Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Not Answered
  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 52 replies
  • Subscribers 13 subscribers
  • Views 3523 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in
This discussion is locked.
You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

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


 

   


Parents
  • 0
    Hello Lisa:


    Being an engineer (who spent numerous hours waiting in airports for my plane to begin loading), I developed a habit of taking visual surveys of people in the area to see social trends develop over time. Things like number of shaven heads on males.


    I still do the same thing in restaurants and fast food joints in my local area.  As regards the use of smart phones at lunch time (which is different from diner time by the way) the number of older people in groups using them, has dropped.


    Generally people on their own, are still using them. 


    My purpose however was to highlight the recent anti-social aspects of the younger generations.  


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA


Reply
  • 0
    Hello Lisa:


    Being an engineer (who spent numerous hours waiting in airports for my plane to begin loading), I developed a habit of taking visual surveys of people in the area to see social trends develop over time. Things like number of shaven heads on males.


    I still do the same thing in restaurants and fast food joints in my local area.  As regards the use of smart phones at lunch time (which is different from diner time by the way) the number of older people in groups using them, has dropped.


    Generally people on their own, are still using them. 


    My purpose however was to highlight the recent anti-social aspects of the younger generations.  


    Peter Brooks MIET

    Palm Bay Florida USA


Children
No Data

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines