Some help needed

dan_d · 30-05-2011 04:32PM #1

Some suggestions needed....

As some of you here know, I'm a civil engineer and unemployed (who isn't these days?!).

Quite honestly, I've reached a wall. I've got 5 years of experience behind me and I've been unemployed a year. I have no more ideas. I cannot think of any other way to widen my job search. I'm using recruitment sites, LinkedIn, newspapers, general networking and company sites. My CV has been done, ditto for cover letters.I'm casting a wide net - any job, anywhere, not just engineering jobs. My only criteria is that it will bring in enough money to pay my bills (about 23k a year, absolute minimum) and that it's around Dublin - by that, read Dublin/Wicklow/Kildare/Louth/Meath/Westmeath - and that it (preferably) isn't site work if it is an engineering job.

I obviously have to widen my qualifications, so I'm thinking of doing something financial. But as we have a mortgage I'm not sure how to work it. Also we are getting married later this year and have to stay put until then.

I'm posting here because I'm looking for suggestions. Throw them at me, anything. Usually, I'm one for having a back up plan...or 2 or 3. At this stage, I've got nothing. What do people think? Is there any point in doing a financial Masters? Should I do an engineering one? I do actually like engineering and I've never wanted to do anything else (incl. in school) so I just don't know about randomly taking on a completely unrelated Masters. Is there anything I can do to widen my job search further? Should I just hang on for the wedding and then get out of here, and if I do, will we ever be able to come back? How on earth can I make money for the near future?

I'm asking because I've turned this around in my head millions of times (a day!!) and I'm just seeing walls everywhere with no way out. Obviously family and friends have their opinions, but I need some new perspective on this. At the end of the day, we will make this decision for us, but I'd like some outside views on what other people think, because you might see something that I can't.

(And the reason I'm posting this here is because I'd like the ideas of those in my industry, who know what it's like and how the qualifications might transfer)

Thanks y'all.

breadmonkey · 30-05-2011 05:18PM

Dan_d I've seen a lot of your posts in different forums and I really do sympathise with your situation. I think you should put the wedding on hold and use the money to emigrate. You don't need me to tell you that things aren't looking up for Ireland any time soon.

dan_d · 30-05-2011 05:31PM

Thanks. I won't go into detail, but we are not the source of the wedding money ourselves.If we were, it would be put on hold. We've set a date as soon as we can partly because we feel that getting Visas for both of us (for say, Canada) would be easier if we're married.As far as we know. I know there are people out there a lot worse off than me, and I probably sound like I do a lot of complaining (Which I do around here on Boards, because there's nowhere else that I can vent a bit). But practically speaking, I'm not in a great position, and I could do with some input from a few outsiders.

tramoreman · 30-05-2011 10:59PM

you might be better off going to australia canada is supposed to be expensive place to live

godtabh · 31-05-2011 10:04AM

breadmonkey wrote: »

Dan_d I've seen a lot of your posts in different forums and I really do sympathise with your situation. I think you should put the wedding on hold and use the money to emigrate. You don't need me to tell you that things aren't looking up for Ireland any time soon.

Personally speaking I think this is terrible advice.

For some one who was in the same place as Dan_d (on a 3 day week and about to be let go at the end of 09 start of 10 and getting married in july)12 months ago but not as bad I searched for 6 months for something. I eventually found something in a learning and development type role that my engineering experienced helped.

There are jobs out there. If I can transition and find something you can to

Dan_d are you chartered?

Turbulent Bill · 31-05-2011 10:08AM

Dan, have you considered setting up your own business? With your experience you might have come across a niche you could fill. This wouldn't pay at the start, needs huge effort etc. but if the dole allows it it's better than sitting at home. As a side effect you'd have more interactions with industry, easier to spot jobs when they (eventually) come up etc.

I'd be wary of doing a masters without a clear picture of what you want from it (apart from a job!). I can also see lots of unemployed bank workers (let go as the banks consolidate) trying to upskill, so financial masters courses could be flooded.

Sorry I don't have better news. The one thing that's clear is that you need a new strategy because the old one (and you) are exhausted. Best of luck!

dan_d · 31-05-2011 10:51AM

godtabh wrote: »

Personally speaking I think this is terrible advice.

For some one who was in the same place as Dan_d (on a 3 day week and about to be let go at the end of 09 start of 10 and getting married in july)12 months ago but not as bad I searched for 6 months for something. I eventually found something in a learning and development type role that my engineering experienced helped.

There are jobs out there. If I can transition and find something you can to

Dan_d are you chartered?

No I'm hoping to go for the next round of interviews - as in, around Sept.

I'd love to set up my own business, haven't a notion in what though!!! Should add that my experience is site-based. It's good, I will say...I've been on some major projects....but I don't think I've enough experience to set up a consulting business.

Thanks for your comments so far!

godtabh · 31-05-2011 11:03AM

look at partners.

I've being toying with the idea for a while and I have something I want to try out after I get married. Dont have the time to put into it now but hopefully I'll be on here in a couple of months with the idea.

Just to add if you are going abroad its best that you are chartered. Much easier to get work.

The whole process is relatively easy if you prepare.

dan_d · 31-05-2011 02:34PM

Yeah, had the conversation with a friend earlier today - he wants out of his company, and there's a couple of others who feel they're going nowhere where they are too. Must talk to them about. I'm lining up to do the PMP exam too in the next month or so - one more thing to add to the CV.

Failing that, if I haven't left in a couple of months and you need someone, give me a shout (might as well network as much as possible;)! Isn't that what you're supposed to do?!)

Offy · 01-06-2011 09:08AM

http://www.irishjobs.ie/Jobs/Civil-Engineers-X2-6528027.aspx?utm_source=JobAlert&utm_medium=clicks&utm_campaign=Job+Alerts

Description

Bord na Móna is Ireland's leading environmentally responsible integrated utility service provider encompassing electricity, heating, resource recovery, water, growing media, environmental solutions and related services. In defining our 'New Contract with Nature', Bord na Móna is committed to continued growth through superior customer service, outstanding quality and innovation delivered through the excellence and commitment of our people. Bord na Móna plc wishes to recruit two Civil Engineers who will be based at Boora, Leabeg, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. The Civil Engineers will report to the Head of Civil Engineering. These people will be key members of a team which will provide professional Civil Engineering services to the Bord na Móna group of companies.

The Role:
This role will include the following key activities:

Support the Civil Engineering Managers in the delivery of professional civil engineering services to business units to meet their specific requirements.
Deliver effective, timely and cost effective engineering input to assigned projects.
Liaise with relevant stakeholders in project implementation including – Operations Management, Health & Safety Department, Mechanical, Electrical and Environmental Engineers and external civil engineering service providers.
Prepare civil engineering designs. Develop and manage project budgets and schedules.
Prepare planning applications, tender and contract documentation including specifications, bills of quantities and drawings.
Complete tender assessments, participate in contract negotiations and in contractor selection.
Supervise project sites and manage contractors. Carryout baseline surveys and check setting out. Ensure works are carried out in accordance with contract documentation and record work in progress. Assess interim and final accounts.
Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and Construction Regulations and Construction Quality Assurance.
Prepare monthly reports including progress reports, specified engineering works, construction quality assurance reports, validation reports, drainage and flooding reports.
Ensure that the agreed projects within area of responsibility are effectively scoped, designed, constructed and commissioned.

The Candidate:

Level 8 Honours Civil Engineering Degree.
Minimum 5 years civil engineering experience.
Strong project management skills are required.
Excellent attention to detail and good communication skills are essential.

The selection process for this role will include candidate screening from application.

david4791 · 01-06-2011 11:03AM

Hello Dan D,
I work as a Civil Engineer with 13 years post Grad experience, Im fortunate as I have been working on a large civil project since Feb 2008, however the project will be completed in August 2011. After August I have nothing on the horizon, for the first time in my life I dont have a contract to move onto. Im married with two kids under 3 with a HEFTY mortgage. I not writing here to talk about myself, just a background on what Im considering which may help you on jobs out there.

I recently attended a seminar at the IEI HQ in D4 on Information Communication Technology in Ireland. Ireland as your aware is the Euro HQ for all the big fish in the IT and ICT industry (DELL/MICROSOFT/INTEL/FACEBOOK/GOOGLE et al). To cut to the chase, there is a major shortage in IT personnel from IT project managers to software engineers, they just cannot get the people in Ireland. Im told the money is very good too.

"Springboard" (see www.bluebrick.ie) was re-launched last Wednesday which aims to get persons qualified in areas where there is demand now and into the future. The courses are certificate level to level 9, and all Government funded for persons on the social for min 6 months.Another course which sounds very interesting is now in its second year in UCD. The course is a level 9 Msc in Computer Science, for persons from a non computing background. The course is 15 months intensive and government aided too (costs 2750E) and you dont have to be on social for 6 months. The computer courses are a good transition for Engineers as we have the maths and analytical knowledge to make the transfer easier than most professions.

I was considering this course in September 2011 (if I'm accepted) as I would like to work and stay in Eire rather than going overseas to work in Civils. Have a look at the course as it looks very attractive, after 12 months you then get to choose from a large suite of modules to specialise in the final stage of the course, the modules range from cloud computing to IT project mgmt. The course ref is FTT 195. If you want to PM please do.

dan_d · 01-06-2011 11:15AM

Bit of a commute, but I'd manage.
Thanks Offy, much appreciated.
Also David, I'll look into that properly. Again, thanks a million. Appreciate everyone's inputs, it's a rubbish situation and I know there are a lot of people out there finding it the same.

breadmonkey · 01-06-2011 11:46PM

godtabh wrote: »

Personally speaking I think this is terrible advice.

For some one who was in the same place as Dan_d (on a 3 day week and about to be let go at the end of 09 start of 10 and getting married in july)12 months ago but not as bad I searched for 6 months for something. I eventually found something in a learning and development type role that my engineering experienced helped.

There are jobs out there. If I can transition and find something you can to

Dan_d are you chartered?

Well here's where I see a problem. Being able to "transition" is all well and good but in the current climate, this transitioning is likely to be dictated by desperation for work rather than a true desire to follow an alternative career path. Where will this leave you in 5/10 years time?

dan_d · 02-06-2011 08:23AM

This worries me too breadmonkey, but seriously, what else can I do?

Realistically, if we leave to Canada or wherever, we won't come back. We'll be working as engineers there, and there won't be any recovery here, especially not in engineering, for years. There's a number of personal factors for us (I'm not going into the details here) that makes that extremely unattractive. A few years is one thing - the next 10 or 15 years is a completely different thing. Now I'm not ruling out emigration - I'm just saying it's a last resort. So I (and others) need to figure out a transition. I'm only too well aware that I am qualified in the one thing that I always wanted to do, so finding something else is a case of figuring out what else I have an interest in, while knowing it won't be of as much interest to me as engineering is.

I don't really know where that leaves me (or anyone else) in 5/10 years time!

breadmonkey · 02-06-2011 11:02AM

I agree with what you're saying and when I talk about emigration I do mean for possibly 10 years or more. That's what I'm facing, albeit without any children to worry about (which obviously makes your situation significantly more complicated). Would you consider moving to the UK? - it's not Australia or Canada but prospects are certainly a bit brighter than Ireland. It has the obvious major benefit of only being a short flight/boat from Ireland.

dan_d · 02-06-2011 11:23AM

Where'd I say we have children??:eek: We certainly don't!

To be honest, we'd prefer mainland Europe - again, personal reasons, more than anything else - over the UK, but needs must....we both like the idea of living abroad for a couple of years anyway, but as you say, 10 years +, we're not that mad on. Mostly due to aging parents, among other things.

Have to keep on fighting I suppose, and look at the whole situation again after the wedding.

david4791 · 02-06-2011 11:23AM

Hi Breadmonkey, we have discussed the options and yes UK id 1st on job list then N America followed by OZ/NZ last pref. The UK is very accessible but jobs not too plentiful though.

breadmonkey · 02-06-2011 11:53AM

dan_d wrote: »

Where'd I say we have children??:eek: We certainly don't!

To be honest, we'd prefer mainland Europe - again, personal reasons, more than anything else - over the UK, but needs must....we both like the idea of living abroad for a couple of years anyway, but as you say, 10 years +, we're not that mad on. Mostly due to aging parents, among other things.

Have to keep on fighting I suppose, and look at the whole situation again after the wedding.

Haha, sorry I thought you said before that you had kids, my bad! What about the Netherlands? I believe it's doing quite well and you wouldn't be restricted by language requirements.

david4791 wrote: »

Hi Breadmonkey, we have discussed the options and yes UK id 1st on job list then N America followed by OZ/NZ last pref. The UK is very accessible but jobs not too plentiful though.

There aren't many jobs all right but there are some which is a decent start.

dan_d · 02-06-2011 12:04PM

Yes I've looked there - they seem to have a strong wind and renewable energy industry. It's a question of finding the right job, one just hasn't come up yet. But I'm looking there alright.

There are a lot of options out there, but they all involve sitting and waiting some more, really. Unfortunately as funds run low, that's not a great option!

Some help needed

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