Webinar Poll: Where Are You In Your Engineering Career?

I'm a firm believer in learning every day, but I've got too many irons in the fire now to think about a new career. I'm happy with the weird path I'm on.

Rick

Not a problem.

I started as a hobbyist and then picked up a 2 yr Electronics degree.

From there I went on to become a computer engineer.

You are never too old to learn and there are many of us here to help if you want to understand more.

DAB

Not an engineer, at 56 I think it's a little late to start down that path now, but I nearly took it earlier in life. I'm just a hobbyist/maker/tinkerer, whatever.

Rick

Not an engineer, but a data scientist and entrepreneur. Not interested in an engineering career, as I have one already but happy to learn and practice engineering on the side as a VERY fun and rewarding hobby. I think the world needs more makers/hobbyists!

That's a good one and makes for a more interesting poll.  I've added a couple of more options to the poll for those who are now retired based on your suggestion.

You did not include my category.

I was an engineer, had a wonderful career and am now happily retired, but still doing some engineering on the side.

DAB

I know quite a few engineers that stayed the course their whole career, but yet some talented engineers do move around. It does depend on the business, the company, and specialization.

I dont consider engineers that advance into leadership positions as drifting away from engineering.

People are a blend of skill sets. Engineers still can have good people skills and business strategy talents as well. 

I know engineers that teach because it is rewarding to them.

I know some sales engineers that love traveling and dealing with people, more than typing into computers. They like engineering "at 10,000 feet" and leaving details to the back room office engineers.

I know some like management just because they like being bossy  :-)  

• engineers go into management to better influence and control engineering, designing and producing. I dont see this as straying from engineering, just expanding and developing experience set.
• globalization. Engineering was a respected profession. Alot of engineers are now considered commodities. New grads in the global connected world are smart and educated, but dont get same benefits and salary as those in established countries. Salaries and benefits stagnate over time. Got to  keep evolving and developing your skill set. Sometimes engineers are told to hit the road
• burnout, you need to change jobs every few years just to get rid of supporting your old work for years on end, otherwise get pigeon holed and stagnant.
• software productivity tools. Engineers can become obsolete. Need to stay up to date and learn new ways to go better and faster.

• go into other opportunities to get more salary, prestige, more love from the job or your business

I'm not sure techs stay in the job longer because of teckky love, or they just may not have the same opportunities for advancement

This is me !

Not quite as complacent as it sounds but:

I work as an independent electronic and software engineer for a wide range of different clients and have been doing so for the last 18 years.

The work is varied and interesting (mostly) and I get to set my own hours.

No one ever tells me to tidy my desk or respect this or that new policy from the pointy haired boss !

I'm 65 and still doing proper engineering (today's work was send off a quote for a 16 channel hybrid lock-in amplifier, make some fake sensors to fix an old tractor (for local agricultural engineers), get on with work on a power supply prototype).

More of the same will do me !

MK

I knew some that  stayed “engineers” their whole careers. Some with advanced degrees in the research lab where I started out or just just liked their specialist field.  After I moved into engineering and project management (and ceased being a real engineer) there were design specialists who stayed in their field for a career.  Interesting thought though.  I would be curious about the statistics as well. 

"it is possible for people like me (without formal education) to get a job in a field they love"

I think it is possible, but it probably isn't any easier than getting a degree.

Companies tend to specify degrees as pre-requisites in their job descriptions. However this is a shortcut aimed at filtering out applicants that have a certain level of knowledge, a certain level of learning ability and a certain ability to complete work. If you can demonstrate these qualities and a good attitude, some managers will see past the degree requirement.

It is possible to write a resume that suitably impresses the reader before they figure out the accomplishments didn't start with a degree.

I guess I am some sort of example - when I landed my first official engineering job I did not have a degree or a diploma, I had never even officially graduated from high school. But I had a good story....

I had jumped from grade 11 (5th form) high school to university (because it was cheaper than going to boarding school), and I had completed 3 of 4 years towards an engineering degree, and I had demonstrated a lot of work ethic in my summer jobs and I had some technical summer jobs. And they needed an engineer - they had a contract to complete and their engineer had quit. And I could start the day after my last 3rd year exam. It sounded better than a summer job, and I needed money, so I went for it. I enjoyed that job so much more than going to school.

Two years later, I went back and completed my degree. I didn't learn anything that year, except how to rack up a massive debt. But the degree did open doors that would have been tough to get through otherwise.