If it were you, would you keep going?
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This post was last edited by xyq1983 on 2009-8-26 at 18:02. I recently found a new job! It is a design firm with Class B qualifications and is a private enterprise. It is affiliated with a relatively large design institute (in a sort of mercenary-like manner)! The main task is to be responsible for the renovation design at the local petrochemical plant (related-party project team). In other words, it’s just patching things up (tasks that the main compound’s staff are unwilling to do)! I used to work in a design firm as well, dealing with process and installation design, focusing on the conceptual design and construction drawings for new projects. But after this, I felt a bit unaccustomed! In the past, when working, all the necessary conditions were in place, so one could start working right away. Upon arriving here, the first step is to receive a design assignment from the factory (the design requirements provided in that assignment are far from sufficient to carry out the work). Then I go to the site (by myself, with no contact with anyone else; I’m responsible for gathering all the necessary information), and the problem is that I don’t know who to turn to in order to get these things! Just give them a phone number and they’ll get in touch on their own! It seems like I can’t find it; it’s as if my own abilities are insufficient! Asking too many questions on site annoys the people there (I guess there are things even they don’t know)! I think there are some flaws in this work process; it consumes too much unnecessary time! Another aspect is the repair and maintenance-based individual combat drills; I believe the design should aim to train multi-disciplinary coordination and teamwork, as well as joint operations involving multiple military branches. It’s not that I dislike small-scale projects, but I feel that in terms of design, one needs to learn more about various regulations and standards. Here it’s a pipe, a valve, and things like that; tasks such as checking the flow rate. I’m feeling a bit upset! It’s quite dangerous to go up to the site; there must always be someone accompanying you. However, the relationship between us and the management here is tense at the moment (the dynamics here are quite delicate). Last week when I went to the site and headed to the top of the tower, I was by myself – the people from the factory who were supposed to accompany me didn’t go up either. Damn it, I think there should be someone responsible for handling external communications and such matters; you can’t just go and take a look at the site like that. Hehe, there wasn’t even anyone to help hold a measuring tape. I think there are flaws in the company’s internal structure and management! I’m still on a trial period, and they haven’t provided me with insurance. I think that in the event of an accident, you can’t rely on such private companies; even if you make an effort, it will still be very troublesome for you. At first, I thought I lacked on-site experience and wanted to take this opportunity to observe more on-site situations. But for the first time, there was someone from the company accompanying me, and on the second attempt I was by myself; I believe that on-site work really needs someone with extensive experience to guide me! The previous working pattern had already established certain conditions* (I think that’s what should be done); there are always unexpected issues on site. However, it’s very difficult to obtain drawings (I think for renovation tasks, it’s reasonable to have the original drawings). Even without drawings, one has to find a way to get them (of course, by coming up with solutions oneself). Sometimes the site is quite complex, with very long pipelines – and all you have is a tape measure. Hehe, isn’t that a bit ridiculous! Even if you measure it, it’s still not allowed! Can a photo be taken that covers everything so well! Hehe, there are always unexpected things that happen on site. (I’ve only been working for two years and I’m not an expert by any means; I’d be happy if someone could accompany me to the site, but on my own~~~~~) If I went again, the boss would worry about the cost of fuel, and it would be frustrating. (It hasn’t happened to me yet, but it’s annoying to see such things happen.) Why go through all that trouble? ! ! ! Without the transfer of conditions between different specialties, analysis, and the search for standards, it is often during times when these specialties compete with one another that the most progress can be made. Hehe, I’m a bit negative now; I don’t want to do it anymore! Everyone, give some suggestions! A bit confused! Some companies are really interesting – they have strange ideas; they opt for cheaper options due to a lack of experience, but they don’t provide opportunities for experienced employees to mentor newcomers. Then one has to figure it out on their own (usually by learning from failures), but they still complain that you don’t try. Isn’t it contradictory? Hehe! Besides, isn’t design work something that requires one to figure things out on their own? There has to be someone with experience to give some guidance! Hehe, it’s a bit like complaining; I hope everyone can offer some constructive opinions and criticism!
That’s how things are in the design institutes in factories. I’ve been working on projects like these for 10 years now; you just get used to it. It’s great to be able to go to the site – you can’t just work behind closed doors in an office.
Please assess carefully whether you can learn what you want to learn, and whether it offers prospects for your future development If the answer is no, it’s better to leave early; don’t stay around needlessly, as it won’t benefit you at all! The original poster should think it over carefully
I don’t have a job at the moment, so I’m not familiar with the workings of the workplace. But I guess there’s nothing we can do to change that situation; after all, a company’s goal is to make money, and its internal management structure is quite inadequate.
This post was last edited by xyq1983 on 2009-8-24 07:18. Thank you all for your replies! The student from the third floor got me! I’m also thinking about this – for a job like this, I feel like I spend a lot of my time every day on external communications. Moreover, I think the people involved in the design already know how to make the necessary changes; they just want money from you in exchange for producing the drawings. I don’t find it interesting. Even small tasks can be done excellently! But all the information has to be there! How can there be design without any information? That’s just guessing! I think what needs to be learned are the design mindset and workflow steps! Of course, there’s also professional knowledge! To become proficient in multi-disciplinary collaboration, some designs are not the responsibility of just one discipline. Here, there are few regulations involved; basically, no regulations are needed, as many things are already fixed! I think on-site experience is needed, but I don’t want it to be done that way. Can a complex environment be dealt with by taking a few photos and drawing a simple diagram? Even after seeing the site, there should be the original construction drawings, right? I think this is also a form of responsibility toward design!
This post was last edited by xyq1983 on 2009-8-24 06:35. 2# su*ubin, you’re absolutely right! I think when doing basic design or renovation design (it usually involves issues such as valve and flange pairing, as well as the selection of pipeline materials), different heights of the stations provide a different perspective for one to have! We have to admit it!