want advice: leaving "tech" industry for A&E firm, PE track?

[rwj2005]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice. I'm new to this site, and I hope this isn't an inappropriate forum.

I finished engineering college (electrical) in 2003, and got my EIT at the same time. Prior to getting my BSEE, I worked about a total of 7 or 8 years as an electrician in the heavy commercial and light-industrial arenas progressively to the journeyman level (non-union).

My wife graduated nursing school at the same time (2003), and she and I and the dog moved from the East Coast to sunny Seattle WA. My first EE job here was with a traditional A&E Electrical Engineering firm doing commercial/hospital electrical design under direct supervision of a PE.

In hindsight, it was an awesome opportunity with a top-notch firm -- I just didn't realize how good I had it. I was in "Seattle, Land of the High Tech Microsofties," and I jokingly told people that I "got my engineering degree so i could get OUT of construction, and now I'm back in it!" (Not totally accidental: my focus in school was a mix of Digtial Design and Power Systems classes)

My enthusiasm waned as I found myself increasingly distracted by tinkering with various programming projects, and my employer and I wound up parting ways after about 9 months. Thereafter, and for the past 3+ years, I've been employed working with embedded systems and circuit design as an "electronics engineer"

But now that I've got the benefit of hindsight, and the stabilizing influence of a 3-year-old child, I'm realizing that this really isn't where I want to be. I want to get back into the building industry and/or power systems design, and resume working towards my PE. The track I'm on currently will not get me there. The past 3+ years, I have not worked under a PE; there haven't been any in my company.

Honestly, I also just miss the equipment, the feeders and the transformers, the transfer switches and switchgear, etc., and all the quirks of the entire construction industry. As I have a few years as a Journeyman commercial/industrial electrician, I feel like it's really a better fit for me than just being another EE who can do some circuit design and hack his way through mountains of C-code.

On the other hand, the tech industry probably will pay more, at least in the short term. And in these so-called "high tech" fields, a PE is not particularly sought after anyhow, so it wouldn't matter whether I had one or not. Of course, a /degree/ is not always required either, and if you think about it neither is being physically located in this hemisphere. The danger of outsourcing is always on my mind, especially now that I'm older and have a child to consider.

So what do you all think? Should I listen to the people who say "PE's are increasingly irrelevant in today's tech market?" Or should I follow my gut, ditch 3 years of progressive "techy" experience and take a step back -- even though I'm in my 30's and have a child? I'm especially interested to hear the opinions of PE's. I'm kind of at a crossroads but I feel that if I'm going to make the jump, now is probably the time to do it.

Thanks,

Rob J

 

[PSE]

What does your spouse think? My personal philosophy is if you have a chance to do the type of work you enjoy, then do it. However, my wife might not agree with me should I decide to persue a different position simply because I might enjoy the work more, hence the need for their opinion.

With an aging power infrastructure, I would think that getting back into the "heavier" hardware might not be a bad idea. As for a PE becoming irrelevant, I would certainly hope not. They are needed for providing sanity checks on what we would otherwise create.

Regards,

 

[Eleceng01]

rwj2005,

First, PSE is right - talk to your spouse and get her feedback on it. As they say, no one is happy if momma isn't happy.

As far as leaving the 'progressive "techy" experience and take a step back' it all depends on what you like to do. I personally dont believe that power engineering is a step back and the demand for power engineers for the foreseeable future is great. Most who have done this job are beginning to retire. Like you, many good EE's have been drawn to the bright lights of computers and this leaves the power engineering filed with a shortage of good engineers.

You might have to take a paycut (not sure about your market) to get back into the industry, but my experience is that you will quickly make it up. I am a PE registered in both Washington and Kentucky and I can tell you that in the power engineering field, a PE is required for some work.

Best of luck in your decision - hope whichever you make is the right one for you. Hope this heled.

 

[ykee]

I changed from tech to A&E about five years ago, and am much happier for it. Asides from what you are technically interested in, you may want to consider how the different industries affect your quality of life.

I found that the ups & downs of the technology sector were brutal. A&E is defintely a stressful sector, but I did not find it be as much stress. Although, I wonder if the recent credit crunch in the US is going to impact the commercial/institutional A&E market -- if it is, maybe not the best time to switch fields.

 

[rwj2005]

thanks all for the helpful comments.

as for my wife, she is supportive of (actually encouraging) such a move. she thinks its more professional, and stable in the long run.

i guess im hesitant for a few reasons:

-- it will be at best a lateral move, i may even have a pay cut.

-- I'll be losing some career progression, albeit not terribly much at this point.

-- I worry that I've forgotten a lot of the power systems and A&E specific skills.

-- My AutoCAD is rusty

-- I may be viewed by potential interviewers as somewhat of a flake who can't make up his mind. I've read threads here about hiring managers whose biggest concerns are "flight risks"

...

obviously the choice is mine, no one here is going to make it for me. And I've pretty much made up my mind (to make the move).

I guess I'm just looking for objective opinions or a clearer perspective. or maybe a persuasive argument on why not to do it.

thanks again.

 

[stanweld]

rwj2005,
Today is a very good time to make the career switch. Power generation companies and A&E and EPC firms are hiring but be prepared to move. Send your resume out; interview and select the opportunity best for you and your family.

Don't worry about the "flight risk" concern. If your track record included several more short term jobs, it might prove a problem but not in your case as described.