So I'm at a rare point in life where I don't know which way to turn. I pride myself on being a decisive person, but I just can't decide which way to go. In many way it's a shades of gray sort of issue, there's no clear "right" answer.
So I've been out of school for a year now. Aerospace engineering BS, business management minor. Note that I'm not your typical college grad, I went back to school late in life and worked my way through with a wife and kids, graduating at 28. Prior background was in construction/management including managing a small lumberyard/hardware store. I've been in my current position for 1.5 years working as a project engineer (project manager). Always received overwhelmingly excellent reviews in regards to my performance, and I am the most junior PE in our large company by two pay grades. I try to be modest, but I believe I'm pretty good at what I do.
However, I've also encountered some fundamental issues that bother me related to the aerospace industry. There seems to be a practice of expecting employees to overperform with little/no reward from the company. It's a common practice for engineers to jump companies every 3 years or so because it's the only way they get raises or promotions. Personally I've been promised three promotions and one bonus, none of which have actually materialized. I'm a pretty black and white kind of guy and believe that you should do what you say and treat people with respect. This bothers me deeply, and not just because I feel I deserve a raise.
While I overall enjoy my job, I feel the time has come to start looking elsewhere. This is where my struggle lies. I think many of the issues that I disagree with at my company also exist at other aerospace companies. There's also a part of me that feels I should stay put, as my company will eventually step up. Of course, there's a very fine line between a loyal employee and a sucker. I also feel the draw of my former industry, there's certainly aspects of construction that I do miss. I've often considered trying to get a job as a project manager at a construction company, however that would greatly handicap me if I ever decided to return to aerospace. I do know the VP of a local commercial construction company, so I would likely have an "in".
Long winded, I know. In some ways it's cathardic to just put it out there, as my wife is the only other person I've discussed this with. I'm interested in the thoughts of others that have considered a career change, or simply felt that things weren't going as planned. This isn't a tomorrow sort of choice, there isn't a lot moving right now in regards to employment anyway. And before you say it, yes I'm happy to have a job right now.
