In Issue 3, 2020, Tom asked: "What is the most effective way to transfer between engineering industries in separate fields of expertise?"
"I would say two things: a good level of understanding and experience of engineering principles, and the second thing would be reacting to other industry needs. I spent most of my career in oil and gas but more recently have been working in the renewable market. I have identified the differences in needs for each market and positioned myself to take advantage of this in the renewable market."
Simon
"I would suggest looking at what skills and competencies you have developed which are transferable. Many skills at first glance seem very specialised to a current role but when looked at more objectively are really transferable with a small amount of upskilling to the new work environment."
Caroline Rose
"As your career progresses, be aware of how what you do applies to engineering in general rather than specifically to your industry. Look at your own industry to see how its specialisms can be brought to bear and bring a new approach to other industries and make the point in your job application."
Paul Russenberger
"Identify your transferable skills and have a narrative ready for covering letters, discussions with headhunters, and interviews – you need to be clear what you can offer and why your career has been leading to this. Back it up by finding ways to get involved in the target industry, either offering your services voluntarily or through a free-time activity, hobby or project."
James Lee
"Make sure you understand the underlying methodology behind what you do now and think about in what way(s) it is relevant to the engineering industry to which you are transferring. The aim should be to understand the similarities and differences and why they are necessary rather than try to make changes once you have transferred to your new engineering industry."
Richard Bossom
"I would look for your skills which are transferable between the two industries. Much of engineering is product specification and problem solving and many tools used will be common (fault tree analysis, root cause analysis, FMEA, Design Review, Six sigma etc). Emphasise these transferable skills on your CV and covering letter when applying for jobs."
Simon Burge
"Try to limit the extent of the change until you are established in the new industry, then you can migrate your expertise more effectively and reliably. Most employers are risk averse during the recruitment phase. Once they know you and your abilities, then it is easier to change disciplines."
Andrew Deacon
"It largely depends on the areas within engineering you practise. In operations management businesses tend to operate fundamentally the same so transferring from one industry to another is mostly just learning the relevant industry standards, laws and politics!"
Ashley Kingston
"In my view this is best done as a practising engineer, so you learn the skills relevant to your new industry. Whilst in theory management skills are easily transferred, a lot of damage can be done by managers who don’t fully understand the industry they transfer to."
Keith Thomas
"Networking at IMechE events with people in the target industry. Connect with groups in that industry on LinkedIn. Do real in-depth research into the parts of your skillset and aptitudes that would fit best in the target industry."
Michael Reid
"Talk to people, read up, get some site visits organised if possible. Go look and see. You’ll have something to offer whatever your background. It’s the way engineers think rather than what they know that I think is important."
Dave Hughes
"Pass the interview! You need to convince them that you are interested, have sufficient transferable skills and are willing to accept any sacrifices while you build your experience back up. If you’re young(ish) these shouldn’t be an issue."
Alastair Miles
"By remembering the core skills you have been taught and developed and applying them to each situation. There are many similarities between different fields of expertise when you work down to the core of what you need to do."
Tom Doyle
"Preparation. Have an existing interest in the new intended field of expertise and be professionally developed, up to date and ready. Otherwise (tongue in cheek) be in finance or marketing..."
Dr Ian Weslake-Hill
"Recognise the huge amount of transferable skills. You’re unlikely to need to know every detail from the ground up as you transfer, but those you will need, you can learn. You weren’t born knowing what you do for your current job so why shouldn’t you be confident that you can learn the challenges in a new role and make a change? If the hiring manager picks you they clearly believe you can so why not go for it! Nothing worse than feeling “stale” in your current job."
Anonymous
"Apply for the job and learn how to do it. Most engineers have to be flexible and find the work, whether it is petrochemical, marine engineering or brewery work. Retrain and research. Most engineers are capable of transferring without too much difficulty."
Martyn Ralph
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Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.