How stressful is an engineering job?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>Hi. I’ve been reading this forum for a while now, though I’ve just registered. I’m 17, and in my last year of High School, so I’ll be applying for university next year. I’m from Argentina, so excuse me in advance for any language mistake.</p>

<p>I’m thinking of studying M&E eng (Mechanical electrical engineering). I’m going to put my university program, although I don’t think it differs that much from any in the USA. I’m not sure if it’s equivalent to an undergrad or graduate program. Anyway:</p>

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<p>First I was thinking about system software engineering. But then I came to the bitter realization that all I had to do was program (I know, I know, there are also other jobs, but all you so is read code). Anyway, I started to dislike that. I realized that I liked the career as for learning, but I wouldn’t want to make a living out of it (the same for astronomy or literature, I love those things, but reading books in my kindle or watching documentaries is more than enough, I don’t want to work doing that).</p>

<p>So I started looking at this career, read a bunch of posts, asked a lot of people about the day-to-day job and it seems fine. It surely attracts me more than 8 hours a day in front of a computer (I know that I’d probably will be doing that sometimes, but i’d also be designing 3D models, repairing machines, meetings, etc). </p>

<p>What I want to ask is this, for all the ME and EE around here: Is your job stressful? Do you like it? Do you go home and have the ability to clear your mind and relax? What do you think of my situation? </p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading this. Hope I was clear. Any response is welcome.</p>

<p>PS: For the sake of communication let’s assume that US jobs are the same as Argentinian jobs. They probably differ in one or two things, but let’s forget about that, at least for now.</p>

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<p>Any job can be stressful. Of course some engineering jobs may be more stressful than others, but generally if you enjoy what you are doing it won’t be stressful.</p>

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<p>For awhile, I worked as an AutoCAD operator, detailing precast concrete panels and other pieces for buildings. That was MUCH more stressful than any engineering job I’ve had! (I was doing that when the economy was slow and I could work only parttime since I had young children.)</p>

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<p>I retired a few years ago. I still do some occasional consulting. I have over 35 years experience in the aerospace world. I was first an engineer, then went into management. Toward the later part of my career I went back to being an engineer as my management job had morphed into something that didn’t really interest me anymore. </p>

<p>I really enjoyed being an engineer!!! There were boring days when I couldn’t wait to go home and exciting times, when I didn’t want to leave work (and sometimes had to stay very late to accomplish the task at hand). The good days definitely outnumbered the so-so days by a wide margin.</p>

<p>I was a structural engineer working on both manned and unmanned NASA projects. With some luck and the confidence the upper management of the company, I was given some very choice and interesting assignments. There were other engineers that weren’t so lucky and their work didn’t inspire confidence. They got the run of the mill (read more boring) jobs.</p>

<p>Was it stressful? Yes, to a point. The “best” jobs were those that were cutting edge and /or contained an element of risk. You were doing something new. Success wasn’t a given, but schedules and budgets were depending on your success. I would wake up at night thinking about it. But, when the job was finished and you succeeded, there was no better feeling.</p>

<p>You didn’t get those type assignments until you had many years of experience. I spent many years doing the less than glorious assignments, but doing them well to get to the point where I did get the choice assignments. Some people left the field of structural engineering claiming it was boring. But, if you looked at each step as a learning experience and did well at it, you progressed and it made it more “fun”.</p>

<p>The times when I didn’t succeed (there were a couple) was typically when I missed a small detail, and many times something slightly outside my area. It pays to know your job very well and the job of those working with you or providing information to you to the point that you can understand whether their inputs are good or not. Knowing more of the task at hand also helps with the stress part. (ie. knowledge = less stress).</p>

<p>So, I guess you could say that the interesting jobs and the stress come hand in hand. You do have to be able to leave it (for the most part) at work and enjoy your family and your friends too.</p>

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<p>Stress is usually caused by external factors like layoffs, schedules, resources, and the such. The job itself is not hard.</p>

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<li>internal politics</li>
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7

<p>Some engineering jobs are stressful, others not so much.</p>

<p>Engineering academics are HARD. I would say that most Engineering students find at least some of their classwork to be stressful.</p>

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<p>I have no input on the engineering topic, but I have to say: your English is great! Don’t worry about it, I wouldn’t have even been able to tell that you weren’t a native speaker if you didn’t say so.</p>

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<p>EE here. My engineering job is not stressful. The stressful jobs are usually ones where you are part in operations (aka control centers) where you have to solve problems 24/7 (and yes, u are on call for 24/7).</p>

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<p>Well thank you all so much for replying. I didn’t expect such helpful responses in less than a day. </p>

<p>Firstly, thank you @HPuck35 for your shared experience. From your comment I understand that engineering is as much stressful as any other career. Sure, we’d all love to work as a video game tester or some other helpless job and be a millionaire, but coming to reality and now that I can think things a little bit more clear, I don’t think the career is stressful. Thank you so much.</p>

<p>@MaineLonghorn I’d like to ask you what kind of job were NOT stressful to you? As you claim designing was not a particularly good experience, despite of what I thought (dynamic job).</p>

<p>@BEngineer I have to ask you something. M&E has a bit of electrical. What would you think that are the minimum qualifications that a persona has to have to like electronics? Do you have any book/blog/something I should look into to know a little bit more? I’ve read about mechanics and enjoyed it, but so far not so much about electronics.</p>

<p>Again, thank you all so much for the responses!</p>

<p>PS: @myuusmeow You have no idea what that means to me! My parents forced me to study English against my will, and it was a hard process since I was 8. The fact that you took the time, even though you know nothing about the topic, to appreciate my knowledge… just WOW! Thank you!</p>