Are you an engineer at all?? 38

[MIStructE_IRE]

I’m not sure about you guys, but lately all I’m doing is risk assessments, reports, meetings, presentations, dealing with public bodies and dealing with nonsense. Its been months since I’ve done any actual engineering!

The job has become so over regulated I feel like engineering Itself is now maybe 25-30% of my job! I’d consider myself a good designer, and this level of admin and red tape has me considering jacking it all in and going to do something else..

How are things in your part of the world?

 

[EDB9]

I’ve been slammed with design work. Project after project comes in. A lot of field work, evaluations, analysis, and repairs. Paperwork is a part of the process but it still pays the same!

I have heard from a lot of colleagues in the industry that the banks are being stingy with money so a lot of projects are being put on hold. We’ve been fortunate that it hasn’t been the case for our firm, but I’ve heard about one of our competitors laying off 70% of their staff! We just hired another engineer and are still looking for more.

Erica
Structural and Geotechnical Engineer (yes I know this isn’t a typical combo)

 

[saikee119]

But technical people get less pay. Better stick with the management ladder.

It also has a lot to do with the type of the employers. In consulting practise you will have the chance of being stretched. Contractor work also excellent for skill development.

 

[oldestguy]

Easily solved. Go looking for a job as a grunt, no admin, etc. Unfortunately or maybe fortunately in time as you advance you don't do grunt work any more. Mange a company and do only nippiness of what you trained for.

 

[r13]

I guess you are in a middle to large engineering company, and were chosen to be groomed for project management career path. If you like the actual engineering work better, you should talk to your immediate supervisor to understand the untold intention behind these assignments/arrangement, and see what is down the road for you. Sometimes it can be just a tryout for finding the future leaders.

 

[IDS]

all I’m doing is risk assessments, reports, meetings, presentations, dealing with public bodies and dealing with nonsense

I'd say all those things were part of engineering.

But assuming you mean you want more analysis and design work, directly related to an end-product, setting up as a consultant might be worth considering.

Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services

http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/

 

[EDB9]

I concur with both OG and R13... if you’re not happy with your situation, discuss with with your superiors or start job hunting to find somewhere that will let you do the kind of work YOU want to do.



Erica
Structural and Geotechnical Engineer (yes I know this isn’t a typical combo)

 

[dik]

I am... by choice. I haven't been interested in management, and likely, have suffered for it financially. I've stayed in the trenches for the last 50 years, and am still here. I enjoy it and and comfortable with it. In hindsight, however, I should have gone into medicine... I think I would have had more fun. I can work with a team... but, generally don't... other than starting engineering, for the most part, I work on my own... and like it that way. The stair at the Cornwall Centre in Regina is one of my greatest achievements (to me) and when I asked the partner in charge if he wanted to check it, he said no, that he likely wouldn't understand it... and that was 40 years ago.

Dik

 

[WeezerMike1]

I spent 13 years as a designer, but 2 years ago I switched over to be a plan reviewer with the city.

Based on the quality of work we receive I'd say most engineers aren't actually engineers at all. Some of these guys aren't even qualified to be called high school math students.

 

[NorthCivil]

my first couple years out of school I did 60-70% "engineering design" work. the other 30-40% was crossing the T's, dotting the I's, correspondance, meetings, reports.

These days I probably do just as much "engineering" work, but in 1/3rd or 1/4 of the time. I havent seen the same gains in efficiency in reports, correspondance, meetings, or field visits - ie. making sure the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed.

 

[ldeem]

I have been an independent engineering consultant for the last 20+ years, before considering this route just be aware your income will be highly volatile. Also you will need to asses your ability / willingness to develop strong personal connections with clients that is the key to maintaining a steady flow of work. That doesn't have to mean wine and dine ; in my case I constantly look to learn new things and solve my clients problems along with being 100% available.

On the flip side I am now in my early 50's and see a disturbing trend where people my age are being laid off or pushed aside for the younger generation. This seems particularly common among more technical folks where it is hard to differentiate their skills from younger (and lower cost) engineers. In my case age and experience improve my deliverables but cost is same as it has always been, maybe even lower as most of my work is T&M.

I you go the technical route just be sure you are the top dog as you get into your 50's. If your doing the same thing as an engineer with 5-10 years experience when the next inevitable downturn comes you will likely end up high on the list of people to layoff.

I hope this isn't overly pessimistic.

 

[r13]

The stair at the Cornwall Centre in Regina is one of my greatest achievements

Where is it? Do you have a photo, or sketch to share?

 

[carl_usa_german]

for me same. I am overqualified with heavy background in top-positions at large geotechnical construction companies in Europe, used to enjoy huge salaries, but all I do now is meet important people on behalf of my company. Engineering is unfortunately a hobby now. I would love working as most of you guyes, like very-day, normal engineers. It's not the money that brings happiness.

 

[dik]

The floor to floor height is about 18' and the stair is about 9' or 10' wide. I was project engineer on both phases of the Cornwall Centre and was employed by RJC at the time. I don't know about now, but they were one of the foremost concrete engineering firms at the time... about 40 years back. I physically did the design for all the mall, the Sears store, the parkade and the Sask-Housing tower.

Dik

 

[r13]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to check the design at that time, quite adventurous by then!

 

[BAretired]

Nice one, dik. I did a similar stair for NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) but don't have any photos to show you. Lots of fun calculating the torsion as I recall, but it was a long time ago and my memory is not what it used to be.

BA

 

[geotechguy1]

Some wise engineers from Golder once told me to never demonstrate competence at something you don't want to do. You must have inadvertently shown yourself competent at meetings, presentations, etc (many engineers are terrible at these things).

 

[dik]

That stair and a six storey parkade in a seismic zone are the two most difficult projects I've done... the parkade was difficult because the architect didn't want to see columns exposed on the outside... 15' cantilevers all around...

Dik

 

[Tomfh]

I’ve done a couple of those stairs. I hate the things. They’re crying out for a column under the landing.

 

[dik]

Half the fun is not putting one in... the contractor didn't want to remove the shoring...

Dik