Weekly Career Discussion Thread (09 Dec 2024)

[u/AutoModerator]

# Intro

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Welcome to the weekly career discussion thread, where you can talk about all career & professional topics. Topics may include:

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* Professional career guidance & questions; e.g. job hunting advice, job offers comparisons, how to network

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* Educational guidance & questions; e.g. what engineering discipline to major in, which university is good,

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* Feedback on your résumé, CV, cover letter, etc.

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* The job market, compensation, relocation, and other topics on the economics of engineering.

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> [Archive of past threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22weekly+discussion%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)

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## Guidelines

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1. **Before asking any questions, consult [the AskEngineers wiki.](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)** There are detailed answers to common questions on:

* Job compensation

* Cost of Living adjustments

* Advice for how to decide on an engineering major

* How to choose which university to attend

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1. Most subreddit rules still apply and will be enforced, especially R7 and R9 (with the obvious exceptions of R1 and R3)

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1. Job POSTINGS must go into the latest [**Monthly Hiring Thread.**]((https://www.reddit.com/r/engineering/search?q=flair%3A%22hiring+thread%22&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)) Any that are posted here will be removed, and you'll be kindly redirected to the hiring thread.

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1. **Do not request interviews in this thread!** If you need to interview an engineer for your school assignment, use the list in the sidebar.

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## Resources

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* [The AskEngineers wiki](https://new.reddit.com/r/askengineers/wiki/faq)

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* [The AskEngineers Quarterly Salary Survey](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/search/?q=flair%3A%22salary+survey%22&include_over_18=on&restrict_sr=on&t=all&sort=new)

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* **For students:** [*"What's your average day like as an engineer?"*](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEngineers/wiki/faq#wiki_what.27s_your_average_day_like_as_an_engineer.3F) We recommend that you spend an hour or so reading about what engineers actually do at work. This will help you make a more informed decision on which major to choose, or at least give you enough info to ask follow-up questions here.

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* For those of you interested in a career in software development / Computer Science, go to r/cscareerquestions.

[u/UnaPersonaHumana06]

So I have no clue about the engineering careers, but I always wanted to make and design anything I wanted. The YT channel that most inspires me is "colinfurze", I love how he can make anything that It's even dangerous, but his inventions are sick. What is the most suitable career for me? Any advice to know what to study?

[u/Call_me-Harley]

I'm a project engineer with a background in civil and hydraulics engineering working currently on wastewater treatment plants projects. My strong points are being organized, motivated, good at coordinating, decent people skills, and according to my manager i'd make a great project manager. However, i can't handle stress well, and i'm horrible at politics. 2 things that are a biiig part in management careers. What other career options do i have, where i could make good use of my strong points, avoiding my weak ones?

[u/Optimal_Counter_9881]

Hello,

I am in my second year of Computer Engineering, but I am not enjoying the course at all. I don’t understand programming at all, I had never programmed in my life and I chose this course thinking it would lead to a good salary.

I did the math and physics courses without much difficulty, but I failed the ones involving programming.

I am also disappointed to see that people without a degree do the same work as computer engineers, even though they only attended bootcamps.

I’m thinking about switching to another engineering course that involves less programming.

When I applied, I had the grades to enter any course. I was undecided between Computer Engineering, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, but I thought the latter two didn’t have good job prospects.

I’ve also seen many people studying other types of engineering and ending up doing the work of computer engineers, even though they have far fewer programming courses than I do. Also, I’ve noticed that many engineers end up working in management, which I enjoy more. Do you think with one of these engineering degrees, I could also pursue that?

What do you think I should do?

[u/moo_tooo]

Causes & Effects of Poor Communication in Construction Projects [Survey]

Hi everyone!

I'm a final year Civil Engineering student and I’m conducting a survey as part of my final year project. The study focuses on understanding the causes and effects of poor communication in construction projects.

If you're 18+ and have experience working in the construction industry (whether as a client, consultant, contractor, or any role), your insights would be incredibly valuable! The survey aims to gather information on current communication practices, challenges, and the impact of technology and collaboration tools in the industry.

It will take just 5-10 minutes of your time, and your responses will help provide a clearer picture of how communication issues affect project delivery.

To take part in the survey, please ensure you meet these requirements:

• Ages 18 and above
• Have experience in at least one construction project (Doesn't have to be on-site)
• Currently active or retired from the construction industry
• Any job title (project manager, architect, on-site worker, etc.) may participate in the survey
• No educational background required with the exception of experience

Here's the link to the survey:
https://forms.gle/VHA2Sh4zRJvnexpn7

Thank you so much for your time and support! Your input is greatly appreciated. 😊

[u/Either_Chemistry_806]

The reality is that im not going have a 3.0 when i graduate, very very likely. I know, its bad. I feel anxious and from what ive read online, there isnt many options. Idk what to do. Idk if ive wasted my time in school getting a degree that i cant even use because of my GPA. If someone can give advice or insight it would be much appreciated.

[u/paoray1]

Did I pass up on too much money?

I've been interning with a large, tech company for since the summer, and have since received an offer to start full time next summer. The role is a virtual supply chain role. Learned a lot and the team and company is great. However, the virtual working environment is very demotivating, and the location I'd have to be at is very, very low on my list - honestly hated the city I was at over the summer. In addition, there can be very weird/extended hours due to the worldwide scope of the team and project, making the work/life balance questionable at times. It can also become very difficult to work with the team, having only met/talked with them virtually 95% of the time.

On the other hand, I've been offered (and since accepted) another position for an ops/engineering leadership rotational program at a large aero/defense company. It's a 3 year program - first year in a smaller, quiet city, followed by 2 other roles in 2 other locations (of my preference), both of which interested and were of my liking more so, based off the options provided. I imagine they also operate like any other large aero/defense company (strict 40 hour weeks, 4/90 schedule, solid benefits, red tape, etc.).

As a new grad, I am very focused on career development, learning as much as possible, and work/life balance. However, the tech company exceeded the defense company's offer by ~12% on the base salary, which made me reconsider my decision...? Is this worth worrying about, or am I putting too much value into this number?

*Note, defense company has slightly better retirement matching, set # of PTO (tech is "unlimited"), higher tuition reimbursement

[u/Sensitive-Silver-322]

Hi! I would like to get an idea how I can work as an Electrical Engineer in the USA. I'm from the Philippines with 1 year working experience in my home country, and I also have 3 years and counting experience here in UAE. I have an ABET accredited degree in Electrical Engineering. Should I take an NCEES FE exam first here in sharjah?

[u/KingJulian1500]

I used to love my job, now I want to change careers

So I’ve recently graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and I have had a job at a CNC machining place for about 10 months now. I am essentially a junior engineer without a whole lot of experience but was told I can learn from their head engineer, Ken.

When I first started, I was super enthusiastic about learning all that the company did and was generally excited to be starting my career, but as time has gone on, my enthusiasm has been tested, to say the least.

When my boss first hired me, he wanted me to create part drawings for his company. This seemed simple enough as that is what I did a lot of during school and I was very comfortable doing that. This work lasted me maybe a couple months, and I was able to complete the whole part portfolio fairly quickly.

With that out of the way my boss then hired me full time and told me that I was supposed to learn from Ken how to code the Machines. We’re using Solidworks (Used a lot at school and generally very comfortable with) and Gibbscam (one I have never used before).

I’m not the most experienced person here so I have a lot of questions for Ken, but he doesn’t seem to want to answer my questions at all. He beats around the bush and goes off on tangents for half an hour before barely half answering my simple questions. I make sure to never ask the same question twice and I try look up things when I can, but there are certain things that I don’t even know what to look up to find answers. This isn’t an intuitive thing for me at all.

And he always has an excuse. Every time I ask Ken to look over my Gibbscam file, it’s always tomorrow or next week’s problem, and there isn’t another engineer here (fairly small company of about 25 people).

Now like I said, when I started I was very excited to learn as much as I could. But now, I can’t even focus on the most basics of things because I know deep down no one is ever going to see it or care about it. I’m losing my mind.

I am basically expected to sit in this room for 8 hours with no guidance, no connection / responsibilities to or from anybody else at the company, and to teach my self the entirety of CNC machining on my own.

I have a very strong feeling I need to leave this company but I’m afraid it’ll be tough to find another job and I don’t want to throw away a good opportunity to learn from such an experienced and accomplished engineer. (He’s got like 5 masters degrees and was marine corps engineer)

Any advice from anyone that has experienced something similar would be greatly appreciated.

Also sorry if this in the wrong r/ section I didn’t know where this would’ve fit.

[u/mal_1_1 → u/KingJulian1500]

Hey man, experienced design & quality engineer here. I started doing CAD before getting my degree and was taken advantage of like crazy but i learned everything on my own. Youtube /chatGPT is going to be your best friend and help you learn quickly. I didnt have those tools when i started but it helps a lot now that we have them. A lot of companies hire & promise you the world, enthusiasm dies out about 6-7months into the job. I’ve been in the engineering & manufacturing industry for 4-6years now and it’s always the same. The best part about our degree is that we can move industries, move companies or even move engineering disciplines. So i encourage you to learn on your own , be curious, make mistakes(you’ll learn from your mistakes more than anything) & dont get discouraged!

I’m actually moving career paths right now into AI. Im graduating with my master’s in AI. The salaries in AI field are so much higher & unfortunately engineering doesnt pay well in south florida relative to the cost of living. For example rent is $2500 on average plus utilities and a parking spot & fee’s it’s easily $2800 a month right now & engineers making $80k a year after taxes are bring home $5100 a month. So only having $2300 leftover isn’t enough for bills, savings/401k and having a social life or hobby.

Computer science jobs(in the AI space) are paying $100k+ starting… it’s extremely competitive but not impossible if you know your stuff.

So consider your options, if you stick with engineering make sure you’re learning & taking knowledge away from that job because that’s what will increase your earnings & lead to career growth for you.

Most of the engineers i looked up to moves jobs constantly throughout their career, leave on good terms & always be professional even though you might not want to be… always always always be professional. Put in your 2weeks & always lead with “i appreciate the learning experience & opportunity” ,

You never know when those people might re-enter your life again or help you get jobs in the future!

That’s the most important advice i have!^

It’s all about who you know!!

[u/cheeseburg_walrus → u/KingJulian1500]

This sounds like a nightmare. Mentorship and growth is a huge part of building your career. Find somewhere with more engineers to learn from.

[u/Dickasauras → u/KingJulian1500]

Find a better paying job

[u/KingJulian1500 → u/Dickasauras]

Thanks guys yea I think I’m going to have to find another job. There’s just nothing for me here and I don’t want the start of my career to be this boring or else I’m gonna want to be out of engineering all together.

[u/Plus-Ticket646]

Hi guys, i have applied for mechanical engineering in Bath, Exeter, Swansea, Southampton and Lancaster. I was hoping to get your advice on which is better/worse. So far i’ve got offers from Exeter, Swansea and Southampton. Thanks for your help.

[u/Plastic_Silver2347]

I will soon be graduating college, actually I will have 2 diplomas in engineering one more twords business and one twords building services and I found more passion in the second one, installations and such. The problem is I don't feel like I actually learned much in either of them. Like for projects for example I often just followed some steps but that does't mean I actually remember them now. My question is how is gonna be the first job in this field(building services engineering)? What are y'all experience? Will I get a whole project and be asked to put all the installations on it, like heat, water, electricity? Because I would like to do that but I am afraid I won't know. What are the expectations when you have 0 experience? From my side I expect to still learn at my job like basically everything that I have to do. Because I don't get how any problems at the exams that I had in college will be even 10% similar to the problems and requirments at the job. Should I take a particular small course about specifically the job that I will be applying for? 

[u/Substantial-Trip-793 → u/Plastic_Silver2347]

I am in the same boat. I'll pursue my master's in building physics and building energy, starting coming February. I did some daylighting work for a company for 4 months. I don't know anything about using 'energy efficient building designs' things.

[u/Plastic_Silver2347 → u/Substantial-Trip-793]

And they hired you just because u have a diploma basically, right? I don't wanna do a master yet. And if you don't know "things" what do you do at work exactly? What tasks do u have to do?

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/Plastic_Silver2347]

It sounds like many of your fears would be put to rest if you got some sort internship experience under your belt.

To answer your questions: no, no one is going to ask the entry level new hire to do something completely on their own the first week on the job. For any given position, there's an infinite combination of educational backgrounds, college majors, universities, course curriculum, professors, etc. Basically way too much variation to assume every person hired knows the exact same thing. You will find that even after your third or fourth jobs, companies will provide lots of training to help you understand the expectation.

[u/Plastic_Silver2347 → u/uiucfreshalt]

I mean yeah, of couse I thought of internships. I actually did many because it was mandatory to pass the college years. My fear is what if the college didn't even teached me the fundamental principles. To be completly honest I didn't searched much outside the required informations for homeworks mainly because of the time. I didn't have much time to search in detail since I did 2 colleges at the same time. I am scared cuz I keep hearing people that say the companies will have high expectations. Meanwhile I think that is logical to be paid the bare minimum and be expected the minimum from me since I won't have experience at all. Will I have books or where to look to learn to do step by step exact requirements that I get at the job? I am basically scared that I will get to do x thing and I won't know how. 

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/Plastic_Silver2347]

Who says companies have high expectations for new college graduates with no experience, exactly?

[u/Plastic_Silver2347 → u/uiucfreshalt]

Yes, ik how that sounds and I used to be like "no, companies won't have high expectations for beginers" but relatives keep feeding be this "how are you going to find a job if you practically don't know anything" and it kinda got in my subconcious and now I am anxious about this. 

[u/uiucfreshalt → u/Plastic_Silver2347]

It’s simply not the case. Come to work like you come to class: willing to learn.