what`s your opinion?

For now stay where you are. There is no way to beat practical experience. Take advantage of the opportunity that you have at your uncle's factory. Give yourself 2 years there, but don't get too comfortable or you will never leave, then follow your ambitions to get your degree.

As a new graduate with a degree and a couple of years of "real world" experience you will have more opportunities in your field. Employers don't really want to have to take you by the hand and teach you your job, they prefer to hire you, point you in the right direction and let you go.

Best of luck, however you decide to go!

thx alot for this point of view

No problem, it's why we're here. I just wish someone had given me the same advice years ago.

With economy and job market as it is I'd stay put. Let it turn around before making any decision. A couple years experience on your resume' will help when you do make the change.

Serve your apprenticeship and learn your craft in the supportive environment where you are now. Then when circumstances change, you will already be competent and your experience will give your new lessons context.

Your patience will reward you.

milo

When your bored with nothing to do get out there on the floor and give a hand. Too many engineers never see the fine points people have to deal with when building what others have designed. The decision made and why they were made. Get that experience under your belt too.

Don't sit on your own contemplating if you can be trying to help, asking questions, etc. When talking to other staff, remember that formal qualifications are only a very small part of life - unqualified operatives will have a great deal to teach you (even more so in situations where formal educational opportunities can be limited). Show everyone respect - it is usually deserved, but will nevertheless be appreciated (and where you find that it isn't don't let on - just avoid the situation if possible).
I would advise staying through an entire project cycle. All phases of a project are relevant experience; in addition, this will allow you to correct any slips-up that you make due to lack of information or experience - and learn the sort of questions you will need to ask for the future.

Assuming that your work and other hobbies leave you time and energy, you can use it to extend yourself. Read journals and magazines, re-read your course-work (it's surprising how much more can be learned the second time around), go to meetings. If you can get part-time work at a local university, you can also learn from the students (including approaches to problem solving and about yourself).

Then you will both have repaid your uncle's effort in taking you on (important in itself), and be ready to extract the maximum benefit from the masters that you plan on taking.

I remember what my father told me "better worked yourself from the bottom to the top, rather than be appointed on the top and doesn't know what's going on at the bottom."

Your dad was smart; And you are wise to have paid attention.

milo

Thanks Milo........yes I'm glad I did.....

Your first job after college is very important, because it will influence what industry you work in, and the kind of work you do for, for a long time to come. You are fortunate to have a job thanks to your uncle, but if working in a chemical plant is not the kind of engineering you envisioned, you can't stay there. If, for example, you are more interested in electronics, you won't learn much that is applicable, and the longer you stay there, the harder it will be to transition into something else.

There is an old saying here in the states. When there is work "WORK"! When there is not work get back in school to prepare for the time when WORK is available.