School Project about Engineering

I was wondering if someone could help me out! I need to interview someone, preferably someone with a degree in engineering. I have a list of questions if anyone is willing to answer them, as many or as few as you like.

[TheArchitect]

Interview cool5.

Would he be cool with it?

[mkingy]

I have a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering if that's any help!

[hyyyper]

Just post the questions here. There are several members who have a degree so I have no doubt your questions will be answered.

its in a microsoft office file. i can email it

I'm more than halfway finished with my Mechanical Engineering degree. You can probably just post the questions here and pick and choose what answers best fit your scope.

[gouldy]

I am the chief Mechanical Engineering Designer for a small engineering company, and I have an Engineering HND, which is the equivalent of a foundation degree.

I think it might be good if you do what GerstlCrazy said above, post the questions here and select answers as appropriate.

I have a Civil Engineering Bachelors degree, with structural emphasis. And I'm EIT certified... (not that that really makes a difference here)

What is involved in the work?
Exactly what tasks might I do on the job?
What would a typical day or month be like?
What is the product or service?
Would I chiefly work with data, people, or things?
Would I travel? Where and how often?
Would I sit all day? Stand? Get outside the office?
How would I be supervised?
How would my tasks relate to co-workers?
Is there any danger to my health or physical safety?
The place of work
Do I have ample opportunity to relocate to any number of states if I choose?
Are the jobs available in the geographic areas I prefer?
If the job is available only in government agencies, am I cut out to be a civil servant?
If the job is available only in large corporation, am I able to function in a bureaucracy?
If the job is available only in marginally profitable business, can I tolerate the instability?
Are the companies where I might work respected as good corporate citizens and fair
employees?
Working Conditions
What do people in the job say they like most about their job? the least?
Are the hours regular or irregular? Long or short?
Does the work involve a part-time or flex-time schedule?
Would you work evenings, weekends, or holidays?
How much vacation is typical for the industry?
Is the work steady or seasonal?
Would the job get harder as you get older?
Is the work hazardous?
Is the occupation one that would depress you or lift your spirits?
The size of an occupation
How large is the occupation?
Does it have a fast, average, or slow rate of growth?
How many job openings are expected annually?
Is there a high personnel turnover because the work is poorly paid or dull or unattractive in some other way?
The training to enter the field
#61607; How much education or training is required to qualify in the job market and to meet legal
certification or licensing requirements.
How long does it take?
What does it include?
How much does it cost?
Where can I get list of accredited schools?
What kind of high school or college program is required?
What subjects should or must be chosen?
Is there more than on way to prepare? If so, what are the alternatives?
Is it possible that instead of formal training, I could learn on the job?
Career Ladder
What proportion of workers are promoted?
What are the upward steps?
How long would it normally take to receive my first promotion? My second?
How high could I rise in the field?
How long would it take to reach the top?
Would I need an additional education?
Would I need another type of work experience?
What are the related occupations to which I could move?
Is this a field that might permit me to start my own business?
Earnings
What is the base annual salary for the job at entry, mid, and top-level?
Are bonuses given for superior performance?
Does a sales job pay salary plus commission or only commission?
Does a job pay overtime?
Does the occupation typically offer an expense account?
What employee benefits are usual with this occupation?
How much money could I reasonably expect to earn in this occupation after five years?
Are raises based on merit, or on rigid pay scales determined largely by seniority?
Have others in this field gone on to open their own businesses and how have they fared?
Does this occupation leave time for me to moonlight and earn a second income? Would I need a second job to pay my bills?
Future Prospects
Do I have a reasonable chance to find a job in this field?
Will I be able to work as long as my health is good? If not, what could I do to prepare for a
second career?
Have I done enough research to know that technology isn't likely to cut short this career?
Does this field offer adequate opportunities to develop transferable skills?
Am I willing to live where the best jobs in the field are located? Where is that?
Does this occupation depend on government action for its ups and downs?
Is this occupation strongly affected by swings in the economy?
Writing and/or Speaking Skills
Will I need to use writing and/or speaking skills in this career? If yes, in what way?

Here are the questions. Answer as many or as few as you like. Thank you!

Exactly what tasks might I do on the job?
You're going to need to define every kind of force [static or dynamic] that takes place on a certain point, and decide what needs to happen to counter or assist these forces.


What is the product or service?
It is a service or product. As an engineer, you need to solve their problem, but in a direct way. This depends on the desire of your client; your client will look for efficiency, quickness, sustainability, and many other factors. As an engineer, you need to make these goals easy and possible.


Would I chiefly work with data, people, or things?
To produce the optimal solution, you will work with people first, things second, and data finally. This is the order of a mechanical experiment. Starting with people and finishing with data is what your client expects
[i]~Begin with facts and finish with predictions.~[/i]


Would I travel? Where and how often?
Depending on your business as an engineer, you would need to travel frequently. The engineer's opinion needs to be personable, accountable, and transferable. This requires travel at times.


Would I sit all day? Stand? Get outside the office?
This depends on your position within the company. Clearly, if you are mainly a head designer, travel will be necessary and frequent. If you are a mainly a bottom-line designer, you probably will not travel as much.


Is there any danger to my health or physical safety?
This is very important and basic: The health and physical safety of others depends on YOUR work. Their health and safety is more important. If you do not accept that, you should not study engineering. Theoretical work would not put you in danger, but experimental work might.


Are the jobs available in the geographic areas I prefer?
No. The engineering jobs are not available as you please, just like all job industries. In fact, engineering jobs pose more competition than most jobs. Get to it...


Do I have a reasonable chance to find a job in this field?
Yes, if you respect the serious and absolute competition within this industry: don't be lazy, don't hold back, excel in creativity.


Have I done enough research to know that technology isn't likely to cut short this career?
Have you? It really sounds like you have not... What level of education are you in?


Am I willing to live where the best jobs in the field are located?
Seriously...? Isn't this up to you?


Will I need to use writing and/or speaking skills in this career? If yes, in what way?
Seriously...?
Like, seriously......?
Yes. Obviously you will need to write. You will need to speak; EX; memos, reports, presentations, etc.






When it comes to the questions that I decided not to answer- You ask questions that are specific to whatever type of firm/company you join. Many, if not most of the aspects of employment in engineering depends on your employer, such as:
-Independent employer
-Firm employer
-Corporate employer
-Self employed

And so on.... The engineering field leaves so many options open, don't let yourself feel trapped by any single one; but at the same time, don't doubt the infinity of any single field.

Career Choices is always a fun class.

I would like to note, not that it matter, many of the answers provided by gerstcrazy also pertain to architects/ arch majors. Many of the architects I know also have engineering degrees, and many of the engineers I know also have some form of architectural training/ education.

[gouldy]

My answers are as a design engineer who works on the project from conception to installation, not just the designing part!

Also keep in mind that engineering is a very broad field.

What is involved in the work? and
Exactly what tasks might I do on the job?

For me, mainly using 3D CAD modelling software to produce designs for machinery that serves the purpose requested by a customer. The process involves: meeting the customer and discussing their requirements; holding meetings with colleagues to discuss ideas; producing initial models for quotation purposes; refining those 3D models should the order be placed with us; producing detail drawings for manufacture; overseeing the manufacturing process (and usually helping); finally being part of the installation team installing our equipment on site, and continuing to communicate with the customer to ensure their needs have been met and they are happy with the results.


What would a typical day or month be like?

Hard to predict. There isn't a constant steady stream of work in most fields of engineering, and you can go from a 12-18 hour day of hard work on site, to sitting in the office for a normal 8 hour day doing nothing more than talking over current or future work.


What is the product or service?

Special purpose/bespoke machinery and factory equipment. From fork lift truck battery handling equipment, to conveyors in a factory line.


Would I chiefly work with data, people, or things?

Depends what kind of engineering you're in. For me, personally, all three of those things are heavily involved every day.


Would I travel? Where and how often? and Would I sit all day? Stand? Get outside the office?

I do spend most of my time sitting in the office, working at a computer - in an average month of 4 weeks, I tend to spend 2-3 weeks sat in the office, either on a computer or holding discussions. I'd spend a week in total on the shop floor cutting steel, drilling, or assembling parts of machines. And I'd spend the remaining few days of the month working on site.


How would I be supervised?

Depends on position in the business. For me, now, there isn't much by way of supervision, but when I was an apprentice, I spent most of my time supervised by my mentor.


How would my tasks relate to co-workers?

As I work in a small company, everything I do relates to colleagues. I can't continue with my job until certain colleagues have done theirs, and other colleagues cannot continue with their job until I've done mine. Not so important in very big businesses.


Is there any danger to my health or physical safety?

There is always going to be danger present in the field of engineering. As an engineering designer, the safety of others is my paramount concern throughout the whole process - what I do has a large and direct effect on other people's safety. The danger to my safety comes from handling equipment like drills and saws, and using tools like hammers etc. A common sense approach is key to health and safety in engineering.


If the job is available only in marginally profitable business, can I tolerate the instability?

Engineering jobs, by the nature of the type of work, are never truly stable, whether the business is large or small. The work is subject to a lot of factors out of the business's control. At the first company I worked at, which was a decent size (?????????1.5 million - ?????????2 million turnover), we were going well until 2008 when the automotive industry completely stopped buying all capital equipment, and all of our work just stopped - completely dropped off a cliff. After a couple of months, they were forced to just close the company.


What do people in the job say they like most about their job?

For me, seeing a project through from the customer coming to you with a requirement, to having a fully operational piece of a equipment that meets the needs of the customer - and being able to say "I did that". Hugely satisfying.

the least?

Often very unpleasant working conditions when on site. In my particular business, this means often crawling on floors covered in acid dust from fork lift batteries, which is very unpleasant stuff to breathe and to have to scrub off your skin.


Are the hours regular or irregular? Long or short?

Usually fairly long (but I get paid by the hour, so I can't complain about that), can be irregular though as work load increases/decreases all of the time.


Does the work involve a part-time or flex-time schedule?

Not in my case, but a lot of engineering companies do have a flex-time type system.


Would you work evenings, weekends, or holidays?

I often work through the night. It's been a couple of years now since I didn't work at the weekend. What's a holiday?


How much vacation is typical for the industry?

I get the standard 15 days, plus 15 floating days that I can choose to book off whenever during the year. As far as I know, this is fairly typical in Engineering; however this is the UK, could be very different in the US.

Is the work steady or seasonal?

The work can be very up and down. Busy one month and then quite slow the next.

Would the job get harder as you get older?

The physical work, yes, very much so. But in terms of designing in the office, I would think it wouldn't think age would affect it.


Is the work hazardous?

My site work is often pretty hazardous, yes. But the office side is obviously safe, and work on our shopfloor is also pretty safe, with the only risks really being if you use tools incorrectly.


Is the occupation one that would depress you or lift your spirits?

Can be frustrating/stressful when things go wrong with something you're designed/made and you've got to put it right, but I wouldn't say depressing. However, very satisfying when things go well on a project you're involved in!


The size of an occupation and How large is the occupation?

Are these the same question, and... what do these questions mean?


Does it have a fast, average, or slow rate of growth?

This is difficult to quantify, because you're so often reliant on external factors.


How many job openings are expected annually?

Engineering jobs had gone down for quite a long period of time, as it is more and more seen as an undesirable occupation. However, as the global economy tries to climb out of the hole it's currently in, engineering becomes very important - as your country needs to make things to export, to earn money (simply put), and I personally feel that in the next few years there will be a much higher demand for engineers and there will actually be a shortfall of engineers. This may be a very good time to get into the industry, as demand for young engineers will certainly increase in the next few years.


Is there a high personnel turnover because the work is poorly paid or dull or unattractive in some other way?

Not in my experience, once you're an engineer, you're an engineer. But it depends when kind of business you're in. Some engineering work is very dull/repetitive, but that's certainly not an issue with special purpose engineering.


How much education or training is required to qualify in the job market and to meet legal certification or licensing requirements.

There will always be some kind of qualification requirement in engineering jobs, often maths related and often a skills-based qualification. However, apprenticeship schemes mean that you can gain these qualifications in a hands on way while working, although you will be poorly paid during this time period, it beats getting into debt at uni doing a degree, to then not be sure of a job at the end of it.


How long does it take?

My apprenticeship scheme took 2 years, while also attending college in the evening, with a further 2 years at university on 1 day a week day release from work. But it depends how far you want to go in the industry, I could still continue with a masters engineering degree which would probably take another 4 years, full time education.


How much does it cost?

In the case of apprenticeship, nothing - although my pay was well below minimum wage for the 2 year period that I was an apprentice, but like I say - no debt. A degree in engineering is most likely as expensive as any other degree is these days!


Where can I get list of accredited schools?

Google?


What subjects should or must be chosen?

Definitely maths. The other sciences are also helpful.


Is it possible that instead of formal training, I could learn on the job?

Depends if you can find a company who offer an apprenticeship scheme, like I had.


How high could I rise in the field?

Being the MD of an engineering company, or become extremely successful through design, like Dyson for example.


Is this a field that might permit me to start my own business?

Definitely, especially if you kept the business fairly small scale.


What is the base annual salary for the job at entry, mid, and top-level?

I earn a decent wage as what I would call a mid-level earner. Entry level jobs are usually fairly poorly paid, though. Managing directors of an engineering business can pay themselves whatever they want, of course, without crippling the business.


the following 7 questions all have the answer: depends on the business you work for

Are bonuses given for superior performance?
Does a sales job pay salary plus commission or only commission?
Does a job pay overtime?
Does the occupation typically offer an expense account?
What employee benefits are usual with this occupation?
How much money could I reasonably expect to earn in this occupation after five years?
Are raises based on merit, or on rigid pay scales determined largely by seniority?


Would I need a second job to pay my bills?

I wouldn't think so, other than at apprentice level.


Do I have a reasonable chance to find a job in this field?

As stated previously, demand in this field is likely to increase in the near future.


Is this occupation strongly affected by swings in the economy?

Definitely YES.


Will I need to use writing and/or speaking skills in this career? If yes, in what way?

Good communication is very important in engineering.



Hope some of that rambling is helpful in some way!

Thank you guys for taking time out of your days to help me out and answer the questions! It means so much to me!

I'll just chip in here, saying that I graduated last April, got EIT certification, and haven't gotten even heard a positive response from the 170 jobs I've applied for.

Maybe I'm just not being patient enough...

Structural/Civil engineers here that have jobs, how long did it take you to find your first?

[gouldy]

I couldn't speak for Structural/Civil engineers, so my answers were all for Mechanical Engineering, but I picked up my first job basically as soon as I left school as I trained on the job instead of gaining qualification first.

Again I can't speak for Structural and Civil engineers, but as an example of the increasing demand for mechanical engineers I was talking about: Jaguar Land Rover are currently building a new engine plant in my city, directly creating 1,200 engineering related jobs and indirectly creating a further 2,000 in the local supply chain. My city is a bit of a washed up kind of place, and to have activity like that happening even here, shows just how the sector is currently going.