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What now?

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Overclocked

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Pretty sure this could be posted here or the members lounge.

Im 27 and Ive just lost my job of 3 years . I have an Associates in electronics engineering. I have a house and a car payment (and other bills).I did automation engineering, my paycheck said Im a "electrician". My business card says Im a "chief electrical engineer". I have no clue what I was there. I built panels and wired industrial machines. I programmed them as well. I troubleshooted over the phone. I liked what I did, but I didnt like the people, or the way I was pushed around (personally it would be considered verbal abuse..). Crazy deadlines where you needed to work 12+hr days and weekends. When I found out I had a heart condition, I didnt want any of that. Life and Living became more important, and I was willing to fight for that right to do so.

[Feel free to criticize me on that last part. Part of me knows Im wrong, but also that I'm right]

I dont know what to do at this point. Im re-evaluating what I want to do. Wish I could start my own business of just making stuff..but theres no way I would pull in $600 a week...I have a mill and lathe. Small production runs maybe?

Im not too upset over it either. Im actually quite happy about being let go. It was causing me a lot of stress and anxiety. About 2 weeks ago I went into the ER-My heart was in AFib. I had anxiety every day I went into work. I feel that the road is now open to me, and my creativity doesn't feel as stifled.

Any Advice or Ideas? I have no clue about unemployment. Never had to do it before. Haven't gotten a pink slip yet.
 
If you want to eventually go on your own, I suggest you acquire a knowledge of PLC and CNC controls, if you don't have already, in many areas there is a dearth of technicians out there that can trouble shoot or build a small custom system of this nature.
Your history mirrored mine in some respects, I eventually went on my own and found many unfulfilled demands, once you have the reputation you can almost name your own price.
Max.
 
Welcome to the club!

You are just too young (I'm twice your age), but better to experience and act now when you are still young and willing to do something about, then when you become old, married, with kids and bunch off bills and mortgages. The "verbal abuse and stuff" are simply called mobbing and usual in liberal capitalism and more common in countries in transition...

Constant stress influence in psychosomatic caused diseases as hearth condition. I would not suggest you what to do, as that depend on many things, but simply follow your common sense and do not allow to happens again, which may be fatal.

I used to say old saying: "What do not kill you - make you stronger!". So if you planing to work in some company where you know you would not avoid stress and mobbing, do not take that to emotional. And if you planing to open your small (one man) company and fail, do not take it to emotional either.
 
Do what you enjoy...

I too had a late calling..... I was a motor mechanic for 10 years after my schooling... Did well, I have more papers for motor engineering than I know what to do with.... But!!! Just got sick of the job.... Needed to do what I enjoyed..

Sacked the motor trade and when to Uni and got a degree in electronics... Oldest student there... I thought my days were numbered, but now!!!! Best feeling in the world... I now have my own place and still designing computer systems for the crane industry.... I love going to work and I've never looked back...

If you are good at something, and you enjoy doing it..... Do that!!
 
I also went back to college last year at the ripe old age of *cough* fourty something to do an apprenticeship. I stuck it for 6 months then decided another two and a half years of that wasn't for me - handed in my notice with my employers as the job was dependant on my being a student and was planning on refitting the kitchen with some of my newly acquired free time. On my last day at work, I had an email from my MD saying "hoover the factory" - fair enough. Halfway through hoovering, I had a phone call from a company who specialise in performance engine building and testing and asked if I wanted a job as they heard I was soon to be on the market.

That was just over 4 months ago and I still haven't finished that flaming kitchen !
 
If you want to eventually go on your own, I suggest you acquire a knowledge of PLC and CNC controls, if you don't have already, in many areas there is a dearth of technicians out there that can trouble shoot or build a small custom system of this nature.
Your history mirrored mine in some respects, I eventually went on my own and found many unfulfilled demands, once you have the reputation you can almost name your own price.
Max.

I taught myself ladder logic on my own. I was basically told to figure it out the first day of the job. That hasnt been the only time Ive had to figure it out either. Using XC8 for PICs, Ive had to figure out with some help, so its been no different. I thought of a small machine that even I could build in my home shop-but it requires money..which will be going towards survival.

I used to say old saying: "What do not kill you - make you stronger!". So if you planing to work in some company where you know you would not avoid stress and mobbing, do not take that to emotional. And if you planing to open your small (one man) company and fail, do not take it to emotional either.

Hadn't thought about it that way. If I try and fail, atleast Ive tried. Dont know if I want to stick with automation though.

Do what you enjoy...

If you are good at something, and you enjoy doing it..... Do that!!

A saying comes to mind "Jack of all trades but master at none". Ive always felt I was good at electronics, but this comes to me as somewhat of a blow. I have a bunch of hobbies I should be able to profit from, for the time being. Electronics is one of them, jewelry is another, but I need money to buy supplies. I may have enough to make a few pieces and sell. Machining is another, but I somewhat lack in tooling in that department. I just have enough to make some small air engines.
 
Hadn't thought about it that way. If I try and fail, atleast Ive tried.

My point was that everything is calculated risk and if you want to survive, always should be certain distance from job and emotional involvements, which may greatly influence on health condition you have experience. As well, 3-4 years is usual period to change the job or working environment - that is called "saturation on job": the same people, the same job, no excitement nor challenges... When you get sick, it comes time to reconsider the current situation and further steps...

If you try by your own without good business plan, product/service and especially market/customers, you will certainly fail and blow up your previously earned money. If all these conditions are fulfill, chances for success are high and you are your own boss. However:

You are the only one person who would bring proper decision, not some strangers on some forums... Only you know in which areas you are the best, what you would want to work, what is your financial situation, etc.

All the best!
 
Nicely said. A lot of "soul searching" will go on..Along with a job hunt.

Ever see the movie "Office Space"? That movie speaks to me in more ways than one.
 
I am totaly unemployable, I am aware of this and so I will be looking at course etc then setting up shop for myself, unlikely to be engineering as such but so many ways I can add in electronics to whatever I end up doing. Plus I am convinced the only way i will get a decent boss who would put up with me is to work for myself or Ian, Ian lives too far away so that leaves one option.
Sorry you lost your job, companies are about share holders not staff. its not personal its business (bad business), maybe one day things will go full circle and companies realize the staff are as important as the customer, treat customers well they come back, treat staff well they work hard for you (the odd exception *cough* *cough*).
 
I'm still with the company above - we have a hoot of a time in our department and you could consider a couple of us "unemployable" but we tend to be the ones who think outside the box and come up with novel solutions.

My eldest son has Aspergers and he has found a job he loves and my my stepson (he has ADHD) has just started a trial job round the corner as an engineer.

Don't give up yet - there are companies who embrace engineers who are a little "different" ;)
 
I'm still with the company above - we have a hoot of a time in our department and you could consider a couple of us "unemployable" but we tend to be the ones who think outside the box and come up with novel solutions.

My eldest son has Aspergers and he has found a job he loves and my my stepson (he has ADHD) has just started a trial job round the corner as an engineer.

Don't give up yet - there are companies who embrace engineers who are a little "different" ;)

SHHH I need to hide this from my mum! You are debunking all the reasons I am giving her for going self employed!!
 
A Mom, misspelled Mum across the pond, knows (Spoiler Alert!!) all, LG. ALL...:wideyed:.
 
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