Feeling Stuck as a Worker Despite Engineering Degree: How Can I Advance to Management?

I am a BE in Production Engineering graduate, having more than two years of experience in the production department. However, until now, I have been working as a worker. Consequently, my management does not recognize me as a graduate, and I lack respect in my company as they treat me like a regular worker. Despite this, I possess a good command of English, Tamil, and Hindi, along with a strong understanding of manufacturing tools.

Questions for Career Advancement

Now, I have a few questions:
1. Will this job lead to a successful career for me?
2. I aspire to move to the next level, i.e., the management level. How can I achieve this?
3. Please provide advice on how I can build a bright and healthy career.

Thank you.

Please tell us where you work. From your ID, it looks as though you work in the States; if that is the case, how is a command of Tamil and Hindi relevant? If you are a BE, why did you join as a worker? Having joined as a worker, why should they treat you any differently from any other worker?

Though you are an engineer, you chose to become a worker. You preferred to remain in that role for two long years. Secondly, the questions that you have asked are also not of the stature of an engineering graduate.

Designation and Role

When you joined your current company, what designation was offered to you? If the designation offered was higher than a worker, then why did you accept the worker-level work? Did you approach HR for the allotment of work that is compatible with your stature?

Self-Improvement and Awareness

You need to improve your self-awareness. You do not have an accurate understanding of yourself. Ask yourself - who am I? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? What opportunities are there in the market?

Personal Development

You have to develop yourself. Nobody can do this for you. Everyone else can only give advice, and beyond that, nothing.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar

Your experience as a worker has provided you with rich insights into workforce problems at the ground level, so there should be nothing to regret. Since you claim to have all the qualifications and competence to enter another organization at the level of at least a 'Trainee Engineer,' what is stopping you from quitting? Never curse those who have trained you for two years. Make a bold decision and look for a better opportunity.

You should look for an alternative job and move on. There is no point in lamenting that you are not being treated well. Find a suitable job in line with your qualifications and training. Additionally, when posting like this, it will help you receive better suggestions if you include details such as your current designation, job contract/appointment details, and the type of industry/location.

All the best,

D. Balaji

There are two sides to your coin. One could be your perspective, and the perspective of your seniors may be different. I would suggest that you speak to your seniors and line managers one-on-one and seek counseling on their expectations. Also, express your feedback and seek better treatment. I am sure things will change for the better. Of course, you can look for better prospects, but don't try this in despair.

You need to assert yourself with your experience and claim a position.

Best wishes,
Vasudevan

When you have the skill, knowledge, and ability, please go ahead and search for a new job for yourself. Consequently, during your job search and when facing interviews or written tests, you can evaluate yourself to determine the extent of your competence. However, you can maintain your current job, and once you secure a new position, you can then leave.

Thank you.

Please answer the following questions yourself:

Designation and Role

1) What is your designation/role as per your appointment letter? Is your recruitment based on your B.E qualification?

Definition of "Working Like a Worker"

2) What is your definition of "working like a worker"? Do you perform the same tasks as other workmen, or is some part of your job description similar to theirs?

Treatment as a Worker

3) How do you feel they treat you like a worker?

Difference Between Management and Worker Cadre

4) According to you, what is the difference between "management cadre personnel" and "worker cadre personnel"?

Discrimination in Work Assignments

5) Is there any discrimination? Are others in Production Engineering required to do different work while you are assigned different tasks?

While you answer these questions, I would like to mention that many freshers enter the industry with misconceptions and preconceived mindsets. They believe that since they have acquired professional qualifications, they are entitled to white-collar and so-called sophisticated jobs. They expect a red carpet from day one and assume they will become the boss of those who have been working for years.

They often lack other skills required to be "accepted" and "inducted" into an organization. I have observed individuals who do not make demands but focus on delivering their best and seek "professional challenges" rather than levels and authority for success. However, this requires patience. You need to give some time; every process needs a gestation period.

Behold, be positive, and be concerned. Develop yourself, learn what you did not in your engineering college, and build upon it. Learn interpersonal skills, how to get along with people and teams, and how to be humble without harming your self-esteem.

Wish you good luck.

Regards,
Shailesh Parikh

[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Addressing Communication Skills for Career Advancement

I think your main problem is a lack of communication skills. I'd like to quote a few lines from your question:

- A worker
- A graduate
- Will this job give me a successful career?

It seems like you have failed to convince your employer/boss that you are capable of handling the job in line with your qualifications and experience. Have patience and prove yourself as an efficient candidate rather than becoming arrogant.

Best wishes,

Dasan

Understanding Your Career Path

When a person is looking for a job, the first important thing for them is to know their qualities, professional degree, work experience, etc. Based on that, they need to select a particular field/industry to apply for a job by going through the job description, responsibilities, job profile, etc. However, as mentioned, you are a Mechanical Engineering graduate, yet it seems you didn't follow the steps mentioned above and joined a company at a worker level.

It's good that you have now realized your skills and qualities. Be confident and discuss with HR. If they agree to offer you a suitable profile, that's great. Otherwise, you can look for another job that suits you.

I agree with the statements of fellow members regarding your situation. You have to go back to when you started with your company. What position did you apply for? Did you choose your current work because, at the time you applied, there was no position suitable for you, but you got it out of desperation? Anyway, we need to know more so that your predicament can be addressed.

Steps to Being Recognized as an Engineer

To be a true Engineer and be recognized as such, you either have to ask HR if there is an opening for your position, or you'll have to stay there. Alternatively, you could decide to resign, but before doing that, check job ads to see if there is a vacancy for what you're looking for so that when you resign, you have a job to transfer to immediately.

Good luck!

Do not worry about your status and position. You have very good academic qualifications and experience from the basic production level. Don't dwell on the negative; instead, try to learn from this situation. Everyone has to face such circumstances at some point.

Steps to Improve Your Career Situation

As per my suggestion, firstly, you should discuss with your reporting head and HR person, then clearly communicate your job description to them. After that, you can demonstrate that you are not dependent on them and that you have other opportunities.

Thanks and Best Regards,

Mahendra Patole