Engineering. Escaping from procedures, paperwork, reviews...
Discussion
Mid-way (hopefully) through working life.
I have worked in engineering (in a handful of companies, small and large) since leaving university in late 90s.
I knew I wasn't really cut out for it, but followed the engineering path that I set out on, because that's what you do when you are a male who is good at maths and science and enjoy tinkering.
I have spent far too much of my working time clock-watching.
"good" engineers in my experience (of the modern day) are those who can sit and work through endless minor detail and writing, checking, reviewing(ad nauseum) the most boring of documentation for weeks at a time. Bureaucracy and regulations rule.
Such work suits and attracts people who sit towards the OCD and autistic end of the spectrum.
As somebody who prefers being active, likes to fly by the seat of his pants and feeling a sense of achievement from results rather than just the process (and struggles to maintain focus on things that are of no interest) the whole thing is extremely frustrating.
I do stand out in engineering as a well-rounded individual, someone who can understand things/people quickly and a good communicator (I am able to talk a good game, thankfully). I am approachable and I am good at explaining things and guiding people.
The downside is that I am not the most.organised or structured in my approach.
Myers-briggs suggests ISTP (or ESTP -I'm right in the middle for the introvert/Extrovert. A quiet extrovert or a talkative introvert?) , which is very close to describing me well. I have many of the traits of Adult ADD (if it exists).
I am desperate to find work that interests me and I find satisfying, without the need for sitting at a desk all day every day, other than when I go for meetings, looking through or writing/re-writing reports, work flows, detailed design, procedures etc. etc.
I did consider teaching a few years ago, but the pay would be a big drop. I was also told at the college interview that although I had very good technical knowledge and answered the questions (and debated and gave a good sample lesson) very well, I would probably be frustrated by the bureaucracy and ever-changing government guidance.
Ideas would be welcomed.
I have worked in engineering (in a handful of companies, small and large) since leaving university in late 90s.
I knew I wasn't really cut out for it, but followed the engineering path that I set out on, because that's what you do when you are a male who is good at maths and science and enjoy tinkering.
I have spent far too much of my working time clock-watching.
"good" engineers in my experience (of the modern day) are those who can sit and work through endless minor detail and writing, checking, reviewing(ad nauseum) the most boring of documentation for weeks at a time. Bureaucracy and regulations rule.
Such work suits and attracts people who sit towards the OCD and autistic end of the spectrum.
As somebody who prefers being active, likes to fly by the seat of his pants and feeling a sense of achievement from results rather than just the process (and struggles to maintain focus on things that are of no interest) the whole thing is extremely frustrating.
I do stand out in engineering as a well-rounded individual, someone who can understand things/people quickly and a good communicator (I am able to talk a good game, thankfully). I am approachable and I am good at explaining things and guiding people.
The downside is that I am not the most.organised or structured in my approach.
Myers-briggs suggests ISTP (or ESTP -I'm right in the middle for the introvert/Extrovert. A quiet extrovert or a talkative introvert?) , which is very close to describing me well. I have many of the traits of Adult ADD (if it exists).
I am desperate to find work that interests me and I find satisfying, without the need for sitting at a desk all day every day, other than when I go for meetings, looking through or writing/re-writing reports, work flows, detailed design, procedures etc. etc.
I did consider teaching a few years ago, but the pay would be a big drop. I was also told at the college interview that although I had very good technical knowledge and answered the questions (and debated and gave a good sample lesson) very well, I would probably be frustrated by the bureaucracy and ever-changing government guidance.
Ideas would be welcomed.
Edited by Woodrow Wilson on Monday 18th December 21:28
It's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
It does seem as if the modern world of work, with endless rules, regulations, design by committee and risk-averse-arse-covering-in-case-of-legal-action is set up for people who tend towards the OCD and autistic end of the personality spectrum who don't mind knowingly abortive work.
It is a long time ago now, but my Dad says that he enjoyed working in engineering in aerospace from the 60s until the early 90s. He says that engineering doesn't sound as much nowadays.
Thanks for the suggestions too. Keep them coming.
It does seem as if the modern world of work, with endless rules, regulations, design by committee and risk-averse-arse-covering-in-case-of-legal-action is set up for people who tend towards the OCD and autistic end of the personality spectrum who don't mind knowingly abortive work.
It is a long time ago now, but my Dad says that he enjoyed working in engineering in aerospace from the 60s until the early 90s. He says that engineering doesn't sound as much nowadays.
Thanks for the suggestions too. Keep them coming.
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