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CM graduate- Field Engineer or Estimator?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:13 pm
I'll be graduating in CM in December and looking for advice. Most entry level job openings are for a field project engineer position with a few openings in estimating departments. Which is the better way to go? I want something on the industrial side where I can learn a lot and start building a resume for the long term.
I've done an estimating internship and I liked it but I'm not sure that I would want to do that long term. I don't mind working overtime or travelling for my first few years out of college but I would like to settle down in one location with a 40 hour week as I get older. My concern is that as a project engineer I will learn more under a PM but may be on my way to travelling and working 50+ hour weeks all my life. Thanks for any advice!
I've done an estimating internship and I liked it but I'm not sure that I would want to do that long term. I don't mind working overtime or travelling for my first few years out of college but I would like to settle down in one location with a 40 hour week as I get older. My concern is that as a project engineer I will learn more under a PM but may be on my way to travelling and working 50+ hour weeks all my life. Thanks for any advice!
28
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:15 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field experience is valuable.
quote:I know alot of PM's that put in some hours, but this certainly isnt the life they live.
My concern is that as a project engineer I will learn more under a PM but may be on my way to travelling and working 50+ hour weeks all my life.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:15 pm to theBOSSman!!
quote:
My concern is that as a project engineer I will learn more under a PM but may be on my way to travelling and working 50+ hour weeks all my life.
You won't be in your entry level position your whole career.
Take the job where you can learn the most and make the most money while you are young. Enjoy that money and paid travel. Find a new job when you decide to settle down.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:25 pm to theBOSSman!!
quote:
Field Engineer
well your not an engineer, so i wouldn't use that term
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:26 pm to djangochained
quote:
well your not an engineer,
English teacher?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:26 pm to theBOSSman!!
I graduate this semester.
From what I gathered when I talked to a couple of professors and industry people, starting in the field usually can result in a faster career progression. There are much fewer degrees people willing to work out in the field.
Of course this is also an extremely company specific question. Some companies require you to begin in the field. Also, if you work for a company that only does a vast majority of work in one area/city then even if you are in the field you won't technically be "traveling".
You should definitely ask more questions of the companies you interview with.
Fwiw I'm starting in the field. However, I have a couple years previous field experience. I enjoy being out on site every day (for now). I'm not a fan of the idea of being in an office.
Also fwiw, you should probably rethink your idea of working 40hrs a week in an office as your end goal. There aren't a whole lot of people in CM that go to the office at 8 and just roll out when the clock hits 5. It's the nature of the industry.
From what I gathered when I talked to a couple of professors and industry people, starting in the field usually can result in a faster career progression. There are much fewer degrees people willing to work out in the field.
Of course this is also an extremely company specific question. Some companies require you to begin in the field. Also, if you work for a company that only does a vast majority of work in one area/city then even if you are in the field you won't technically be "traveling".
You should definitely ask more questions of the companies you interview with.
Fwiw I'm starting in the field. However, I have a couple years previous field experience. I enjoy being out on site every day (for now). I'm not a fan of the idea of being in an office.
Also fwiw, you should probably rethink your idea of working 40hrs a week in an office as your end goal. There aren't a whole lot of people in CM that go to the office at 8 and just roll out when the clock hits 5. It's the nature of the industry.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:27 pm to theBOSSman!!
I don't know of any decent estimators with zero field experience. Most move into estimating later on in their careers. If I were you, I would start out in the field.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:31 pm to Displaced
Legally, only a PE can claim the title engineer. Similar to a nurse claiming to be a doctor.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:32 pm to theBOSSman!!
You're not going to learn how to build anything in the office estimating. You are in the wrong business if you are looking for 40 hr/wk job.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:41 pm to baseballmind1212
Are you actually able to take time out of your day and walk around the job site? I keep hearing from industry workers and interviewers that I'll have a hard time finding the down time to go walk around the site and watch the work being done.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:45 pm to AUCE05
Well that certainly isn't true.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:49 pm to theBOSSman!!
As a field engineer, my duties will include material check-in, submittal reviews, and sub oversight. Since Im the one that reviews submittals, I need to be the one checking in said submitted material to make sure it matches, and then check to make sure that particular stuff was used in the build.
I'm sure if you tell your super, "Hey, I'm not really familiar with the whole process of (insert work activity here). Do you mind if I take an hour to go watch it done so I can get a better idea?" You can go watch the process.
Unless you have some pressing thing that needs to be done, who wouldn't want you to go learn more about the actual processes that ultimately make the company it's profit.
Tl;Dr, No bossman is going to tell you "frick you you can't learn on my clock"
I'm sure if you tell your super, "Hey, I'm not really familiar with the whole process of (insert work activity here). Do you mind if I take an hour to go watch it done so I can get a better idea?" You can go watch the process.
Unless you have some pressing thing that needs to be done, who wouldn't want you to go learn more about the actual processes that ultimately make the company it's profit.
Tl;Dr, No bossman is going to tell you "frick you you can't learn on my clock"
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:51 pm to theBOSSman!!
Field experience will certainly help you become a better estimator.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:52 pm to theBOSSman!!
Take the field position. It will probably be harder in the beginning with more travel, but you'll learn more and move up faster. If you start in the office, you'll probably be stuck in the office.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 12:59 pm to Lightning
Now what if the estimating position pays $10000 per year more than the field engineer position? Is the experience gained going to be worth it
Posted on 3/20/17 at 1:05 pm to baseballmind1212
quote:
baseballmind1212
You graduating in CM or in some type of engineering?
Posted on 3/20/17 at 1:05 pm to theBOSSman!!
If you've seen estimating then try a field assignment. You won't go anywhere without field experience so if you ever wanna move into an office you'll have it behind you. I suggest getting scheduling exposure too.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 1:07 pm to theBOSSman!!
Factor the OT in with the field job.
Posted on 3/20/17 at 1:20 pm to theBOSSman!!
quote:
entry level job
quote:
theBOSSman
does not compute
Posted on 3/20/17 at 1:25 pm to AUCE05
quote:
Legally, only a PE can claim the title engineer. Similar to a nurse claiming to be a doctor.
You engineering folks are insufferable
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