Engineering why bother - Career Change thoughts
Discussion
I have been reading a number of news items over the past few months discussing a shortage of qualified engineers in the UK. With the government wanting to get more people in Engineering.
I am an Chartered Engineer (CEng with the ICE), and i am not able to find a job in the with a decent income. There are jobs but the salary is so low it is an insult to many of us who are qualified. I have been offered jobs in the UK with a salary around 26k, which many would consider to be a reasonable wage.
Problem 1.
But when this is compared to a friend of the family who is married, works part time, 2 kids, in a council house. earns the minimum he needs to 7k and is supplemented with 24k benefits. So a 31k income more time with family, no work stress and plenty of surplus income to have weekends away at theme parks, and European beach holiday every year.
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
I am working overseas and happy with my income, but the short term cash injection is not a long term reality. We (Wife and I) are using it to pay back our mortgage as quickly as possible, while we have the chance. The news articles got me thinking what are the prospects of getting a job back home in the future. The options are very slim, and i am thinking of a career change into Financial Model development. My day job involves me undertaking day to day database admin of a large GeoDatabase in SQL, with data feed from multiple live data streams, with a lot of mathematical modelling.
A few friends at home have said to get into financial modelling or start at the bottom and be a junior quant developer. I have spoken to a few recruitment agents, but they are unable to offer any assistance as i do not have a finance back ground or a PhD in Maths. I have a MEng and a MSc both in engineering, I am finding it difficult breaking in at the lower levels. It must be possible for a engineer to break into the field at a lower level.
Apologies for the spelling and grammar, its late over here and its a bit of a brain dump
I am an Chartered Engineer (CEng with the ICE), and i am not able to find a job in the with a decent income. There are jobs but the salary is so low it is an insult to many of us who are qualified. I have been offered jobs in the UK with a salary around 26k, which many would consider to be a reasonable wage.
Problem 1.
But when this is compared to a friend of the family who is married, works part time, 2 kids, in a council house. earns the minimum he needs to 7k and is supplemented with 24k benefits. So a 31k income more time with family, no work stress and plenty of surplus income to have weekends away at theme parks, and European beach holiday every year.
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
I am working overseas and happy with my income, but the short term cash injection is not a long term reality. We (Wife and I) are using it to pay back our mortgage as quickly as possible, while we have the chance. The news articles got me thinking what are the prospects of getting a job back home in the future. The options are very slim, and i am thinking of a career change into Financial Model development. My day job involves me undertaking day to day database admin of a large GeoDatabase in SQL, with data feed from multiple live data streams, with a lot of mathematical modelling.
A few friends at home have said to get into financial modelling or start at the bottom and be a junior quant developer. I have spoken to a few recruitment agents, but they are unable to offer any assistance as i do not have a finance back ground or a PhD in Maths. I have a MEng and a MSc both in engineering, I am finding it difficult breaking in at the lower levels. It must be possible for a engineer to break into the field at a lower level.
Apologies for the spelling and grammar, its late over here and its a bit of a brain dump
I can't imagine what recruitment people you're talking to who would say a phd in maths is any sort of requirement for engineering. I've never asked for it, thought of asking for it or seen it asked for. What part of the country do you want to work in?
I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
otherman said:
I can't imagine what recruitment people you're talking to who would say a phd in maths is any sort of requirement for engineering. I've never asked for it, thought of asking for it or seen it asked for. What part of the country do you want to work in?
I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
Linked in to what?I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
otherman said:
I can't imagine what recruitment people you're talking to who would say a phd in maths is any sort of requirement for engineering. I've never asked for it, thought of asking for it or seen it asked for. What part of the country do you want to work in?
I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
Hi, I was told a PhD was required to go into Financial Quant Development not engineering.I am also CEng, MICE and I'm not having the problems you talk of. I've moved jobs a couple of times in the last 5 years - these days the key to finding a job is networking, not applying for advertised posts. Are you fully linkedin?
I am on Linkedin and networking was the way i got my current job, but i am living away from my family and only back in the UK 4 weeks a year. As i said the salary is great, but its not a long term realistic option.
Edited by ThePlanner on Monday 8th July 19:27
Where are you working at present and how long have you been away? I'm in construction and when I moved back frm the Middle East found it very difficult to find work. Once you do though it gets easier.
Are there no higher positions (partner / associate) you could go for? I do find there are a lot of foreign workers at a normal Engineer level. Senior roles seem to be filled by British engineers.
Are there no higher positions (partner / associate) you could go for? I do find there are a lot of foreign workers at a normal Engineer level. Senior roles seem to be filled by British engineers.
CRB14 said:
Where are you working at present and how long have you been away? I'm in construction and when I moved back frm the Middle East found it very difficult to find work. Once you do though it gets easier.
Are there no higher positions (partner / associate) you could go for? I do find there are a lot of foreign workers at a normal Engineer level. Senior roles seem to be filled by British engineers.
I have been in and out of Dubai/Qatar for 2.5 years but the last 1yr full time. I was previously badged as an associate at my last firm, in reality it was Principal Engineer level. I am now working as a Lead Specialist Engineer to a Federal Government agency as a direct hire. Are there no higher positions (partner / associate) you could go for? I do find there are a lot of foreign workers at a normal Engineer level. Senior roles seem to be filled by British engineers.
ThePlanner said:
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
Can you explain how you and other workers were 'forced out' to make way for cheaper replacements?Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
Olivera said:
ThePlanner said:
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
Can you explain how you and other workers were 'forced out' to make way for cheaper replacements?Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
ThePlanner said:
I will not go into specifics on a open forum as the issue was settled out of court with a no disclosure clause for the 8 of us that lost our jobs.
Fair enough.If you have learned the ropes at SQL then an obvious avenue would be software development. Getting an initial role may be a challenge, but with some determination and studious learning it should be possible to make a new career.
I don't know where in the UK you are looking to work, but if it's SE, send me your CV & I'll pass to our civil/structural chief. Depending on your experience, money shouldn't be a problem.
Yes we bring in engineers from India & Phillipines also, but not to drive oosts down but fill the skill gaps.
Yes we bring in engineers from India & Phillipines also, but not to drive oosts down but fill the skill gaps.
doogz said:
http://www.matchtech.com/
I can't see how you're struggling to find a well paid job as a chartered engineer, and £26k is a bit ridiculous.
My skill set does not meet with there requirements. I mainly deal with big public sector infrastructure projects. At the moment i can carry on working in the Middle East, but i do not want to stay here permanently.I can't see how you're struggling to find a well paid job as a chartered engineer, and £26k is a bit ridiculous.
I have tried getting into Drilling Modelling with Shell and BP but so far not that easy.
DJRC said:
You have SQL experience?
Well thats an easy 100 grand job in Chuffs or Euros in Switzerland or Germany.
7+ Yrs of SQL Experience, Some Java and C but not touched that for a while. The platform i am currently working with has its own proprietary script language.Well thats an easy 100 grand job in Chuffs or Euros in Switzerland or Germany.
Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 12th July 20:01
k about the details, you are expected to blag those anyway.ThePlanner said:
I have been reading a number of news items over the past few months discussing a shortage of qualified engineers in the UK. With the government wanting to get more people in Engineering.
I am an Chartered Engineer (CEng with the ICE), and i am not able to find a job in the with a decent income. There are jobs but the salary is so low it is an insult to many of us who are qualified. I have been offered jobs in the UK with a salary around 26k, which many would consider to be a reasonable wage.
Problem 1.
But when this is compared to a friend of the family who is married, works part time, 2 kids, in a council house. earns the minimum he needs to 7k and is supplemented with 24k benefits. So a 31k income more time with family, no work stress and plenty of surplus income to have weekends away at theme parks, and European beach holiday every year.
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
I am working overseas and happy with my income, but the short term cash injection is not a long term reality. We (Wife and I) are using it to pay back our mortgage as quickly as possible, while we have the chance. The news articles got me thinking what are the prospects of getting a job back home in the future. The options are very slim, and i am thinking of a career change into Financial Model development. My day job involves me undertaking day to day database admin of a large GeoDatabase in SQL, with data feed from multiple live data streams, with a lot of mathematical modelling.
A few friends at home have said to get into financial modelling or start at the bottom and be a junior quant developer. I have spoken to a few recruitment agents, but they are unable to offer any assistance as i do not have a finance back ground or a PhD in Maths. I have a MEng and a MSc both in engineering, I am finding it difficult breaking in at the lower levels. It must be possible for a engineer to break into the field at a lower level.
Apologies for the spelling and grammar, its late over here and its a bit of a brain dump
Coincidentally I typed into google 'career change pistonheads' and found this thread. As a civil engineer myself (not chartered [nor have I the inclination to invest any more time and energy into the field]) I can relate to the paltry remuneration for the mental and physical stress this career can impart on oneself. I am an Chartered Engineer (CEng with the ICE), and i am not able to find a job in the with a decent income. There are jobs but the salary is so low it is an insult to many of us who are qualified. I have been offered jobs in the UK with a salary around 26k, which many would consider to be a reasonable wage.
Problem 1.
But when this is compared to a friend of the family who is married, works part time, 2 kids, in a council house. earns the minimum he needs to 7k and is supplemented with 24k benefits. So a 31k income more time with family, no work stress and plenty of surplus income to have weekends away at theme parks, and European beach holiday every year.
Problem 2.
Foreign Nationals granted work VISAs by the government for engineering. Foreign national willing to take a lower salary, and UK/British Engineers are being forced out of there jobs. I was made redundant this way as i was previously earning 48k but the new guy accepted an offer of 32k and i was forced out. Many of the people in my team have been forced out with the average salary for my old department falling from 40k to 28k in 9 months.
I am working overseas and happy with my income, but the short term cash injection is not a long term reality. We (Wife and I) are using it to pay back our mortgage as quickly as possible, while we have the chance. The news articles got me thinking what are the prospects of getting a job back home in the future. The options are very slim, and i am thinking of a career change into Financial Model development. My day job involves me undertaking day to day database admin of a large GeoDatabase in SQL, with data feed from multiple live data streams, with a lot of mathematical modelling.
A few friends at home have said to get into financial modelling or start at the bottom and be a junior quant developer. I have spoken to a few recruitment agents, but they are unable to offer any assistance as i do not have a finance back ground or a PhD in Maths. I have a MEng and a MSc both in engineering, I am finding it difficult breaking in at the lower levels. It must be possible for a engineer to break into the field at a lower level.
Apologies for the spelling and grammar, its late over here and its a bit of a brain dump
That in mind I wondered if OP could update the thread with their current situation? It seems you are still based in the UAE so I assume you are still a practising CE.
PS - For the benefit of any kids that read this - stay the hell away from CE'ing.
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