Jobs where you are active/outdoors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around job opportunities that involve outdoor and active work, particularly in engineering fields. Participants explore various engineering disciplines and roles that allow for hands-on, field-based activities rather than desk-bound positions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their interest in engineering and seeks fields that are not desk-bound.
  • Another suggests Environmental Engineering as a potential field of interest.
  • Various engineering disciplines are proposed, including Civil, Petroleum, Ocean, and roles in mechanical/electrical/aerospace engineering that involve measurement and testing.
  • A participant recommends working for a small company, highlighting field engineering and test engineering as suitable options, while noting the demanding nature of petroleum engineering work on rigs.
  • One participant shares their experience training as an operating engineer, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the job in various industrial settings.
  • Another participant reiterates the financial benefits of petroleum engineering and encourages consideration of this field.
  • A suggestion is made to consider becoming a licensed surveyor, which is described as similar to engineering and outdoors-oriented.
  • Controls engineering is mentioned as another outdoor job, with a description of the rewarding nature of working in various weather conditions and the sense of accomplishment it brings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple viewpoints on suitable outdoor engineering jobs, with no consensus on a single best option. Various fields are suggested, indicating a range of preferences and experiences.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and opinions about different engineering roles, with no definitive conclusions or resolutions regarding the best career path for outdoor work.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals exploring career options in engineering, particularly those interested in active, outdoor roles, may find this discussion relevant.

hooahpuke
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Maybe this is a silly question, but I don't feel particularly drawn to any form of engineering yet, other than I don't want to be a software engineer (I like things that are more concrete). What matters to me more is the job isn't just sitting at a desk all day everyday. What fields might I be more interested in? I haven't been able to take any engineering classes yet so it's still wide open.
 
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Civil.
Petroleum.
Ocean.

Many mechanical/electrical/aerospace jobs involving measurement and testing.
 
Work for a small company. Field engineering and test engineering may be up your alley. Petroleum engineering is hands on too, but it can be very demanding living on a rig. Good money though.
 
I'm in training (after a physics degree) to be an operating engineer (A.K.A. steam engineer), so a lot of what I do is very hands-on work. OE's work in refrigeration/warehouses/breweries/power plants/oil processing - all those kinds of places. We monitor, maintain, and repair the machines in such places.
 
As Vanadium said, petro engineers fit that criteria and they make very good money as well, so I would definitely keep that option in mind.
 
Becoming a licensed surveyor is interesting. It's a lot like engineering in many ways. You may want to consider it.

Another outdoors job is controls engineering. You find jobs like that in electric, water, and gas companies. If you like to work outdoors in all sorts of weather, you're going to love those jobs. I've been out there in all kinds of weather at any time of day or night. The thing is that when you're done, you have a feeling of accomplishment. You've been there and done something unsung that the public is largely oblivious to.

I've also been outside climbing a tower on a beautiful spring day, marveling that people paid me to do it. Consider that too...
 

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