Young PE looking for a Career Change 1

[danchoi03]

Hey Guys,

This might be a dumb question, but I cannot find the answer that I am looking for throughout the forum.

So here is the question:

Should a 28 years old mechanical engineer with 3.5 years of experience and a PE license (recently passed) apply for Navy Nuclear Propulsion Officer Program?

It sounds crazy but I just want to do something different instead of HVAC for the rest of my life. What do you guys think?

 

[tygerdawg]

this is as good a place as any to post your open question I suppose, maybe better in the Corporate Survival topics. But they frown upon multiple posts.

Jeepers! At 28, you have the entire world and your life in front of you. Take your blinders off and look around. You have a BSME + PE? You have one of the broadest engineering educations available. You can re-direct your analytical problem solving skills to almost ANY field. Navy Nuclear Propulsion may be your shtick, and an admirable career choice, but it has its price, too.

Sounds like you need to take some reflection time to figure out what it is that you would like to do, then chart a course to do it. I spent a couple years at a couple of different jobs, trying to figure out what thrilled me. I discovered that "sitting in a multi-story box full of young frustrated testosterone-soaked engineers" definitely did not suit me. After my 2-year exploration of engineering jobs, I took off a summer for a soul-cleansing solo bike tour of another continent. When I returned, I headed off to graduate school and have been sailing my course ever since.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[kchan711]

Ask yourself one question: what do you enjoy doing? Personally (this surely does not apply to everyone), I think finding a particular invigorating hobby is extremely important, and the best circumstance is the ability to make money doing that hobby. Many will disagree, but I believe work should be interesting, somewhat altruistic and, most importantly (to me that is), fun.

If the NAVY is your place (mine was the Marines), go for it. If you love cars, design engines (this is just an example, you'll have to evaluate the economy as well). Like TygerDawg said, everything is in front of you. You just need time to reflect.

Best of luck.

Kyle Chandler

http://www.chiefengineering.net

 

[EddyC]

Mechanical engineering has more subspecialties than any other engineering discipline. Try to find one that fits you better. HVAC is only one of many.

 

[danchoi03]

You guys are right. However, I am afraid I am heading the wrong direction because I did an intense search on Navy NUPOC program and it looks like most officers who finished NUPOC program wanted to get a BS degreee and look for civilian design work in order get a PE license. I did the opposite instead. I got my BS degree and a PE license and now want to apply for Navy NUPOC program.

 

[IRstuff]

Just bear in mind that an officier is a manager, not an engineer, regardless of what the glossy brochures might imply.

It might help if you describe what makes the Navy so appealing compared to just changing jobs.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[rb1957]

following on from IR stuff, who builds the reactors ? they probably do more "engineering".

in answer to the OP, surely anyone can apply for anything. maybe getting on a base and talking with some folks would help understand the position.

another thought, surely the Navy has civilian staff ? ie why become an "aufficier" ?

 

[popeye118]

I did 8 yrs in the navy, addmitedly it was on aircraft but it was a great time. As an officer you will be expected to manage alot of people but ultimately major engineering decisions may lie with you. If you do it you will make life long friends and see things that civvy's just don't understand, i think it is defianately an option and you should look into it, you will always get a good job with that on your CV. The money may well be better as a civvy though.
Is this an american site?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Go NAVY and the country will be a better place and you will be a better person....

 

[plasgears]

Go bio-med-eng, and never look back. As an ME/PE, you may regret going the mil route. I am also ME/PE. Been there, done that. The practice of healing arts beats bombing the bad guys.

 

[GregLocock]

I know a few armed forces officers who do make technical decisions, but they are few and far between.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[spciesla]

There's a lot of Navy / Ex-Navy discussion at

http://www.nukeworker.com

It may be a good idea to look around there and post your questions.

 

[chicopee]

Talk to a Navy recruiter. Navy provides excellent opportunities.

 

[dabluffrat]

I'm about to be in the same position. I'm 26 with my BSME, EIT, 3.5 years experience, and I'm taking my PE next April (2010). I'm concerend I'm going to be over qualified with less experience. Is it better to wait to get your PE??

Did you know that 76.4% of all statistics are made up...

 

[racookpe1978]

No. Get your PE as soon as you practically can.

By the way, you will only be "overqualified" for any position that doesn't pay as much as you're worth.

 

[GregLocock]

Can't hurt.

I remember asking my mentor if he'd recommend me for Chartership at graduation+4 years.

His ashen face told me much, grasshopper.




Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[zekeman]

At 28 and and with an obvious dislike of HVAC, I would be more interested in getting a learning experience outside the military or government--(been there and learned little )
Find a first job with a small company where you can be exposed to many disciplines within ME and don't worry about the money or the fringe benefits. You are there to learn ( much like graduate school only you get paid) this challenging and most exciting and rewarding profession. And don't hesitate to leave and move on once you feel you have maxed out your learning and need further challenges. I have practiced this philosophy over 40 years and have been very amply rewarded except nobody told me about the government or the military. I had to learn it painfully myself.
My main advice
1 DO NOT TAKE A GOVERNMENT JOB
2 DO NOT WORK DIRECTLY FOR THE GOVERNMENT
OK TO WORK ON GOVERNMENT SPONSORED PROGRAMS
3 DON'T BELIEVE ANY RECRUITER FOR THE MILITARY.
4 YOUR FUTURE JOB SECURITY IS NOT FROM 401K PLANS BUT YOUR
OWN COMPETENCE.

 

[budt]

I had several engineering jobs and found they were great to start but soon became just another design of the same old thing of a different size. Not very rewarding after one of each kind was mastered.

My time in engineering gave me a lot of contact with salesman of tecnical equipment and their life style had a lot of appeal. Work at a different company 4-6 times a day and see how many different challenges there are. I'm now retired but spent the better part of 50 years selling Hydraulic and Pneumatic equipment to persons with a lot more credentials in engineering but little training in anything to do with Hydraulics and Pneumatics. The sales job was actually assisting customers in applying components to meet their needs and writing up an quote/order form for them to give purchasing.

Never tired of getting up and heading out since each day brought new challenges that kept the mind active. Did a lot of circuit design and also a lot of training that led to more contacts and more sales. Also had a new car every two years with all the bills paid by the company. Even came up with new ideas that gave an edge over the competitors and helped customers in their work.

Companies are always looking for Technical Sales Persons and customers are always looking for help from talented people who can assist them in their work.


Bud Trinkel, Fluid Power Consultant
HYDRA-PNEU CONSULTING