Have you ever been laid off?

[Andy Brockway]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

I'd love for an opportunity to work in a mechanical design environment, but as time goes by, it seems like my work experience and growing skillset have less and less relevance to the things I like doing and I will get shoehorned into doing things that I don't like as much. That, too, is pretty scary.

If you are ready to move back to engineering than do it. Use the time with your present company to interview for what you really want. Companies understand career changes and you are young enough for it to be a non-issue.

My advice is to pick a career you enjoy. There will always be bad days at work but if you are doing what you enjoy you will make it through.

My first job out of college I work at Bullard's, a now non-existent machine tool manufacturer. They had six lay-off's in the two years I was there. Each one was bad for everyone, those who were dismissed and those who stayed. I left two months before my level was laid off. Point is, you will make it, you just have to fight for yourself.