Seeking Advice on Getting out of "High Tech" Industry and into Construction / Infrastructu

[AggieMEEN]

New member and my first post.

I'm a mechanical engineer coming out of almost 10 years in the "High Tech" industry, first in mechanical design of enterprise-class server computers and most recently in high-speed data cable design engineering. I went into high-tech immediately upon graduating from Texas A&M University with my MSME. I will not spend too much time going over the details of my departure from the last job, but the short version goes like this: a senior level management re-org at corporate HQ spawned a toxic environment of office politics between HQ and the local facility, and during this I was one of several project engineers to be "thrown under the bus." Fortunately they offered a nice severance package so I am not hurting financially, though I am unemployed right now.

Instead of going back into the same industry -- it's left a very bad taste in my mouth, thanks but no thanks -- I am looking hard at breaking into another industry; one that does not outsource easily and allows me to spend time both under the design hood and out in the field getting my hands dirty. Construction (HVAC, MEP, etc) and Infrastructure (electric utilities, state department of transportation, etc) are areas that seem to be a good choice, especially for my home state of Texas. There's a lot of growth out here and folks need shelter and electricity for keeping their beers cold!

Two questions I have for you all:

1) Have any of you undergone a similar transition? If so do you have any advice or words of wisdom you would be willing to share?
2) Would you advise another industry to get into, instead of construction / infrastructure, and if so why?

Any other recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[HamburgerHelper]

The power industry is always looking for people. With a mechanical degree, you could do transmission line or substation design pretty easily. It is a stable industry that pays reasonably well and a lot of people will be retiring in the next 5 years. Even though you are a mechanical engineer by degree if you can find someone to let you get your foot in the door, you could do protective relaying, electrical engineering stuff, as well. People are happy if a new guy knows what color an SEL relay is, let alone anything about symmetrical components.

 

[SPDL310]

I'm not familiar with the market but you may need to relocate as there are many engineers that used to work oil and gas that have been recently laid off in area looking to fill the same positions.

 

[drawoh]

AggieMEEN,

Is your toxic environment a product of high technology, or was it something that happened at your work site?

You have ten years experience in your industry. What is there to distinguish you from a recent college grad in some other industry?

--
JHG

 

[IRstuff]

Well, If you think that YOUR industry is unique in creating toxic environments, you're sadly mistaken. People are people, so toxic is as toxic does. I wouldn't recommend abandoning an entire industry unless you want a change of industry simply because that's what you want.

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

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

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[kacarrol]

I recommend the book "What Color is Your Parachute" it has some good tips on how to rebrand your skills.

 

[dcheck]

For this issue,I have suffering the similar difficult before.Before I choose,I spend quite a monthe to think out what is the future for new jobs or industry,and what I like.Then I found that what important is whether you like it.If you like,you will be willing to learn fast,and also grow quickly,and your value is increasing time to time.Then your future will be clear.

 

[AggieMEEN]

Thanks for the responses, folks.

@Hamburgerhelper I'm thinking along those lines and have begun networking and job searching in my area. There's a lot of MEP design engineering work around here, and my background in parametric CAD means I'd be able to quickly learn a software package like AutoCAD's Revit. Yes it does mean I'd be entering in at the bottom again, but I accept that.

I've also begun to work on an MBA with an emphasis in Program Management at my local university. The additional skills I pick up from this program will be useful, and they will allow me more career flexibility in the future.