Advice... 1

[Tropx]

So here's my situation. I graduated with an EE degree with excellent marks. I spent some work terms in telecom and after graduation found myself at a start-up company developing metro optical transport networks in the optical development group. I admit that I ended up in this area somewhat because it was hot when I graduated. I don't think I would have been hired out of undergrad with just an EE degree into something as specialized as optics. But it happened. However, I've done a lot of everything since graduation... component testing, system testing, hardware verification, working with manufacturing, setting up systems, some customer visits and lately high level system behaviour specification. And all of it under high stress with little sleep or outside life (though better the past year). I find myself more and more dealing with paperwork and system design with software types which I don't find interesting. You'll note that there is not a lot of actual elec eng involved in what I've been doing. It's been 5 years since graduation. I've started working on an MASc part-time, but it's tough to balance with work, and it's in optical simulation... tough after the years off without excercising the math brain. I'm not convinced I even like the optical space anymore because I'm not sure that my brain horsepower keeps up with many of those I work with. I should add that I'm not even sure why I carried through with electrical when I had really good spatial skills and found mechanical/static type questions really easy.

So my question is this: is further education in a field I'm not thrilled about a good idea? My gut says no. So another question is How do I get back to doing elec eng type work? Would college courses be a good idea? I've been told that I have good people skills, so maybe I'm not cut out for hardcore technical work and would be better off doing a field engineer job.

Anybody dealt with a similar situation?

Thanks.

 

[itsmoked]

Really this fits in that same old "What do you want to do when you grow up" question... Unfortunately for most people all of our societies do a really lousy job of exposing young people to any kind of a range of fields, so that there is a basis for decisions. This leaves people doing something they may not really like for their one and only life.. While just around the corner there may be something they would have really loved.

But anyway on to your question.

Couple of things.

1) No matter what you choose to do or actually are doing you will occasionally hit the mental wall of "do I even like this?" It's good to consider but be careful about acting on it just because it came to mind! If with the question you have feelings of say, "gee this immoral?", or other similar questions then yes, you had better start thinking seriously about a change. But if it is just the standard, "I wonder if I'd be happier doing something else?", don't bolt for the door.

2) A pure "design" job can be very sedentary and "indoors". Leaving you with a "shut in" complex. So there is something to say for field work!

3) You will have little chance jumping into the "design realm" from your existing position/experience. If you do decide you want to go into electronics design I would lead off with getting an advanced degree in a subject that will help reacquaint you with the subject matter. That way you will have, kind of, a clean slate when you hit the job market again.

4) "You did" go into a start-up... There are often LARGE financial advantages associated with going into new/ish start-ups. That's what you're supposed to be trading for the risk of a failure. (a big risk usually) [I know of 6 optical transmission start-up failures.] So if you stand to benefit, in a large way, by sticking it out a while longer that should weigh heavily in your consideration.

5) Generally once you've been somewhere like your start-up for 5 years you should have pretty good respect and seniority going along with you. If you leave that will go piff! You will often transition to a small fish in a lake, after being an important medium fish in a pond.

6) If you are getting bored... Which is what it appears to me since you are now sitting around thinking about this stuff, then you need to get un-bored. I would suggest that you look at the position you are in and figure out how to leverage off of it. Can you get your company to pay for you to get an advanced degree? Perhaps in line with what you are currently doing? This can help both you and your company. Can you start going to symposiums? Perhaps even give a lecture at one. This can spice things up A LOT. It will give you a new outlook and invigorate your mind set.

7) I don't know if getting an MBA to move up the management ladder where you are would make any sense but you should at least think about that too.

As an aside I know a guy who was doing exactly what you are are doing, EXACTLY! He got tired of it and cashed out a multimillionaire. He retired at 40 and now spends most of his time trying to figure out which 'better' telescope to purchase to replace the existing one in his three story observatory he just built on the sixty acres he bought to build it on. sheesh.. There's money in that there field...

 

[zappedagain]

With your wide array of experience you might fit well into a systems engineeer position. While this can be a paper-pushing job at a large company, it can be very hands on at a small company. I've learned that at small companies your talents dictate what you'll work on, not your degree.

With five years experience I expect your real-world knowledge is on par or more valuable than an advanced degree so I don't see a lot of value in a degree at this point (been there, tried that). One caveat is that if you do find a large company with interesting work, you may need the advanced degree to 'climb the ladder'.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Excellent, smoked!

I think that a few years of field engineering (doing commissioning, trouble-shooting, teaching customers about systems) can take boredom out of your life. It will also extend your pond while you will still be a medium - and growing - fish. You will find areas you never knew existed. It will broaden your network. If you are young and willing to travel, it can be a great springboard into something that you do not know anything about now.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org