I am a graduate in "Instrumentation Engineering" and have just joined a consultant. I have been given a short classroom training which covered various transmitters, flow, temperature, pressure measurements, valves, and DCS, PLC. My scope here mostly consists of preparation of sheets and documents like instrument index, specifications, JB, Hook ups, I/O list, etc.

I am finding this work to be a little monotonous. What do u guys suggest, is it worthwhile to stay here to gain experience? if yes for how long? How can i move towards automation and control cause i feel i have the aptitude to move that side? what other options should i explore in this field?

Is a masters education required to move up in the industry?

Please reply.

 

Sounds to me like it's the details of every job that makes things work. No one really *LIKES* to do this, but it has to get done on ever project, and you can't leave it to the office administrative assistant. It needs to get done by an engineer competent to make a judgment call about the technical details. And it's great experience out of school.

Now, if you're still doing this 15 years from now, either your satisfied to sit a stare into space (which it sounds like you are not) or you're in over your head in engineering.

But 1) you have to learn this mundane stuff in order to handle increasing job scopes, 2) this mundane stuff has to get done by someone competent to do it (and they're obviously trusting you to be that competent person), and 3) you just got out of school so you can't expect to start at the CEO's job.

You've got to spend a little time proving yourself. Give it a while, and reassess the situation after 12-18 months.

MB

--
Michael R. Batchelor

www.ind-info.com

 

One thing to look at your present company is what the more experienced people with your background are doing. Are they still doing the same thing as you are doing? (ie, making data sheets for the rest of their lives.) If that is the case, you should do that for a while and then look to move on. However, if people with similar backgrounds are doing other things, then it's probably a matter of just paying your dues and getting experience. In that case, be patient.

Still, keep your options open. If your present company is a large consultant, then it is possible you will be stuck with your present tasks long term. If you are not happy, one place to look at is small systems integrators. With a smaller staff, everyone has to be able to do different tasks, and usually works on all aspects of a project. Do this while you are young and can afford to be paid less, as a small company does not have a large budget for training, so you will have to learn on the job.

Finally, be honest with your present company as well any future employer. Talk to your managers and tell them of your dissatisfaction with your present tasks. If they see your potential, they should want to make you happy in their company.

Good luck meeting your career goals.

 

Here's another thought, Aneesh. Now that you are bored with doing data sheets and P&IDs, why don't you ask for field engineering assignments? That way you can see the living, breathing stuff of your drawings and lists. One of the best and fastest ways to move up is to get real experience. Field experience will teach you more about automation than any advanced degree will, and will stand you in good stead throughout your career.

Best,

Walt Boyes
Editor in Chief
Control magazine
www.controlglobal.com
blog:Sound OFF!! http://waltboyes.livejournal.com
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Thank you so much Dave and Michael,

Actually I have no practical idea as to what goes on in the industry. So inputs like yours are a great help for freshers like me.

Now I am getting to know more about my company and the seniors seem to be very helpful. Ours is a large consultant with over 500 employees. We do turnkey and cost+fee projects. If I get an opportunity to go for commissioning then i think i will learn a lot. Also DCS engineering and preparing of logic diagrams seems to be interesting but will be done at the later stages and generally by lead engineers... guess u are right... i gotta be more patient.

However I really wanted to know that should i consider doing an MS after some time? Would it really boost my career or give me more options? Other than the process industries... where else can a person with my background go for?

One thing that i felt was that in collage projects (using microcontrollers, etc.) I had much greater use of my brains.

I am really looking forward for your advice, cause your experience would indeed be really helpful to me.

thanks
Aneesh