Switching from Consulting to an Utility

[redbridge]

I have about 12.5 years experience working for private consultants. I feel like I am maxed out and I would like to do something different. I have been looking at a lot of job postings for utilities, municipalities and universities. The particular jobs I have been interested in would be management positions which would have a large staff and budgets which is different from the projects I manage. Are Project Managers from engineering consulting firms a good fit for these jobs? Are these entities interested in people with consulting background? Is 12.5 years experience enough to expect to get an upper management position? Have any of you made this type of change?

Thanks

 

[redbridge]

Sorry, I should have typed a Utility instead of an Utility.

 

[Twoballcane]

Large staff and large budget does not exist. Most of the time it is large staff and a budget you have to tactically use.

Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."

 

[engrTman]

I had a friend do this very thing recently. He appears happy with the decision. It could be difficult at first, but probably a good move in the long run.

 

[stanweld]

Of the very many major power generating projects which we have or are currently constructing, the Utilities' project staffing has been very lean - except for one.

 

[brandoncdg]

To add to the OP's question. Which is generally a better project manager? One who managed at a consulting firm on similiar sized jobs or one managing for a Utility/Government?

Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com

http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com/blog

 

[IRstuff]

I would think that people variations are much larger than industry variations. I've worked for great managers and crappy managers in the same industry, actually, in the same company, even.

And the definition of "great" is also in the eye of the beholder. The most evil, sleazy, manager I ever worked for was considered to be a "star" performer by the corporate guys, because he delivered what his managers asked for, while the other managers would try to do the "right" thing for the division, but not meet the bottom line.

Even then, you could have two managers that perform identically on the quantitative measures of profit, growth, etc., yet one could still be a stinker, while the other could be your best friend.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[csd72]

I recently did a similar shift and am now working as the one and only temporary works engineer/coordinator for a gas company.

Not a job I would have chosen in a million years but I am really enjoying it.

You need to fit your skills to the position. Everyone has lessons to learn but if you have to learn too much on the job they wont be interested.

Beware that you may have to take a slight step back