<p>Hi there, </p>
<p>After finishing my undergrad in ME with a 2.9 gpa from a prestigious research university, within a month after graduation I started working an internship that involved 80% machining work with little design, and analysis(i.e mechanical engineering). My internship was only a 2 yr contract, and once it expired, I decided to go back to school. </p>
<p>I got accepted to MS ME program with the help of my professors and old employer.
I'm 1.5 years into the masters and I recently applied for an internship with a company that does lots of structural analysis. I end up getting the job, immediately drop all my graduate courses and begin to work the internship. 2 months later I get fired; apparently I was working at a very slow pace for them and my work required too much supervision from senior engineers.
In other words, they had no time to babysit since their plates were full. </p>
<p>I feel like this is where I should throw in the towel and make a career change. Clearly, I suck at engineering and it kills me that after 5 yrs of school work , I haven't seen a return on my investment. </p>
<p>Any advice is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>What? I wouldn’t give up, in fact I would just look at other internships or opportunities you can find in your area. You may also consider going back to grad school starting next semester if that is an option. Personally, I would just take a break from school and stressful work, and just get a manual labor type job for now while you search for other options as they are very stress relieving. Of course I don’t know your situation, if this is financially possible, but if it is, it is very rewarding work if you can do so. Also consider developing your skills in your free time (programming, or anything else you can think of).</p>
<p>It’s an internship. You’re meant to learn as you go along through the mentoring of your employer. The person who fired you seems a bit inconsiderate if they knew that you have mostly had machining experience. Don’t let this get you down unless you genuinely don’t enjoy your field anymore.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d review the entire internship experience from initial contact to final dismissal, and consider what problems and concerns that you experienced are truly related to you individually, versus the company and other employees. There are bad firms out there, dysfunctional workplaces, competitive and sometimes sabotaging employees, impossible work environments, etc. Some people either don’t want to deal with the intern, or don’t know how to utilitize an intern, and the situation turns out badly. It may not all be “You”.</p>
<p>Then consider whether this employer’s product focus aligned with your own interests. Another different internship may assure you, or confirm that you need to revise your career plans.</p>
<p>I know a PE who was let go from his job after 29.5 years after a very lengthy, well compensated and high level position. He was well respected at this Fortune 500 company and was a VP in his field. He took a job with a much smaller company doing a job he was not as familiar with but similar in what he specialized in and guess what? After 6 months, he was fired for not working quickly enough. Those that should have been working with him as part of a team had no time to help him or did not want to or whatever reason they didn’t want him. It happens to those more experienced as well and you will never know what the real reason was ( except what HR wants to put down) to avoid a lawsuit. This is corporate America and I would not let this experience cause you to give up! Keep on keeping on. This is part of life.</p>
<p>Have you given much thought about function within engineering that you may be intrinsically good at, and that you may enjoy. For example, some engineers are good at coming up with new ideas, and converting them into tangible products or services; some are good at design, testing, manufacturing, quality assurance, application engineering, sales & marketing etc. Engineering is basically problem solving. Sometimes it takes a couple of jobs to find your true interests. </p>
<p>If your MS is funded, and your adviser is still willing to take you back, and if you are still interested in engineering, try to finish it, so you have something to show for show for your efforts. Good luck, and learn from the setbacks.</p>