bi22le
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:08 PM |
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The end of an era : work, not car related
In March 2012 I posted on this site about studying with OU. Following nothing but positive recommendations, I started a BEng in Product Design which
is on going.
In March 2014 I successfully gained Incorporated Engineer accreditation with IPEM, with support and encouragement from LCBers.
Today was the last day at the company I have been working for 10 years. The above milestones were massive in securing a new and exciting role in a
research and development department for a large international medical device company. My dogged determination was the main driver and a massive asset
to strive for better.
The journey has been long and tough at times but it has all paid off. I love(d) my employer and felt very respected and valued. The leaving present
and kind words from all my colleagues demonstrated this, but I wanted more. More technicality, more engineering complexity, more opportunity to
grow.
I have 2 weeks off now before I start my new job ( track day next week and an OU residential the week after!) but cant wait.
I think what I am trying to say in this post is; If you dont like your work \ job, you CAN do something about it. It may not happen tomorrow but
progressing towards the change helps and is better than just sulking about it or regretting it years down the line.
I want to empower the guys, on here, that replied all them years back when I was asking about career changes. I want to say to you "come on, you
can do something about it. Quit dreaming and start working"
I am going to a company to play with the latest 3 axis CNC machines and 3D printer (multi-material), I cant bloody wait!!!!
On the flip side, I have lost my company car with free diesel and actually have to PAY to tow my car to a track day next week, pfff.
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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Brook_lands
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:26 PM |
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Good on you. Sometimes its right for an individual to move on and you seem to have done it in the right way.
I've had a fair few jobs/ employers in my time and always try to leave on good terms having done my best, which has worked to my advantage.
I've worked for one employer on 3 separate occasions in the last 30 years. Each time it was my decision to leave but it was never held against
me when I reapplied for a job there. I think leaving and getting more diverse experience actually meant I progressed fast than I would have if
I'd stayed.
Good luck with the new job and enjoy the 2 weeks off.
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Alan B
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:38 PM |
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I really hope it's all you expect and hope for.
I work for medical device company as Senior mechanical engineer (we actually make machines that make medical devices) and I expected to be doing lots
of exciting, challenging, fun, cool projects.
Nothing could be further from the reality. It's a great company, they look after us and treat us very well, but the work is so boring, dull and
unexciting. So much paperwork it's untrue.
Not trying to rain on your parade, but I really hope it turns out the way you want,
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:39 PM |
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I did a masters degree with the OU - tough, took a lot of time and effort (and money!) but I felt so good when I finished - I'd left school with
just a handful of O-levels, and to achieve such a high level raised my self-esteem so much. I was an IT contractor at the time - I'm not sure
that the qualification helped me to get new contracts, but it certainly boosted my self-respect and confidence, which must have made a difference when
I went for job interviews.
I was very lucky when I did it though - I was commuting to London, so I had 10 hours a week minimum 'spare' to do my studies. I was also
working a few hundred yards from the British Library, which made research a doddle!
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v8kid
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:39 PM |
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Congratulations!
I too am an OU graduate in Mech Eng with Sustainable Design despite my background as an electrical engineer. I went on to do a PhD in physics and my
Viva is next month.
To Cap it all this is my 66th year and I have just been offered a suprisingly well paid ( like you no car  ) research job in an exciting field I
have not worked on before based on the papers I have published.
Never too late to change and as you say with a lot of determination and hard work this country is a fantastic place to be.
Cheers and good luck
You'd be surprised how quickly the sales people at B&Q try and assist you after ignoring you for the past 15 minutes when you try and start a
chainsaw
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daniel mason
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 05:53 PM |
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Well done bizz. I've just done the same in May after 12 years with an employer who I respect massively and am great friends with still, and set
up my own limited company. I'm just now starting to see the benefits after a few months struggling to get set up on my own and am happy I did
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Alan B
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 06:02 PM |
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I was so busy putting a downer on things (unintentionally) that I forgot to say well done and more thumbs up to the OU. I got my BSc from them in
'94 and have never looked back.
Really happy for you (honest)...
Alan
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bi22le
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| posted on 16/7/15 at 06:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Alan B
I really hope it's all you expect and hope for.
I work for medical device company as Senior mechanical engineer (we actually make machines that make medical devices) and I expected to be doing lots
of exciting, challenging, fun, cool projects.
Nothing could be further from the reality. It's a great company, they look after us and treat us very well, but the work is so boring, dull and
unexciting. So much paperwork it's untrue.
Not trying to rain on your parade, but I really hope it turns out the way you want,
Not taken in the wrong way at all, i already work in this industry so know what you mean. I have no doubt that there will be boring jobs to do, its
about making light work of it and cracking on with the good stuff!
I really enjoy some of the tragic minute detail and analysis. The problem and solution scenario in an engineering environment is great. I just like
engineering, if it was finance or law, yawn!!
Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!
Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1
Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I
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alex1991
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| posted on 17/7/15 at 02:38 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Congratulations!
I too am an OU graduate in Mech Eng with Sustainable Design despite my background as an electrical engineer. I went on to do a PhD in physics and my
Viva is next month.
To Cap it all this is my 66th year and I have just been offered a suprisingly well paid ( like you no car ) research job in an exciting field I
have not worked on before based on the papers I have published.
Never too late to change and as you say with a lot of determination and hard work this country is a fantastic place to be.
Cheers and good luck
It's nice to hear someone else is doing their PhD. I've just completed the first year of mine. What research field are you going into?
Mines in auditory neuroscience and I would be interested in moving away into something else.
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SJ
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| posted on 17/7/15 at 03:19 PM |
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Education is never wasted. I did my Msc 10 years ago and never really used it, but wouldn't have got the amazing job I now have without it.
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v8kid
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| posted on 17/7/15 at 06:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by alex1991
quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Congratulations!
I too am an OU graduate in Mech Eng with Sustainable Design despite my background as an electrical engineer. I went on to do a PhD in physics and my
Viva is next month.
To Cap it all this is my 66th year and I have just been offered a suprisingly well paid ( like you no car ) research job in an exciting field I
have not worked on before based on the papers I have published.
Never too late to change and as you say with a lot of determination and hard work this country is a fantastic place to be.
Cheers and good luck
It's nice to hear someone else is doing their PhD. I've just completed the first year of mine. What research field are you going into?
Mines in auditory neuroscience and I would be interested in moving away into something else.
Plasma physics in thin film deposition context. I developed a hollow cathode ion source that could operate at a decade lower pressure lower than
existing sources.
There are not many graduates in this field but a big demand so the dept has a 100% employment record.
Also funding is good I got 18k stipend and loads of travel to conferences in China, America and Canada.
Bit of a specialised subject though and maths heavy at that too it was just previous elec eng experience that got me through
Cheers!
You'd be surprised how quickly the sales people at B&Q try and assist you after ignoring you for the past 15 minutes when you try and start a
chainsaw
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coozer
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| posted on 18/7/15 at 02:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by SJ
Education is never wasted. I did my Msc 10 years ago and never really used it, but wouldn't have got the amazing job I now have without it.
Oh yes it is, you ask my brother, years and years at uni, Dr in front of his name and guess what? He works part time as a teaching assistant!
I watched and have done much more than him with nowt!
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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