Where should I go
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I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2013, majoring in Environmental Engineering. After graduation, I realized that this field was really a mess – one had to learn everything, but it was all just an introduction to various topics such as Introduction to Environmental Science, Introduction to Air Pollution Control, Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Processes, and so on. I spent a few months working at an environmental protection company (one that had been restructured from a government agency); there, I saw that people there were just there to muddle through their days. Realizing that this wasn’t a viable path, I promptly changed jobs, still at another environmental protection company (one that dealt with various environmental issues related to air, water, and equipment), where the main focus was on design work. During that time, I worked on a wastewater treatment project as well as a project for desulfurization and denitrification of air emissions. Since my major was in Environmental Engineering, my skills weren’t perfectly suited for these tasks, so I could only do auxiliary work, such as arranging equipment and pipelines. When it was necessary to go to the site, I would go there as well. In short, I was essentially doing menial tasks. Two years passed in this way. I saw that my classmates were doing better, yet their salaries were still low. To work in chemical engineering, I lacked the theoretical knowledge, and no one was there to guide me; self-study didn’t give me a clear direction either. Now I want to change jobs and switch to engineering management, but I have to start from scratch again. It’s true that men fear choosing the wrong career, and women fear marrying the wrong man. Should I change careers or continue working in design? I’m torn. . . .
Having graduated from undergraduate studies and spent three years in the field, one can already achieve decent results. Which school did you graduate from? What industries are your classmates working in? It’s such a fast track to getting started
Equipment and pipeline layout is no longer a secondary task. . . . . . This is already part of the project design. . . If working on project management, it also has to start with design, and then gradually shift to management. . . . It might be a bit difficult to jump straight from project design to project management at another company. . . Jump from design to another design firm, and switch to management. . It would be more reasonable to first switch to management and then move to another company to continue working in management. . .
Our pipeline layout and equipment arrangement are quite simple; they don’t require much technical expertise. It’s possible to work in this field, but there aren’t many prospects or financial opportunities involved. It isn’t considered a core technology or a key area, so it’s not very interesting. I’m thinking of getting into project management; I’ll give it a try first
:o:o:o Nothing is easy to do
Equipment layout and piping layout involve much more technical complexity than project management...
I don’t deny what you said, but the work I’m doing now involves very simple setup – usually just a few pipes, and those are specified by others; I just draw the diagrams, nothing too complicated
You’re new; don’t rush. Doing pipeline work is certainly the lowest-level job at the moment, but project management is also a low-level task – involving printing, copying, and data reconciliation. I’ve met quite a few people who started working in project management, but after 10 years still failed to obtain the first-level professional qualification, and ended up becoming senior document clerks instead...
The OP’s sense of direction is pretty good. They are intelligent, but also impetuous. Unwilling to endure hardship, yet wanting to get rich. The result was a series of half-baked attempts in various directions; in the end, nothing met the standards, and time was simply wasted. Live each day well, and do well at every small thing (as long as it helps you improve). It is an urgent priority. With the above prerequisites in place, the mind becomes calm and clear. Naturally, it knows which way to take and how to go.
Getting started with the layout of pipes and equipment is simple, but doing it well isn’t easy. Focus on getting the piping and overall layout right first; really, don’t keep setting your sights on higher goals. Even things that seem simple need to be done well and thoroughly – otherwise, if given a major project with no one to guide you, you won’t be able to complete it. This is just experience speaking.