Dear mecheng_no_more:
I've worked for that guy. I don't want to be that guy.
>
> So I am out of here. I'll stay in the profession until
> I get accepted at a school in my chosen field. I
> figure I have about 15 months as a sucker and then
> I call it an engineering career. I might bail sooner.
>
> If you are considering being an engineer, do
> yourself a favor: Don't.
I've been there. I'm still there. The "sweat of my brow" was cut up with a torch so the competition didn't get it. My plant was closed, and my employees fired, because Sri Lanka has / had fully absorbed labor at $30 per month.
But you are not seeing the bigger picture (no doubt due to the alligators in the swamp with you). It is the MBAs that pull the trigger, that put the bullet through the head of your dreams. And you are contemplating going over to the Dark Side. Who are you going to blame when you do the same to others because of "economic pressures"? How happy can you be "doing nothing", "making nothing" but paper?
In 22 years: #1 job stopped doing engineering, had business largely destroyed by Grainger. I still buy from Grainger. #2 job stopped USA production, accountants took manufacturing overseas. #3 job moved production out of state, stopped promoting their product, agglomerated by GE. #4 job had more than 80% of their business with USPS, then USPS stopped buying. Bills folded them. #5 job had only four people, supported by majority shareholder. Made profit for 3rd year in a row and folded the local operation to reduce overhead.. #6 job (still in) mapping sewers and designing water and wastewater treatment plants.
Job satisfaction comes from inside you. I suggest you find where you feel like you are doing a good job. Maybe that is being an MBA. Maybe you can convince your customers to buy your product, your competition not to undercut you by too much, your entire staff to give you your money's worth, and your shareholders not to expect huge profits. And feel good about it.
How do you feel about shoeing horses?
David A. Smith