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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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    Hello Roy:


    It is my position that Psychology is a dangerous voodoo science and should be ignored.

    I am currently holding discussions with a Psychologist at one of our local Universities and he admits that most research papers "can not" be duplicated by another independent researcher- which is the first rule for accepting scientific work. 


    During my working life I was subjected to psychological profiling, IQ testing and the worst one 3 day "Encounter meetings" by my employer. The later is used to try and form working team going down to the emotional level. It always ended up by emotionally breaking down one or two members. They usually left the company within a couple of weeks.


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA


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  • 0
    Hello Roy:


    It is my position that Psychology is a dangerous voodoo science and should be ignored.

    I am currently holding discussions with a Psychologist at one of our local Universities and he admits that most research papers "can not" be duplicated by another independent researcher- which is the first rule for accepting scientific work. 


    During my working life I was subjected to psychological profiling, IQ testing and the worst one 3 day "Encounter meetings" by my employer. The later is used to try and form working team going down to the emotional level. It always ended up by emotionally breaking down one or two members. They usually left the company within a couple of weeks.


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA


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