Civil Engineer Seeks Polymath Career...OR....How to Escape PS&E 2

[dabeastro]

I am a new civil at 30+ years of age. BSCE and MSCE in water. I have been working FT for a few years in a very small firm (<50) that does heavy civil works for government contracts. Our deliverable product in Plans, Specifications, and Estimates. 90% of my time is at my desk working CAD, GIS, or h&h models for projects that are heading toward construction. The job is great, no complaints really. However...I am already bored.

As the subject suggests, I am curious about everything and love learning. Once I have something figured out, I move on. This is not in line with my career path. I do not want to become an expert on bridges, levees, rivers, etc and I have seen what the project managers really want no part of it (at least in the civil world.)

So, I know that civil is not a final destination for me. I take the civil PE (and will pass) this spring and I think that may be a good point to shift gears before I get too entrenched. I am looking for suggestions from anyone who may identify with how I feel. Where can I take my education, credentials, and social skills that I will stay engaged? The always changing world of IT seems an obvious choice based on my deep interest and understanding of the computing world.....but most of my EE and ECE friends have struggled to find work due to in and outsourcing. I also see that academia is a possibility, but I am not near ready to return to school. Thanks if advance for your thoughtful reply or your restraint in not flaming on me for being an ungratefully employed whiner.

 

[MikeMech]

I had a similar problem when I was about your age. Starting your own business, any kind of business, should keep you interested for a while if you can take the risk. If you are successful, you can either create new challenges by expanding or sell and get into a new endeavor with the proceeds.

One guy I know who also had this issue eventually became an artisan blacksmith!

 

[beej67]

I have similar credentials and was in a similar position, except my previous employer did mostly private projects. Started my own business in 09 and have been very happy. Not clearing as much money yet, but my quality of life has gone way up. If you follow the same path, you'll need to learn to chase and complete smaller projects than you're used to, for smaller fees.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[dabeastro]

Thank you both for your advice. I particularly like the idea of starting 'any kind of business'. While I have considered starting my own engineering business once I accumulate enough experience, I had not put much thought to starting a business unrelated to my current field. I am not sure that civil work excites me enough to work really hard for the modest returns it provides in terms of quality of life and financial stability. I think I would rather return to academia for the same pay, better stability, and higher level of intellectual stimulation.

I would still love to hear from anyone who has migrated completely away from civil and into another field.