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So I got a job offer at this company after graduating. I had been an intern there for a year and a half. I've been working as an Engineer I and was approached by the engineering manager who told me that she wanted me to replace her. She has been promoted to head of public works engineering and needs someone to lead the poco engineering group. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't flattered, but here I am, 1.5 years out of school, I've got my EIT, and I'm being offered a chance to leave the field and enter management. I'm afraid of losing knowledge and hurting my chances at the PE. Most importantly, I love what I do and while I see management as a logical destination, I don't know how I feel about replacing engineering with management at this point. Furthermore, here I would be, supervising senior engineers that have been working here since graduating 35+ years ago, and who trained me. I told her my concerns and how I felt and she said that she understood. The thing is that since she has been spending more than time away from our department, she has been asking me to attend meetings for her and pick up some of the responsibilities that she hasn't the time to attend to. I know that I'm as valued as I am because I never turn down work but I feel like I've become a part-time manager without any extra pay. Granted, I'm not approving time cards or disciplining, but she's basically given me authority to make decisions for the group. Should I say something or am I an idiot for not jumping on this opportunity?
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Nov 10, 2015 04:28
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Blackmjolnir posted:So I'm a new grad that started working at an aerospace company a little over three months ago. In those three months I've had maybe two days worth of actual work to do, the rest has mostly just been loving around on the Internet because they can't seem to find anything to give me. I've talked to my manager multiple times and he just keeps telling me "Oh there's new stuff right around the corner" but that's been the going line basically since I got here. Is this kind of thing a somewhat common occurrence? I realize there are much worse problems to have but I'm also bored out of my mind here. Is the problem that you do not know how to do the projects that are in-progress or that the company doesn't have enough work to go around?
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Nov 10, 2015 04:29
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RedReverend posted:So I got a job offer at this company after graduating. I had been an intern there for a year and a half. I've been working as an Engineer I and was approached by the engineering manager who told me that she wanted me to replace her. She has been promoted to head of public works engineering and needs someone to lead the poco engineering group. Obviously there's more details but to me, being offered an engineering manager position after a year and a half (including time as an intern) throws off some huge red flags. It's possible you're really excelling at what you're doing and just got incredibly lucky and that would be great, but what the hell?
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Nov 10, 2015 05:58
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Not a Children posted:Keep asking for work, but if you're truly unsatisfied with being paid to do nothing start sending out resumes. Yeah I'm enrolled in an FPGA certificate program that the company is paying for and I'm following along with a little online microcontroller course so that at least takes up some of my time. The downside is it's a little difficult to do too much work for them at the office since I don't have access to the hardware/software required, and I can't just bring in my laptop and some boards to play around with without getting fired heh. I suppose the solution would be to come up with some sort of independent project that keeps me busy and benefits the company at least a little bit so they can throw money my way, so I might see if that's a possibility. Otherwise I'll consider sending out resumes welp. KetTarma posted:Is the problem that you do not know how to do the projects that are in-progress or that the company doesn't have enough work to go around?
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Nov 10, 2015 18:51
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Thoguh fucked around with this message at 16:23 on Aug 10, 2023 |
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Nov 10, 2015 19:16
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Blackmjolnir posted:So I'm a new grad that started working at an aerospace company a little over three months ago. In those three months I've had maybe two days worth of actual work to do, the rest has mostly just been loving around on the Internet because they can't seem to find anything to give me. I've talked to my manager multiple times and he just keeps telling me "Oh there's new stuff right around the corner" but that's been the going line basically since I got here. Is this kind of thing a somewhat common occurrence? I realize there are much worse problems to have but I'm also bored out of my mind here. I was in this exact same situation. I got through it by eventually going to my managers boss and letting them know I was in need of additional work. I also continued looking for other opportunities and was able to get on a rotation program which has helped immensely. I would say try networking and see if it's possible to get loaned out to any special projects. Also keep looking for other openings, I was on the hunt for a new job before I got assigned to the rotation program. Having no work to do can be it's own type of hell, particularly when it comes time for reviews and you have to explain what you have been doing for the past 6 months.
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Nov 10, 2015 19:21
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RedReverend posted:So I got a job offer at this company after graduating. I had been an intern there for a year and a half. I've been working as an Engineer I and was approached by the engineering manager who told me that she wanted me to replace her. She has been promoted to head of public works engineering and needs someone to lead the poco engineering group. How big is the group you would be managing and what does the engineering manager actually do? This seems horribly wrong to me, and I wouldn't hire a company with an EIT as their engineering manager, but maybe it's a small company or engineering manager means something different to them.
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Nov 10, 2015 19:31
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Edit: first time I've ever double posted!
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Nov 10, 2015 19:49
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Blackmjolnir posted:So I'm a new grad that started working at an aerospace company a little over three months ago. In those three months I've had maybe two days worth of actual work to do, the rest has mostly just been loving around on the Internet because they can't seem to find anything to give me. I've talked to my manager multiple times and he just keeps telling me "Oh there's new stuff right around the corner" but that's been the going line basically since I got here. Is this kind of thing a somewhat common occurrence? I realize there are much worse problems to have but I'm also bored out of my mind here. I've been in this boat before. I think it's commonish in large aerospace and defense companies. notZaar posted:Well some jobs are like that, but you could always come up with a project proposal for your boss, if that's something that interests you. This is what I did in that scenario. It didn't really lead to much but my immediate managers liked it and it established me, in their minds, as a highly technical, motivated person. Not a Children posted:Keep asking for work, but if you're truly unsatisfied with being paid to do nothing start sending out resumes. Agreed. Also, Master's degree on company dime is common in this scenario.
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Nov 11, 2015 03:11
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SubCrid TC posted:How big is the group you would be managing and what does the engineering manager actually do? We're a govt run Utility. We've got 5 engineers and mostly do operations and maintenance with the occasional design work. From what I have seen, all normal rules go out the window when it comes to govt contracting. It might be moot though. She told me today that she was going to spend more time in our group and that she was sorry for dumping her work on me. I think meeting the new utility manager today had something to do with it. She is looking to impress and it would probably look bad to have a junior engineer performing her duties.
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Nov 11, 2015 07:37
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I've been idle for a couple months before, but mostly when I was just out of school. When I've been in this situation it's because the managers are bottlenecked. Because they didn't have enough people when they needed them, now everyone is so busy they can't even use the people that they hired to make people less busy! My recommendation is to find someone just as new as yourself and just start doing something, or find someone that isn't 120% busy so you can get them to show you anything at all. Just bother people until you find something you can do all day without going crazy.
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Nov 11, 2015 14:20
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Ask your manager to suggest another manager/group that you could help in the meantime. There's always someone who is overworked and could use a hand.
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Nov 13, 2015 16:52
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If I'm getting a non-thesis MSEE that requires 4x 500+ level technical electives, is it worth taking electives that lead to a "graduate certificate" in something like AE, composites, computer engineering, cybersecurity, geotechnical engineering, manufacturing, system engineering, etc? Does anyone in industry actually care about things like this?
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Nov 17, 2015 01:03
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What OS X software is used for designing / modeling / calculating electrical circuits?
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Nov 18, 2015 00:45
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PRADA SLUT posted:What OS X software is used for designing / modeling / calculating electrical circuits? http://www.falstad.com/circuit/ If for some reason that's not good enough, I like iCircuit: http://icircuitapp.com
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Nov 18, 2015 00:51
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e: no value added
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Nov 18, 2015 00:59
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Has anyone done any work for the UN/NGO's? The UN seems to have consultant positions that are short, temporary positions in your field of specialty, and I was wondering if it was possible to do one while maintaining a full-time gig. Some of them are home-based consultancies, so conceivably I could produce their deliverables when I'm off work.
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Nov 22, 2015 15:31
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I've worked with engineers using architectural 3D modelling before, and always thought it might be something I would be interested in pursuing myself. I used Rhino to make some rather crude models for simple engineering calculations and enjoyed the experience a lot. I'm looking to make a move from my Physics teaching job next year; any suggestions on would be a good entry route? Am I likely to need a formal qualification first or might I be able to train on the job? Slimchandi fucked around with this message at 17:11 on Nov 22, 2015 |
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Nov 22, 2015 17:08
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Slimchandi posted:I've worked with engineers using architectural 3D modelling before, and always thought it might be something I would be interested in pursuing myself. I used Rhino to make some rather crude models for simple engineering calculations and enjoyed the experience a lot. If you have a degree in physics, you can go into energy modelling pretty seamlessly after some self training. The problem with the energy modelling thing is that in the past few years you've got architects getting into it and depressing wages. Also, you can get into MEP design, if you understand building construction then you'd do ok. Just beware that you may have to start at the graduate level for 65k or so.
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Nov 28, 2015 17:36
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I'm a chemical engineer that graduated last spring. I had trouble getting an initial internship in process oriented fields and settled for an environmental one doing air compliance and permitting for oil fields. I've recently taken an environmental engineering position as a plant engineer at another company under the pretext that I would be doing air related compliance like my internship. Well, the company recently decided it was going to undergo major restructuring that would eliminate the need for an additional air specialist, so in the meantime I am doing mostly spill and a stormwater runoff related stuff. It's hard to shake the feeling that I'm overqualified for the work I'm doing and not really developing the skills that will help me progress into a management position or transition into a more production/process based engineering role (my planned career path). The company I work for has plenty of these roles available, but I get the feeling that environmental engineering doesn't have a whole lot of weight when it comes to transitioning into a more production based role in this company (or really any company). My university focused heavily on industrial processing in its curricula and troubleshooting/implementing engineering solutions via tools like SPC, so I feel like I could learn/contribute to production after I have gotten used to the nuances of the role. Anyway...some questions: 1. If I stay in environmental should I do my best to push for air experience over water/chem release? Will this role be more applicable towards my major/ more challenging? 2. Could a chemical who specialized in material science (polymer based) swing it in metallurgical engineering? 3. Could anyone share an experience of an environmental engineer moving into production and how they overcame any stigma attached with their previous role? Could anyone speak to experiences they have had with environmental engineers. A lot of the older ones I have met were laid off from their previous jobs in the early 80's and took the role as a means of income; did the ones you have met seem liked they enjoyed their job?
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Dec 1, 2015 03:44
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I have recently started to look for a new job after spending 2-3 years as a Design Engineer. I have found some aspects of the job to be very interesting: working with Industrial designers, designing plastic and metal parts, etc. but have been saddened by how little I ever get to put numbers to paper. My saving grace has been that we develop parameter models so I get to play with backend code. Coming from a ME degree, are there any common engineering positions that tend to lean a bit more heavily on code and mathmatics or should I look at going down the ME->CS master's route to scratch that itch?
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Dec 3, 2015 02:56
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Anything to do with analysis/modeling will be heavy on stuff like that.
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Dec 3, 2015 16:44
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Have you considered going to grad school to do research? Plenty of math there.
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Dec 3, 2015 18:52
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Sunny Side Up fucked around with this message at 06:18 on Dec 6, 2017 |
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Dec 5, 2015 06:46
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I've been out of college for two years as a Controls Engineer at a production facility. They've announced that they are selling my part of the company and when they do I'll become fully vested in my retirement plan which usually takes six years . I love the work but not the location the plant is located. Would I be crazy to not immediately start job searching as soon as the ink on the deal is dry?
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Dec 7, 2015 17:54
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Why wait? If you've only been working 2 years, assuming the retirement plan isn't crazy good, becoming fully vested is only a few thousand at most and not worth missing out on a potentially better job because of it. Besides, there's no guarantee that you'll find another job in the meantime. There's nothing you'd lose out on just by starting your job search early.
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Dec 7, 2015 17:58
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Yeah - nothing sucks like working at a job you have written off in your already. I'm at the tail end of a four month notice period and I feel like my habits/mental health have suffered for it. I show up late and feel really apathetic, which seems fine and warranted, but I worry it's going to be hard to get back to caring about work once I start at the new place. Look for work now. It will benefit you in other ways as well - even if you change your mind, having an offer in hand will help your negotiating position with the acquiring company. Did you sign a new contract yet? Be wary of bullshit in there - they may want some sort of guarantee you won't leave.
Jeffrey of YOSPOS fucked around with this message at 18:04 on Dec 7, 2015 |
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Dec 7, 2015 18:00
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Do any of you guys know if your company ever needs MS-PhD math guys? I studied theoretical fluid dynamics (Navier-Stokes equations) and have looked into postings at e.g. biotech companies looking for fluidics engineers. What would be the easiest way to for a fresh graduate degree to transition into engineering?
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Dec 12, 2015 05:41
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In Automotive we love fluids. From gas in the engine to cooling EV electronics, and there are tons of phase transitions! There's also tons of less famous things too, like how the paint comes out of the paint sprayers in the factory etc. We have a couple fluid PhDs in our dept and make heavy use of COMSOL and ANSYS for example. Uncle Jam fucked around with this message at 06:30 on Dec 12, 2015 |
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Dec 12, 2015 06:27
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I see, thank you for that. I found some interesting positions at COMSOL and ANSYS, seeking MS or PhDs in the sciences. My PhD was in Pure Mathematics, but in an applicable research field (fluid dynamics). I feel odd applying for engineering positions directly, but developing for the companies that design the software that engineers use sounds really kickass to me. I want to learn as much modeling and simulation as possible without spending any more time and money on education. Except perhaps a 1-2 year (tops) engineering type of program that I could go through part-time to become qualified/certified. Basch lives! fucked around with this message at 13:20 on Dec 12, 2015 |
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Dec 12, 2015 13:18
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I know at big aerospace companies (and maybe other industries) they have job openings specifically called "<xxx> Fellow" and these are for the guys with MS/PhD related to radar technology, rocket engines, Physics, statistics, all that stuff, so you may want to be on the look out for those types of positions. The few I guess most related to yours that I've personally interacted with are some guys who are stat kings and help engineers with statistical modeling for price or major design analysis, things like that. Similar to above, in aerospace fluids would probably be most applicable for cooling and things like that, but I bet every large engineering company has some in house PhDs to do some research on the cutting edge applications, they can't afford to not devote a little bit of money. e: and my other comment is what you had already said. All the tools the BS holders use need to be programed by someone who knows what they are doing (you!)
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Dec 12, 2015 14:32
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Basch lives. posted:Do any of you guys know if your company ever needs MS-PhD math guys? I studied theoretical fluid dynamics (Navier-Stokes equations) and have looked into postings at e.g. biotech companies looking for fluidics engineers. What would be the easiest way to for a fresh graduate degree to transition into engineering? Aerospace/Defense especially if youre good with FEA I love ANSYS Workbench and their technical guys tend to have similar qualifications to you.
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Dec 12, 2015 16:37
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Basch lives. posted:I see, thank you for that. I found some interesting positions at COMSOL and ANSYS, seeking MS or PhDs in the sciences. We write our own plugins for these programs (i mean this is what COMSOL is). By that I mean we individually write for each of our own projects. Sometimes we transfer it to engineering departments. Either locally or long stays in Europe or Asia. We have a few guys division wide who are physics PhDs. In our division there are about 40 PhDs, from 70 people. For my company we are pulling heavily for comp sci/eng PhDs right now because of how popular algorithm dev is getting. But I'm sure there is another automotive company looking for your expertise. For learning the program we usually just sit down with new hires and teach them on the job. Otherwise you never find any candidates because it's just too narrow.
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Dec 12, 2015 16:40
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Its worth mentioning that you can pretty easily teach yourself ANSYS Workbench. If you do some googling you can find the school customer portal registration code for at least a few schools. From that you can register for the ANSYS customer portal which has full 3-day training videos for things like CFX, Mechanical, etc. Then just download some solid models of engines or electronics or whatever from GrabCAD and do some flow simulation/thermal analysis/whatever
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Dec 13, 2015 14:45
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More generally, if anyone else is interested in dipping their toe into FEM, as of this year you can now get ANSYS Student (Workbench, DesignModeler and node-limited versions of Mechanical, CFD and Autodyn) for free, no proof of student status necessary. The Student license lasts 6 months, but it's renewable without limit.
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Dec 13, 2015 20:39
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Oh man, I gotta get on that, even though I doubt I could ever get my boss to spring for Fluent. Thanks for the heads up.
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Dec 13, 2015 22:49
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Basch lives. posted:I see, thank you for that. I found some interesting positions at COMSOL and ANSYS, seeking MS or PhDs in the sciences. CFD is used a lot in many engineering fields. Even I build CFD models, just specifically for modelling fire. You should be able to apply directly for jobs without doing further engineering courses. e: If you do want professional engineering qualifications you could do an engineering degree part time while working. However there are other categories of technical professional qualifications you could apply for without having an engineering degree. Devian666 fucked around with this message at 22:54 on Dec 13, 2015 |
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Dec 13, 2015 22:52
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This is all really good advice; and encouraging. The only issue is that I've heard these employers usually hire the straight up applied mathematicians that did their master's or phd thesis using some numerical algorithm or other, e.g. finite element analysis. I feel like a pure mathemetician in theoretical fluid dynamics (Navier-stokes equations in the whole space) that just proved some bounds in a paper would be less competitive. I'm sure they would want someone that can prove they know how to model and code, as stated in the job descriptions/requirements. I was going to abandon anything even related to my phd work and try to get a job as a developer, data scientist, or statistician, but it sounds like I can really tie in what I've already done with where I can go from here. Assuming I don't end up hating myself while doing the work. I'll check out ANSYS and work something out to test the waters. And probably refer to books or coursera scientific computing courses if I get stuck on anything basic. Basch lives! fucked around with this message at 09:59 on Dec 14, 2015 |
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Dec 14, 2015 09:54
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Just like you'll never find your dream job in a posting, employers will never find their dream candidate. If the job sounds interesting just apply for it and to hell with meeting every last requirement. Worst case scenario, you'll get a form rejection letter.
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Dec 14, 2015 13:49
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notZaar posted:Just like you'll never find your dream job in a posting, employers will never find their dream candidate. If the job sounds interesting just apply for it and to hell with meeting every last requirement. Worst case scenario, you'll get a form rejection letter. I've seen some dream job postings, it's just that you will never hear back after applying to them.
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Dec 14, 2015 16:52
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