Unenjoyment - now with employment!

[Speedbag]

Well, as of this evening, I am a number -- unemployed. A fifteen-year veteran of engineering.

Some will recall that I went to work for a friend's (then) budding and prospering engineering consulting outfit, now nearly five years old. I was there for a little more than two years, and we built some very impressive industrial automation. Since about spring of this year, the projects/contracts slowed to a trickle, no doubt due to our wonderful economy.

At the beginning of September, I took a 15% pay cut since I was by far the highest paid of the five of us. Knowing that things were not good, I have had a couple of interviews but nothing has become of them yet. Now, this evening, we met and I was let go due to lack of work. I hope the place makes it, but I don't have a good feeling about it as the other guys will probably flee like the proverbial rats from a sinking ship.

My friend is devastated. He is convinced our friendship is in the shitter now, but I cannot blame him for trying to keep his dream alive. I think a good drunk is in order.

I do not regret leaving the comparatively 'gravy' corporate environment to pursue this, as I feel it was an incredibly valuable experience. Tomorrow I start to make calls like mad to try and get back on the corporate grid and sign up for 'unenjoyment' benefits. 

I am going to go insane, since I am used to working 45-50 hour weeks. So you folks better be ready for rampant posting, something for which I have not had much time for lately. 

Anybody in MN need a mechanical engineer that can (and has) design(ed) just about anything and everything?

Any tips, advice, porn, encouragement are appreciated. 

[Super T.I.B]

Son of a Biscuit! 

I really don't think you will be unemployed for too long.

Chin up, you'll be fine.

I think you may be the first of many on the unemployed list.

Move to Australia, we need engineers. 

[junior varsity]

Look into energy companies. Companies like Schlumberger put people all over the place, pay well, and are hiring.

[Bigbore4]

Shoot me a PM

We have a couple of opportunities in Service Engineering in the northern burbs.  

Fortune 500 company having a good year despite the economy and the stock price.

[Howie]

Sorry to hear.  Good on ya for not blaming your friend.  

My guess is, in spite of the economy, there will still be work for MEs that can make things work.  Ah, proof one post above!

[teddy037.2]

sorry to hear the news, man.

I will knock one back for you tonight 

[IZ]

OK..where did that 2+ years go?!  I remember when you took the job. 

Good luck..I"m sure you'll have a new position in no time!

[Speedbag]

Look into energy companies. Companies like Schlumberger put people all over the place, pay well, and are hiring.

One of the two places I interviewed with is involved with wireless public utility metering. I have high hopes for this one. 

OK..where did that 2+ years go?! 

I know!!! Two years and three months of my life flew by like it was nothing!

[ZLTFUL]

Hey Dave...if we need to go sit at the bar at Whiskey River for a day or so, let me know. Maybe we can get Pete to buy again...

Sorry to hear an but everything happens for a reason. Besides, if things get REALLY tight, you could always sell off that Harley for 15% more than you paid. 

[Speedbag]

Hey Dave...if we need to go sit at the bar at Whiskey River for a day or so, let me know. Maybe we can get Pete to buy again...

Sorry to hear an but everything happens for a reason. Besides, if things get REALLY tight, you could always sell off that Harley for 15% more than you paid. 

I'm game for a return trip to the River. Head on up! 

Can't sell the Street Rod, it's my only running bike at the moment! I need it for sanity preservation!

[Big Troubled Bear]

Sorry to hear, you could always come to South Africa lots of opportunities here, although most companies are forced to apply reverse racism when employing new staff

[ducducgooseme]

Any CAE experience?  Every worked for a software company?  Send me your resume if you have....   good luck!! 

[junior varsity]

Also, if you are into HVAC stuff, jump on the ASHRAE bandwagon and peruse the sights of Lennox, York, Trane, Carrier and the like. There are tons of different blower manufacturers out there. Similarly, I've heard Alfa Laval is a good employer. Everybody needs pumps: Regardless of what the economy is doing, stuff breaks.

[Speedbag]

Any CAE experience?  Every worked for a software company?  Send me your resume if you have....   good luck!! 

Nope. 

Just mechanical design, product design, process engineering, stuff like that.

[junior varsity]

Last ditch effort: Corp of Engineers.