I graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering earlier this year. Recently I got a job as a "manufacturing engineer intern" at a small fabrication company near my parents house. Given my poor qualifications, it was probably the best I could do. The pay isn't very good (in fact pretty bad), but there is a benefit to this position - they are promoting me very quickly. It's been just about 3 months and I am already the primary coordinator for a company overhaul and the the expeditor where I walk around making sure everything's running on schedule. I've also been told I will be handling sales within a few months. 

BUT, like I said the pay is shit and the more I work here, the less I feel like this position has anything to do with engineering. Even with the promotions, I don't think my pay will reach what entry level engineers receive. So, my dilemma is this: I want to be paid like an engineer, but I feel that this company is giving me experience most engineers would never have the opportunity to get so easily (this is literally my first job). I am continuing to pursue other jobs (although less aggressively and more selectively), but I wonder if this is something I should stick with. Could I get back in the engineering world after I get some cool experience with this company? Am I stuck on this small company, non-engineer career path if I stay? 

If the money was right, I would love to stay here -- I think I'm learning a heck of a lot and my job sounds way more interesting than my corporate engineer friends' jobs. But the pay just doesn't compare and I don't want to give up on my engineering. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what real engineers even do and I can still be considered one. I don't know!
user
Started as a manufacturing engineer at a small fabrication company. Got
assistant
I graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering earlier this year. Recently I got a job as a "manufacturing engineer intern" at a small fabrication company near my parents house. Given my poor qualifications, it was probably the best I could do. The pay isn't very good (in fact pretty bad), but there is a benefit to this position - they are promoting me very quickly. It's been just about 3 months and I am already the primary coordinator for a company overhaul and the the expeditor where I walk around making sure everything's running on schedule. I've also been told I will be handling sales within a few months. 

BUT, like I said the pay is shit and the more I work here, the less I feel like this position has anything to do with engineering. Even with the promotions, I don't think my pay will reach what entry level engineers receive. So, my dilemma is this: I want to be paid like an engineer, but I feel that this company is giving me experience most engineers would never have the opportunity to get so easily (this is literally my first job). I am continuing to pursue other jobs (although less aggressively and more selectively), but I wonder if this is something I should stick with. Could I get back in the engineering world after I get some cool experience with this company? Am I stuck on this small company, non-engineer career path if I stay? 

If the money was right, I would love to stay here -- I think I'm learning a heck of a lot and my job sounds way more interesting than my corporate engineer friends' jobs. But the pay just doesn't compare and I don't want to give up on my engineering. Maybe I'm misinterpreting what real engineers even do and I can still be considered one. I don't know!
user
Got a job for a shit pay. Want to stay but
assistant