EE looking to go into consulting (automation)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the aspirations of a participant seeking to transition into consulting within the field of automation and control engineering. It explores the challenges of starting a consulting firm, the necessary experience, and the scope of work for engineers in this area.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Career-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in starting a consulting firm in automation after obtaining their P.E. license and seeks to understand the difficulty of this endeavor.
  • Another participant suggests that clients typically prefer experienced consultants, indicating that it may be challenging to attract customers without significant field experience.
  • A third participant agrees with the previous point, arguing that a lack of understanding of the consultant's scope of work suggests insufficient preparation for consulting.
  • The original poster clarifies that they intend to gain experience in the field for about ten years before pursuing consulting and expresses a desire to learn more through additional training, such as PLC training.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that significant experience is important for a successful consulting career in automation. However, there is a lack of consensus on the specific path to gaining that experience and the feasibility of starting a consulting firm early in one's career.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying opinions on the necessary experience and preparation for consulting, highlighting the subjective nature of career paths in engineering and consulting. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of transitioning from engineering roles to consulting positions.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in engineering consulting, particularly in automation and control, as well as those interested in the career trajectories of engineers transitioning into consulting roles.

Dublin
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A bit of background first,
I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I completed my electrician apprenticeship and received my ticket in summer 2012 and I just finished my first year of general engineering will be starting Electrical engineering in september. I am trying to find my direction in the field and currently I feeling interest in automation and control.1. I would really love to start a small consulting firm (after I
receive my P.E) and I am curious as to the difficulty of starting a firm in the field of automation.

2. I am working a summer position in process control working with a couple technician and I mostly help troubleshoot devices, put together engineering packages for equipment that needs to be replaced and update old drawings. So now my question is, as a engineer in this field I feel like I may be doing something else(I don't actually work with engineers). What is the scope of work for an engineer in this field and as a consultant?
 
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Usually when people hire a consultant, they are looking for someone experienced in the field. I think you will have difficulty getting customers for your consulting business if you are fresh out of school. The usual route is for someone to work in their field for a period of time (10 years, 20 years?), then launch a consulting business, using their years of experience as a selling point.
 
Agree, with above. If you have to ask what the scope of work for a consultant in a given field is you are ill prepared to be a consultant in that field. My suggestion would be find a job in that field and reevaluate your options after you have some experience with it.
 
Well yeah when I said after my designation I mean 10 years after I've been in the field... I was looking to apply at a consulting company that advertise positions at my school until I know what I'm doing inside and out

I would also like to learn what I can before hand so if I get the opportunity I may be able to do extra curricular work towards it like maybe plc training
 
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