I worked at an integrated oilfield station for three years; what issues should I be aware of if I want to switch to the design industry?

I still agree that one should work on the construction site for at least 3 years before going to a design firm. At present, the staff in design firms, especially those that are private (not state-owned), consist mostly of students in their 20s who have just graduated, with a few experts from larger design firms hired to provide oversight; the designs produced as a result are simply terrible – they severely hinder proper construction processes. This is by no means an exaggeration. I hope that people with practical experience from the construction site can apply that knowledge in design work, so as to avoid creating ridiculous results :L :L

Focus mainly on learning more principles. Also, be clear about whether the designs you work on are related to your major or something else; it’s advisable to look at others’ work. The most important things to learn first are tank configuration and drawing, take your time – everyone is still figuring things out and learning.

1. First of all, one must realize that design work is a tough and meticulous task that requires continuous learning and hard work to achieve success. Don’t rush for results; proceed step by step. 2. Design work is fundamentally different from the production management work at combined stations. Design involves creating drawings, which then need to be put into practice, so the responsibility is great. 3. Although some on-site production experience has been gained at combined stations, designing requires starting from scratch; it’s difficult to handle large projects independently without five years of experience. 4. One should be willing to take on tasks, as design skills can only be learned through practical experience. 5. Start with smaller projects to get familiar with the process of design work and the way different specialties collaborate. 6. Keep two notebooks: one for recording the work process, and the other for noting technical challenges and solutions. 7. First, become familiar with drawing software, and master the creation of flowcharts, layout diagrams, and piping diagrams. 8. Gather the standards and specifications related to your field of expertise, and enter their names and contents into your computer. 9. Subscribe to the most influential journal in your field. 10. Learn about simulation software through design work; use an existing design as an example and perform calculations by yourself – over time you’ll become proficient. 11. Combine on-site experience with the learning of advanced technologies. That’s all for now. In short: just get to work!

Having three years of experience gives a big advantage when working at a design institute; keep it up, OP! ~ Actually, this might help you figure out what you really want to design!