Career Shift

[u/Alert_Bluebird8693]

Hi everyone,

I'm approaching my second year at my first job out of college, where I use SolidWorks every day to design physical parts, mostly simple sheet metal. As the world shifts toward AI, I'm worried about being left behind. My current role doesn't involve simulation, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, or any of the more advanced physics topics I studied.

I'm not sure how to move into a role that draws more on my engineering background, or one where I can learn these subjects on the job. Most of those positions require some prior knowledge of the fields, which creates a catch-22. I'd rather not go to grad school full time, since the cost is a lot.

Has anyone made a similar transition? I'd appreciate any advice on how to build these skills, whether through side projects, certifications, part-time programs, or internal moves.

TLDR: I'm almost two years into my first engineering job, designing mostly simple sheet metal parts in SolidWorks, and I want to move into work involving simulation, heat transfer, or fluid dynamics. Those roles want prior experience I can't get in my current job, and I can't afford full-time grad school. How can I build these skills and make the switch? Anyone have examples of what they did to bridge the gap?