Carrer advice needed for advancement and higher pay! 3

[BSMEclassof2012]

Hello All,
After graduating in 2012, I started working for a lighting fixture company. They used to buy light fixtures from china, do quality control and sell them here in USA for higher price. I would usually make spec sheets, measure lumens, color temperature, and wattage consumed by light fixtures (to confirm they are according to specs we want because Chinese would make mistakes). This job was not directly related to my major (mechanical engineering) but it was hard to find a job at that time and I wanted to do something. Anyway, I did this job for two years and then I found a job in a company that makes corrosion measurement instruments for oil and gas pipes and tanks. I have been working in this company for 10 months now. I feel like I have stopped learning. I can read the catalog and learn how our products work but how would that help?
Here is what I am doing to make sure I am learning something everyday.

(1) I use Autodesk inventor at work and planning to take the professional inventor exam and get certified.
(2) I have my EIT and studying for PE exam so I can take it right after I reach the required experience.

My questions are:
(1) what else can I do to improve at work and get higher pay? Overall, I think this company is slow. People are less motivated. They come to work, spend time and go home. I know in order to get big raise, I have to show that I have achieved a lot. All I can show at the moment is that I have learned a lot in the past 10 months ( for example using the instruments, checking drawings, and documentation), etc. I wish we had a weekly meeting where we could go over things we want to achieve and how we can get there.
(2) With BSME, 2 years of experience in lighting, 10 months in corrosion measurements (current company), should I start looking for another job? ask for raise from my current employer or just let things go the way they are and keep learning?

Thanks

 

[miningman]

Once again, I despair regarding the younger generation. You haven't even yet begun to pay your dues. By your own admission you have spent three years working just to get a paycheque without having achieved anything towards your long term CAREER goals. Do you want a job or a career.?? Why is more money your goal when you haven't even gotten to the point where you can start to like your job, never mind start to feel passionate about its prospects???

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Best advice? Tell you boss you have an interest in learning as much as possible about 'X'... if he seems receptive, go with it. If he blows you off or gives a non-committal answer, look for a job that's more to your liking.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

From my understanding jumping from a 2 year job to a 10 month job and then to another job will not be looked favorably by anyone in PR.

Maine Professional and Structural Engineer.

http://www.fepc.us

 

[tstructural]

I'm so sorry but if you got into engineering to get rich you are most likely going to be disappointed.

It sounds like you spent two years testing products. Without knowing the details I wouldn't even call that engineering. Then 10 months at a new company doing what.... I'm not sure.

You are preparing to take the PE which is great. Have you been working for a licensed engineer? Maybe it varies from state to state but where I'm licensed your years of experience have to include two things - (1) working under the direction of a licensed engineer and (2) doing engineering work.

I'm trying really hard to come up with something positive to say here but your focus and drive to 'make more money' just doesn't sound very 'engineering' to me. Your employer is most likely just starting to NOT lose money on you (nothing personal but everyone has to learn how to do their job and employers lose money during that time) I highly doubt you are worth a big raise. What have you done for them that wasn't in your job description? Anything stand out that saved them money or time?

As far as advancing yourself try listening at work. Figure out what specific products or procedures need fixed and see what you can do to assist. Browse engineering sites looking for free (or almost free) webinars to learn. I really don't want to be a buzz kill but Engineering is a lot more than what you learned in school. School taught you the foundation only and 90% of what I do today was learned on the job not in the classroom. You just need more time.

 

[RossABQ]

I have to agree with all that's been said, especially the requirements for sitting for the PE that Tstructural pointed out. I wouldn't expect what you have described meets the qualifications. Most states require over 4.5 years of continuous qualified engineering practice before even applying.

You haven't stated exactly what kind of work you want to be doing? I think you need to figure it out, and go do it, and accept that it may not be the most lucrative field to be in. But you will wake up in the morning looking forward to going to work.

 

[Panther140]

you probably need to find something you love and then just do it hard. Its hard to genuinely work hard at something when the only motivation is a paycheck and keeping your boss happy. If you can't find a company that you can love working for, thats alright. Make your own. Thats the only way you can get rich without multiple sources of income anyway.

Is your plan to get rich without multiple sources of income? (sources =/= employment)
What is your idea of being smart with your money? If you hang out around truly wealthy people, you will notice their conversations about income rarely ever involve their education or salaries.

"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I hate to see people post that engineering and making good money don't go hand in hand... they certainly can, and we shouldn't try to convince young engineers to just "suck it up" and expect low pay. The OP appears to have been put in a position that doesn't improve his engineering skills and is likely not a good fit for his interests... staying where he is if there is no future makes no sense. If he does stay and things do not change, he will come back to this board several years down the road and he'll get lambasted for not moving on more quickly to something that interested him and paid better. You can't play both sides of the fence.

I agree that a huge pay raise is likely out of the question, but that doesn't mean he can't raise his salary if he is doing what is being asked of him (and more). It's up to him to determine whether or not the current position can offer more engaging (and lucrative) work, but should he choose to stay, it should be because there is a future (even if a short-term one) at the company.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[BSMEclassof2012]

Thanks all for your response:

Tstructural:
In my current job, that I have been doing for 10 months now, I have been given the following tasks.

(1) Do analysis, measurements and design wood Boxes (36"x10"x12") for our products to fit in it. These cases are used to ship our products to other countries.
(2) Perform min thickness calculations using ASME section VIII for cylinders and design the part on autodesk inventor.
(3) Update the inventor drawings and make changes as necessary with time.
(4) Train the assembly people on assembling our new products.(so far I have train them on one only)
(5) Perform temperature, weight and torque measurements to find the optimum values for these parameters and put it on our website spec sheet.
(6) During the design of a new products, perform research on which material to pick based on corrosion resistant, price, weight and strength.
(7) Improve the design of the existing products.


Please let me know if I am going in the right direction. can I claim the above experience for PE exam?

 

[RossABQ]

Are you doing this work under the supervision of a PE?

 

[BSMEclassof2012]

Yes.

 

[spieng89]

Your work does not have to always be under the direct supervision of a PE to sit for your exam. Read the requirements carefully. In my jurisdiction, if the applicant can demonstrate engineering related work was completed during the time frame of the employment, then it counts towards your experience. Many individuals just repeat what they hear without reading the appropriate governing body's requirements. Don't let others drag you down and assume they are the most informed; do your own research, compare with outside chatter, and reach a conclusion.

 

[BSMEclassof2012]

Raspivey:

Thanks for the encouraging words. The thing that surprised me is there no specific question that asks about "professional experience". It looks like it only asks for the list of positions (title) and the names of the company.
Here is the application. Please check page 3.

http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/pubs/forms/peapp.pdf

 

[BSMEclassof2012]

I was expecting a long 3-4 page explanation for what I have done at different companies with specific details.

 

[RossABQ]

That application references this Engagement Record and Reference Form, which is where you list in detail what kind of work you have been doing and under whose direct supervision.

http://www.bpelsg.ca.gov/pubs/forms/perefsfrm.pdf

 

[BSMEclassof2012]

Thank you all.