any engineers - career advice - Page 2

ABoringUsername · 31-01-2008, 12:24 PM

I basically took the first job i got.. Most largeish companies will have a vast array things they do, and if you are on a graduate program, you will get to rotate around a few of them. It is Very unlikely you will do any circuit design. nowadays it is much cheaper just to buy something which does the job. Work problems are very, very different to Uni problems.

I get about $56K a year, 2nd year graduate.

Airmon · 01-02-2008, 12:59 AM

Thanks guys, you may or may not have helped the thread starter but you've helped me out!!
I look forward to starting now. I'd love to work for Ford so I may have to put some extra hours in. It seems though that most of the people at this uni end up at BHP (sorry Bluescope), so that could be an option.

Just another quick Q. You guys say try not to specialize, how can you manage that if you've been accepted into a Mechanicals course? First year okay all well and good, its basic general engineering but after that (the next 3 years) how do you NOT specialize?

Powdered Toast Man · 01-02-2008, 10:21 AM

He means try not to specialize in one aspect. For example powertrain R&D for a car company or plallet conveyor design or something. It's best to try and get a broad scope of experience, but sometimes specializing can't be helped. Mechanical engineering is a very broad field.

Some specializing can be benificial though if it's a lucrative money earner. For example, I wouldn't mind specializing in FEA design as there is a reasonable need for it out there and it is a very complex field. You'll learn all about FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and know what I mean by complex!!

Being Mechanical engineers we are sort of the jack of all trades of the engineer world anyway. The degree includes aspects of civil design, electrical systems, mechanical systems, and systems engineering and development.

You will study things like static and dynamic forces (physics), dynamics of mechanical components and systems (physics), fluid mechanics (study of fluid properties and dynamics), thermodynamics (study of heat transfer in solids and fluids), material studies (mainly molecular properties of steel), as well as more general systems and product design type studies. Plus maths, maths, maths, including stuff that you just wont understand (well I didn't lol). Lots of advanced calculus (this also gets used a lot in dynamics calculations) as well as statistics, probability, and some financial studies as part of the management subjects.

msman · 01-02-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmon

Thanks guys, you may or may not have helped the thread starter but you've helped me out!!
I look forward to starting now. I'd love to work for Ford so I may have to put some extra hours in. It seems though that most of the people at this uni end up at BHP (sorry Bluescope), so that could be an option.

Just another quick Q. You guys say try not to specialize, how can you manage that if you've been accepted into a Mechanicals course? First year okay all well and good, its basic general engineering but after that (the next 3 years) how do you NOT specialize?

they have helped me out.
the q's asked are something i had floating around as well

mcflux · 01-02-2008, 04:39 PM

In my case pretty much all the work I'm doing is in the civil field. However the civil stuff I've done at the places I've worked at covers road engineering, traffic engineering, structural (physics), geotech (soil mechanics, building/structure foundations, landfill/dam construction, etc), drainage/catchment management, hydraulics (physics/mechanical), hydrology (modelling, tricky maths), more maths (ranging from primary school algebra stuff to uni level multiple-order derivatives & electrical stuff such as imaginary numbers), GIS, mapping, surveying, some computer skills (programming language behind design programs), contract law, learning a lot of Acts and regulations and standards...

Don't be scared of the maths! Most of the stuff I do is around year 9 level. And pretty much everything you'll do will be "open book", it's not so much about remembering formulae & equations, it's more about *understanding* them. I know I can always refer to a book for examples or another engineer I'm working with for the equations or processes I need to use for a particular task.

ABoringUsername · 01-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmon

Just another quick Q. You guys say try not to specialize, how can you manage that if you've been accepted into a Mechanicals course? First year okay all well and good, its basic general engineering but after that (the next 3 years) how do you NOT specialize?

Just 'Mechanical' 'Electrical' etc is not specialised. Within each field there are many, many areas you can work in.

JMO · 01-02-2008, 08:38 PM

Thanks for all the info and heads up guys. I'm feeling a little more at ease now. I'm not 100% comfortable but at least i know i won't be stuck up the proverbial creek without the proverbial paddle when i eventually hit the workforce.

Thanks again

BionicGT · 01-02-2008, 08:53 PM

Engineering is a great career. You have the opportunity to design or create something that will make an impact on many people's lives. I'm a telecommunications engineer in a multinational company and have teams working for me based in several countries. I've been involved in the design, installation and commissioning of many of the worlds major subsea telecommunications cables (subsea cables are used for 99.8% of the world's telecommunications traffic). Without fibre optic subsea cables, we wouldn't have the Internet we have today. Most people think communications satellites are the main international communication medium but satellites just can't handle the required data capacity needed. I've travelled a lot with my job to just about all countries in the world and been the Chairman of several international committees. It's been and still is a very rewarding career.

If you start out in an engineering stream you are not too happy about, there is often the chance to swap to another similar stream after 1st or 2nd year. My son started out in Electrical Engineering but found it a bit too power system orientated. After 2nd year he was able to switch to Telecommications Engineering and is enjoying it much more as it teaches about routers, wireless networks and the internet. Things he can relate to in everyday life.

Many engineers move from pure engineering work into engineering management or business management and this is where the big bucks are. You still need your engineering expertise but you manage teams of specialists and manage the overall project rather than doing all the hands on stuff. That doesn't mean you don't do any engineering work - you just move to a higher layer of engineering.

As far as what is expected when you leave Uni - don't worry, employers know you're mainly had theoretical training and all they want is for you to be eager to learn, accept new challenges and act in a responsible manner. You'll normally be attached to a engineer who will show you what he does and let you do some activities under his supervision.

Good luck in getting the job you want (choose one with a future - for example don't do aeronautical engineering and plan to stay in Australia when most of these jobs are now being outsourced offshore).

JMO · 01-02-2008, 09:26 PM

I was able to choose my stream but only after 2 years of common subjects. I chose electrical because of the number of jobs available. What I should have done is chosen Network engineering because thats what i'm good at and enjoy but i was told by various people (lecturers included) that the job market is relatively small. Guys i know who chose the network strem are always telling me i should have done it because i can sometimes be of help with what they are doing, but i keep telling them (and myself) that the job market is better for electrical.

I always planned on moving up the ranks and eventually into project management. Can anyone tell me what other jobs an engineering degree can help you get other than working as an engineer/project manager?

ABoringUsername · 02-02-2008, 03:40 PM

I did telecommunications engineering, and i am doing power engineering stuff now. To most employers anything with electrical in it is pretty much the same.

I think engineering pretty much helps you get engineering jobs, unless you want to start as a trainee. The engineering skills could be used to argue to get you into all sorts of jobs though. Project management-y sort of stuff does give you a good leg up into management, especially with a few years experience.

donno · 02-02-2008, 06:38 PM

I just started my 1st real engineering job at the start of the year with WorleyParsons consultants in Mackay (as a matter of fact I'm currently sitting in my new empty apartment's lounge room on a camping chair with my work laptop). I'm on a 3 year grad program as an electrical engineer.

I didn't get spectacular results at uni, averaging a credit for the last 2 years. My major was computer systems, but I worked at Powerlink QLD during my final year, so I had some background knowledge, although it was pretty much limited to terms and concepts. One of my supervisors there put in a good word for me to a mate at the office I'm in now, and the rest is history.

Straight out they only expected me to know only basic theory, as they put it, its an apprentiship for engineers. The formal part of the recruitment process was only 30mins with a phone interview where they asked about my experience at powerlink, and just the general HR questions. A week later they flew my up from Brisbane, and I had an informal lunch with my supervisor and the engineering manager (both pretty laid back blokes, it wasn't tense at all), and my supervisor gave me a tour around town. Two days later, they made an informal offer. Not once did I have to answer a technical question. They were more interested in my personality, and how I'd fit into the workplace.

Yesterday I sent off my first report - a pre feasability load study for adding a new facility onto an existing feeder at a mine (basically, will this new load go on this power line without killing anything). When I started, I had no idea what I was doing. I had never heard of a load study, never used the software before (I'm sure most elec engs here know Power Tools quite well), nor did I have any knowledge of half the infrastructure employed at the mine. But through sheer persistance I made it through. I had a copy of another load study to use as a guide, completed a tutorial for the software, and if there were any items of plant I hadn't come across before, wikipedia lent a helping hand.

The research and self learning techniques that you practiced so much at uni will serve you well, and get you through until you get some experience, and just as important, confidence. The best piece of advice I can give is if you don't know how to do something properly - ask. Your supervisor is there to help you learn, not bite your head off. I've found they tend to warm to you better if you're constantly asking questions, because it shows you're learning, and making the effort to better yourself.

As far as renumeration goes, I started off on 67k package (incl 9% super). Consultants pay more as you do a 40h week (most places now seem to be 36h), and over time isn't that much of a reward, but I don't know of any other place where they'll charter a private plane just to get you out to site for a day.

Hope this helps.

Pursuit250 · 02-02-2008, 08:17 PM

The beauty of the engineering profession at the moment is that there is a shortage of us. This gives us some additional freedoms, i.e. if I'm working in a particular job and I'm getting bored, there is always another job up the road that will challenge me again. Additionally, job security is almost guaranteed. Once you are in the loop you'll find many opportunities being put in front of you. The toughest challenge is picking the right one for you.

I suggest you get your CV out there and attend a few intereviews to see what type of work is available. You won't find it that difficult to get a handful of interviews for positions within large, medium and small organsiations, government or corporate.

JMO · 03-02-2008, 11:05 AM

I've got a pass average (a couple of distinctions and a few fails) but mostly passes in the 50's. That's got to hurt the job prospects...

Powdered Toast Man · 03-02-2008, 01:30 PM

Yes and no. Some places don't pay that much attention to your grades, they look more at other aspects of your CV like experience or other knowledge etc.

I was the same as you, mainly passes in the 50s a few fails etc. I did pull my socks up a bit when I came back from my 12 months IBL (Industry Based Learning, fancy way of saying work experience) and came away with a credit average for 4th and 5th year. But overall it was still only a pass average.

Sure, you may not get into some of the big firms but you may be surprised also. With many of them it's a case of getting your foot in the door. I know a few guys who got graduate jobs at Holden and Ford because they did work experience there. Even a mate who did much worse than me (he was still repeating subjects when I graduated and I took an extra 6 months myself due to repeating failed subjects) was offered a position at Ford after he impressed them during work experience.

Just don't give up and keep applying. If you have to, look for back doors into places. I applied for a student 16hrs a week drafting position as a graduate. I am still there today over 5 years later, now full time as a head product designer and assitant production manager. It took a few years to gain full time employment, some of which was my doing because I had a second part time job with another engineering firm at the same time, but I eventually got there.

XR6Dan · 03-02-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Yes and no. Some places don't pay that much attention to your grades, they look more at other aspects of your CV like experience or other knowledge etc.

I'd agree with that - we look for attitude, what you do for kicks (going to the pub is good), hobbies and being able to communicate effectivley. It's about working within a team and the ability to pick things up quickly.

Padrino90 · 03-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airmon

Thanks guys, you may or may not have helped the thread starter but you've helped me out!!
I look forward to starting now. I'd love to work for Ford so I may have to put some extra hours in. It seems though that most of the people at this uni end up at BHP (sorry Bluescope), so that could be an option.

Just another quick Q. You guys say try not to specialize, how can you manage that if you've been accepted into a Mechanicals course? First year okay all well and good, its basic general engineering but after that (the next 3 years) how do you NOT specialize?

hey airmon, are you just about to start a mechatronic engineering course????if so me toooo.....cant wait to start....btw wat uni are u going to?

Padrino

Padrino90 · 03-02-2008, 05:27 PM

wow, this thread is fantastic for me....answered alot of q's!!!! keep it going...

chich · 03-02-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

I'm still working in 2D AutoCAD although we do have SolidWorks which has some basic FEA capability. I havent trained up much on it yet though, no training programs in house at my work, it's all do it in your own time

If you're after a more thorough FEA analysis you can save a 3D Solidworks file & import it into Abacus. Last time I did it I was using Abaqus CAE but i'm positive its possible to also import into normal Abaqus.

In terms of engineering courses & the workforce, I studied mechanical & ended up in the automotive field (project management) working for a global parts supplier. One of the things I personally enjoy about being on the 'Tier 1 supplier' side is that I work with all of the local car manufacturers & even some OS manufacturers. Working on the manufacturers side you only really get to deal with a handfull of organisations.

On the mechanical engineering side of things I've found that you quite easily 'specialise' in a certain field within a matter of years. As an example, friends that managed to find jobs in the air conditioning/consulting field would find it very difficult to now move into the automotive field and vice-versa.

My advise would be to have a good think about what field you'd most likely enjoy & focus on that. If unsure, try to find some work experience in a few fields & take it from there. At the end of the day however you'll most likely find that you'll accept the first job thats offered to you (provided it makes sense) & you'll work from there.

Powdered Toast Man · 03-02-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chich

On the mechanical engineering side of things I've found that you quite easily 'specialise' in a certain field within a matter of years. As an example, friends that managed to find jobs in the air conditioning/consulting field would find it very difficult to now move into the automotive field and vice-versa.

My advise would be to have a good think about what field you'd most likely enjoy & focus on that. If unsure, try to find some work experience in a few fields & take it from there. At the end of the day however you'll most likely find that you'll accept the first job thats offered to you (provided it makes sense) & you'll work from there.

Exactly. Well said.

And thanks for the FEA tip.

mcflux · 04-02-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMO

I've got a pass average (a couple of distinctions and a few fails) but mostly passes in the 50's. That's got to hurt the job prospects...

P's get Degrees!

Don't let the marks worry you too much, I've got a mate who is kind of doing his course back to front, he's in his final year now however he did all his 4th year engineering stuff (including both projects + work experience) last year. He's doing 1st year physics and environmental crap this year due to putting off repeating them for the last 3 years (so it'll be a frustrating year for him) & he's got a 4 year contract with one of the power stations in the valley.

There's another bloke I know who is the sh*ttest student ever, he's failed 2nd year geo at least 4 times through 2 different universities (he's failed it 3 times in a row doing it by DE, he's gotten away with the "3 strikes & you're out" policy by switching which uni he does the subject through - this year he's repeating it at another uni through DE I think) despite only doing 2 subjects a semester. And the exams were open book. He's STILL got full-time work because his boss can't find anyone else! Then again he keeps on picking up all the 1st year nursing/education students at uni nights so maybe he's on to something there... Fail classes, keep job, pick up 18yo flange on a weekly basis, repeat until 30. He started with me back in 2002 and I don't think he'll be finished until beyond 2010.