# I used to be an Engineer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 10, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935 "2008-01-10T03:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/21 "2008-01-10T18:24:25Z")
I keep in touch with a few folks I graduated with. 15 years after getting engineering degrees, none of us is doing any engineering. No, I’m afraid it’s management for the lot of you. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/22 "2008-01-10T18:52:13Z")
[QUOTE=zoid] I keep in touch with a few folks I graduated with. 15 years after getting engineering degrees, none of us is doing any engineering. No, I’m afraid it’s management for the lot of you. [/QUOTE] No! No! No, I say. I will not go down without a fight. I will become a lab rat again. Someway, somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/23 "2008-01-10T19:03:34Z")
My company has the great policy of “easing” technical staff into management positions. My current tasking is about 80% science/engineering and 20% management of two small programs. The best part: as long as I do only an “adequate” job at management and do “excellent” technical work, I can get steady payraises while discouraging additional management tasking. It’s the best of all worlds: more money and an enjoyable job. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/24 "2008-01-10T19:20:06Z")
Showed a quick mock up of an app my boss requested to help some interdepartmental staff to report problems. The staff loves it. My boss, whom will not use it found it confusing. He was completely engrossed with little tiny shit like labels and colors without looking at the functionality. Me: This allows anyone to track their issue buy name, date, issueID, other related DB issue number, whether or not the issue has been resolved and where the issue happened and sort them. They can look at all issues or any of the above combinations. Boss: What does ‘Resolved’ mean? That’s confusing. And ‘Search for a Record’ is confusing too. I suggested that we should get the staffs opinion, and he said it did not matter since he was the one signing off on it. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/25 "2008-01-10T19:47:40Z")
I feel for you…I’m an engineer and I put more hours into booking meeting rooms in Outlook for budget status reviews than I do actually designing anything. If only PowerPoint could export in CAD formats, I’d just do all of my designs there…(with added whoosh and fade effects on the dimensions and data, the fab shop would love that) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/26 "2008-01-10T23:31:05Z")
[QUOTE=GargoyleWB] If only PowerPoint could export in CAD formats, I’d just do all of my designs there…(with added whoosh and fade effects on the dimensions and data, the fab shop would love that) 🙂 [/QUOTE] [hijack] Do you have access to SolidWorks? The last time I used it ('06), they had added lots of fun animation options.[/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/27 "2008-01-10T23:54:27Z")
I haven’t been able to do honest-to-goodness design work since 1997. I didn’t become a manager, but I did move into a more paperwork-and-powerpoint type job. I miss the creativity of design, but I am making a metric buttload of money at what I’m doing, plus I can retire in 2 years, so what the heck… I have only vague memories of building 3-D models of tooling and fixtures used to overhaul aircraft and engines. Those were the good old days. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/28 "2008-01-10T23:58:37Z")
I’ve got a simple .doc called CYA. I’m glad I saw this thread because I have a few things to put into it again. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/29 "2008-01-11T03:21:31Z")
[QUOTE=zoid] I keep in touch with a few folks I graduated with. 15 years after getting engineering degrees, none of us is doing any engineering. No, I’m afraid it’s management for the lot of you. [/QUOTE] Ha! I’m still in the game (20 years on). Of course, I also do all of the bookkeeping, marketing, phone-answering, word processing, etc. around here. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/30 "2008-01-11T03:35:53Z")
[Thumper from the “Twitterpated” scene]Well, it ain’t gonna happen to _me_[/Thumper] ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/31 "2008-01-11T06:06:34Z")
First I was a tech support engineer, helping customers deal with bugs and hastily put together features in our product. Then I became a product engineer, helping product management figure out technical problems with our suppliers. Then I became a product manager (and got an MBA) so I could make sure the product had the right features and not the stupidities I saw in support. Then we stopped making our own product, and just bought our competitors and silk screened our logo on it. Engineering work became hours of conference calls with licensing lawyers. Some mornings I considered sticking needles in my eyeballs to avoid going to work. ☹ Then I quit, and became a stay at home dad. Now I read books on trains and airplanes with my 5 year old son. Once a month or so, we go to the airport and watch planes land and take off at the end of the runway. Yesterday, he asked me about fixed vs retractable landing gears, and has a pretty decent grasp of lift, thrust and drag. This last summer I rebuilt and spray painted our yard fence, even though the Home Depot guys said that exterior acrylic latex would never work through a sprayer. This is the best damned engineering job I ever had…🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MonaLizaT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@MonaLizaT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonaLizaT)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/32 "2008-01-11T12:58:03Z")
I have always loved technical writing so at one of my early jobs I became the report guru. Consequently, I missed out on learning some important stuff. Nowadays, I’m mostly running traffic models with some occasional signal design. I’m trying to do more of the technical stuff. I had a chance last year to be the traffic engineer for the City but I knew what that would mean - nothing but management and phone calls from residents wanting speed humps. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/33 "2008-01-11T13:28:52Z")
[QUOTE=MonaLizaT] I had a chance last year to be the traffic engineer for the City but I knew what that would mean - nothing but management and phone calls from residents wanting speed humps. [/QUOTE] If the City’s not too large, you might be able to work a little design in there. I worked for our City for 4 years, and managed to design a few things. It’s good experience, if you don’t mind the low pay and being treated poorly by the Powers that Be. ---
**Author:** ![MonaLizaT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@MonaLizaT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonaLizaT)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/34 "2008-01-11T13:54:18Z")
[QUOTE=NinetyWt] If the City’s not too large, you might be able to work a little design in there. I worked for our City for 4 years, and managed to design a few things. It’s good experience, if you don’t mind the low pay and being treated poorly by the Powers that Be. [/QUOTE] Nah - a friend left the position so he could DO some design. We’re a large city (850,000+) and, when they couldn’t find anyone willing to put up with the grief (and 19 micromanaging city council members), they just _eliminated_ the position. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/35 "2008-01-12T03:56:21Z")
[QUOTE=MonaLizaT] they just _eliminated_ the position. [/QUOTE] :eek: Remind me never to attempt to drive through there!! ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/36 "2008-01-12T13:26:38Z")
[QUOTE=MonaLizaT] Nah - a friend left the position so he could DO some design. We’re a large city (850,000+) and, when they couldn’t find anyone willing to put up with the grief (and 19 micromanaging city council members), they just _eliminated_ the position. :smack: [/QUOTE] Which position, traffic engineer or city council. I kid, but you know … ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/37 "2008-01-12T15:23:44Z")
I’m not in engineering, but **TullyMars** (and others), this is precisely why I will not go into education administration. I love teaching, and hate all of the paperwork. I love everything that happens in the classroom, and administration is everything out of the classroom. No freakin’ thanks. I have been encouraged on many occasions to get my administrative credential, told how good I’d be at it, etc…but no freakin’ thanks. I hope you can get your lab rat status back soon, **Tully**. ---
**Author:** ![dgrdfd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/38 "2008-01-12T16:37:10Z")
I am a software engineer, and I never really got started doing design ☹ I only started a year ago, but somehow I manage to end up writing documentation or testing or in Excel all day long. Every once in awhile things get exciting and I can do maintenance work. Yeah, it sucks, but they are paying for my masters degree (plus $10k once I graduate) so things can be reevaluated once I complete it. Is this typical for new hires in your companies? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/39 "2008-01-12T17:40:35Z")
How many people in here who say they’re an “engineer” actually are a licensed P.E.? I’d be interested in seeing the connection between those who are P.E.'s and those who don’t in terms of how much engineering they do. ---
**Author:** ![dgrdfd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935/40 "2008-01-12T18:36:21Z")
I think I am legally an “Engineering Intern.” I have passed the fundamentals of engineering exam, but have not pursued anything else terms of actually getting a P.E. license. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-used-to-be-an-engineer/432935.md?page=3)