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Engineering Advice

  • 07-01-2009 9:32pm
    #1
    BuachaillAbroad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41 ✭


    Hi

    Looking for some advice on changing career.

    I currently work abroad with a big multinational (about 18 months) after finishing a Mech Eng degree. Work is tough but is interesting & I enjoy most of what I do, but...

    I really enjoy hands-on work (welding, assembly, basically getting your hands dirty) as my Da is a mechanic & have worked at that stuff for years: I work mostly in the office which I don't enjoy

    I am considering returning to Ireland in 18 months to get the certs in welding etc.

    Anyone ever done something similar?
    Did you find it helped?

    Thanks,
    BuachaillAbroad


Comments

  • #2
    doolox
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,350 ✭✭✭doolox


    I am 30 years an electronics Tech. Didn't have the mental horsepower to tackle honour maths at school so couldn't take on an honours Eng degree.
    Those Engineers who I worked with broke down into two broad categories:-
    1. Those who did 4 year Eng courses in one of Universities with little practical background but had honours Maths and the academic backing to get promoted, mostly working in offices and getting other people to do the physical work and report back to them.
    2 Those who worked their way up through the RTC/IT system in Ireland, went into Industry for a while, then went back to Uni to top up to honours level. These were not comfortable working in an office, were more inclined to do at least some of the physical work themselves, realising that there is no substitute for direct, expert observation and were better rounded engineers as a result.
    While category 1 were less inclined to give credit for work done by the techs in helping them in their work category 2 were more likely to share credit for work done in assisting them by the techs and were easier to get on with.
    I'd say by all means go for the skills courses if time and money permit. They will reinforce the theory and round you out. You probably have hobbies related to mechanics already. This can be a great help in a career building up skills which a company may feel reluctant to build up in you.
    I'd say go where your heart is and if you like some field of work you will be good at it and able to compete effectively in it. If this happens the money will come, as they say, to he who builds the better mousetrap............


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