Career change for an engineer?
 

Just curious for ideas. I want out of my current job and am not necessarily in love with my current industry (aerospace). Not to mention that the local market sucks, no options = easy decision. There's also a degree of frustration with the treatment of engineers in general, it seems that they tend to be overworked, underpaid, and not appreciated. Obviously generalizing here but my experience does reflect this, and I've talked to many others who state that it is the status quo.

I'm basically trying to determine other fields that I might semi-qualify for given my experience. I'm a pretty recent college grad (spring 2008), BS in aerospace engineering with a business management minor. 3 years of aerospace industry experience, 20 months of project management experience with excellent references. I was late to go to school, so I have a strong background in construction, customer service, and management from past jobs. I'm not all that picky about what I do, but I enjoy working with people and leading a team.

Yes, I do realize the job market sucks, blah blah blah. This is probably more of a long term goal, but one I can start working towards. Of course, my employer could choose to accelerate it via our next round of layoffs coming in a few weeks.

I went from engineer to management but I don't recommend that move.

Up until recently I would have recommended looking into the oil industry but it's hit lean times also.

Pipeline work. You willing to move to Houston and forget/deny you know me prior?

Who are you again? :cool:

Look at the job market in OKC Matt. The economy is still pretty good down here and houses are pretty cheap. Wouldn't be too much of a change of scenery for ya.

I'd probably have to leave the family behind. What does it pay?:p

Blue- I got your email but my iPhone won't let me respond through that account. Hey congrats on the delivery. I hope it all goes well. I'll shoot you a reply tonight. But I'm in no hurry. Get through all th stuff on you end and well get together.

Matt- the pipeline operations business is in dire need of new engineers. The old guys will be gone soon and a lot of companies know his and are actively seeking younger engineer. It's not a popular or common field but it's full of challenges. With less people aware of the industry for engineers it's advantageous for those in it. It's also tough to find good engineers when you need them. And most companies need them these days. They may be in a hiring free until the end of the year but keep you eyes open. There is probably a position in your area since pipelines run all across America and beyond.

I got into the industry by chance and I have never rgretted not going to work in Detroit as I had planned at the start of college. I tried manufacturing for a while and it was not for me. Troubleshooting and coming up with creative solutions is my thing and I have been happy to excercise those traits in the pipeline industry.

Matt J.
I do not know if you have ever considered government work nor how close you are to Ft. Riley, KS but I did see some jobs in Kansas that may appeal to you. Although I am a veteran, less than 30% of the employees are my current government facility share the same attribute.

https://cpolwapp.belvoir.army.mil/public/vabSelfNom/index.jsp

Souk, any suggestions as to where to look? It would take a pretty impressive offer to make me move (at least right now), my family is pretty settled and I don't want to do that to them.

Daryl, it's an idea I should look into, thanks. I have no aversion to military work so long as I don't actually have to join the military. Ft. Riley is near my hometown of Manhattan, KS. I should look into jobs at McConnell AFB though, it's in Wichita.

I have a friend who's a building engineer.... He said that my area (DC) is hard to find people to do that high end work since everyone's kid out here went to school to be lawyers and doctors and such.

FWIW, it seems Orange County, CA, is becoming the mecca of battery technology. There's about four or five companies in the area, a couple of which the City of L.A. is keeping afloat with big contracts for the ports and police force.

Tesla is somewhere in L.A., too, IIRC. And T3 Motion seems to be getting a lot of local and state govt contracts.

I have no idea why that makes me chuckle, but it does. SmileWavy

Besides, I suspect combat engineers are a different stripe altogether. ;) :D

[QUOTE=onewhippedpuppy;4815168]Souk, any suggestions as to where to look? It would take a pretty impressive offer to make me move (at least right now), my family is pretty settled and I don't want to do that to them.
QUOTE]

Well, you won't be making VP money anytime soon given your years of experience and lack of industry experience, but I would guess that you'll make more money than you are or will be in short time if you prove yourself a quick learner and a self-motivator. I know that's what every industry expects, but the reality is that these qualities do not exist in a large percentage of professionals.

Someone in your shoes should be able to sell yourself to an operating company or a consulting company that provides services to pipeline operating companies to get a project engineering position or similar. The fact that you have aerospace experience and I believe some project engineering and management skills would make for a good project engineer where you will work closely with a project manager who will provide the industry knowledge to get you started on projects. Most engineering on the project level is what I would call cross-industry similar. You research solutions usings provided specs of the client or the company. Using your engineering creativity and the direction of a seasoned project manager you can start to show your value while learning. If your are eager and can show dedication you will progress quickly. I've trained guys with those qualities and they are now indispensable to the companies they work for. But not all of them are fast risers.

If you want to really learn the ropes you can start as a field engineer for a pipeline company. There you will work closely with operation techs and construction contractors in addition to making engineering decisions based on company specs. Once you're in, there are many directions to grow within an operating company. You probably have a broad understanding of all things mechanical and some electrical and computer knowledge. You should be able to sell yourself if you know what the employer is looking for.

I would search career building for "pipeline" "field engineer" or "project engineer" for companies like (in no particular order) Transco, Williams, El Paso, Kinder Morgan, Questar, Panhandle Eastern, Transcanada, Mark West, Texas Eastern, Oneoak, Northern Border, Mustang, Alliance, Paragon, Universal, etc...just Google pipeline, natural gas, oil, companies. Do it in Yahoo Finance and learn about the companies, their news articles will lead you to other related companies. I seem to recall a couple of very profitable companies in the plain states that was paying their field engineers $80K+. CNN Money has an article 6-8 months ago about the top 25 companies to work for and one of those was a natural gas and oil company in the plain states. The name escapes me right now, but I think you get the idea on what to search for.

The thing about the pipeline industry as I mentioned before is that pipelines criss-cross America and there are officies all over, so you can compromise while you are new and settle for a job that is close to where you want to be.

If you are serious about getting into the industry and want to get more info, PM me.

Just don't let them grow up to be cowboys, right?;)

So Dave, I could probably sell my house and get a nice trailer in OC, right? I respect the hell out of those who serve, but it's not for me. Especially not at 29 with a wife and two kids.

IDK if they are hiring but I hear Chesapeak is very good to work for.

Porn...

And you know a great little hotel, right next to the action!

Chatsworth here I come!!!

Souk, I sent you a PM.

Same here. Not busting your chops, just thought the line was funny.

Or you could trade with me. I'm up for a nice easy gig writing greeting cards at Hallmark.

Look overseas.