Engineer doing work similar to accounting 1

[Trooko]

It's been about 3.5 years since graduating MecE but I don't think I have gain any real engineering experience...

After I graduated, I worked at a coal mine with the process plant upgrades...like tracking piping progress, cost, safety, documentation.etc for about a year

Then, I join a construction/ mining contractor company and rotated between departments. (Field QC in Gas Pipeline construction, earthwork project estimating, project control for about a year and a half)

Eventually, I was in asset management to figure out equipment value/ maintenance cost/ productivity to figure out the net cost/ budget/ equipment rates.etc However, I'm not part of the maintenance planning strategy or life cycle cost...

It feels like accounting - balancing cost and revenue, except there is also labor hours and equipment hours added...

I've tried to apply for other job in mechanical design related (plant/ rigs/ consulting/ manufacturing.etc) but haven't gotten any response. Maybe because I have't had any direct work experience.... I'm starting to think the only way out is to take do a MSc. Have any one had a similar experience?

 

[cvg]

your experience is fine, just not in "design". you will not likely gain any significant design experience working either for a mine or a contractor. however, mine consulting engineers are quite busy these days. you would need to start in a non design related position and work your way up

 

[EngineeringEric]

Rotaryw, that made me sad. Sorry. It is insightful and i think you provide a good point although i hope the world isn't that dark for anyone. I agree that some of the lofty ideas of the perfect career are only achievable via unicorns or griffin, but one should/can enjoy aspects of their job and should try to make the best of a situation. If one is depressed at a job, then it is unhealthy and worth looking for new paths. But don't leave before something is lined up, it may take a long time to find a new job but work those contacts first.

 

[GregLocock]

I doubt many people get the job they /want/ by accepting whatever situation they are in. It took me 15 years from seeing the job I wanted, to getting it. And that is the job I've had for 10 years or so now. Was it worth waiting 15 years for? Yes. After 10 years do I still regard it as the best job for me round here? Probably, tho I have a sneaking suspicion I had more direct effect on the product in my previous roles, as it's a bit of a backroom boffin (Britspeak) job.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[tickle]

Trooko

My opinion is that engineers now need to future proof ourselves for the inevitable drain of work to low cost offshore centres. If you look at what has gone already (manufacturing, call centres, drafting) and engineering is going next. The development and application of technology (video conferencing etc) is going to make that shift to offshore engineering centres easier. So what is going to remain onshore, the project management of the offshore centres, construction supervision, QA/QC...

Therefore, your experience so far puts you in good stead.

Regards

Tickle

 

[IRstuff]

Some jobs can't be exported due to security issues.

Some other jobs are probably moving back, since the cross-ocean, cross-timezone, cross-language, coordination is a PITA. Many of the jobs that moved overseas had to do with the low cost of production, and wanting local engineering resources. However, since the cost of transportation is higher now, and the salary disparity is less, there's less incentive to move things overseas.

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529

 

[GMcD]

Or, you spend long enough being a good engineer and move up to management and spend your time worrying about hours vs fees left, and chasing too many clients who don't pay their bills, and dealing with other clients who decide that added scope is free. Apparently, in the world of engineering, this management activity is rewarded at a higher level than actually doing superior leading edge engineering work. Sigh.....

 

[ztengguy]

If you want engineering experience, goto a consultant and work.