Hi all,
Currently working as a Process Tech. at a large pharmaceutical plant. Have held various process roles (process chemist, production chemist) and analytical roles (instrument chemist x2) across pharmaceutical, mining and geochemical industries the past 10 years. Have a level 8 (Hons) Marine Science degree, not really relevant to any of these industries but have satisfied other requirements when applying for previous roles so very lucky to have been offered them. To be brief, I'm working a rotating shift at my current job, although I do enjoy the job and the variety of tasks, I've found it's a very low-energy environment, sitting around in a control room some days for the majority of a 12 hour shift is driving me insane. I've learned shift jobs are not entirely suitable for high-energy or spirited individuals and some operators (more than some) just want to do minimal all the time. Also the night shift is beginning to take a mental and physical toll on mind and soul, if I am extremely disciplined (keto diet, exercise x2, reduced screen time, read books all the time etc. etc.) I can manage them but again I have to tightly control every other aspect of my life in order to overcome them and it takes a few days to recover and can be hard to keep a sense of humour.
I can't continue doing night shifts and I'm unsure what direction to take with my career but hoping to stay within the pharma / biopharma sector. I've accepted I'll have to return to study in some form and have been exploring all potential routes. I'm unsure whether to go down the Process Engineering route or go into instrumentation and automation, I feel I would enjoy the work of both.
Option 1: I'd considered returning to do a BSc (level 7) in Process Automation and Instrumentation at TUD, then do Year 4 of BSc (Hons) in Instrument Engineering at MTU which would open doors into instrumentation and automation. However I've heard mixed reviews on the course at TUD, so I've put this option on hold for the time being.
I've also looked at part time / online courses that would allow me to continue working and study at the same time. If this was the case the objective would be to jump back into a day shift QC / laboratory role for a few years while undertaking study in the evenings. Option 2: These pathways included doing a Cert. (level 6) in instrumentation and automation at ATU/MTU which would then allow entry in Mechatronic Engineering (4 years). Would this be a viable route into instrumentation and automation jobs? Would it be too difficult for someone like myself who doesn't have an electrical background? I'm fully aware that it'd be a dull and challenging few years, I'd have very little time to spare outside of work and study and no weekends. However, I'm very willing to put up with a few years of hardship if it means I'll get a decent paying job working normal day hours at the end of it.
Option 3: I've also looked at a Manufacturing Engineering at SETU (3 year cert then 2 year to get BEng). This course has elements of automation, PLC's and mechatronics and would open opportunities into process engineering or automation.
Sorry for the long-winded post. Ideally I'd love to continue working and study part-time but again, I'm unsure which direction to go. If anyone has any helpful advice or guidance or points they'd like to make that's relevant to anything I've mentioned above I'd love to hear them. Appreciate and very grateful for any input. Thanks.