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Career advice from senior or retired engineers

Peter Brooks
The purpose of this forum is highlight information from senior or retired engineers that will provide advice to new people entering the profession. 


The recent published articles by the IET:-

"Too old to be an engineer" in the E&T July 2019 magazine

"100,000 older workers kicked out of IBM, as company craved Googles Cool image" published August 1, 2019

started me thinking about the need to communicate advice on avoiding speed bumps during one's carrier.


During my 45+ years in engineer I have been laid off twice -once when I was 28 and again at 63.

I have worked for 9 companies in three countries where 8 of those companies are no longer in existence. 

Total time out of work has not exceeded 6 weeks.

I have made three complete changes in related technology/products.


Here is an example of the advice I received early on in my career:- "The young engineer knows the rules, the old engineer knows the exceptions" -- meaning even if one thinks one knows the answer ask the senior engineer if there is better solution.


Peter Brooks MIET

Palm Bay Florida USA


 

   


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  • 0
    Hello Roy:


    I am now ready to discuss your fourth paragraph in your message from August 19th 2019:-


    You can not divorce yourself from company politics by just staying technically focused. One has to request funds to support the project - example buying a certain brand of test equipment.


    Upper management may have preferred vendors they always deal with (example used to be IBM for computers).


    Concerning an unhappy or abusive relationship - I agree with you 100% . I experienced an event in my early career when bullying of the chief engineer by his boss, the plant manager, led to him committing suicide. The plant manager was never impacted by this event.


    Regarding relocating to another company. Make sure that the new work location is not more than 30 miles from a commercial airport. Don't get trapped in a remote out of the way location (possible example new Spaceport in northern Scotland).


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA



      


Reply
  • 0
    Hello Roy:


    I am now ready to discuss your fourth paragraph in your message from August 19th 2019:-


    You can not divorce yourself from company politics by just staying technically focused. One has to request funds to support the project - example buying a certain brand of test equipment.


    Upper management may have preferred vendors they always deal with (example used to be IBM for computers).


    Concerning an unhappy or abusive relationship - I agree with you 100% . I experienced an event in my early career when bullying of the chief engineer by his boss, the plant manager, led to him committing suicide. The plant manager was never impacted by this event.


    Regarding relocating to another company. Make sure that the new work location is not more than 30 miles from a commercial airport. Don't get trapped in a remote out of the way location (possible example new Spaceport in northern Scotland).


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA



      


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