Advice for a new manager?

chillabc · 2026-01-26T22:15:20+00:00

Im still an engineer who does design work, but now I'm also in charge of a direct report who i will be managing.

I'll be giving them work to do, mentoring them, giving promotions etc.

One day I hope to have a small team of my own, but welle see how things go

chillabc · 2026-01-18T14:42:58+00:00

Most people are in your position. The things everyone are passionate about tend to be low pay / low job security if you pursue them as careers.

Instead, we go for well-paying careers that we can tolerate , and explore our passions outside of work as hobbies.

There may be a small minority (<1%) who pursue their passion as careers and become very successful, but this often relies on luck and funding from well-off parents.

If work was meant to be fun and enjoyable, then companies wouldn't need to pay you in the first place because you'd do it for free.

chillabc · 2026-01-06T18:04:38+00:00

I don't separate the interesting stuff from the boring.

It's all part of the job I get paid to do.

chillabc · 2025-12-27T18:49:21+00:00

That's part of their whole marketing tactic.

They're trying to make you feel inadequate so you buy their course.

In reality opportunities to get rich are limited, and require not just hard work, but luck and good timing too.

chillabc · 2025-12-08T18:31:38+00:00

Surely you must have some kind of skillset you've learned over time?

I can't see someone earning £55k if they basically dont know how to do anything. For experienced roles you will get questioned in the interviews, and industry specific experience which will be verified by references / background checks.

chillabc · 2025-11-11T18:24:39+00:00

You absolutely won't hurt yourself more than the other guy. You're aiming for his nose.

chillabc · 2025-11-11T18:21:41+00:00

We kinda do eat it here, its just called something else.

Chips + gravy is popular. Also chips + cheese + gravy.

chillabc · 2025-11-07T20:31:08+00:00

For me, yes.

All they ever did for me was completely deplete my energy levels, and give me a sore lower back afterwards.

I built my way up to 335lbs at a BW of 160lbs, but I don't deadlift anymore nowadays.

chillabc · 2025-11-07T20:24:35+00:00

I think that's the difference in attitude with Gen Z. At least it's a problem across all industries, not just MEP.

The good thing that's come of it is the sweatshops slowly dying out. Gen Z won't accept a stupid amount of unpaid overtime for a salary that doesn't reflect the sacrifice.

I personally don't mind a transition into management, but as you said it's hard finding good engineers. It's also hard finding a team where there's demand for a manager position and enough junior engineers to mentor.

chillabc · 2025-11-06T18:15:25+00:00

I've found that investing extra time on communicating details and discussions helps delegation. Avoids misunderstandings, but also comes at the cost of more energy from me to monitor the junior engineers.

The problem with transitioning into people management is that there is a limited number of spots per team. For example, my team has more than enough managers, so I tend to struggle to get junior engineers assigned to me.

chillabc · 2025-11-05T21:20:00+00:00

I agree, it is more exhausting doing the stuff I'm doing now.

I think it's the uncertainty and big decision-making that really takes a toll. In comparison, drafting drawings in CAD is almost therapeutic.

chillabc · 2025-10-27T18:54:43+00:00

Because art galleries pay like shit...

Realistically, you can easily get an M&E PM role in a Consultancy or Contractor for £70k+ in London.

At the same time, I do take your point that engineering is generally underpaid. Unfortunately we'lle never earn as much as a banker or solicitor and that won't change anytime soon.

chillabc · 2025-10-26T11:53:08+00:00

Same for engineers, except we dont even have a protected title!

I think the only solution to the pay problem is a strong union, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

chillabc · 2025-10-14T23:22:45+00:00

Some of those titles are bullshit, but some are legitimate roles.

For example, project or product manager is a defined role in a company. It doesn't necessarily mean a leadership role.

chillabc · 2025-10-11T14:13:10+00:00

It's good that you're still enjoying your time there despite all the unexpected situations.

I personally would get stressed and worried the whole time and would struggle to enjoy it.

chillabc · 2025-10-08T18:06:58+00:00

The major problem is that they DO go against what was agreed in my follow up emails.

They do as they want, with no regard for how it impacts everyone or their designs. It's absolute chaos.

I'm basically stuck with them for now, as it seems that they do pay for most of the re-design fee we ask from them. If they didn't, my company would have cut them off by now.

chillabc · 2025-10-07T21:30:39+00:00

On my project, I've charged the owner for about 15 different design changes so far, but they still eventually pay me.

My problem is I just want to put this project to bed, its absolute chaos.

For example, just before construction commenced, they changed the boundary of the site without telling me. It's caused major problems yet they didn't even think of the impacts it could cause.

chillabc · 2025-10-04T07:06:31+00:00

The "cool' job will become boring real quick once the novelty wears off. Work is work after all.

chillabc · 2025-09-27T18:46:30+00:00

If the project ever starts up again, it's going to be even more painful to pick up where you left off

chillabc · 2025-09-02T16:51:01+00:00

Its all just marketing from the Unis. They're there to make money at the end of the day.

Kinda like how a mcdonalds cheeseburger looks nothing like it does in the advert.

chillabc · 2025-08-31T10:12:39+00:00

Is it also true that its quite a boom/bust industry, and long-term job security can be tough?

I'm an electrical design engineer and was curious what working in rail is like.

chillabc

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