Engineers: What's it like?

<p>Is your job what you expected? Did you set out to design buildings as a structural engineer but instead are doing mundane work? I know a job is a job, but I really want to choose a career that I feel is meaningful. Anyway, I'm just curious about your opinions.</p>

<p>btw, do you guys know of any other forums that are perhaps more appropriate for engineering discussion? (not on a technical level, just in general)</p>

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Is your job what you expected?

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<p>it never is. you will always screw something up, or learn something new.</p>

<p>Dont' remember exactly where but I've seen a survey where engineers say they don't use 90%+ of their education. The purpose of the education was more about developing technical skills and introducing various topics in the field.</p>

<p>I am a mechanical engineering graduate and I work at a coal-fired electric utilities power plant. I'd say that my education is used a lot on my job. I didn't go to a fancy college so most of my education was focused on the fundamentals of engineering and not doing fancy projects. And working in a power plant requires you to be very good with the key fundamentals. I don't design the power plant but it is my job to keep it running smoothly but addressing daily maintenance issues, coming up with new ways to do things, coordinating projects, etc.</p>

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I am a mechanical engineering graduate and I work at a coal-fired electric utilities power plant. I'd say that my education is used a lot on my job. I didn't go to a fancy college so most of my education was focused on the fundamentals of engineering and not doing fancy projects. And working in a power plant requires you to be very good with the key fundamentals. I don't design the power plant but it is my job to keep it running smoothly but addressing daily maintenance issues, coming up with new ways to do things, coordinating projects, etc.

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I agree. Many engineers end up doing project based jobs focused on reliability and elimination of downtime. It doesn't draw upon a single subject...but rather uses broad based technical knowledge and problem solving abilities.</p>

<p>I use the theory and applications of signal processing, Fourier transforms, electromagnetics, algorithms, and programming very heavily at work. It's a good idea to pay attention in class.</p>

<p>Not anymore for me, strictly paper work. 25+ and in this day and age of out sourcing, It's amazing that I'm still working.</p>

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25+ and in this day and age of out sourcing, It's amazing that I'm still working.

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<p>I disagree</p>

<p>Disagree with what? Be specific.</p>