Weekly Career Discussion Thread (23 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/Pickleman_420]

Learning advice wanted MIG/MAG Welder

Hi all, I’m new to this page and I’m looking for some advice from professionals if at all possible. I’m currently a MIG/MAG welder and I work in a small workshop where we construct custom and bespoke shipping containers and conversions primarily made from steel but carpentry and electricals are often part of the installation (I have a very limited but basic understanding of electrical installation on a domestic scale).

I’ve been welding almost 2 years and in my current role for around 6 months. My training as a welder has been on site and was an intense training program from a CODED welder and welding trainer but with no formal qualification at the end of the process.

I’m looking to expand my knowledge within building and design as well as basic principles of building with steel. Any recommendations on books to read, PC programs (potentially free if any known but expecting to pay), YouTubers or courses that would be beneficial to me that would be great.

Thanks in advance

[u/throwaway9ww8]

I am in design engineering and want to switch into another type of engineering that is more social. I have considered sales engineering, but I think something more in between design engineering and sales engineering would be better. I know sales engineer friends who often will have to step out of a room to take phone calls for clients or basically just be "on call" and "at the customers' behest" at all times. Call me unambitious, but that sounds like hell, and I wouldn't do it even if it meant tons of money. I am looking for something in between design engineering where I have nearly 0 human interaction and sales engineering where I would need to be a salesman at all times.

[u/EngleskiBalkanac]

Hello,

I am currently a Building services engineer with 1 year experience (UK). I am planning to do a masters in Building Services engineering, however i would like to know how transferable this masters is into other fields..... I'm not sure if i would like to stick to a building services career even though I'm enjoying it, I would like to have the options to transfer to another field, e.g. any mechanical engineering job.

Should i just do a mechanical engineering masters? Although this would mean i would not be able to stay at my current job...

Thanks.

[u/iitian_tony]

Does anyone know any site or something where i can get list of HRs' mails.. It would be great help..

[u/VelinaOmg]

What are the pros and cons of working in the civil engineering industry? Specifically structural engineering I’m looking into going that route but wanna know anybody else’s experiences or advice before doing so thanks!

[u/Elece22]

Hi all!
I need help. We are studying how society sees Civil Engineering as this is related to the number of students, the proportion of women in Civil engineering etc.
If you are living in the UK, could you please help us by doing this quick survey (less than 5 min, I promise)
https://forms.gle/xr51jKEvPfHsCa2F8

[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/Automatic_Effort5731]

Engineering and DESIGN --any possibility to match?
YEAH. I'm passionate about design my portoflio is mainly on it. The thing is that I'm aint gonna pursue a degree in product/industrial design or others That's why engineering is one of my options for careers. Sincerely, I feel a little bit lost of what career to choose. I know mechanical engineering combines a little bit of design too but is there any other career on egineering intrinsically/ foundations related with design?

[u/TacticalFailure1]

Hey, I'm an ME working as a process engineer at a plastic manufacturing. With 3 years of experience I'm just hitting 77k a year in a LCOL. So it's about time to job hop.

My main tasks are basically operator related, since we are small, but I do do they environmental compliance, and spent most of my time updating outdated CMS systems. Digitalizing mainly. 

Outside of that I'm responsible for updating P&IDs, LOTOV and occasionally SSOPs. 

Basically I'm an engineer in operations. 

The problem is I'm looking to break the 100k mark by moving on to a new position and I'm uncertain what jobs my skills would apply to, and where I should actually go to do such a thing. Does anyone have any recommendations for me on what I should be looking for and applying  to?

[u/Ill-Ant-6641]

Hello, I am a third year Aerospace Engineering student in the UK. I am experiencing what every other final year is experiencing and I'm struggling to make headway in securing a job, due to this I have decided to do a masters in order to strengthen my cv in the event I don't secure a role upon graduation. My question is asking whether a MSc on Engineering Management is looked upon as useful or attractive by engineers in industry? I only ask as it seems interesting and useful to me but I wonder if it's looked upon as a waste of time and won't strengthen my future applications due to the lack of engineering technical knowledge taught, the last thing I want to do is spend thousands of pounds and a year of my time for something that will not give me an edge over other applicants.