Contract Engineer

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]LoRez wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
As a project Engineer/manager, my job is to NOT make mistakes. So with my current position it’s somewhat hard to point at performance and say I deserve more money.

But as I said in that other thread, I am “managing” a lot more efficiently than the new guy that they will have to hire after me. I save time of the people above me by handling my shit and not creating issues (wrong jobs issued to the shop, drawing errors resulting in more CAD use). I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups. Since I am such a strong leader I give firm direction to my team members based on our companies standards so that my superiors don’t have to step in, in order for projects to move along. I step forward to snuff out issues before they become issues. I care enough about schedules and my quality of work to ensure that our customers receive their systems equipment built accurately to their needs, and on time (as much within my power).

You can be a complete fuck up at my work, or work very hard, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is treated the same and receives the same raise and recognition.

Just yesterday I was the one to initiate getting correct equipment to our international customer after the electrical engineer failed to enter correct quantities. My supervisor (same supervisor for the electrical engineer) told both of us to make revisions to our equipment quantities prior to shipping. I did mine, but the elec guy didn’t. our customer emailed us pissed offÃ??Ã?¢?Ã??Ã?¦.long story short the elec guy wasn’t going to do a damn thing about it so I had to step forward and get things going as I always do.

My supervisor said “why wasn’t this electrical equipment sent out correctly”?
Ã??Ã?¢?Ã??Ã?¦[Gee I dunno, why don’t you ask the guy you told directly to do it]

stick your neck out and get it slit I supposeÃ??Ã?¢?Ã??Ã?¦…anyway[/quote]

Ah, you have much to learn. Just a simple statement of fact; I mean no offense by it.

It’s this line in particular that’s probably going to hold you back sometime down the road: “I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups.”

And maybe I sound a bit like an asshole saying this, but I’d guess that plays a part in why you haven’t been offered the opportunities and the raises that you want.[/quote]

You need to step into my small company for a day to understand.

I ask. All to he questions and challenge the things that I question, no doubt about that.

But there are times when you just do as your told (like dealing with the owners kids for example) without any flak.

I got our companies standard raise dude. There’s a reason that EVERY person who has my position ends up leaving in no more than 3 yrs at the company, CAUSE THEY DONT GET THE MONEY THEY DESERVE. It’s a revolving door I’m telling you…

One time in a meeting I was simply explaining something to our owner in the meeting. My boss and the vp weren’t there so I was the only voice from our department. When my boss was back from vacation, our service manager told him that I was “talking back” to our owner, I learned my lesson.

I also listen to what people say about how the company is run, and pickup on the atmosphere, I’m playing my cards right for the ones that have been dealt to me[/quote]

I could be assuming, but:
That sounds very predefined and restrictive. Basically insert person A into slot B to keep their system running as they like. Keep your head down and production up, we’ll let you know when you’ve done something wrong- type of position.

Not a good match for an ambitious person. Great if you want to hit cruise control and have an easy but not very interesting career.

Sound about right?

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]LoRez wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
As a project Engineer/manager, my job is to NOT make mistakes. So with my current position it’s somewhat hard to point at performance and say I deserve more money.

But as I said in that other thread, I am “managing” a lot more efficiently than the new guy that they will have to hire after me. I save time of the people above me by handling my shit and not creating issues (wrong jobs issued to the shop, drawing errors resulting in more CAD use). I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups. Since I am such a strong leader I give firm direction to my team members based on our companies standards so that my superiors don’t have to step in, in order for projects to move along. I step forward to snuff out issues before they become issues. I care enough about schedules and my quality of work to ensure that our customers receive their systems equipment built accurately to their needs, and on time (as much within my power).

You can be a complete fuck up at my work, or work very hard, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is treated the same and receives the same raise and recognition.

Just yesterday I was the one to initiate getting correct equipment to our international customer after the electrical engineer failed to enter correct quantities. My supervisor (same supervisor for the electrical engineer) told both of us to make revisions to our equipment quantities prior to shipping. I did mine, but the elec guy didn’t. our customer emailed us pissed offÃ???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã??Ã?¦.long story short the elec guy wasn’t going to do a damn thing about it so I had to step forward and get things going as I always do.

My supervisor said “why wasn’t this electrical equipment sent out correctly”?
Ã???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã??Ã?¦[Gee I dunno, why don’t you ask the guy you told directly to do it]

stick your neck out and get it slit I supposeÃ???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã??Ã?¦…anyway[/quote]

Ah, you have much to learn. Just a simple statement of fact; I mean no offense by it.

It’s this line in particular that’s probably going to hold you back sometime down the road: “I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups.”

And maybe I sound a bit like an asshole saying this, but I’d guess that plays a part in why you haven’t been offered the opportunities and the raises that you want.[/quote]

You need to step into my small company for a day to understand.

I ask. All to he questions and challenge the things that I question, no doubt about that.

But there are times when you just do as your told (like dealing with the owners kids for example) without any flak.

I got our companies standard raise dude. There’s a reason that EVERY person who has my position ends up leaving in no more than 3 yrs at the company, CAUSE THEY DONT GET THE MONEY THEY DESERVE. It’s a revolving door I’m telling you…

One time in a meeting I was simply explaining something to our owner in the meeting. My boss and the vp weren’t there so I was the only voice from our department. When my boss was back from vacation, our service manager told him that I was “talking back” to our owner, I learned my lesson.

I also listen to what people say about how the company is run, and pickup on the atmosphere, I’m playing my cards right for the ones that have been dealt to me[/quote]

I could be assuming, but:
That sounds very predefined and restrictive. Basically insert person A into slot B to keep their system running as they like. Keep your head down and production up, we’ll let you know when you’ve done something wrong- type of position.

Not a good match for an ambitious person. Great if you want to hit cruise control and have an easy but not very interesting career.

Sound about right?
[/quote]

You really hit it on the head.

My boss has been there his entire career. I guess some people don’t want to push themselves and grow, but I do so I need to get out.

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]usmccds423 wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]LankyMofo wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]LoRez wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
TBH, I listen very closely to what the engineers here have to say. Anyone without an engineering degree is not someone I am going to pay that close attention to. [/quote]

So where do I fit in since I’m in software? Just curious.[/quote]
Since you don�??�??�??�?�¢??t hold a cereal box degree, and you have something that�??�??�??�?�¢??s technical and in-demand�??�??�??�?�¢?�??�??�??�?�¦

YOU�??�??�??�?�¢??RE IN!!!

I got out of school and had 2 interviews and 2 offers within a month, that doesn�??�??�??�?�¢??t usually happen with cereal box degrees (as I understand it). Being and Engineer (of any type) I believe* the hiring process/experience is vastly different.
[/quote]

Well if that’s the case I had several offers 8 months before I graduated.

Accounting FTW. [/quote]

YES.

Everyone needs an accountant if they plan on making money.

I’m glad that my GF is involved in the accounting field. Do you have your CPA? how detrimental would you say the CPA to an accountants career? How does salary change with the CPA? how hard is it to get a CAP without a bachelors in accounting?

[/quote]

If you work public accounting a CPA is a must.

You don’t have to have a BS in Accounting, but you do have to take a certain # of accounting course to sit for the exam (It’s like 30 credit hours I believe). There are also other requirements.

Some of the required courses include:

Tax I
Audit I
Financial I-III
Advanced Accounting
Cost Accounting

Most firms won’t give you a promotion past senior until you’re a CPA.[/quote]

Thanks!

I’ll have to gently pass this info along to my girlfriend. I’ve already suggested that she makes it a goal to eventually get her CPA.
[/quote]

Tell her to pass the tests directly out of college or as soon as possible. The longer she waits the more she gets out of study mode and quite frankly, the busier she’ll be. Even if she doesn’t have the required number of hours to get certified, pass the tests now and get the hours later.

My firm doesn’t give a raise as soon as you pass the CPA exam but does offer a bonus and it is needed to be promoted to manager. I also get recruiting emails all the time (very typical in this field) for positions that require certification, so I would definitely say it’s a must.

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:

[quote]LoRez wrote:

[quote]carbiduis wrote:
As a project Engineer/manager, my job is to NOT make mistakes. So with my current position it’s somewhat hard to point at performance and say I deserve more money.

But as I said in that other thread, I am “managing” a lot more efficiently than the new guy that they will have to hire after me. I save time of the people above me by handling my shit and not creating issues (wrong jobs issued to the shop, drawing errors resulting in more CAD use). I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups. Since I am such a strong leader I give firm direction to my team members based on our companies standards so that my superiors don’t have to step in, in order for projects to move along. I step forward to snuff out issues before they become issues. I care enough about schedules and my quality of work to ensure that our customers receive their systems equipment built accurately to their needs, and on time (as much within my power).

You can be a complete fuck up at my work, or work very hard, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is treated the same and receives the same raise and recognition.

Just yesterday I was the one to initiate getting correct equipment to our international customer after the electrical engineer failed to enter correct quantities. My supervisor (same supervisor for the electrical engineer) told both of us to make revisions to our equipment quantities prior to shipping. I did mine, but the elec guy didn’t. our customer emailed us pissed offÃ???Ã???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã???Ã??Ã?¦.long story short the elec guy wasn’t going to do a damn thing about it so I had to step forward and get things going as I always do.

My supervisor said “why wasn’t this electrical equipment sent out correctly”?
Ã???Ã???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã???Ã??Ã?¦[Gee I dunno, why don’t you ask the guy you told directly to do it]

stick your neck out and get it slit I supposeÃ???Ã???Ã??Ã?¢?Ã???Ã???Ã??Ã?¦…anyway[/quote]

Ah, you have much to learn. Just a simple statement of fact; I mean no offense by it.

It’s this line in particular that’s probably going to hold you back sometime down the road: “I do as I am told by those above me and don’t ask questions or create hold-ups.”

And maybe I sound a bit like an asshole saying this, but I’d guess that plays a part in why you haven’t been offered the opportunities and the raises that you want.[/quote]

You need to step into my small company for a day to understand.

I ask. All to he questions and challenge the things that I question, no doubt about that.

But there are times when you just do as your told (like dealing with the owners kids for example) without any flak.

I got our companies standard raise dude. There’s a reason that EVERY person who has my position ends up leaving in no more than 3 yrs at the company, CAUSE THEY DONT GET THE MONEY THEY DESERVE. It’s a revolving door I’m telling you…

One time in a meeting I was simply explaining something to our owner in the meeting. My boss and the vp weren’t there so I was the only voice from our department. When my boss was back from vacation, our service manager told him that I was “talking back” to our owner, I learned my lesson.

I also listen to what people say about how the company is run, and pickup on the atmosphere, I’m playing my cards right for the ones that have been dealt to me[/quote]

I could be assuming, but:
That sounds very predefined and restrictive. Basically insert person A into slot B to keep their system running as they like. Keep your head down and production up, we’ll let you know when you’ve done something wrong- type of position.

Not a good match for an ambitious person. Great if you want to hit cruise control and have an easy but not very interesting career.

Sound about right?
[/quote]

You really hit it on the head.

My boss has been there his entire career. I guess some people don’t want to push themselves and grow, but I do so I need to get out.
[/quote]

That does suck. I’m not sure what the next big thing is but it sounds like you need to be in a company that has an R&D department and likes developing new technologies. Their aren’t too many of those around lately, but they are out there.

I worked for one for a while doing mock ups and testing among other things. It was pretty damn cool, and a major incentive was that if you created something useful you would receive a portion of the proceeds.

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:
I worked for one for a while doing mock ups and testing among other things. It was pretty damn cool, and a major incentive was that if you created something useful you would receive a portion of the proceeds.
[/quote]

That’s refreshing to hear. Incentive leads to innovation. I think the profit-sharing business model will take off more in the next few years.

[quote]MattyG35 wrote:

[quote]SkyzykS wrote:
I worked for one for a while doing mock ups and testing among other things. It was pretty damn cool, and a major incentive was that if you created something useful you would receive a portion of the proceeds.
[/quote]

That’s refreshing to hear. Incentive leads to innovation. I think the profit-sharing business model will take off more in the next few years.[/quote]

That was in 2003 or so. Corporate R&D has taken a nosedive since then. If I understand it correctly, a lot of new technologies are usually developed by smaller independent and very specialized companies, which is the type I was with at the time.

[quote]Testy1 wrote:
I can tell you that my manufacturing experience from before I became a designer is irreplaceable. Anybody can learn to use CAD, but unless you know the limitations and efficiencies of manufacturing it is pretty much useless.
[/quote]

Worse…downright dangerous.

[quote]1 Man Island wrote:
They are also the most confident of all the generations, but least able to overcome adversity.
[/quote]

That sounds like a contradiction to me. Confidence is the tool/muscle used to overcome adversity.

Any updates?

[quote]spar4tee wrote:
Any updates?[/quote]
I got an email yesterday from the engineering firm guy. He said that the construction equipment company has decided to do direct hires instead of using the firm. I remember during the interview the guy from the firm told me that at one point there were 95 workers from the firm working at the company, now there’s 5. It almost sounds like the company is using the firm to get guys in the door and then just taking it from there.

This is good news, but I am still waiting to hear back from the company. They said they would let me know sometime this week. In addition to this, it’s all I’m fucking thinking about.