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Career advice from senior or retired engineers

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


 

   


Parents
  • Hello Roy:


    Now you have me going as regards "Statistics".


    I remember the guy who introduced me to the subject saying "Don't be surprised if the projected 1 in 10 million event happens to you!)


    Most people think of the Normal distribution (6 sigma) as being the the guide to everything. However a long tail distribution happens and often causes what is known as a "BLACK SWAN" events.


    Going back to the link "The Scientific Method vs the Engineering Method", Engineers in "leading edge" technologies have to use the Scientific method to fill in the knowledge gaps.


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA
Reply
  • Hello Roy:


    Now you have me going as regards "Statistics".


    I remember the guy who introduced me to the subject saying "Don't be surprised if the projected 1 in 10 million event happens to you!)


    Most people think of the Normal distribution (6 sigma) as being the the guide to everything. However a long tail distribution happens and often causes what is known as a "BLACK SWAN" events.


    Going back to the link "The Scientific Method vs the Engineering Method", Engineers in "leading edge" technologies have to use the Scientific method to fill in the knowledge gaps.


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA
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