Frustrated and Lost

[vonbad]

I recently accepted a position with a small company. I knew that there aspects of the job that I were not exactly what I was wanting, but after a 10 month layoff. I wasn't exactly being picky. After 6 months here, I have come to realize that this position is nowhere close to the original job description, and would be better off with a sales person with basic math skills. My engineering knowledge and overall skills are going to waste.

Let me explain. Upon graduation w/ EE 10 years ago, I took a position that led me into technical support and sales. I have to admit that I enjoy working with customers. In that time, I have performed system admin, purchasing, aided in structuring a growing company, app eng, design, product developement and management, sales, inventory management as well as managed a small production team. I have a unique (may not be the right word)skill of being able to communicate with lay persons and engineers alike, including determining customer needs when in many cases they do not know what they require.

Here's the situation I am in and am asking for some advice from the people here.

I have my EE degree, but have been doing mechanical designs for 10 years. I do not have the experience, and plc programming skills required for a EE position. I am willing to cut back and even tried for entry level positions. I have exceptional mechnical insight and design skills.

I have run into either not enough EE skills, companies looking for an ME and I am tossed because of the EE degree, although I probably have more ME developed skills than the requirement. I know that I could go into sales but it's not want I would like to do as I enjoy the design and thought process of development.

I would also like to thank the forum and it's many members as I find this a relief to be able to ready, understand and maybe even help a little.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[HgTX]

Have you tried a skill-based resume? Some people say that those are a marker of the applicant trying to hide something, but the more realistic viewpoint is that the applicant is simply not fitting into traditional molds.

I assume you do not have sufficient time, money, or motivation to get some kind of ME degree to fix the credential problem. Another possibility might be to get a PE license taking the ME exam, and note this on the resume.

Hg

Eng-Tips guidelines: faq731-376

 

[vonbad]

HgTX
My resume is skill based then listed job history w/ responsibilities. I have thought about going back to school but it would be for a MS.

 

[TheTick]

Perhaps get a MSME? I've seen plenty of BSME's get their MSEE's (especially in the navy). Why not the other way around?

 

[Tobalcane]

Your background sounds like more of a Program Manager in defense companies. The Program Managers basically run and oversees a program for the company. Somewhat like a liaison between the customer and company. The Program Manger has to work with the customer to figure out what they want and then relay this information back to the company with a plan on how to complete the job. The plan will consist of ME and EE design, purchasing, groups of people to use,…etc. Once the project is won, the Program Manger works with different groups of people to get the job done.

This just crossed my mind when I read your post. It sounded like you are having a hard time finding work in one field to another.

Good luck.


Go Mechanical Engineering
Tobalcane

 

[vonbad]

Gentleman,
Thank you for you advice. I am going to look at school as an option.

Toblcane, to answer your question. Yes, I was in the industrial electrical market for a long time. Now everything (you can count on one hand US manufacturers) used for electrical connection systems are made outside the country. I am not complaining, I was ready for a change into another field just finding it is very difficult.

Thank you again for your time and assistance.

 

[flamby]

I had been in a similar situation few years back. I went for a marketing job where there was no use of my skills.

Lateron I found an engineering job well after spending 2 years in that job. But now I am glad for those two years in which I learnt new skills of marketing, presentations, speaking and other people skills. We engineers have a general tendency to think of technicality/maths as only skill. But sure there are other things to be picked up and no job is a complete waste.

Ciao.