JKStruct
Structural
- Jan 3, 2007
- 97
Let me first just state that I am a structural EIT. I have not taken, nor passed, any PE exam. And I believe it's laudable for everyone that gets their name on a stamp. But, let me stand on a soap box for a minute...
I have many friends that graduated with the same civil engineering degree as me (both undergrad, and grad). Those same friends are now practicing in various fields. And, I had a disturbing conversation with one of my fellow alums that perpetuated an ethical dilemma I've thought about for awhile.
He's a structural engineer. When we've talked about the test, he said he's taking the (name redacted) specific exam in lieu of Structural I, because it's "easier," and most of his coworkers have done the same. My first reaction was questioning how he could know anything about another discipline, but he was devout in saying that he could memorize (redacted) engineering for a few months better than he can learn enough structural engineering to pass. This greatly bothered me.
I've seen numerous posts on these forums that people take an easy way out in order to get the PE after your name. My contention is that you should take the test in the discipline of which you're currently practicing. If you can't pass the structural I, I wouldn't feel comfortable being in a building or on a bridge you sealed. If you can't pass the test in the discipline closest to your current practice, shouldn't you be in another discipline? It's fine to have a bad day and need a second attempt. But to cheat the system by taking a different exam?? If I can't pass Structural I, I won't relegate myself to an alternate test that I may be able to memorize and pass, just so I can seal drawings for a building. Did we not all get a silver ring and vowed to the public that we would protect their safety? Someone correct me if I'm missing something.
Just my two cents...
I have many friends that graduated with the same civil engineering degree as me (both undergrad, and grad). Those same friends are now practicing in various fields. And, I had a disturbing conversation with one of my fellow alums that perpetuated an ethical dilemma I've thought about for awhile.
He's a structural engineer. When we've talked about the test, he said he's taking the (name redacted) specific exam in lieu of Structural I, because it's "easier," and most of his coworkers have done the same. My first reaction was questioning how he could know anything about another discipline, but he was devout in saying that he could memorize (redacted) engineering for a few months better than he can learn enough structural engineering to pass. This greatly bothered me.
I've seen numerous posts on these forums that people take an easy way out in order to get the PE after your name. My contention is that you should take the test in the discipline of which you're currently practicing. If you can't pass the structural I, I wouldn't feel comfortable being in a building or on a bridge you sealed. If you can't pass the test in the discipline closest to your current practice, shouldn't you be in another discipline? It's fine to have a bad day and need a second attempt. But to cheat the system by taking a different exam?? If I can't pass Structural I, I won't relegate myself to an alternate test that I may be able to memorize and pass, just so I can seal drawings for a building. Did we not all get a silver ring and vowed to the public that we would protect their safety? Someone correct me if I'm missing something.
Just my two cents...
