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Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/10/2014 12:33 AM

I am working in a manufacturing industry for about 3 years and I do not see any growth where I am at. I would, would it be a sound strategy to change to Oil and gas field or construction field for better career growth???

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#1

Re: Should I change to a different field from manufacturing...

05/10/2014 12:37 AM

Yes.

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#2

Re: Should I change to a different field from manufacturing...

05/10/2014 12:38 AM

Astrology seems to be growing like cancer....

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#3

Re: Should I change to a different field from manufacturing...

05/10/2014 3:12 AM

CR4's crystal ball needs a fresh battery.

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#4

Re: Should I change to a different field from manufacturing...

05/10/2014 9:08 AM

I have trouble answering that question with my own life. How can I answer that for you?

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#5

Re: Should I change to a different field from manufacturing...

05/10/2014 9:10 AM

1. Paradise Island Caretaker.

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2. Luxury Bed Tester.

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3. Resort Waterslide Tester.

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4. Condom Tester (work-at-home opportunity)

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5. Brothel QC Supervisor.

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6. Wine-Taster/Blogger.

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7. Candy Taster.

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8. World-of-Warcraft (WoW) Tester.

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9. Director of Fun at a museum.

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10. Bike-rider/Photographer for Google Maps.

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#6

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/10/2014 11:10 PM

I can only comment to your question bases on my own experiences now that I am retired. My father was an EE from the best engineering university in the country. He worked for the same corporation for 41 years on a wide variety of projects, most of them extremely successful. (No, he didn't pass it along to the next generation!). He retired from the same corp.

I on the other hand could never of had the opportunity to do the same. Why? The economics of our country and world have changed so much. I have held a variety of positions with several companies, from the fortune 50's down to a gang of buddies doing what they loved. Although some positions ended because of shutdowns, most of them were by promotion or my choice and I am grateful for the varied personal experiences and professional experiences I had.

Your career isn't one job and experience any more. You try to make the best decisions at the time and for the medium term tenure. If you make the decision for life long reasons you will be disappointed that many other opportunities passed you by. If you don't like what you are doing now change! In the future you don't want to regret not having taken the opportunity. If all else fails at the time you can get by flipping burgers (figuratively speaking) for a few months till you get the one you want, for the time being!

Good Luck, Old Salt

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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/11/2014 1:33 AM

Salt, that's plain ol' great advice to anyone, not just to the OP.

GA.

For my part, I am thankful for my many and varied experiences - from harvesting peaches and cleaning horse stalls, to designing the first touch- screen-based graphical user interface for an electron microscope to directing the AI lab at a Boston robotics firm. My true love, however, is oceanography, and I would like to do more in that area. Lots of twists and turns in my career that I never would have anticipated, even by design.

During a job interview at a company I didn't especially like (it takes all kinds), the HR person - a mail-order MBA, I'm sure - asked me:

"Where do you want to be in five years?"

"Where do I want to be in five years? Easy: stranded on a luxury resort island with Christie Brinkley. Now let me ask you: Where did *you* want to be five years *ago*? To be sitting here in this dingy office, making a marginal salary at best, asking job prospects silly questions you can't answer even for yourself? I'm here looking for work because my employer just went belly up and my Five Year Plan belly up with it. Why are you here, and here voluntarily?"

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#8
In reply to #6

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/12/2014 1:22 AM

Thanks a lot, I knew there was something wrong going on. Plus I ve read several articles on how decline in manufacturing industry has caused reduced demands for Electrical engineer and how Govt. policies affect electrical engineers so on and so forth.

I did gain in knowledge, the manufacturing techniques, quality constraints, machinery involved for particular parts and 3D drawings and all... I am thankful to be given this opportunity.

The verticals are missing in the manufacturing industry atleast in my firm. Plus I have time and energy to take chances atleast I wont regret that I did nothing with this life.

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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/12/2014 9:14 AM

Wise approach to the future of your life! You are young, I presume, and have much time to spend "trying things out". Jobs are somewhat like a pair of shoes; you try them on and see how you like them. Sometimes you don't like the style so you don't even put them on. Some look good so you buy them and wear them to see how they feel. Sometimes they don't wear as comfortable as they first were. Then there is that one pair that you absolutely feel the comfort in, they look good, feel good, polish them up, put new laces on every so often and either keep them till someone else throws them away or you keep for the rest of your life! Never settle for the shoes (job) that doesn't feel comfortable in.

You are at the point where those loafers might need to be traded in for some sneakers. Try the change; you might be surprised how well they feel!

One thing I did not mention about my father and his 41 year job. He had a lot of contact with the defense establishment and the FAA in his job. They work by "contracts" and he used to spend 20 hour days writing them out for weeks on end. He was a "bitch" each time that came up. He also sweated out the end of each contract because they didn't know if there would be another one or if the corp. would transfer him to the other coast. For an EE who graduated magna cum laude that's not what he had looked forward to. He really wanted to be a boat builder, an inventor, a machinist or a math teacher. EE is not the best thing for all EE's.

Go for it! You can always go back to the same style of shoes.

Good Luck, Old Salt

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/12/2014 10:39 AM

I think everyone gives their comments based on personal experience. Changing "industries" can be difficult as most employers are looking for someone one to fill a slot for which some previous experience/education is required. Only real advice that I can offer is to ensure your resume includes all of your experience which is not related to your education. That shows prospective employers that you are versatile and not just stuck to what your education is, which, again in my opinion, is what progressive employers really look for in job applicants. Don't be afraid of taking on tasks and responsibilities outside of your "field". They are good learning experiences and increase your possibilities of rising the ladder.

Most important though, try to find something that you will enjoy as that makes almost any job worth while-even "flipping burgers"-

You can't control the people you work with or for - unless, of course, you are the "boss" and that is not a bad goal but, be prepared to spend some time in the trenches to get there.

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#11

Re: Should I Change to a Different Field from Manufacturing...

05/13/2014 1:21 AM

Thanks all for your valued advice.

Lyn - you have been commenting on almost all my queries, thanks for making my post active.

Europium mkII - I prefer option 8 'World of warcraft tester' but also open for FIFA series

Old salt - Thanks for sharing your experience.

Kevin Lapaire - I never considered the option of putting work exp. of different fields. You know I could be a good cook specializin in Chinese and Italian (thats what my friends say to me).

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