"...Resigning is an impulse and is not very attractive to future employers. Without being a fly on the wall in an interview to know more, the most likely cause of failing your interviews is perhaps your explanation for leaving the previous company.Resigning for anything other than serious...
At the PhD level - in Texas - there are more opportunities within exempt industries (see: oil and gas, R&D) than anywhere else. That's what i've seen anyway.
I wonder if BP regrets firing all of their engineers?
I hoped they saved lots of money outsourcing to Halliburton and Transocean.
I'll find work with the lawyers who are about to liquidate all of BP's north american assets. They'll need lots of expert witnesses.
If your doing "Civil/Environmental" work in Texas - odds are you'll work under an industry exemption in which case a PE is irrelevant. Particularly at the PhD level and in this economy - there is no public sector work. Industry doesn't care about the P.E.
Go work for a big company, stay away...
ps. you know i didn't expect to become a rich man when i studied civil, nor did i expect to become a poor man, but my family size qualifies for state health care benefits '09-'10 with this salary. Maybe i should change fields!
The wealthiest man in the world has a degree in civil engineering...
This isn't a dating board - but I'll help a brother out.
If you find an opening in local government - go for it. It's where I, and a lot of other engineers, married well above our own looks. tons and tons of hotties work for local government. same in every state i've been in.
not an option...
You know - I kinda have to disagree with "if you have a job it's easy to find a job" conventional wisdom. Particularly in this market.
I've gotten several calls just in the past 2 weeks from recruiters, and had 2 interviews, based on the fact that I was "immediately available". I have 2 side...
wow, that's pretty bad. Geotech is probably the worst hit of all the fields of civil. In my opinion it is the worst branch of civil in terms of a career path.
If you have to - take the offer. But I'd *definitely* keep looking.
Unless you have a Masters, get out of geotech. Every geotech I've...
As an engineer -- I am sure you took plenty of math and statistics courses. Probably know a little bit of programming?
I live in houston - that is a hint to where the jobs are.
westheimer,
you are right on the money my friend. O&G is horrific, all I hear from recruiters right now is how flooded they are with "fabulously qualified" applicants. 30 to 50 applicants per job - sometimes more I was told. For an oil major job it is in the hundreds for a highly specialized...
There are tons of engineers out there looking for work. Guys with P.E's and lots of experience - particularly in the civil/water field. good lord, they are everywhere.No offense, but I doubt your current employer would get too bent out of shape if you left. You would be very easily replaced.
GET OUT WHILE YOU CAN!
Perhaps I'm being a bit too cynical, but if you are going to spend the time, effort and MONEY going back to school getting a degree - get it in a field that pays you real money and has some stability.
Engineering - particularly structural engineering - does neither...
"...I feel like some day, we are going to end up the side kicks in Lawyer jokes..."
HAHA! that day is already here - only we don't make the same money.
