Electrical Engineering and Recession

hii,

i am a diploma holder in electrical and in this time i am working in L&T Mumbai.

mnj

Dear guest, please register so that we can talk more formaly with you.

The global economic crisis is affecting everyone, whether they think so or not, but you are especially gifted in time.

Being in thrid year now, you will be graduating at the time when the recovery should be well and truly kicking in. What you are seeing now would be called a "market correction" if it only happened to a couple of companies, but once the correction has settled, everyone will get back to business and it will come back.

"Modern" life in the Western world has become so "short term" focussed that individually we can be panicked by what is happening.

For instance, my compulsory Aus superannuation has "lost" more than 50% of value in the last 18 months even though I've been contributing. What this means is that units that were bought in the last few years were OVERVALUED. It also means that the contributions being made now are getting more units of investment for the same input.

Don't despair, the world is still turning, air is still free and electricity will be used for the foreseable future. Us EE's will always have a place.

When you register, please send me a personal message and I'll contact you.

I know a few of the misshapen, misanthropic loners that work in EE and they're usually the very last to go when things get tight.

As JAE says this downturn wont last forever, so set yourself up for when you graduate. Best of luck.

Hi there,

We have had a major project slow down here in SA. Most of the big mining houses have shelved projects for later. I work for a E&I consulting firm. We have had our hours reduced to compensate for this turndown in work - but there are no signs of retrenchment on the horizon.

I believe that this is because there is a huge scarcity of engineers (all diciplines) here in SA and abroad that most engineering houses are willing to bite the bullet to keep their staff in this downturn until we have the upswing.

I would not worry about work for the moment - there is always work for engineers, it just depends on whether you are willing to take the conditions.

Hang in there.

Cheers

Craig

My experience is that the downturn has not affected the ancient trades much, only the IT sectors.

The dinosaurs build the infrastructure and that can not stop (it may slow down but have to pick up to compensate)

I think you need not worry for your future job, better concentrate on your studies. Such down turns come and go.Problem is if America sneezes whole world gets flu.So don't get panicky and continue your studies.

If you don't mind moving after graduation, as of right now the nuclear industry is experiencing a revival. As another contributor has said, the world needs electricity, so you will be needed in the future. Try getting an internship with a power company or a company that supports utilities. Due to the growing demand for electric power, utilities are uprating their plants, updating older equipment and installing new distribution capability. I think you have nothing to worry about.

Young Man,

Trends in business and industries are ever changing and are momentary.Companies and corporates are struggling to survive than being comfortable of settled and established. As a student, you are supposed to learn,qualify and shape your destiny.Foresee the opportunities ahead and make sure what you want to do.On a well thought over and futurestically self designed career and life journey, learn more and get fit in as many avenues as you can.Your hobbies perhaps can give a life.Even if sacked,remember, so and so company is not the end of the world.Be prepared for a changed need.Nothing is permanent.

S.Udhayamarthandan

First of all, you should (MUST) finish what you're doing!

Then above all you must be open to changes so you can adjust for survival. I don't know what's your majoring in if at all but aiming for renewables is also a future in remote locations.

Registering yourself here is also an advantage.

Overwhelming majority says stay with it. I am building quick turn prototype circuit boards for your industry and last year (2008) was record setting for our 20 yr old company in AZ. This tells me that new product engineering and the need for reliable electronic goods is going to be here for a while. Energy and aerospace...

Due to the crisis some electricity became too expensive .

So more people started replicating the Rotoverter

Sorry to have to inform you but the engineer is always the last hired and first fired. Its not too late to get in some business courses and get into something that is more flexible. With a degree in business you can get a MBA with hospital administration option. It may be different in other parts of the world but in the US engineering is not the way to go. When times are good engineers are brought in from other countries, when times are bad there are no jobs and there are layoffs to nonessential and mid management. Often engineers are nonessential.

Wow. That IS sad thinking. I'm not your employer but I believe that engineers are extremely essential to our society and future. We all must engineer our choice of companies to work for.

By what you are saying then he would be wise to stay with electrical engineering. He would be hired by an engineering firm here (since he is from Australia). He could always get a masters degree specializing in the medical field. There is also a huge demand for medical equipment. As the majority of the population gets older, a heavy reliance on the medical field will be the norm. (This is starting to be seen.)

As I have stated previously, there is a Nuclear Renaissance going on (By the way, one of the co-founders of Greenpeace has stated his support for Nuclear Power). Also, someone else has stated that sustainable energy is now taking off. All of these industries will be needing engineers to replace the ones retiring (Some one told me that the average age of a US Nuclear Power worker is approximately around 47-55. Sounds like there is going to be a personnel shortage soon.)

In the USA, we have been seeing a shortage of EEs. If you are dealing with anything connected to the auto industry, you might see a slow down and no new hires, but they are keeping what they have. It takes too long and too much effort to rehire what you lose. With the alternative energy incentives, there is always going to be a need for EEs that know how to handle the various components of that industry. I say study hard, finish strong and be ready to adapt and overcome. I think you will be fine. I have been a EE for 24 years and have never really been without work completely. Good Luck!

I think you best strategy to ensure survival is to become a multi-disciplinary Engineer so you remain in high demand. For instance If you had an interest in alternate energy you might be versed in Electrical, Electronics, Mechanics, Chemical, & Biological arenas.The more skills you have the less dispensible you become.

Hi all,

I do not think I agree at all with our distinguished guest - engineers last hired, first fired.

Who do you think designs the concept? Who sees it through from development to a running plant - engineers!

Engineers will always be in demand. There is such a huge shortage of them here in SA (and in other parts of the world) that our salaries are staring to become on par with those lazy people they call CA's (bean counters).

I know for a fact that there are companies based in Australia, UK, EU and even Canada that advertise in our local paper trying to recruit our local engineers (again this is not limited to EE but all disciplines) - this tells me that they also have a huge shortage.

As previously stated - there is a huge revival in nuclear power generation. In SA alone they are working on PBMR technology and there is a feasibility study about another full scale nuclear plant.

As I stated earlier - there is a downturn in our mining house projects - due to the huge downturn in resource stocks (our clients are mainly in the platinum game), however there is a huge upturn in the power generation and petro-chem game.

These fields as in many more take all disciplines (civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, instrumentation etc) - So there is no need to worry about the future. There is and always will be a demand for engineers as long as the world keeps progressing - we will always have to design new technologies, circuits, structures, process' etc.

Keep your nose where it belongs for now - in your books. You are almost there. One more year if all goes well and you will begin on the most exciting journey of your life. I can only speak for myself - but it is the most rewarding, satisfying, intriguing career I could have chosen (17 years now and I still find each day satisfying).

Regards,

Craig

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