Career advice - Working in a County Council

Greengekko

Hi ive been offered a position as an engineer with a county council. Im just wondering is working in a county council?
I've been told my a number of people its boring & "soul destroying" where people just do as little as possible.

Preferably viewpoints from engineers.

Thanks

Dublinstiofán

It really comes down to you and your own preferences in my opinion, your idea of what the perfect engineering role is might be very different to what another persons may be. Weigh up the pros and cons and maybe answer the following questions yourself. Nobody will be able to help you make the decision without a bit more information your post is very vague.

• Are you currently working in the private sector and do you enjoy the work you do?
• Why did you go for an interview for a County Council if you think the work would be soul destroying?
• Who told you the work is soul destroying and have they ever worked in a CC?
• Do you have a family?
• What are the differences in salary?
• What discipline of engineering did you study?
• Which Council is it some are bigger than others and have more roles/departments?
• Does the location suit you?
• Does the department you have been offered interest you?
• Are you under 30 and could you consider an opportunity abroad?

Good luck with your decision

mickdw

Civil Engineer here who would jump into council now.
I'm self employed and the idea of guaranteed money for a lifetime with a nice pension has a lot going for it.
I think a lot of these jobs can be as good or bad as you make them.

Greengekko

Hi lads,

sorry for the vague question. Im 25 and just considering my future. I am working in private sector with 2 years experience and have a good idea of what it entails. Long hours to reach deadlines, pay is ok but doubt it will ever return to previous pay levels/no bonus and never sure where the next job location will be.

Ive heard from lectures / other engineers/foremen say it, but yes what your saying is true, one will never know if its for them if they havent tried it.

Im questioning if id be a fool to pass up a position where there would be set hours and a base. Its either take the position or go abroad for a year or two and upon returning hopeful that a position would come up again.
All thoughts welcome.

Turbohymac

Well I have worked directly below council engineers in my last job which I gave up on health grounds 2 years ago. I had worked for the council as a solo lone worker for 21 years and while I met a couple of very decent engineers .it seemed clear to me that the higher grade /rank of engineers actually only passed the book to the lower rank engineers who were actually the only ones at certain times to actually get anything done.
The higher paid seniors were all too busy with their after work second income jobs.. lecturing at colleges. Tuition . Etc and spent much of their council day preparing notes for their evening jobs .. absolutely soul destroying for any well intentioned junior engineer /employee to have to put up with. And all these individuals were all on over 120k and travel allowances etc.
I honestly think any engineer starting in with good intentions will be wasted when dealing with the stupidity that exists within our local authorities.
Thankfully I have jumped ship otherwise I was heading for a straight jacket. 21 years too many .
A person's wellbeing is more important than looking up that ladder with all the crap coming down .. I now find working for a private company much better and I can even switch off from work mode and employ a little work life balance

draycottgirlz

mickdw wrote: »

Civil Engineer here who would jump into council now.
I'm self employed and the idea of guaranteed money for a lifetime with a nice pension has a lot going for it.
I think a lot of these jobs can be as good or bad as you make them.

Worked in the public sector for just over 12 months...and yes it was soul destroying! But I got to experience and judge for myself.


My advice, if you are looking to move anyway and get offered the role take it, experience it for yourself and if it works out great if not it will look good on the cv and there are plenty of other roles about....

Best of luck in your decision

Dublinstiofán

If it was me in your position I’d go away for a few years, money is a lot better and the experience is valuable. I never worked abroad as an engineer but I visited Australia last year and couldn’t help but think (having been there) that I missed out on the experience of working abroad when others in my class went to Australia and New Zealand. A couple of other guys in my class who are early 30s now regularly talk about it as a missed opportunity. And of those who did go a lot of them have at least $100k in the bank for when they do come home.

One things for sure the County Council will be there when you get back and if you had the competencies to secure a role with two years experience you’ll be more than capable of securing a role in either the public or private sector at a higher level on your return, if you return!

Hard decision good luck making it!

Greengekko

all thoughts appreciated. Yeah working in oz was the thought except after applying for to many companies/agencies had no luck in getting a job lined up before i went. I know not being there may be a reason an employer wont even consider you but ive been reading about over supply of engineers and the 6month rule working with an employer so its hard to go over on nothing but hope haha.

august12

Greengekko wrote:

all thoughts appreciated. Yeah working in oz was the thought except after applying for to many companies/agencies had no luck in getting a job lined up before i went. I know not being there may be a reason an employer wont even consider you but ive been reading about over supply of engineers and the 6month rule working with an employer so its hard to go over on nothing but hope haha.

What about trying the co council role for a couple of years, apply for a career break, then travel abroad for a year or two, best of both worlds,

Greengekko

Thanks for all your thoughts.

I would like to head away but the visa 6 month rule is making me apprehensive that I may not secure a role. why would an employer hire someone when they know they will be gone a few months, when they could hire someone who has rights to work past the 6 months.

The council looks a lot more stable than private sector in terms of work life balance. In my short time ive seen a lot of individuals fed up of the long hours and travel jumping ship to another company or leaving this line of work.

thanks again people