5 significant career facts aircraft firms don’t tell new engineers (until they’ve GOTCHA)

I worked 15 years inside a big aircraft manufacurer.

Along the way, my beliefs about the industry were up-ended. Here’s what I learned.

Whether noob or veteran, these will resonate.

1. Being an aircraft nut reduces your income.

Yep.

The company’s view is, part of your compensation is a satisfied passion. They can pay you less!

Cuz you’re desperate to work there.

2. There are dragons in here.

Read: Control freaks, sociopaths.

In big companies, it’s easy to hide your incompetence, and sniff out victims. Easy to hole up, should the posse come hunting. I watched one such intimidate everyone under him. Numerous engineers went off on stress leave.

Some never returned.

3. If you’re ambitious, don’t be too competent.

“Laddie, do a good job around here, and you get to keep it.”

Oh boy, you get to keep it. When I wanted a change, roadblock after roadblock was thrown my way. If I stayed put, I kept a problem solved.

Oh …. don’t be too nice, either.

4. We’ll pay you the same as the other lemmings ….

First year designing the A380, I got a 2% pay hike. Sweet. Next year, busting my butt, arguments, stress …. same 2%. Third year, nearing burnout, not expecting anything …. 2% again!

AHA ….

5. The company doesn’t care if you’re brilliant; just be controllable.

Just Play the Game.

Don’t rock the boat. Improve just a leetle bit at a time. No brilliance or enthusiasm needed.

Same goes if you’re NOT that brilliant, btw.