Best Careers 2009: Engineer

poop

poopy

g of NV @ Nov 04, 2009 19:25:50 PM

More political correctness

Yes, there are many computer jobs. But not for US citizens! I have watched the IT industry being shipped overseas for quite some time (let's talk 20 year timeframes.)

I personally have 5-associate degrees, 2-BS degrees (1 in computer science), an MBA in management and 30-years experience as a software engineer (19 years with Intel). I have a squeeky clean police record and sterling job reviews.

I also have been 'out of work' for 10-years, because all of the positions I apply for are getting filled with foreign engineers from India and China. Sometimes entire departments are being outsourced.

I have to work in Asia as an English teacher, at less than minimum wage, to pay the bills. Many of my co-workers here have similar stories.

Just what is going on? Lies, lies and more lies!

Jim @ Nov 03, 2009 08:44:25 AM

Engineer if for Enterpreurs

I think that from all the comments posted plus my personal experience (which is very similar to most of you…including many, many years of work experience) I would dare to give the following recommendations to future “engineers”:

Engineering is a career that can bring you a lot of satisfaction at a personal level but also you should be aware that is a very risky career because by nature engineers’ work is generated by the “need of creating”…new products, new services, etc. When a product or service is not longer attractive, or has become a commodity (like toilet paper) or is being outsource, then you are at risk of becoming obsolete. Unless, of course you have taken the necessary precaution of retraining on what is in “fashion” or you have had the “cojones” to become an entrepreneurs. The latest step will probably bring you the most satisfaction. (this is what will make you rich…working for somebody will not!)

So, in conclusion, you will trained properly in exchange you must,

-Be ready for change. Meaning you must keep updating on new trends, new industries including management.

-Think entrepreneurship the earliest possible in your career

-Engineers must have “cojones” (in the figurative way…and I really mean this). The challenges you will go through in your career will need you to be composed and have your head clear all the time. Keep your body and mind strong.

Very best to you future engineers.

GRoth of FL @ Nov 02, 2009 18:06:15 PM

Illegal misuse of the system

I am an engineer currently still working in the US. Every day it is a struggle to hold on to a job. Not because of having to do my work. I have no problem competing in an environment where the best workers keep the jobs. I do have a problem where it takes multiple h1b engineers to do the same job and I run the risk of layoff only because of pay difference. H1B is only supposed to be used when skilled work force is not available within the country. I have seen proof of skilled US workers being skipped over and over seas engineers brought in. I have seen many cases where the engineer brought in had less than half the skills of the local engineer, but were still brought over. Due to time it takes to get an approved H1B these engineers have been brought over on L1 visas to do work in the states. That is an illegal use of L1. I have also see engineers having to train engineers brought over on H1B just to replace the US engineer who would be put out of a job. I did not hear about these stories, I have witnessed them personally. When I finally can no longer avoid the ax on that day I will switch to a new job. I will then go into politics with the mission of exposing all companies that are abusing the visa laws and causing them to loose all their current visas and all engineers under that program will have to be sent home within 48 hours. These companies will complain that it will destroy their ability to operate and might force them to close down. What about what they have been doing USA’s ability to operate?

Orlando of FL @ Oct 31, 2009 18:10:11 PM

Engineering Careers In USA Not So Bright Due to Globalization and Offshore Efforts

I'm a mechanical engineer with 12-years of experience and have been unemployed for the past 11 months. I wish I could say that the outlook for engineering is good, but what I and many of my colleagues have seen is years of continued salary stagnation and layoffs/job eliminations-especially in the case of automotive engineers.

I disagree with the article's statement that "lower-skilled" engineering work is being off-shored to firms from India and China. Huh? The off-shoring efforts have nothing to with the skill-level requirements of the engineering work, but everything to do with globalization and the business practices of the multi-national corporation. It's simply, be it skilled/unskilled or white/blue collar, if labor can be done more cheaply overseas then that's how corporate America increases shareholder profits.

Unfortunately I have to agree with San Diagan's remarks. When I was in High School in the late eighties and early nineties, the counselors couldn't stop speaking to how "safe" and "lucretive" engineering was and would continue to be-well it's not as safe a bet anymore.

However, DO go into engineering (and the natural sciences) to challenge and develop your intellect and for the love of problem solving and the desire to understand the natural world and technology.

DON'T go into engineering because of some false association with prestige or money.

Unfortunately, coporate America doesn't hold engineering in high esteem-R&D budgets are ever-shinking and off-shoring efforts ever-growing.

I wish there was a way to off-shore Wallstreet and our so-called leaders in Washington D.C. who have been selling the American people a bill a goods for the past several decades.

Andrew of MI @ Oct 31, 2009 06:51:30 AM

Unemployed Engineers

Engineers were not trained to work for others >20 yrs;after 10 yrs start your own

Software,Energy,Maintenance,Construction,Consulting,Design,QS,Project Mgt,etc,etc,etc Company,you will feel how correct you were when you chose Engineering.Catch,you must get good at what you do and have experience in all

branches.

Anthony of FL @ Oct 30, 2009 20:58:27 PM

Engineering ???

I am an engineer and being unemployed since January 2009 . Yes, there are few jobs out there and they won't pay even close to what you used to make ..it's a shame . I am now collecting unemployment benefit (2nd extension now) ,staying home, babysitting my 3-yrs kid and hope to find the job sometime next year .

I have 15 yrs of experience and was making 100k/yr .My company(Qualcomm) now hires lot of Indian engineers who are willing to work for 30k-40k/yr with a guarantee of a green card after 5 yrs ...... I do not recommend young people to pursuit engineering ....go to the medical fields instead

San diegan of CA @ Oct 30, 2009 18:10:37 PM

Environmental/ecological engineering

I've been browsing the comments and am surprised at all the negative postings. I've been led to believe that engineering in general was a good career choice. I have been considering changing careers and going into engineering. (I'm currently a dairy farmer, so hey it can't get any worse!) I am 37 and very interested in an ecological engineering course. It's a pretty new field so not much job growth/salary info but I've seen lots of positive articles about environmental engineering and the two are similar. Am I too old to be starting this now and is it a big mistake, or is this a promising field? Seems to me that sort of thing would be all but impossible to outsource.

Brian Dougherty of IA @ Oct 29, 2009 21:57:23 PM