Retraining to be an Electrician 16

[LaplacianPyramid]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice about moving away from a career in engineering and to a profession with more demand for new workers.

I graduated with a master's degree in electrical engineering last year and have been unable to find an electrical engineering job after nearly six months of searching. I've applied for jobs all over the U.S. with small companies, large companies, and the government. Most of the open jobs I've found either require or strongly prefer several years of experience. There just doesn't seem to be much out there for newly minted engineers, and with unemployment the way it is, I think there are too many experienced engineers looking for a job for me to have a shot.

With my engineering career prospects so bleak, I'm considering going back to school to become an electrician. Job openings for electricians seem to be abundant, and I think becoming an electrician should be a quick and easy transition with my background in electrical engineering. I know I won't make as much money as an electrician, but it's better than spending the next year unsuccessfully looking for an engineering job while waiting tables.

Has anyone else here transitioned away from engineering to a new career? If so, were you happy with your decision? Did the transition go as well as you hoped?

Thanks!

 

[IRstuff]

You're almost at the 90%-tile for entry level EEs according to salary.com for the LA area, so that's pretty darn good for someone concerned by the quality of their alma mater.

TTFN

FAQ731-376
Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

 

[thruthefence]

It is indeed a 'growth industry'; as fast as the bottom feeders around here steal copper wiring, SOMEBODY has to put it back.