They've agreed to give me the title Filed Service Engineer over Service Technician.
We actually have several PE's on staff, so Im okay in that department. I guess the only thing to do is "do" some engineering and get that qualifying experience.

I guess it pays to communicate.

Thanks much for all your inputs everybody

 

[buzzp]

Your field experience will do a lot for you later on. Most engineers are not exposed to this type of work. It will only help you later on as many employers value this type of experience from engineers as it proves they can work with the trades people and they are not afraid to get their hands dirty or handle a tool.
Since your title was changed, I can't imagine that your future experience with this company would not be allowed to apply to your PE requirements.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

ELEcontrol3e - You have not mentioned if you have taken and passed the FE exam. Many states have stiff requirements for experience gained before passing the FE. You may want to investigate the state(s) where you are interested. Here is a link

http://www.ncees.org/licensure/licensing_boards/

However, your graduate school time will most likely count as a limited amount of experience for the PE exam - again, check the state laws.

The subject of having your work directly supervised by a PE has been discussed recently (this is usually not the case). See this link
thread731-119480

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

Buzzup and Slideruleera

Thanks for the comments and information. I will follow up with the research for sure. Im real luck I have a few PE's to work under. I took a "department exam" to meet the graduation requirement, which essentially was an EIT practice exam administered by my college's EE department. I plan to take the fall examenation.

Thanks again
JT

 

[HVAC68]

Well, the key is "do you enjoy your work" ?

Not many people do, though they have fancy titles and designations !!!

HVAC68

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

Most definitely.

Im pretty excited, there is a lot to learn, but I'm still comfortable. I get to see more factories than I can shake a stick at, and Im not confined to a desk. Plus they are real nice people.

The only issue I had for the title was the P.E. qualification issues.

Good point though HVAC68, enjoying what you're doing is such a necessity.

 

[HVAC68]

According to me, there are 3 types of jobs

1. Good pay, but no job satisfaction,no enjoyment.
2. Bad pay, but lot of enjoyment and satisfaction.
3. The best one - good pay and you love the work.

Of course, the third one is the best to be in - however, there are also varying levels of satisfaction and pay in the first 2 categories - and generally, it's very hard to measure these things - it's so relative in nature.

Anyway, good luck - and enjoy your work.

HVAC68

 

[lonecrusader]

Hi HVAC
On a quick note I would like to add one more type of job which I guess apparently you missed out.
So continuing on the list of types of job

4. Bad pay, and no job satisfaction, no enjoyment.

and this can very well happen due to various constraints. And when somebody wants to get out of the this type of job as the constraint is no longer such a big factor, they can not do so, however hard they try (atleast for the moment).
I hope others and you might agree with this.
Thanks
Lonecrusader

 

[HVAC68]

That's right - Missed the point. One must be under so much of constraints and pressure to work in a company with bad pay and no job satisfacton. But, yes, they do exist.

HVAC68