Looking for a lab 3

[Tab14]

What projects/jobs/assignments made you excited about working as an engineer, particularly in EIT position?

I am asking because I am tearing up from boredom on another project taking photos of another intersection for another simple survey during another 10-12 hr day and looking forward to another CAD job redrawing another version of the same project. I realize sometimes things get repetitive and work sometime is just mindless labor.

What's out there that makes you happy and professionally satisfied when you come to work?

 

[MacGyverS2000]

What makes me happy? When it's time to leave ;-)

My hobbies (mostly woodworking these days). When things get repetitive at work, I think about what I'm going to do when I have some free time at home.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[rconnor]

People are drawn to engineering for a lot of different reasons, which is one of the brilliant things about the profession. You won’t gain much about hearing about other people’s cool projects. The important part is to reduce down to your core drivers and find an area that will scratch that itch.

To say “I like doing design” or “I like project management” (some people are masochists) is far too general. You need to really dig and probe as to why, in the most fundamental sense, you enjoy some jobs/days/tasks and not others. Then build back up to find an area that feeds that. For example:
- You had a very interesting meeting with a lot of smart people that got you charged up --> discussed a technical problem --> a chance to be creative and bounce ideas off people --> being creative
- Being creative --> non-prescriptive technical problems --> design/consulting

- I really didn’t like doing all that drafting --> I had nothing physical to show for my work --> I like leaving my mark
- Leaving your mark --> physical accomplishments --> construction/commissioning

- A customer called me today to ask advice on a problem they were having. I got off the phone feeling great --> having the answers to technical problems --> being the “go-to” guy
- Being the “go-to” guy --> develop into a technical expert --> R&D

Another trick is to, from time-to-time, pull away from concentrating on your day-to-day tasks and look at the bigger picture. Personally, my day-to-day tasks can get fairly repetitive with the odd very interesting problem that comes up. If I stay focused on that, I can get a little disgruntled. However, if I take a high level view of my job and focus on what it is I’m doing, in a broad sense, and the results of my efforts, I’m extremely proud and happy to be doing what I’m doing (I work for a utility on helping industrial customers reduce their energy consumption through equipment/process changes).

I believe it helps to look at your work as a part of a larger goal. If that goal speaks to you, then take pride in the fact that your work is an important step in accomplishing that. If that goal doesn’t speak to you and neither does the day-to-day, then maybe it’s time to find a new position (see above). Make sure that you clearly look at the job description, ask a lot of questions about the position during interviews and critique those against your interests and dislikes.

I strongly recommend being as much of a reductionalist as possible with your interest. You’ll find that things that you thought were important to you aren’t and vise-versa. This will help not just in your career but with all facets of life. Best of luck in finding what drives you!

 

[IRstuff]

Seems to me that an attitude adjustment may be in order; you're outside on a nice day, smell the roses, take in the scenery, be glad that you're not digging post holes manually, etc. Assuming that you can find a silver lining, that can potentially make the task somewhat better.

TTFN
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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529

 

[ctopher]

I like to learn something new. When I'm bored, I watch learning videos.
This year I learned CNC programming and machining. Lately my new thing is airbrushing painting. I'm starting to custom paint my bicycle.
I'm also into woodworking.
It's interesting what you can pick up on one hobby and use it on another. It also helps when designing a part.

Chris
SolidWorks 13
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[oldestguy]

Here is book that every engineer can gain from. While this guy is (was) a cook, check what he has done starting from nothing. He has great advice for young folks with ambition. If you don't have ambition forget this.

http://www.amazon.com/Famous-Daves-LifeSkills-Success-Achieving/dp/0966854810

Cost is about $20

 

[Tab14]

Thank you for a healthy does of reality. Sounds like in the end, it's up to me to figure out a way to enjoy what ever it is that I am doing.

Though my question was more about what kind of things people enjoy at work. A lot of people love being out and about in the field.

Right now I am surveying manholes with a crew of linemen. They answer pretty much any question from technical issues how fireproof a primary line to details about union drama and politics. It is absolutely fascinating to get such a frank glimpse into another field.

 

[Tab14]

rconnor,

I am looking for a different a job and have an interview coming up. Your post is a gold mine for questions to ask about the job. Thank you

 

[MacGyverS2000]

If you're out in the field, hit up those field guys for any and all info you can get... they have a viewpoint that's not possible in the office, and you'll glean info that will make your designs 10 times better in the long run.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com