Graduating soon, ramifications of a non-engineering position??? 1

[airhog]

Hello,

I am graduating in May with a mechanical engineering degree.

I have considered applying for a non-engineering position that requires "Mechanical aptitude" etc. The position is something along the lines of "technical customer service representative". (it is cooler than it sounds I promise)

The reason I am considering the position is that the job is with a motorcycle company and motorcycles happen to be my passion.

Do you think accepting a non-engineering position right out of school limit my future 'real' engineering opportunities??

Thank you for your opinions on the matter.

 

[Ron]

Yes, it will. There are non-engineering positions that can ultimately help your career; however, for the near future, if you want to be in engineering, get an engineering job.

Is there any way this job could work into an engineering position?

 

[MacGyverS2000]

You'll be amazed how fast you forget what you just learned if you don't use it right away. If you go into sales right out of school, you'll have an uphill climb getting back into engineering.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[tygerdawg]

Not necessarily.

Life is a series of choices. One could envision that this particular position may provide you with the opportunity to pursue your "passion." At the same time, it would provide you with deep understanding of customer's needs & wants. Which could position you for a deeply satisfying entry level design or manufacturing position somewhere else.

Or not. After all, life is a series of choices.

Your youth may limit your vision of what you want your life to be. Regarding the concept of following your "passion", keep in mind this thought: Today's passion may be temporary & short term, replaced by any number of other pursuits. Illness, relationships, and this wretched economic malaise we're in may derail any plans you have. Or force a total redirection. Where would this position leave you then? What's your plan B, C, & D?

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[GregLocock]

If you will be dealing directly with the engineering side of the business you may be able to do a two-step - that is first get into the company, then use your enthusiasm and ability, and new found knowledge of how the company works, to get transferred into engineering.

However, that would not be the path that I would choose.

A much better two-step is to work for a Tier one parts supplier and then move into the OEM as the design/release engineer in that system (they'll bite your hand off), and then move around as you see fit.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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

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

 

[TheTick]

Making lateral moves within a company can be very difficult. Not a sound strategy. Better to gain skills relevant to the position you want and get in through the front door later.

I used to work for a small design company that did a lot of design for a US motorcycle manufacturer. I knew a lot of engineers at the bike plant that I worked with in other jobs. They worked hard to get in, only to find they were shuffling projects while handing off the design work to the likes of me.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

If you want your PE License - won't be easy - if even possible..

BUT I like motorcycles too!!

Bottom line - you have to be HAPPY!!

 

[TheTick]

It's going to be far more difficult to prove your worth as a designer than to prove your merit as a bike fan.

 

[airhog]

Thanks for the replies!

This has played out much the same as in my mind...

I will add that the "tech customer rep" position wasn't local...it was a regional position and I do have some experience in the field.

To make matters worse I do have MBA ambitions, however, I have worked hard enough to become an engineer. It looks easier to shift to sales from engineering than vise-versa.

 

[IRstuff]

Definitely. Typically sales has need of "applications engineers" that have detailed engineering knowledge about the product and its applications.

TTFN
faq731-376