This will be a story of me working as an engineer since I have graduated. I will be writing down my experience from time to time in between other posts that I will upload daily.
Follow me on the journey as an engineer in the communications field as I will discuss matters faced by an engineer daily. Hope you enjoy reading =)
The term Engineering is a branch of science and technology which comprise of design, building, and implementation.The job of an engineer is to ensure that the installation of equipment supplied at the site is according to specifications and drawing measurements.
Besides overlooking site progress and drawings, an engineer’s job is to ensure that the product provided can perform at optimum level. Hence, the calculation needs to be done prior supplying the product.
As glamorous as it may sound, there is always a downside to a somewhat beautiful title. Here are some dark sides that an engineer never reveal.
You Work for Super Long Hours
You will miss out all the gathering, friends and family time and your leisure time.You will barely have the chance to enjoy yourself even if you are on your annual leave.
Work will haunt you 24/7, and if you are unlucky enough, your work may have some hiccups and urgency may arise that requires you to cut short your holidays.
You Handle Everything From Top to Toe
Your job often stretches beyond that of your scope when you first apply for your job. Your boss would want you to handle everything from documentation , building, testing, installation until project handover.
There is no saying NO in that.
Hate your job? Pack your bags and leave. That’s what you’ll get from your boss.
Your Responsibility is Equal to Management If Not Less
With such title, no wonder everyone is pointing their fingers at you. If there is anything wrong with the design, structure, installation, calculation or commissioning, you will be held responsible for everything. Worse part? Your reputation is at stake here.
Your Pay is Lower than Anyone Could have Expected
After so much hard work in ensuring your company gets to complete its project on time, you may have expected some reward in return. Far from the truth, the only reward you may get is a pat on your back followed by a "Good Job," and then you are forgotten once again.
Your salary is not that high anyway. The average salary of an engineer is around RM3000 in Malaysia. Live with that.
That is what an engineer would have to endure. On the bright side, it builds up your EQ in the process. Soon you will realize you are stronger than your previous self.
You are Fucked Up if Your Project Goes South
I guess I don’t have to elaborate more on this. It is only natural that an engineer would bear full responsibility if there is anything wrong with the physicality, performance, environment, documents, and client’s satisfaction which involves the project you are handling.
The Verdict
So is it worth being an engineer? It is a subjective question. Unless if you are willing to learn fast and love the challenges, engineering is not going to be a happy ending for you. If you are looking to earn quick bucks in this field, I guarantee you will leave in despair.
For me, I am just an average guy who is figuring out how to solve someone else problem. =)
@edmundang interesting story as an engineer. I graduated as a civil engineer, a long long time ago. Like very long.
Then I went into a totally unrelated field for 21 years in sales, plus doing some stuff online.
In any field when you have done your job, it is just a pat on your back. When "shitake" happens, you are blamed. Its the norm. That's life.
At the end of the day, whether you are in engineering, sales, entrepreneur, in any profession, the role is to solve problems.
Some of my friends who are engineers do very well today. Learn all you can, build up your network with friends, suppliers, competitors etc. to increase your value.
I agree, at the end of the day, our job is to solve people's problem no matter which field we are in. Others are just something that we could learn in the process. =)
I often chuckle when someone would have the perception that an engineer earns a lot. Which is the opposite of true.
Once you are good, you can earn quite a lot. It will take 10 years or more. The problem is sometimes we want it fast, me included. haha. Starting pay of engineer consider not too bad already, but yes cost of living is crazy.
A few people I talk to tells me that by now (age around 50), only they can say they know their stuff and it is the prime of their career. I tend to agree.
If you are a fast learner maybe earlier. There are very few at the level of Zuckerberg & Musk.
Find good people to be your mentors. If you have a good boss, learn all you can from him. Ride along a rising star.
well said =)