Skill increasing projects for 18 months (or more)
 

Dear all,

I'm in an interesting situation and I need a few advices from you.
The current situation is that I'm working at a technical research center for process engineering. The current project I work on is quite interesting project but this ends in round about 18 months. The chances a good that after that project I still can work at the center but what is safe in our days...
So the thing is: I'm quite new in cfd-simulation and I find it very interesting and I want to learn more and improve my skills especially for my next employers (some day they will come).
For this I'm fortunately in the position to have access to StarCCM and Comsol Multiphysics to test and "play" with it also at free time.

The question now is: What could be usefull private projects to improve my skills and to learn as many as possible about using the programs and about CFD generally during my remaining time there?
Does anyone have an idea what could be improve my skills best and is the most usefull topic for following empolyers?

Of course I can make all tutorials I find but I'm not really satisfied with this.
During my job we make smaller side projects with simulation of simple flow analysis and heat transfer but it's mostly simple parameter variations...

Regards
Tobias

Hello,

By reading your question, I guess you are in starting stage of career. I am also worked in CFD projects as research associate for the professor. Because of more interest in CFD like you:), I moved to Engineering consultancy company and I learned a lot about CFD tools. After six years, I realize that the people joined later to me came to my skill level and I was in annoying position to get higher salary when some junior is ready to do the same work.

Then I moved to product development company and I learned about the product design/criteria for validation/process to manufacturing etc... Seriously, it will help and differentiate you among others than CFD tools.

So my advice is, don't narrow your focus in CFD tools and CFD theory only. Learn a lot about product and process. When you are going to higher position, this knowledge will help you a lot.

Remember, Any analysis tool/activity is just small piece of big projects and you can't stay longer in that position.

Of course, you can choose another career option like simulation consultant/expert in CFD. Only very few people managed to succeed with good salary in this path.

Think and choose how you want to grow your career. Act accordingly.

All the best:)