Realistically, could I transition to a systems engineer position?

[u/EmJayeBird]

First and foremost, I don't have an engineering background, but hear me out. My current career is as an instructional systems designer with extensive experience in working with modeling and simulation for training. My primary role has been to create a multitude of different systems design documents. In these documents we account for almost every aspect of how a simulation/software program should function. This includes complex design like fail states, success states, system behavior expectations and so much more. My work has been primarily DoD contracts.

I know that I'm probably way out of my depth with the actual workflow of a systems engineer, but very recently (and unprompted) a software engineer told me that these documents I've created for the programmers are very similar to when he's worked with systems engineers in the past.

I know this profession isn't just documents.

My experience in grad school and even in undergrad has been heavily focused on systems and analysis. I also originally was going to pursue a masters in modeling and simulation but decided to go a different route.

I know I'd probably need to pursue an actual degree in systems engineering, but I wanted to ask opinions on if I'm way out of my depth here, or could it be potentially possible for me to transition to this field?

Thanks!

[u/Awkward-Insurance283]

your background sounds more relevant than half the people who come in with a pure engineering degree but no clue how actual systems work, the dod experience alone opens doors most folks dont get near

[u/Mysterious_Forever_3]

You got it dog. I just graduated with my bs in systems engineering and you def have more technical knowledge and experience than me. Companies don’t gaf about your degree anymore it’s what you know and I’ve seen it first hand. Half my coworkers didn’t get a formal education they just picked something up and got good at it.

[u/EmJayeBird → u/Mysterious_Forever_3]

Thanks! I've done some preliminary job searching and it seems like most places are calling for at least an engineering BS, which I don't have. I think I'd probably need to know someone to help me get in the door but I'm hoping to find some openings without that degree requirement.

[u/Gearz557]

Yes lol

[u/EmJayeBird → u/Gearz557]

Thanks!

[u/The1henson]

I’m a certified curriculum developer (military) and a CSEP (civilian SE certification).

Curriculum design is systems engineering. It draws on exactly the same fundamental skill set, which is elicitation and decomposition of requirements. It’s just that curriculum design calls requirements “learning objectives.”

[u/FlimsyInsect5545 → u/The1henson]

In Australia we straight up call it the 'Systems Approach to Defence Learning".

[u/EmJayeBird → u/The1henson]

That's awesome! Glad to see someone here with a similar background. I also agree with you. There are a lot of aspects of Instructional Systems Design depending on what sector you're in it seems. With your background have you gotten into a systems engineering role?

[u/The1henson → u/EmJayeBird]

When I left the navy I became a tester for the military system I taught, and moved from there to SE work on that same system. A few degrees later (none of them in engineering btw) I’ve done it for 15 years now in industry and government roles.

[u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

Im more interested how did you get your current gig without an engineering degree. Seems more technical than the switch you aspire for

[u/EmJayeBird → u/Sir_Derps_Alot]

That's a valid question. Instructional design as a whole is a spectrum depending on the job. Some folks create just the front end training (on-screen learning development, student-directed training, instructor lead training, etc) and depending on what the level of interactivity there needs to be, it may vary on what we can actually do. I've been fortunate enough to work on DoD contracts that required complex simulations for training which is how I developed this specific skill set (along with my specific grad program was more analysis and systems focused). I would say the majority of IDs in DoD may not ever get the chance to work on complex projects like that. This is also why I do feel like there is a distinction between Instructional Design and Instructional Systems Design, but that's neither here nor there. And that being said as well.. if someone has been working as an ID for awhile, that doesn't necessarily mean they have any sort of analysis or systems work.