Time for change

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speedystevie

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Long Island, NY
I am at a cross road in my carrier right now, self inflicted. I have been running my business successfully for 3 years now, I have about 10 years in the electrical field and 3 years as a licensed master electrician. The issue is that I find myself bored with my work. I am very good at what I do but I have hit a brick wall as far as learning and having to utilize my brain goes. I have found myself seeking a further advanced field of work. So I have decides to look into electrical engineering as a future career and seek information and or advice from people who have been through the same type of situation. Academically my degrees are in computer science, and I have worked in NYC on wall street as a network engineer so I do understand and enjoy the "big business" world and find myself most suited in the corporate environment.

I have always been a "go-get-err" and very motivated to learn new things. In my head I think toured my business as if I've been there and done that and its time for more of a challenge.

Any advice on training or how to make the transition to engineering?

I have always enjoyed and cherished this forum and have looked to it as a circle of friends, so now I am seeking the same input as I have received in the past.

Best, Steve
 
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Steve:

Not sure how many employees you have, but what I did was hire someone to run the men and take over the basic day to day operations. I am an electrician, but I work as a consultant, I solve problems others think they can't. My primary customers are engineering firms, electrical contractors and commercial customers.

Luckily I live in an area that can support this; I am MORE THAN SURE NYC needs this type of service.

If I run into a problem I know nothing about I hit the books, and if necessary rent or purchase the necessary test equipment.

For me this is stimulating, intriguing and keeps me busy, while my company still runs and provides income.
 
Easier said than done

Easier said than done

Good for You,
I am glad that you decided to go for the gold. I personally started by getting a EE degree. Then, when I found out that age is a problem when you are trying to get hired, I decided, under pressure from student loans, to start the electrician apprenticeship. I am almost at the end of the apprenticeship and I see many opportunities in the future.
I am now qualified to do things that electricians can normally not do such as designing control and/or instrumentation circuits, and this is where I plan to make my mark. I plan to start a business that fills the gap between the electrician and the engineer. Having a degree opens doors that would normally be closed.
I am planning to stay in the technical side of things, but in my class, the classmate that was hired at the highest rate ($75000 to start, in 2001), was a former, experienced electrician and this is where you will be able to excel. Your experience as an electrician, combined with the ability to design will give you a sharp edge among other engineers. The world is different when you can "touch" the electricity. Most engineers can only imagine what it is like to do it.
As far as actually switching careers, it only takes the willingness to pay the price, that is, to give up television, computer games, or any other form of time off until you graduate. Also, the cost of student loans is high unless you have a lot of cash saved up. The main thing is to get permission from your wife and children. Explain to them that this is one of the hardest things that they will have to contend with in their lifetimes but that the rewards are worth it. During the time you are in school, you will hardly have time to talk to your wife, so be prepared. It is not easy but you and your wife can do it.
Good Luck
 
On the other hand

On the other hand

On the other hand, if you already have a BSCS, why would you want to go into engineering? If your final goal is management, then all you need to do is talk to people that know you and get them to give you a push. Talking is how things get done in the corporate/management world. You need to talk to people and you need to know people. You could also start sending resumes but that does not (in my experience) work very well. If you want to go back to school, then a masters in computer science will be worth more than a bachelors in engineering and it will count more toward a management position.
 
You are not that unusual. That old saying about doing what you love will keep you from working a single day of your life is true. As noted above, there is a lot of area between electricians and engineers that neither can fill adequately from the single experience each have in thier own field.
Look at the EE but and also take a strong look at energy management and biomedical. There is a lot of crossover expertise needed in both.
The main thing is find something that excites you and keeps you passionate.
 
degree chioce

degree chioce

I am also one of those that started out as a sparky and decided to get a degree. After working as a JW for 3 years I went back to get an EE degree.

Look into the different fields that an EE degree will take you. At Iowa State there are several different areas of focus such as electric power, controls, communications, microelectronics, semiconductor design, etc. Get to know what your choice university has to offer and that might help with the decision making process.

I know that some universities offer a Construction Engineering degree that is very good. ISU offers this ConE degree with an electrical emphasis that would be very well suited for someone with a JW ticket. This type of degree is more hands on, but has a solid academic component also.

Personally, I focused on electric power for my degree. There are a ton of careers out there in this challenging industry. I have already taken a job with a firm that designs power plants, and I still have a semester to go :)

Having that JW ticket will make you very marketable!

Good luck with your decision,

Matt
 
I thank everybody for their replies. With time available for schooling (part-time) I don't think I am going to pursue a EE degree per say, I will however take as many classes at the local university pertaining to the work I am interested in doing. I don't feel that it will be time well spend if I go and take English Comp, and Electric 1 and 2 since I am beyond that point in knowledge. Unfortunately in this country the academic system does not cater to choosing a new carrier at 30 years old.

I appreciate what everyone has written so far and still welcome further discussion.

Does anyone have any websites in mind that also has engineering topics?

Thanks, Steve
 
Steve, There are a few but specialized sites but they probably won't answer what you seek. I know, I come from the electronic industry and moonlit as an wannabe electrician on the side in the 60's. I ended up getting into residential design and construction while working for open shops. I came back to electrical in energy management when the construction bottomed out in '81. Those times were hard and on the road across a lot of states as an installer, trainer, and troubleshooter of sequenced programmed equipment. I was not happy away from the family. It paid bills but didn't help getting ahead. But you want an answer to what makes life tick and challenge the mind. Not an easy answer. My answer was being a job shopper or mercenary in both electrical and electronic trades. I am retired now but am very active writing about wiring and actually helping when I can. I guess that's what draws me in to this forum. I see where you have a lot to give so stick with finding a need and filling it. I am not sure if my perspective is worth anything, but at least you have an other opinion to draw from.
 
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speedystevie said:
Does anyone have any websites in mind that also has engineering topics?

Thanks, Steve
Click to expand...


Heres an engineering forum I've picked up some valuabe knowledge on.

Myself, I would like to do the same. I stopped schooling with an associates and am kicking myself in the butt. Now I have a family to provide for and with my present job, it wouldnt be feasible. When the time is right, I'll do something.

Your post reminds my of myself...."I came, I saw, I conquered."

The only other thing I have to add, which you are probably aware of is....when you say that you want to enter the corporate world, you might as well be saying "I want to be a politician." With my experience in corporate invironments (which I dont fit well in :rolleyes: ) it seems that it doesnt matter what you know, its who you know.

Best of luck

P.S. Better brush up on your golf game ;)
 
Overkill said:
Heres an engineering forum I've picked up some valuabe knowledge on.

Myself, I would like to do the same. I stopped schooling with an associates and am kicking myself in the butt. Now I have a family to provide for and with my present job, it wouldnt be feasible. When the time is right, I'll do something.

Your post reminds my of myself...."I came, I saw, I conquered."

The only other thing I have to add, which you are probably aware of is....when you say that you want to enter the corporate world, you might as well be saying "I want to be a politician." With my experience in corporate invironments (which I dont fit well in :rolleyes: ) it seems that it doesnt matter what you know, its who you know.

Best of luck

P.S. Better brush up on your golf game ;)
Click to expand...

Overkill, When I say I enjoy the corp.. world its more of the team environment that I enjoy. I do understand the whole political end as I have worked for both IBM and Motorola, I don't enjoy that aspect. I do however like big projects and being part of a team. In my work I am the team and don't really have anyone else to brainstorm with or to make things happen with. I love the team work that goes into making great things happen.

Thanks for the input and good luck in the future.

Steve

Happy new year.
 
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Steve!!
You have a GREAT problem! Your self inflicted cross roads are what great leaders are made of. Experience, knowledge and desire are some of the most important cornerstones of any solid foundation. Challenging yourself to an EE degree is what you need. Its in the right direction to compound your strengths. Obviously redundancy gives you a rash, as it does many of us:) however not to the extent of "jack of all trades" as much as master of embraced trades. You have a good problem, trust yourself.
Hopefully you will have the perseverance to teach some apprentices to be as good or even better than yourself.
"Cross roads" are like "cross hairs", you've exacted the problem, now make the plan and pull the trigger.
 
Have you ever considered joining a huge electrical contractor and working in management ?
the company I work for is very large by contractor status , 1200 men in the feild and they always welcome men from the feild to try their hand to step up or take in outsiders also, the only one getting rich is the owner but the wages are high and the teamwork incredible and the resources endless
 
I made the change

I made the change

Steve

I made the change, after 15 years owning my own business, then a career threatening injury, I moved into the office and am now a project engineer for a well known firm that I knew from my contracting days. I didn't have my engineering degree, but they were willing to take me in on my experience, and it has been nothing short of fantastic, I get to do the things that require a feel you only get from having mud on your boots. I actually get to strap on my tools once in a while and play even. If you really want to make a change, make sure you find a firm that knows what you are really capable of and plans to utilize it and it will be as rewarding for you as it has been for me.
 
Steve, Have you ever thought about a sales career? I started out as an apprentice, then journeyman and then master. I worked in construction for years. Then I went into industrial electrical/electronics. I have no degree.
But in 1998 a vendor of mine offered me a job as technical manager for an electric apparatuss sales and service company. I was very familiar with the products they represented. I took the job.
In 1999 they asked me if I was interested in a technical sales position. Which I promplty accepted.
You see, these days sales reps actually need to know what they are talking about and actually help their customers with problems. My ability to advise and get my hands dirty occasionally helped me build a very large customer base. Before long I was outperforming other reps that had been in the business for many many years. I also was making more money than I ever had in my life, and had the most freedom of any other job. It was all up to me how much money I could make. I enjoyed working with people everyday. Many customers became good friends. It was the best decision I have ever made. Baldor Electric has just aquired Reliance Electric and all it's subsidiaries. I would bet they would have something that could fulfil your requirements.
 
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