More Engineering Career Therapy 1

[ELEcontrol3e]

Hello! Fellow eng-tips members:
I have decided to make a career change, or rather make a career "re-focus", and move into a different area. I have a MSEE in power electronics, and I have done lots of work in controls and industrial electronics. Every company I have worked for has either closed or has gone through massive lay-offs, leaving me with no security, and delaying getting a PE/expertise. I am considering moving into fire safety for the following reasons:

1) I can apply my background from electrical to electrical fire protection.
2) I think fire safety has multiple markets: MEP/Arch/building, insurances/forensics, product safety, even product development, etc.
3) Easier to find a PE to work under/gain for mentorship.
5) Interesting and multi-disciplinary area of research/business.
4) Provide a focus for individual research/career.

I am registering for a graduate certificate program in fire safety (evenings/part time), and I am considering taking the home inspection license. I hope from the home inspection to be able to generate some income, learn about fire code issues, and possibly be able to be an asset in getting an engineering job. As finish my certificate, I could provide an ever increasing range of services as I pick up more skills/knowledge.

Just curious to know of anyone's opinions and suggestions. I appreciate the e-mentorship, thanks in advance.

 

[wes616]

Good luck in your new career! Don't think you are leaving "engineering" because you will have many opps. to apply engineering to your new career.

Engineering is a verb not a noun.

Wes C.

 

[mshimko]

Just to throw another option out there - the marine industry is often looking for power electrical engineers.

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

mshimko&wes616 Thanks for the good advice. I especially like your quote wes616, "Engineering is a verb not a noun"

Its so difficult to manage a career, especially in the start. Its been all up hill, but I couldn't think of doing anything else. I really dont plan on leaving engineering, just making a lateral shift and/or broadening the skill base.

I was walking through a bookstore looking at the architect section, and I saw a text used in architecture schools called professional practice. I dont think architecture students would be ready to start a practice after reading a book like that, but its the mindset that they develop in school to be more entrepreneurially minded. Even if they stay employees. How to market your skills, professional licensing issues, managing customers and clients, case study review of successful firms, etc. Why should we engineers accept being "Dilberts"?

 

[wes616]

Cal Tech has a similar class of professional practice. I can't remember what it's called. But it basically discusses the responsibilities that we have when we are self-employed. From legal aspects to marketing yourself and dealing with clients.

If you are really asking why engineers accept being Dilberts.. Well do you remember your fellow eng. students at university... think about them for a while.. and you may see why this "profession" is full of ...(i'll omit what i really want to say hrere.)... who lack the interpersonal skills to survive on their own.

Wes C.

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

Wes

I posted your quote on my wall
"Engineering is a verb not a noun."

 

[RDK]

I know a guy in the risk control engineering field always looking for good people with a little real world experience and some common sense.

Good expanding field with lots of travel involved.

Good luck.

Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[jmw]

Sorry to interupt guys, just had to say to Rick how much I laughed at the Engineer in hell joke on on the Kitsonengineering website.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[ELEcontrol3e]

JMW;

I love that joke as well! Where are you going to find a lawyer!!!

RDK thanks for the offer, I will email you via your site.

 

[RDK]

After I tell that one to a lawyer I then tell him that there are really only three lawyer jokes.



The rest are true stories.



Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion

http://www.kitsonengineering.com