should I take this job? 2

[jnam82]

I haven't landed a job yet, a head hunter contacted me the other day about it and I wanted to ask for some opinions.
It's for HVAC technician position. It only pays 40K

I have BSME and EIT, but never worked for a consulting firm to do actual engineer type work. I thought that's eventually the path I would take because of my degree and become a P.E.
However, with the economy I don't know if opportunities will come by.

I think I would enjoy the hands on work. But I am also interested in the design aspects of hvac. However, from what I hear, load calculation and autocad can get boring pretty fast. And I don't know if I'm the office type being a yes man and all. So I really could use some advice.

What's the earning potential for hvac technician. And is this a career you can perform until the ripe old age of retirement?

 

[IRstuff]

People can do pretty much anything. But, what you're contemplating is a far cry from being a PE isn't it?

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[msquared48]

Chances that any time spent at the position mentioned will not be counted as professional experience toward your PE as you will not be working under the supervision of a PE. You will not be learning the profession. Should you change your mind in the future, it will take you longer to get thaqt PE.

This is a temporary, not long-term fix. Similar to getting stuck designing wings for Boeing for 30 years.

If I were you, I'd think really hard here and not sell yourself out for the short term. Hold out for the ME job. They are out there.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[Noway2]

There is the old adage that it is easier to find a new job when you are already employed. In this particular case, I would consider things carefully. If you take a position such as this, you may find it harder to find an engineering job. While most potential employers MAY understand that you took what you could find in these times, they may also be asking themselves if you took the job because you are not up to an engineering position.

 

[oneintheeye]

not coming from a position or strength here as I have no idea what a HVAC is and only a vague idea of a mechanical engineers role. What i will say is if you need the money take it while looking for the position you are after. If the role is any way related it is better to do this than work at mcdonalds. Leave it off your CV if your concerned about perception, then if you think it becomes relevent in the interview talk about it. I would think I would have learnt a lot about building construction by working as a site labourer prior to getting an engineer job than I did doing something not relevent (factory). You don't even need to mention it to a prospective employer (unless you are there for years). Make it a positive for yourself by learning what you can.
That said if you can survive for now and be full time looking for a job maybe that will be a better road. It depends on circumstances I suppose.

 

[PEDARRIN2]

If you are willing to put off the PE for a time, being an HVAC tech could be a good start into a consulting position.

There are a lot of engineers, even PE's, who can do the math, but are hopeless when it comes to making sure it works in the field.

Get the experience and take it from there.

If consulting is the direction you desire, you might want to check some HVAC contractors. Often they have PE on staff who help with the design build opportunities they have. It is a little more free style engineering since there is also installation/contracting going on, but it can be good experience.

My office has hired a lot of technicians who have went back to school to get their degree. We have also hired engineers from contractors at times, since they know how to make things fit.

Since you have an engineering degree and your EIT, I think you could find a job with technician or contractor experience.

 

[MintJulep]

You've told us what you haven't done.

What have you done work wise?

Is the tech job doing installations, or testing and balancing?

Yes, doing load calcs and drawing ducts in AutoCad is boring.

 

[mauricestoker]

If you need the money, take the job. Being an HVAC tech would give you hands-on experience in the field, which most BSME's don't have starting out. With a BSME and diagnostic/trouble-shooting skills, work in the areas of commissioning, re-commissioning, or owner's rep might be of interest.

You might want to look at the NEBB, BCA, ASHRAE, TABB, PECI or similar web sites to get an ide of type of work.

A large number of PE's I've worked with don't know what a TAB report means, and wouldn't know how to reset a freezstat. Operating equipment and seeing what works would make you a better designer.

 

[moltenmetal]

If you've been searching for quite a while and haven't found anything, TAKE THE JOB! Did you graduate last May? Before that? TAKE THE JOB!

Not only will this get you out of the house, but working with your hands in real applications is ALWAYS good experience for an engineer- indeed I'd argue that some of this should be considered an essential part of every engineer's training.

To the right employer, this kind of work will be considered excellent engineering training. I know of more than one employer (my own company included) which really likes farmers' kids because they've usually needed to use tools. People who have operated and maintained equipment have valuable experience to put toward its design.

Don't give up on looking for an engineering job- internally if possible, externally if not. And whatever you do, put your heart into it- don't let a lack of enthusiasm for the work get you branded as a slacker. You want a good reference out of it at the end, regardless.

Best of luck to you!

 

[ImminentCollapse]

Don't base your decision on the following:

"There are a lot of engineers, even PE's, who can do the math, but are hopeless when it comes to making sure it works in the field."

"A large number of PE's I've worked with don't know what a TAB report means, and wouldn't know how to reset a freezstat."

These comments prevail throughout the threads of EngTips and have been debated to death.

"The best engineer I ever knew wasn't a PE"....etc.
"I know many PE's that are useless"....etc.

If your goal is licensure, the tech job is not the way to go, plain and simple.

 

[shamsdebout]

Take the job, work for a year get another job. Or take the job and look for an engineering job. I was offered a job like that, they offer over-time so if money is holding you back I wouldn't worry much about that. I didn't take the job when offered, I wanted out of a job at the time, but certain perks of the old job made mre reconsider. I do reget not taking it as I would have gained valueable field experience that would help in my current job.

 

[ykee]

Regardless of whether or not the experience counts towards you PE experience, take it. It will give you invaluable insights as well as connections to help you get where you want to go.

 

[tem1234]

I think this kind job is a good way to learn when you're at the beginning of your career. You'll be a much better engineer if you handle the practice and the theory.

You can take the job for 1 year or so, and start searching for something else. Even maybe in this company there will be open engineer position in the future. Of course don't take this job for 10 years or you'll probably be stuck to that.

 

[brandoncdg]

PE experience is working under a PE.

I would take the field job as it will help when it comes to designing in the office later on. At interviews afterwards I would make that a specific reason you took the job. I think it's backwards to design in an office and then see how they actually build things.

CDG, Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://cdg-ca.com

 

[jnam82]

Wow, thank you all for responding and with helpful comments.

I've asked the same question at an HVAC technician forum and they did nothing but respond with sarcasm and insults...

I met with the head hunter last friday and scheduled an interview with the company for this friday. I checked out the company online and they seem to mostly work on residential. I was hoping they did commercial.

If they offered me a position, I would accept it. I've been out of work for 10 months and need to get out of the rents' house (I'm 27). Also, as someone mentioned field experience will be good for my career (however, would residential experience be of high value? in commercial you get to see more complicated and variety of systems).

Of course, my PE would have to take a backseat for now.

 

[photoengineer]

Mike,

Have you designed wings before? If not, I wouldn't knock it.

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[desnov74]

Hey,

Go for the field work. You will get experience that will pay off in the future bigtime, plus depending the state and the types of things that you do you make get experience to show it is part of "progressive quality and experience".

Depending on the firm, they may have a requirement to develop some more sophisticated tools. Things like commissioning procedures,do HAZOP studies creating a database based on the failures you see in the field, PLC code for refrig/hvac control/integration. This can be done on your own time. You can even have it reviewed by PE's you may know from professional societies, as long as you don't violate any proprietary issues.

When you go back to a PE track, 1) It may make the experience count 2) Will may you a WAY better engineer. I know someone who did this in controls as a technician and became an engineer later. A field tech an engineer does not make, but the experience really will develop an engineer with education very well. Its not forever though.

Good Luck,

PS in this economy take it!

 

[shamsdebout]

jnam82, although commercial would be more beneficial, the experience gained will be invalueable, you would be able to understand more sophisticated systems after you have seen the fundamental system. Keep us updated.

 

[Transient1]

Actually, PE experience does not have to be under a PE. I recently called in NY state. You'll note on the experience forms that it does not say the supervisor must be a licensed engineer. Rather, it has a check box for whether they are or not (and a space for a license if they are).

 

[moltenmetal]

Best to check with your local regulatory body on that. Some jurisdictions require the experience signatory to be licensed in that jurisdiction if the experience is to be counted at all, and some require this for only a portion of the total experience period (i.e. a year).