Career Change back into Eng. -but not to same area..am I dreaming?

[dpeplinski]

Background: I have a mechanical engineering degree and a few years of experience doing plant engineering & automation. Then I earned an MBA, and switched careers into IT. I maintained my Ontario P.Eng designation, and I'm currently working as an IT project manager for a muncipality. I'm 40.

The contemplated move: an internal move to our Design and Construction group, specifically to the Water and Wastewater group, as a Project Manager.

I'm finding that the Civil engineering field is very conservative; if you don't have a Civil engineering degree, the gate does not open. I recognize there is a gap here, and I'm filling it through a variety of correspondence courses. I've completed courses on construction contracts, just started a course on Hydraulics, and plan on further courses on water/wastewater and contract administration. I am targeting a move to a junior position that would result in a pay loss, at least initially.

I'm trying to get a sense of whether I'm wasting my time or not; any comments would be appreciated. I also recognize that the question is very organization-dependant.

Any comments on obvious knowledge areas or gaps in education would also be appreciated.

 

[chemebabak]

To the question of wasting time, the answer is another question, "what do you consider the likelihood of achieving your goal to be?". Therefore, the real question is "what is your goal?". Then the question is, "what are the steps necessary to achieve that goal?". Then you need to do a cost/benefit (or effort/benefit) analysis and you can determine for yourself if it is worth it.

One of my buddies quit his teaching job to get an engineering degree and start at the bottom, at 44 years old almost just like you. Do you have a family? Is it worth taking time away from them for your career goals? Most single folks like to invest heavily in their career and most married folks do not. I love to go home and see my wife and kids. I have had many opportunities for better positions with better pay that I rejected because it would have required me to spend less time with my family.

I wish you success in making the best decision for you and your career.

 

[fel3]

I know two licenced mechanical engineers who successfully made the transition to civil engineering and earned their civil licenses as well. There is a lot of overlap in areas such as pumping system design, process piping, certain types of structures, etc. Both were behind the curve when it came to things like reinforced concrete, but they were able to gain enough knowledge to deal with the exam.

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"Is it the only lesson of history that mankind is unteachable?"
--Winston S. Churchill

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Only you can make the call... I have had at least three different "jobs" in my life---- engineer, Operations Manager, IT programmer and back to Engineering. All worked out - all have had their ups and downs.