Engdoitbetter
Mechanical
- Jul 20, 2012
- 92
Dear Eng-Tips members,
I'm an italian Mechanical Engineer and I've been working for my current Company for almost 3 years as Technical Department Engineer, immediately after graduation. We operate in Oil&Gas field and manufacture primary flow and temperature elements, skids, steam & water sampling systems for power plants and accessories for instrumentation.
During last year, Italian economy has slowed down a lot and so has our market, hence it is difficult to get new jobs and our salaries are at risk. This situation is nowadays not uncommon in our country, also because more than 90% of italian companies are of small size (20 employees or less) so they don't have enough resources to keep paying their creditors while getting only a few or no jobs from customers.
Just a few months ago, I applied for a job as piping designer in an engineering company, and now I've been phoned by the job agency, which told me that this position is now vacant and they urgently need an engineer to replace an employee who's leaving the company. Thus they have arranged an interview for tomorrow. It goes without saying that I will go and try my luck.
Given the long-time experience of Eng-Tips members, I would like to know your opinion regarding some doubts and questions I have in mind:
a) if one has past experience in a particular field, it's easier for him to find a new job in the same field; but how about other employment opportunities? Is it usually difficult to start working in a different sector? Are companies willing to hire experienced people with different backgrounds?
b) What about the job of a piping designer? Can you describe some of the issues he has to deal with?
c) How many times (per year) and when is a piping designer asked to travel to site? Is it a job which requires frequent travelling?
Looking forward to your helpful answers.
Regards,
Stefano
I'm an italian Mechanical Engineer and I've been working for my current Company for almost 3 years as Technical Department Engineer, immediately after graduation. We operate in Oil&Gas field and manufacture primary flow and temperature elements, skids, steam & water sampling systems for power plants and accessories for instrumentation.
During last year, Italian economy has slowed down a lot and so has our market, hence it is difficult to get new jobs and our salaries are at risk. This situation is nowadays not uncommon in our country, also because more than 90% of italian companies are of small size (20 employees or less) so they don't have enough resources to keep paying their creditors while getting only a few or no jobs from customers.
Just a few months ago, I applied for a job as piping designer in an engineering company, and now I've been phoned by the job agency, which told me that this position is now vacant and they urgently need an engineer to replace an employee who's leaving the company. Thus they have arranged an interview for tomorrow. It goes without saying that I will go and try my luck.
Given the long-time experience of Eng-Tips members, I would like to know your opinion regarding some doubts and questions I have in mind:
a) if one has past experience in a particular field, it's easier for him to find a new job in the same field; but how about other employment opportunities? Is it usually difficult to start working in a different sector? Are companies willing to hire experienced people with different backgrounds?
b) What about the job of a piping designer? Can you describe some of the issues he has to deal with?
c) How many times (per year) and when is a piping designer asked to travel to site? Is it a job which requires frequent travelling?
Looking forward to your helpful answers.
Regards,
Stefano
