Help for a new mechanical engineer graduate 4

[DonTurbino]

Cheers everyone, Im a freshly graduated student from Spain. First of all I would like to apologize for the mistakes that I may be making when writing this post.

As you might expect, this is not the best country to work as an engineer (and if you didn't know yet, now you do), and it's even worse in a medium city which i live (Vigo-300k population). Here in Vigo there are many automobile industries such as a PSA plant and some small-medium size industries that produce supplies/components mostly for that PSA plant. I focused my starting career in CAD CAM design (using CATIA, SolidWorks) and I can more or less call myself an "expert" in that matter, due to the fact I made some "courses?", like sheetmetal design, surface design, also simulation (Delmia) etc.

OK, sounds fine, but there is not that much of a job here. I mean, even if I reach the most expert level possible in that field, the possibilites of achieving a good job position or a regular/well paid job are near 0. And as far as I am concerned, this happens mostly anywhere in Spain. Im eager to start improving my professional career but there are 2 questions that come to my mind.

1)Would it be possible to have a good job focusing my career on 2D-3D design, using the softwares (or another similar ones)? Is it a bad idea just in Spain or around the world aswell?

2)What about changing my mind a little bit and starting focusing on Big Data/Business Analytics/Data Scientist? Do you think that would help improving my current situation and job in the long term?
3)What about 3D printing and additive manufacturing?

I also want to make sure that I'm not afraid of working abroad, my dream is to work in the USA, but I honestly think that's almost an unreachable objective for me. I gotta say too that my english is not as bad as it may look in this post, I'm used to speak and I can have a fluent conversation. Maybe I just need to practice a little more in the English speaking country itself.

I have experience in the automotive field, working 1 year for a plastic injection and assembly company in the technical department (methods engineer and also some CAD).

If you have any other idea that could help me improve my career as mechanical engineer i would be so glad to read it!!

Thank you

 

[miningman]

Germany and UK both have significant auto industries. Why not try relocating there??

 

[rb1957]

you haven't lived in the US, but dream to … careful some dreams should not come true ! Seriously, moving to a foreign country is pretty much a "leap in the dark", at least it was for me (and my leaps were very modest … Australia > UK > Canada > UK > Canada). These days you can research about countries much more than we could in my day.

you pose very interesting questions, although possibly better suited for the "where is engineering going in the next 5 years" forum.

So you've started into CAD design. do you like it ? Would CAE (analyzing your designs) be of interest ? You pose the idea of moving field (to "big data") … does that interest you ? more than designing ? Figure out what you really want to do. This is very difficult ! When I graduated I could have specialised into just about any field, where I ended up was more to do with chance, but I like it so I'm happy.

Moving countries is typically very expensive.

In Spain I imagine there are offices for companies based in other countries. They may provide a way to "experience" these other companies without leaving Spain.

And of course now is a really lousy time to be looking for a job !

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[IRstuff]

I think all of your numbered choices are possible avenues for employment. As you may recall, PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain) were particularly hard hit during the last recession and continue to have issues with economic growth.

Data science is certainly a burgeoning discipline, but it does require a substantially different skill set, so that might be a hard hill to climb, both in terms of getting to be an "expert" as well as facing competition from numerous like-minded college grads.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

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[DonTurbino]

you haven't lived in the US, but dream to … careful some dreams should not come true ! Seriously, moving to a foreign country is pretty much a "leap in the dark", at least it was for me (and my leaps were very modest … Australia > UK > Canada > UK > Canada). These days you can research about countries much more than we could in my day.

you pose very interesting questions, although possibly better suited for the "where is engineering going in the next 5 years" forum.

So you've started into CAD design. do you like it ? Would CAE (analyzing your designs) be of interest ? You pose the idea of moving field (to "big data") … does that interest you ? more than designing ? Figure out what you really want to do. This is very difficult ! When I graduated I could have specialised into just about any field, where I ended up was more to do with chance, but I like it so I'm happy.

Moving countries is typically very expensive.

In Spain I imagine there are offices for companies based in other countries. They may provide a way to "experience" these other companies without leaving Spain.

And of course now is a really lousy time to be looking for a job !

First of all, thank you for having the patience and time necessary to answer me. I appreciate it so much.

I was working in a multinational automotive company so I more or less know how it works and I must say that the engineer's job is highly underrated. You earn just a little more than an assembly operator having way more responsibilities, but I think this is an issue than "only" happens in countries like Spain, where we don't value the industry and the engineers work like other countries do. That's why I was thinking about moving and trying to collect advice from out-of-Spain forums and other sources of information.

About your questions, yes, I like CAD design, also CAE (I find both really attractive and I enjoy working on them) but as I said before, I don't see them as a good place to stay working, at least in my country. I don't think I would enjoy "big data" and related as much I would with CAD, CAE and even 3D printing or additive manufacturing. I'd really love to be an expert in this matter and be a good professional in the field but I'm a bit lost and frightened about my future so I want to make the right decisions. I'm eager to improve and be the best professional possible.

Believe me, it is very discouraging to send 30-40 job applications a-day and be rejected in each and every one of them.
I will be happy to continue reading your advices,
thank you again.

 

[miningman]

You are young and well educated. Your command of the english language seems more than adequate..... at least in the written format. Ignore all the negative posts here..... they are either just jealous or somehow failed to settle in their new chosen location. Try Canada or Australia or USA. Spend some time improving on your verbal English if you feel its a weakness.

If the worst happens you can always go back to Spain but I think I understand the problems there. Trust me , after 45 years after leaving the UK, I have zero regrets. If you dont go for it, youll never know

 

[GregLocock]

Fresh grad won't get a working visa in Oz.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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

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

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Ignore all the negative posts here..... they are either just jealous or somehow failed to settle in their new chosen location.

Were posts deleted? Because I don't see a single negative one in here...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[MintJulep]

Automotive is not the only game in town.

There are at least two Spanish companies that design and manufacture trains and supply world wide. One of them has a manufacturing facility in the US, and many Spanish employees are assigned there.

There are other international train manufacturers that have facilities in Spain.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing looks strong, and always needs engineering support for production line design.

Textiles is a big export, and again production requires that somebody design machines and lines.

As a degreed engineer you should aspire to more than sitting in front of a CAD work station.

 

[RRiver]

I have to agree with MintJulep. As a degreed engineer if you're sending out resumes highlighting an interest in CAD you may be your own worst enemy in your employment search. I don't mean to be harsh but I don't think I've ever met a CAD operator that was a degreed engineer outside of universities and research. That's very different work from the typical working mechanical engineer. Granted, engineers use CAD but the finished CAD product usually isn't something done by the engineer. From my experience anyway. You might want to aim higher.

As far as looking in to work in other countries. GO FOR IT. I spent most of my working career in Europe and it was the best decision I made. There's nothing worse IMO than a job you don't enjoy. To some that's just as much about where you work as the work itself. This virus has stifled the job market everywhere but look in to jobs where being from Spain is an asset. If you want to be in the US, find out what US companies are working with those manufacturers in your hometown. I can't count how many Chinese engineers I know of in the US that were hired for no more reason than their hometown. All else being equal.

 

[Tim Moss]

Hi

Great to see young people looking to a career in precision engineering. CADCAM would be a great choice as it’s used heavily throughout all areas of engineering.

I would recommend a career in CNC Turning as this is really rewarding. You get to work on some great machines and learning to set/program is excellent.

Regards

Tim