Do you think engineering is a "hands-on" career? 4

[MisterT1982]

Well I just graduated from Penn State last year with a BS in Electrical Engineering and did pretty well. I've been working for a large defense contractor as a field engineer for the past 6 months. While I thought the jobs would be very hands-on type of work, I was very mistaken. Most of the work done in the field is performed by union technicians so picking up a tool is a no-no. When doing headquarters work, most of the job is paper-pushing and documentation. Basically I'm like an overpaid secretary. I'm starting to think that this job, or perhaps this career was not the right choice for me.

I've always been fascinated by building and fixing things, as well as designing them. That, along with my ability for math and science, also my dad being an engineer, led me straight into engineering. I've always been into building things, be it electronics, carpentry, metalworking, welding. I'm starting to think that a job as an electrician, plumber, or industrial maintenance would be for me. Maybe move up the ladder later on to be a plant engineer. Decent pay, seeing the results of your work, and somewhat technically challenging.

Have any of you ever had this kind of experience, where being a paper-pushing, desk sitting engineer just wasn't fulfilling for you? Did you change jobs, careers, or what did you do? In all reality I'd like a job where I design, build and test everything. None of this structured beauracratic engineering with unions involved, where everybody has their specific strict role. Just like to get your thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[stanier]

Have you ever thought of the construction industry as a commissioning engineer. Although unionised the engineer testing the PLC's or control systems are always tools in hand.

Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEust CP Eng

http://www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au

 

[ed911]

I am the type that if I did not get "hands-on" I could not fully learn what I needed to know about what I was engineering. It helps to be in manufacturing industries where you can, and are expected, to get out on the shop floor and work with your products.

In a previous position an upper manager used to boast that as an engineer, he never once got his hands dirty. No matter how intelligent he appeared, he was not highly regarded as an engineer by the anyone who actually gets involved with their products.

To those of you that do not like to get your hands "dirty", or have the opportunity to do so, don't take it personally, but nothing beats learning from experience and working with the products.

 

[TurbulentFluid]

A star for ed911, we completely agree. I too can't fully grasp something I can't actually grasp with my hands. I also agree with those who said that you should shoot for smaller companies. You will have an opportunity to "multitask" between design, construction and production and there will be by far less paper pushing. By what I saw, the smaller the company the less paper they produce and the more time you have to go down to the workshop(s) and look or participate in the production process. In big companies, though, "hands-on" engineering work is usually very uncreative and uniform.

 

[Ashereng]

You can't really get your hands on a chemical reaction. Even if you could, it's probably not good for your hands.

Some engineering requires conceptual visualization too.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[JJPellin]

I have been a mechanical engineer for 17 years and would have never lasted this long if I couldn't get some grease under my fingernails. I have been working in a union plant that whole time. Much of that time, the union president was a mechanic working in my shop. I have never gotten a greivance for a couple of reasons. First, if I do work in the shop, I do it right in front of them. If they feel I am sneaking off and stealing their work, they will clamp down on that in a hurry. Second, I never do any work that takes money out of another man's pocket. If I do work that keeps a man from getting overtime or a call out, they would write me up in a minute. And lastly, I had to spend a few years earning the respect of the craftsmen so they know they can trust me to treat them fairly. I work in an oil refinery and a week never goes by without me getting my hands on something. And when we are in turnaround and performing a full overhaul on a large critical machine, I always volenteer for nights since you can get your hands into the work even more at night.