I am a Mechanical Engineer in the aerospace industry. My first job started with three weeks vacation. After 5 years I picked up a pension (not too many of those around anymore). Im salaried and Im paid for overtime. Its common practice in the aero industry. Ive traveled the world, watched my creations fly, worked major programs and worked those that flew but never left the research world. My first company gave the inventors who received patents a share of the royalties. I believe the share was very modest, after all you were paid to develop it (personally I never applied for one). Ive been able to climb the ranks and even pass many with decades seniority. It basically comes down to how much effort you put in, how patient you can be, how quickly you learn, what opportunities you seize and whether you deliver.
Do I find time to dive, absolutely. One of the engineers I know who works in L.A. goes surfing every morning before coming to work. Work sent me to Seattle for a year and I lived several blocks from the ocean. I could be at the local dive site in 5 minutes. Living close to a dive site is going to be a requirement if you want to dive as much as you say. Personally I think the weekends work better but its your time.
Can I tweak or fix scuba gear? Sure, I have the skills should I decide to. Typically it takes more effort to design, create or modify gear than just having it done but I do have a couple potential projects that I think are worth it. The problem is that we tend to dream up more ideas than we have time to work on. Most of the things I come up with take millions to develop so I dont tinker with them in the garage.
Every engineer is going to have a different story. Think of your degree as a passport to learn a trade. Even within the ranks of one industry there are many paths. I started on a path I hated for the first two years and then changed to one that I enjoy. I work with plenty of engineers who would hate my job and vice versa. An engineering degree is a ticket to ride any train in the station. You just have to pick one that is available and worth riding. Dont be surprised if you start out on the wrong one.
Do I find time to dive, absolutely. One of the engineers I know who works in L.A. goes surfing every morning before coming to work. Work sent me to Seattle for a year and I lived several blocks from the ocean. I could be at the local dive site in 5 minutes. Living close to a dive site is going to be a requirement if you want to dive as much as you say. Personally I think the weekends work better but its your time.
Can I tweak or fix scuba gear? Sure, I have the skills should I decide to. Typically it takes more effort to design, create or modify gear than just having it done but I do have a couple potential projects that I think are worth it. The problem is that we tend to dream up more ideas than we have time to work on. Most of the things I come up with take millions to develop so I dont tinker with them in the garage.
Every engineer is going to have a different story. Think of your degree as a passport to learn a trade. Even within the ranks of one industry there are many paths. I started on a path I hated for the first two years and then changed to one that I enjoy. I work with plenty of engineers who would hate my job and vice versa. An engineering degree is a ticket to ride any train in the station. You just have to pick one that is available and worth riding. Dont be surprised if you start out on the wrong one.