Engineering - Bored Yet Paid Well, Do I Start Again?

engineer0101

Hi. 29 years old working in Maintenance Engineering managing people and working on small projects. Worked my way up the management tree but never 'hands on'. Earning £39k p/a and honestly it's easy, it's 35 hours per week, it's local but my word is it boring. 

I would love to change careers and start working hands-on on the tools with machines (CNC, lathes etc) and some professional acquaintances of mine are earning £55k+ doing so, albeit working more hours. Trouble is most of these careers require an apprentice-trained qualification, and rightly so I suppose. I have a BSc but it's in Engineering Design.

The immediate salary drop alone says "NO!" as at this age there is life to contend with (new mortgage, kids, loans etc) however it will obviously raise in years to come. 

Has anyone took the plunge and started again? 

getmore4less

Is there not a route Design->cad/cam

In my day one of the key parts of design was can you make it, knowledge of the tools available was very important.

Would probably need the right company if you want to keep pay levels up on existing skills but learn new ones.

See if any of the hands on guys know of openings or potentially suitable companies

theoretica

If it is boring does that mean you can do it in less than 35 hours a week?  Squeeze in an hour or two 'professional development' and deepening your understanding of what your team do?  Add a few hours of your own time and could you get a headstart on the skills you would need to move into another job?

kimwp

Have a serious think about what you are missing that means you are bored. If the boredom is due to having mastered the job, consider if this would be the same after a few years in the hands on role. If so, then you need to consider a route where you can change jobs every couple of years.

MalMonroe

You are only 29 years of age. And have quite a few more years to work. So why not do something you really enjoy? If you have to retrain - well, that in itself can be a great experience. There really is more to life than money. So if you have to speculate to accumulate, it'd be worth it. 

When you are an apprentice (and you can be an apprentice at any age these days) - you receive a salary while you are training but of course it's not high - but then again, it's only in the short term. You could be working at your dream job by the time you're in your mid-thirties. Why not have a bit of a google and see if there are any appropriate apprenticeships that appeal?

Many people have taken the plunge and started again. If you have a supportive partner, that will of course be an added bonus. 

I'm retired and just launched my own small online business. I graduated at age 53 with a 2.1 BA Hons. My motto is it's never too late to do anything and I'm currently considering taking on a part time MA. I'd say have a bash and go for it - you only live once.

willow_loulou

Maybe think of it as a luxury that you’re earning well for a job that’s not pushing you to your limits. So many service and entry level jobs are so hard for such low pay. It’s not a bad thing being in a comfortable job. 

Instead of moving straight on in to wage loss retraining have a look at evening classes, look further away than the nearest to find a course to support your pathway. This will hopefully increase your employability, your starting wage and give you an insight into how much you’d enjoy the change. 

Also, considering your family for one moment- would doing an extra 10 or so hours be beneficial or detrimental? 

Would starting something as a hobby that could expand be more practical? 

What ever you decide, do it as a family so you get the support you need. Good luck! 

Oh and yes I did do it, lasted a year in the job! Now doing something entirely different and loving it.