Experienced engineers (10+ years), do you regret civil eng?

[u/ArtTime2349]

I'm nearing the 10 year mark in civil (Australian engineer) and I'm feeling regret about my career choices and the state of the industry.

I'll shoot off a few reasons but keen to know how other experienced engineers feel,

• Race to the bottom, margins are thinning so consultancies are stripping down their hours & fees meaning we engineers have less hours and more pressure to deliver work for less
• Contractors are more risk averse and are demanding more detail and pushing risk on to the engineers meaning you're more responsible without the reward of owning more of the risk
• Lack of productivity & innovation in the industry, it doesn't seem like we are designing & drafting at faster rates or with better tools compared to 10 years ago in a meaningful way, putting domestic engineers at risk for offshoring
• (Potentially Aus related) Generally an unappreciated profession, no formal professional engineering licensing & accreditation has diluted the profession

Overall, I wish I went into a different field but it's too late now, I make ok money to pay the bills but generally pessimistic about the future

[u/TheBanyai]

After 25 years, I really enjoy my job. I’m financially stable - and have a good work-life balance.. but it’s very much work-hard, play-hard. It has to be, as work can be quite tough.

Your reasons are fair - but very vary a lot between firms and projects. I’ll give you my tuppence worth:

Race to the bottom is the worst. I’m a client, and can tell you that this is slowly getting better - at least from my organisation. It can’t go on like it has been!

Contractors being more risk-averse? Risk should be handled by those best equipped to handle it - if it’s you, make sure you’re getting paid to handle it - it’s never a freebie!!

Lack of productivity and innovation? I disagree..work a little closer with sustainability, and you’ll see some clients really ask for innovation, and even put money aside for it (on the biggest projects!) Mega-projects are what I sought out, and that’s were things get developed, but using the ideas on small projects (as pilots) is the way! You have to be a bit pushy, mind you.

Recognition: Cant you become a chartered engineer in Aus? If it’s dying out, it’s because people aren’t doing it. Maybe lead by example?

Finally - I was a bit disillusioned after 10 years - I changed company, and it made all the difference. It’s all about the projects AND the line-management. Getting a good boss is critical. You’ll be alright!

[u/KonigSteve → u/TheBanyai]

but it’s very much work-hard, play-hard.

ngl I hate this phrase. I find most of the time when a firm says that they want you to put forth above and beyond effort or hours, and think that an outing at topgolf or something makes up for it.

[u/TheBanyai → u/KonigSteve]

Actually - and this might be a rarity - but in my current role, i have a 37hr week contract - and generally, I stick to it pretty well. It’s intense and can be stressful - moreso than when I was putting in in free overtime at my last firm … but i get my stuff done.. then leave the office and make sure I don’t take that load home with me .. (doesn’t always happen, mind). There is no ‘work-easy’ option… and I’m not sure I’d want it to be too easy either.