Becoming an engineer?

Question

I have heard that there is a shortage of engineering skills in England. Is that true & is it therefore a good profession to get into?

The only problem that I may have getting into the profession is that I am a 40 year old graduate with no qualifications or experience in engineering. Om top of that, I am hopeless at drawing & designing.

I graduated with a degree in statistics & finance.

Please advice.

Answer 1

I am fully aware that being an Engineer at sea is not for the lazy or those looking for a cushy number, as you seem to me to be seeking? Engineers habitually get covered in filth, have to work in excessively high temperatures and get drenched in sweat and often have to work excessively long hours and experience heavy fatigue when others on board are off duty and relaxing. But there are those that are suited to that kind of lifestyle and love their job and they make excellent engineers. There are many others who are better suited to non engineering types of job. You seem to be one such? At the end of the day it is YOUR decision?

Answer 2

Right then. I am an Engineer/Technical Author in the energy industries with 27 years experience both in the UK and abroad. We currently have a world-wide shortage for all types of Engineers - and by an 'Engineer' I mean a professional graduate with at least 6 - 10 years experience.

I see your background is in finance. Well, the two professionas are not compatible in any shape or form and at 40, and sorry for this, but I think you are just a wee bit on the mature side for coming into engineering.

However, you could try and do a part-time HNC at your local tech college and try to get some work experience, say in a small engineering manufacturers.

That's about all the advice I can offer you. Good luck!

Answer 3

There is a shortage of people with average plus skills across the board. Why don't you try and excel in your present area of expertise/competency.

Forget what you were taught 20 years back. Get hold of new contemporary materials in your own domain.

There is a lot to learn and I am sure you will gain a lot of knowledge and change for the better. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Engineering, like medicine and law, is a self-regulated profession. This means the profession is responsible for overseeing the conduct of its members, and for establishing practice guidelines, professional standards and codes of ethics for them to follow.

To do this, engineering regulatory associations have been established in each province and territory of Canada. The associations/ordre license engineers who meet the profession’s high standards, and govern the profession of engineering.

Licensed engineers can use the designation "P. Eng." ("ing." in Quebec) after their names. P. Eng. stands for "professional engineer" (ing. = "ingénieur"). It’s engineering’s stamp of quality. No one can call themselves a professional engineer, use the P. Eng. designation, or carry out engineering work in Canada without a licence.



Once you have a degree from an accredited program, you’re on your way to becoming a professional engineer. Next steps?

* Register with your provincial/territorial association/ordre of professional engineers.
* Get three to four years of practical engineering experience (depending on your province/territory), under the supervision of a professional engineer.
* Pass the professional practice exam (on ethics and law).

You will then be granted the P.Eng., your license to practice engineering.

For more information, visit the P.Eng. Web site, at www.peng.ca.



Areas of Specialization
Engineers have lots of options!

There are nearly 20 areas of specialization, or disciplines, to choose from, and most offer a wide range of career options.

Once you’ve chosen your specialty, there’s lots of room for crossover, and you will probably have a chance to work with engineers from many other specializations. You can understand why engineers need to be team players, when you think about how the many specialties of engineering join together to create a major project.

So, regardless of your specialty, you’ll probably be involved in several kinds of engineering. You will also be at the forefront of innovation, because the Engineering you do will shape our vision of the future.

Answer 5

Engineering is a wide field! What are you interested in Mechanical? Electrical? Marine?
There is a shortage of experienced engineers, but pay isn't wonderful
http://search.learndirect.co.uk/searcher/advice/search!searchAdvice.action?query=engineering
http://www.imeche.org/SiteSearch.htm?st=careers

Answer 6

Engineering is much more than drawing and designing.

Statistics can be used in analysis and optimization of data-rich processes.

Finance knowledge is widely useful in accounting and cost control areas of any company.

If you have the will, you will find a way.

Good luck.

Answer 7

It takes at least seven years just for the basics , then on running licences for what ever trade, your twenty years too late, graduate with no experience stick to what you know

Answer 8

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