Time to move on? 5

[1wise]

I have been working at my current job for a little over 7yrs. now working as a Mfg./Process Engineer. When I got there all I had was some irrelevant experience and a 2yr. Degree. I also continued school part time to finish my B.S. in the same field (4 classes left).
I sometimes feel like I'm looked at as that same person who was fresh out of school with "no real experience". Some of the ideas I come up with are over looked or are re-thought of by someone else and all of a sudden they become brilliant ideas. I don't think that I would ever be looked at as someone with 7 plus yrs. of experience but always as the new guy we had trained. What will it take for that to change or do I simply have to move on in order to be looked at through a different pair of eyes (company)?

 

[HgTX]

Move on. It's pretty widely reported that getting additional degrees will not get people much additional recognition in their current jobs.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[JAE]

HgTX is absolutely right.

It is a human malady that people tend to look at others based upon their past concepts and familiarity of what they think they can do and can't do.

A Cadd operator who gets licensed as an engineer and then stays in the same firm will always have others remembering that they are "former cadd operators" and not see them in the same light as someone who might join their firm and possess the same background.

"Familiarity breeds contempt" is the closest cliche I can come up with here.

 

[ctopher]

You went to school to better your life. Little will change if you stay where you are at. Use your education and move on. Congrat's and good luck.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[PSE]

Time to move on, as JAE indicates, you will retain the impression of the "fresh grad newbie" as long as you remain within that department or organization. If the company is large enough, you might be able to make a jump into a new group. Going outside the organization, you bring along your previous work experience as "seasoning" to your career.

Good points from all the previous postings.

Regards and good luck.

 

[TheTick]

What you describe is a common dysfunction in industry. Move on without remorse. They had their chance to treat you well and did not take it.

 

[ykee]

If you've only got four classes left, maybe you want to hang on and finish those up & get your degree, it will give you a significant boost. In the meant time, dust off your resume & also look for internal transfers!

 

[KENAT]

1wise, the others are probably correct about moving on but for the sake of argument I'll give the opposing view point.

At my last place we would have apprenticehips and/or people off the shop floor move up to the office and start taking engineering classes etc (kind or like AA not BS).

Some of these people even though they were getting more qualified weren't actually becoming significantly better/more useful employees.

Then again maybe management and the rest of us Engineers were the problem, not recognizing the advances they'd made. However, I joined as a fresh grad and moved up with out too much trouble so maybe it was them.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[Gymmeh]

How long till you finish your B.S?

Have you talked with you boss about what will happen when you graduate? will you get a title/responsibility change?

If your direct boss does not have sincere plans for you, and how to use your new found Degree, he probably never will, and you will definitely want to move.

you definitely are lucky that you will be able to look for other jobs while being employed.

Best regards

ps star to ykee, check internal transfers you never know