Career Path Advice - Education versus Engineering

Thanks mates. It really is frustrating since I the reason I enrolled in engineering is because I like to build things. Problem is I don't know what I personally feel comfortable with. I enjoy teaching, a lot. I also enjoy designing things, fixing things and solving problems.The main issue I'm probably facing is that I don't know what path to walk in life. I don't take it out on my students since I actually like the job, been doing it for 5 years now too. Guess I just thought I could be "more". I like seeing tangible results, I like to hold it, feel it, smell it (that sounded wrong).

I was thinking I should stick to teaching while doing a Masters in Physics, to both supplement my current position and maybe help me figure out what to do in life.

I guess I also feel like I'm betraying my love for engineering. I love being an engineer, being called so. It's an emotional issue more or less.

The big project idea seems very interesting. Problem is most students in Egypt care very little about extra curricular work and just aim for high exam grades, devoting their time only for that. I don't blame them either.

EDIT: I was also thinking of going into aviation maintenance. Study and take it's tests and become a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Thoughts?

Hi Manatrius,

If you've got the time go for it.

Best of luck

John

My advice would be to seek a higher degree and everything will work itself out...

A higher degree in what exactly? That's the thing. I'm interested in a LOT of things, not just one. Whether it's mechanical design, nanotechnology, robotics, physics and such.

Problem is I tried going for a higher degree in Mechanical Engineering, I couldn't keep up with the advanced math classes since I forgot all my basic mathematics. Shameful I know, so I'm working on fixing that now. Just figuring out exactly WHAT I wanna study would help me a great deal.

It sounds like you did not use a math model int your head to conceive of your ideas: so what did you use? visual? body (as if you are feeling it)? smelling it(it is not crazy)?

If you can sense how you "get into" your ideas, you might want to focus tn that direction.

I use different modes, one is historical, that is, imagine myself in a specific place and time watching people, then ask how they did things, then see how a different group at a later time did the same things, in a different way. Then you can use the same transform in a different field... etc. The possibilities are endless. It comes down to "do what you love to do", now you just have to fine out whaat you love to do.

Excellent! I still remember my college physics class (1967-8), in which every lecture was accompanied by a demonstration or two. A lab tech set these up, and when the time came, the prof would walk around behind the bench to do the demo. These were integrated very seamlessly into the lectures.

When I was doing a teaching internship in high-school algebra (1970), I once did a whole sequence on conic sections, with all sorts of stuff like an elliptical pool table (marble size), a reflective wave tank, elliptical gears, a beaker on a spin table to produce a paraboloid, some string art with ruled surfaces. Etc., etc. It was a big hit.

My advice is to find a path in sustainability & renewable energy its the future and its big in every way , you can be part of a huge waste managment fortune, a renewable technology or even sustainable desings, egypt is a perfect place for that. google them in you area and try to see there requirment , work on your post gradute degree and squeeze in by trying every where and every time, but keep in head that if you wont love what you are trying to be part of you will never do enough to join and grow cause you'll lack motivation.

hope you find this usefull.

Continue to imagine and feel the dream. Pray, persist, network.

You will find that being a teacher is a necessary piece of the pie of life. This teaching is perhaps a skill to prepare you manage a mechanical design R&D team.

I'm going to give a contrary opinion to everyone else.

I assume you're young and not grounded to your location except for personal preference. If so, there are plenty of mechanical engineereing jobs in this country of all flavors. Government related or Private Industry. Design or Theoretical. Hands-on or Paper intensive.

All that would be required is that you are willing to re-locate to where the job is. It might not even be your "Dream Job". In fact, I personally think that you would get more growth out of a non-dream job at first, because at this point you have nothing to base your dream expectations on.

Do some internet searching. I'd wager that you would find many interesting job opening descriptions to pursue.

Sure it will be hard: moving, finding a place to live, meeting new people (good & bad), having to adapt to a totally different work environment than you are accustomed. Learning the skills for survival in an alien world :)

It is a big country out there, go out for an adventure, live a little, go to where the money is, make it and spend it while your still young and able. Use it to travel, visit the Caribean or the Alps, buy that car you want, blow your money on things that are fun for you now.

I'm not advocating doing anything stupid, think about the future, but don't let it interfere with the present. You have the degree and I assume the skills to be gainfully employed in the field of your education.

You can always come back to teaching later, and would bring back some real world experiences to share with your students.

Good luck

Manatrius - Consider and give the following some thoughts and time for it to sink-in in you! The differences between "real" world and the "academic" world,which where you are presently. Think on the what gaps, in terms of both tangibles and intangibles will separate the different theories and their applications?

On prior unsuccessful jobs applied for, think back on what were they and corresponding reasons given why you failed their acceptance? Evaluate them, then do some self analysis!

Be honest on what you "Think you Can" do, v.s. "What you can effectively Demonstrate" and physically able to do?

Included in your analysis, now consider the following:

1. where/ what you are now presently, in terms job and educational achievements and ability or chances to go further?

2. what /where you want to be, in terms of self satisfaction or self fulfillment?

3. What you can actually, physically, successfully demonstrate do,

Somehow to be successful, it is a pre-requisite to be able to effectively demonstrate your abilities in this real world!

Once you made the distinctions on the above and by being honest to yourself will help you make the proper decision a lot easier.

We're hiring mechanical engineer. I think we still have a position open. We manufacture machinery used in packinghouses, consisting of sizers (which are a big as for train box cars connected from end to end), all kinds of conveyors and packing machines and paletizers, bin dumps, washer/waxers, dryers, etc....

Howerver the company is in Traver, California. Unless you don't mind the commute.

I suspect he will not mind the telecommute

I wouldn't mind the relocation. Getting a VISA might be a doozy though.

I work for MAF Industries. Our parent company is in France, we're also in Spain, China, Australia, Chile, Mexico, several European countries. Google MAF Industries and there might be a place where you can submit a resume.

I really thank everyone for their help. CR4's community is absolutely amazing.

For the time being I'm sticking to my position but I'll be doing various changes similar to the ones micahd2, del the cat and MR.Guest suggested.

I'll also be actively searching for different jobs abroad and travel around. Even if I do enjoy teaching, it'd be better if I have a ton of different experiences to share with them all. Props to reefdiver for that.

My main mental problem is that I'm trying too hard to "marry" into my future job starting now. That's a barrier I'll need to break.

Maaaaaan! Reading through all your comments put a smile on my face. :)

Still undecided but I guess that's what being young is all about right? Cause I've been given the impression that at 23 I'm too old to be trying stuff out and exploring.

Anyone got any open positions for a fledgling like me? :D I'm free starting mid June 2012. :P

Thanks to everyone who's helping out here. I love ya'll!

It is hard to match career and interest. Almost , 75% people mismatch with their present job/ career and their own interest.

Compromise is best solution. We cannot follow our interest without money support.

So took the job inline with your education . Don`t bother If it is sales , maint., production etc.Suppose now you spent @10 hrs. for your current job. Then 10 hrs. for your sleep etc. still 4 hrs. u can use for your interest.

Just travel from this hardships with courage .

Most engineers choose that career because they like to be creative while solving problems. Education offers a vast problem space just begging for creative solutions! I say this speaking as someone who left a technical career (industrial instrument technician) to become a college teacher.

So, you liked the change?