Better use of an engineering degree - any advice?

onrail

Learning from another thread that earning €70k at 27 is 'normal'; I realise that I need to make a change in career.

Currently earning about €45k (although not based in Dublin) with 8 years experience in Civil engineering consultancy. I had a good leaving cert, with a particular talent (at the time!) for maths and physics.

Open to correction here, but it seems that there are loads of jobs out there that I would capable of doing had I simply veered down a different career path.

Finance and data analysis is an interest of sorts. I've toyed with the idea of studying accountancy part-time, the drawback being that I'd eventually (but temporarily) have to take up a very low paying graduate role to complete my 'exams'

IT seems lucrative, but the learning curve seems like it would be incredibly tough. I'm not afraid of a challenge, but it feels as if I'd be playing catch up until I'm 40.

So I'm at a real crossroads here. At a point in my life where i'm about to get married and possibly about to buy a house.

A post-grad might be a better investment than a mortgage by the sounds of things...?

OMM 0000

Are you happy in your job?

Is 45k good for where you live?

Is it enough money to live comfortably?

I don't think chasing money is a good enough reason if your answers to the above questions are positive.

daheff

70k at 27 is not a ‘normal’ salary.....not even for somebody with a degree.

Some areas pay better than most....might be better you trying an mba and moving up into senior mgmt than trying to drop to the bottom again

onrail

Are you happy in your job?

Not unhappy - indifferent if anything. It's not the greatest reflection on me, but my passion for the job has dropped significantly since I've started realising that the potential reward, even at senior management level, is poor. Probably says a lot!

Is 45k good for where you live?

Around the median I'd say

Is it enough money to live comfortably?

Really depends on your definition of comfortable. I've never felt like I'm 'struggling' but then again, children have yet to arrive! In the process of applying for a mortgage for a very average 3 bed semi

I don't think chasing money is a good enough reason if your answers to the above questions are positive.

You're right. Although I feel (whether rightly or wrongly) that reward would add a lot to job satisfaction and motivation.

L1011

70k at 27 requires specific software engineering talents or is sales/targets based in an unsustainable manner.

You are another victim of the STEM hype I'm afraid.

Outside Dublin, these salaries don't exist and within Dublin it is eaten up by housing costs, meaning you are no better off than you are currently.

Go to any country town. What employer is paying €70k to a 27 year old?

OldMrBrennan83

onrail wrote: »

Learning from another thread that earning €70k at 27 is 'normal'; I realise that I need to make a change in career.

Currently earning about €45k (although not based in Dublin) with 8 years experience in Civil engineering consultancy. I had a good leaving cert, with a particular talent (at the time!) for maths and physics.

Open to correction here, but it seems that there are loads of jobs out there that I would capable of doing had I simply veered down a different career path.

Finance and data analysis is an interest of sorts. I've toyed with the idea of studying accountancy part-time, the drawback being that I'd eventually (but temporarily) have to take up a very low paying graduate role to complete my 'exams'

IT seems lucrative, but the learning curve seems like it would be incredibly tough. I'm not afraid of a challenge, but it feels as if I'd be playing catch up until I'm 40.

So I'm at a real crossroads here. At a point in my life where i'm about to get married and possibly about to buy a house.

A post-grad might be a better investment than a mortgage by the sounds of things...?

That whole thread just ended up as a big dick swinging contest, I'd take most figures people tell you with a pinch of salt. Determine first if you're happy where you are and how you're living. Would you want to live in Dublin?

listermint

Jesus op. Don't be chasing that Dragan. There's nothing worse than pinning after other people's money.

If you like your job. You live comfortably and your family are happy then don't be worrying about what some other profession is earning.

Plenty of worn out people paying high rents with no expendable money earning 70 k plus in Dublin. That's nothing to lust after.

mycro2013

Have you tried any of institutions of technology for vacancies on the lecturing side of things. Full time lecturers would be achieving circa 60k.

rob w

mycro2013 wrote: »

Have you tried any of institutions of technology for vacancies on the lecturing side of things. Full time lecturers would be achieving circa 60k.

You'll be waiting a long time to get it......the scale is nowhere near it walking in the door.

helimachoptor

L1011 wrote: »

70k at 27 requires specific software engineering talents or is sales/targets based in an unsustainable manner.

Yeah agree, B2B SaaS sales is all the rage and I know people (and companies) who are paying a base range of €30-50K + that again in OTE and then the free meals etc.

Great packages, but the turnover at these places after a couple of years is pretty high, when the times are good they're great, but when you arent hitting your target for a couple of quarters you feel that anvil get closer every day.

Data Analytics Ninja/guru/Scientist blah blah is also another buzz word, it pays well dont get me wrong.
But the idea is not to be a number cruncher *gets corporate hat on" but get actionable outcomes out of your data and tell people what to deliver so that the business improves.

With this explosion companies have cottoned on to the fact you can sell a piece of software that reduces the need for all these guys.

onrail

listermint wrote: »

If you like your job...

Ach I think that's the crux of it. Outside the financial side of things, I don't despise my job, but neither do I particularly enjoy it. Not enough to justify a low-ish salary. There's probably an element of 'the grass is always greener...etc etc too."

The only thing for me to do is get off my arse any try something new - if not I'll be 'pining' away on boards for the next 30 years!

The decision to be made really, is what direction I go in........!