User Question: How can I change my career path from Banking to Engineering

Below is a mail sent in to me by a job seeker asking how he could change his career path to engineering after several years of working in a bank.

Good day Sir/ madam.
I got your email while reading a very helpful teaching on writing cover letters. I really do appreciate your generosity and willingness to help people with career issues.
I would like your advice with regards to career change. I have spent majority of my working years as a marketer in the bank, though i graduated as a mechanical engineer.
My desire is to return to engineering and develop a career. How do i transit with the issues of requests for experienced hands. What do i do to get employed in a multinational as a fresher in engineering without starting at the bottom of the ladder.
Your kind response would be highly appreciated.
Thank you.

And here's my response to him

Sorry for the delay in response. Top of the day to you by the way.
I totally understand your plight. But let me ask these few important questions. Do you have a masters degree in Engineering? Do you have any Professional Engineering Qualifications (COREN etc)?
If not, then you might have to get one. From my experience of multinationals, most of the vacancies they have are usually hands-on and requires some level of experience in Engineering. However, they take freshers from time to time(but you said you wouldn't want to start from the bottom of the ladder) . Obtaining extra certifications and qualifications would go a long way in helping expedite your career change.
Alternatively, if you don't have enough capital to gather more certifications (as i understand these things are expensive), but you have a strong passion for Engineering, I would advice you start applying in Oil & gas/Engineering firms(multinational or local). You really have to start from somewhere (even as a fresher). You can easily change from one company to another even in months. And that's actually the experience we are talking about.
That way, bigger firms can see you as an experienced Engineer.
Life is too short and sweet to work under the stress of Nigerian banks. Follow your passion.

I hope this helps.

Regards, RNJ

I hope this would be helpful to some other people out there. Good luck to you all.
I still await your questions.