The discussion centers on the travel patterns of various engineering disciplines, highlighting that civil engineers typically travel more due to project demands, while electrical and chemical engineers may have less travel depending on their specific roles. Technical consulting roles often require more travel, but the extent varies significantly based on the job type rather than the engineering discipline itself. Field Service Engineers (FSEs) are noted for extensive travel, especially in industries like large engine and turbine services, but this can impact personal life and relationships.
PREREQUISITESEngineering students, professionals considering a career in engineering, and individuals evaluating the impact of job roles on personal life and travel requirements.
fss said:Depends on what your company or institution requires of you. There is no way to answer your question in general terms.
turbo-1 said:Many engineers are pretty well wedded to a particular location or plant. However, if you go into technical consulting, you'll be on the move more often. Travel gets pretty tedious after a while if you *have* to do it, and you may not like it as much as you expect.
bentley4 said:Thanks for that. But I meant linked to a specialisation at uni. Such as Electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, specialist in chemistry, ... .
It really doesn't depend on the discipline, but the particular job. I've know some engineers who work mostly at a corporate research facility, and that is where the work most often, unless attending a conference. I've known field engineers of different disciplines who travel to different customer sites.bentley4 said:Thanks for that. But I meant linked to a specialisation at uni. Such as Electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, specialist in chemistry, ... .
Jobrag said:What you are looking for is a job as a Field Service Engineer (FSE), but be careful.
1 You need to be with a company that has it's products used world wide so it needs to be a large company.
2 But not so large that it has service bases set up around the world.
So your really looking at the large engine, steam/gas turbine type field.
Seriously that kind of firefighting service job can be very rewarding, but when you're om site on your own and you don't have a clue as to what the problem is, it can also be a little bit frightening, and it plays merry hell with your social life.
Astronuc said:It really doesn't depend on the discipline, but the particular job. I've know some engineers who work mostly at a corporate research facility, and that is where the work most often, unless attending a conference. I've known field engineers of different disciplines who travel to different customer sites.
An electrical engineer work on basic IC design might work in lab without much travel, but an electrical engineer who works on installing power system will travel to different sites.
Similarly, a chemical engineer doing basic research might work in a lab and perhaps a corporate plant, but otherwise not travel, while another chemical engineer may travel to different customer sites.
Similar for a mechanical engineer, nuclear engineer, aerospace engineer, civil engineer, . . . .
Wow, thnx. Very valuable info! Not knowing these types of info could cost me a few years of my life lol! I can imagine it can stress marriage a lot.Jobrag said:What you are looking for is a job as a Field Service Engineer (FSE), but be careful.
1 You need to be with a company that has it's products used world wide so it needs to be a large company.
2 But not so large that it has service bases set up around the world.
So your really looking at the large engine, steam/gas turbine type field.
In order to get the juicy exotic jobs (lets face it repeated trips to North Sea oil platforms are a drag) you are going to need 10 to 15 years seniority (oh and by the way be pretty good at your job).
The trouble is that in 10 to 15 years time you'll have a wife and kids who will all be pissed off, when on Saturday morning, when you'd planned a barbecue, you get a phone call to be on the next flight to Dubai and places east.
You'll end up with a messy (and costly) divorce turn to drink and end up with a Thai ladyboy in a shack in Phuket.
Seriously that kind of firefighting service job can be very rewarding, but when you're om site on your own and you don't have a clue as to what the problem is, it can also be a little bit frightening, and it plays merry hell with your social life.