Aspiring boat designer/engineer

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by freesail, Jul 8, 2008.

  1. freesail
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    freesail Junior Member

    Right, so back on topic.

    Chris, how are job prospects in engineering in general? I heard from various sources that there are a lot of jobs out there these days because of a lack of engineers. Is this true?
     
  2. CTMD
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: Melbourne, Aus

    CTMD Naval Architect

    In aus as a mechanical (or similar) engineer you'll definately get a job.

    As an Aerospace engineer, expect to go overseas (90% of my aero mates have)

    As an NA happy to work on ships etc, you'll get a job in Aus.

    If you want to design yachts and don't have rich parents to subsidise you for a while, I'd recommend looking overseas.

    As mentioned before the two proven career paths are:

    1. Work for a composite company until you're poached by a yacht designer or America's cup campaign

    2. Design ships during the day and yachts a night until you have work coming out your ears and then go out on your own.
     
  3. freesail
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    freesail Junior Member

    Nope, I don't have rich parents, and I'd prefer to make my own way rather than rely on my parents (They've done more than enough by providing me with shelter, food and lots of love).

    I really don't mind what I design, but I am pretty certain that I'm not keen on working with aeroplanes compared to cars and boats.

    I guess I'm worried about job prospects because I do struggle with university even though I attend lectures and do study at home. And you hear wildly varying claims about the effect of marks on job prospects. You get some people who say you just need to make sure you don't fail anything, and then there are those that say you're destined for a crap job for the rest of your life because you haven't for a first honor.

    I'm the only person doing engineering in the whole family (including direct relatives), so I really haven't got many people I can get sound advice from.

    Something I drew up earlier:

    [​IMG]

    I know pretty much nothing about boat design at this stage, so its just a wild fantasy.
     
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  4. MikeJohns
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    MikeJohns Senior Member

    My perception is if your marks aren't that brilliant then I'd be shy of doing mechanical. The job prospects definately are a marks game as was pointed out. Top money goes to distinction average students working with outfits like Shell or the mines, no hons and you will be a basic maintenance engineer as someone said.

    Naval Arch or Marine Eng or combined will give you a good job and career even with poor marks and no post grad. No one will care what your marks were if you have one of those degrees. And you get full professional standing which is what we really want when we hire you .

    We have used mechanical engineers in the past for much of our commercial design work, hull inspections surveys repowering etc. However they are cheap and easy to find (even with pretty good marks). Naval Architects are very hard to find since we (Australia) don't graduate very many.

    The work I have taken on often depends on whether it interests me or who I had available and what they liked to do. Not many jobs where you can pick and choose and turn work away. It's all varied and interesting.
     
  5. freesail
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    freesail Junior Member

    Where would be a good place to get such a degree though?

    Also, I'm more interested in moving towards the management side of things rather than the technical side of it.
     
  6. MikeJohns
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    MikeJohns Senior Member

  7. freesail
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    freesail Junior Member

    I'm getting quiet a bit of comment that I should stick to my course for now. Finish it, work a couple of years, than do a MBA if I want to move more into the management side of things.

    Would switching to the right course now be of much greater benefit compared to, say, postgrad study?
     
  8. MikeJohns
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    MikeJohns Senior Member

    If you want to be a naval architect then you are far better doing the undergrad NA degree than playing catch-up with postgrad qualifications .

    If you want to be a manager in the marine construction industry you'll still be better off with a NA/ME degree before doing an MBA.

    The AMC is a really good college, small class sizes and top facilities and staff. I suggest you contact them and have a good chat they will give you more pertinent info than I can.
     
  9. CTMD
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    CTMD Naval Architect

    Talk to AMC and UNSW the truth is they're both good. As UNSW doesn't start NA specific subject until 3rd year you might find the transfer easier.
     
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  10. MikeJohns
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    MikeJohns Senior Member

    Hey Chris

    The facilities are better at AMC and Launceston is much cheaper to live in than Sydney. Its also nice to run your models in a proper facility. No such luck in UNSW. But I might be a little biased :)

    cheers
     
  11. freesail
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    freesail Junior Member

    Thanks for the heads up. I shall check AMC out.
     
  12. CTMD
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    CTMD Naval Architect

    Given the choice between having women on campass or a test tank, call me shallow but I'd take the girls every time.
     
  13. freesail
    Joined: Jul 2008
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    freesail Junior Member

    At monash, there are like no girls in engineering. The ones that are in engineering are doing double degrees.

    If you want women, head to commerce faculty.
     
  14. Knut Sand
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    Knut Sand Senior Member


    Humm? I thought you were discussing boat MODELS, not models, as in Naomi... Or whatever.... Ehh...whoever.... errr what you like...:rolleyes:
     

  15. safewalrus
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    safewalrus Ancient Marriner

    Lyndon son, i'm one of them funny things, that you experts don't 'ave muchtime for, I use the fcukin things - and from experience apart from the odd one or two NA's who I have great respect for, the rest of you dumb sods would be better of trying to design a new paper napkin! You maybe able to tell us the square root of an onion but when it comes to getting the lid of the jar your all UMPH!

    So your in your third year then -about ready to start designing a new bucket - real NA's have spent more time on one boat than you've spent on your whole damn course! Now wise up sonny and learn! it might do you some good - there again maybe not...................
     
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