Civil engineering technology bachelors degree and job outlook for this degree 12

[isonthejazz]

I was looking to go to school for civil engineering here in the states. I found that I would prefer to do the more "hands on" approach over the theoretical approach a PE would aquire. So that means a school program in engineering technology. I don't want just an associates and there is a school nearby that offers a bachelors in engineering technology with an civil engineering and design option:

http://www.ucmo.edu/technology/degrees/documents/ENGT.pdf

I am thinking of the job outlook at this point. Would anyone have any insight about the opportunities a program like this would help me get and would it help me get and keep a job in this economy?

 

[BenJohnson]

There are no short cuts to a great career where you have a wide variety of choices of types of work. Believe me, when you are sitting in front of an interview panel for a job, nothing is better than having a B.S. Civil Engineering, Registered Professional Engineer.

All of us Engineers have gone through the pain of getting to that level, but you need to learn the theory that you only get with a BSCE.

In your case (as in mine) you may have to work a night job while going to school, and take summer school to get your degree as fast as possible. Get your PE as quickly as possible and you will be bringing home a nice salary.

Any other tech degree, or any other path will make you low man on the totem pole. You must always take the job that is offered to you; low salary, and sh*t work.

No short cuts to a great job.

 

[concretemasonry]

isonthejazz -

Do what is the quickest is not usually the easiest. I was lucky and knew what field I was interested in (Civil Engineering) and went into a 5 year program as a commuter (convenient) at a large university which was cheaper.

In college, I immediately was exposed to the many varied areas of CE and worked 4 summers getting qualified experience as a technician under an engineer (DOT). The one snag was a 3 week summer surveying camp. During the learning/exposure years, I decided to get 2 years each of civil and structural/design experience, 2 years of construction and 2 years of public/utilities experience and then wait and decide on a long term direction. Because the job market was good then during the early years, I was able to relocate and come close to my plan. Four or five years after graduation I was a registered CE in 2 states and qualified to take the CA SE structural exam because of qualifying experience before and after my degree.

You never know what will follow once you get a degree and find out the options for the future.

I ended up working very long days (12 hours) 4 or five days a week as a senior concrete engineering technician (DOT) and ended up getting comp time (for over 40 hours per week)checks through part of the fall every year.

First, in the aerospace industry, I climbed around rocket test stands to measure and make designs/modifications for dynamic loading on a very short term basis (day or two), and then surveyed for roads and designed water retention ponds and analyzed test stands (all major loads go up(not down) and analyzed for dynamic loads based on 7 minute peak vibration analysis with accelerometer instrumentation on all joints for comparison the the current AISC standards to pint out weak areas. I even supervised a CA SE for a few months, since registration/signature was not required for the work and my supervisor was both a CA and an IL CE and SE.

As field construction engineer. I worked long and crazy hours on a 24/7 major plant and facilities project (2500 people per day). Nothing theoretical, but all practical and down to earth - just a lot of 0' to 70' rock excavation, 2,000,000 cy sand clay projects (down to -30F), utilities, dams, roads, bridges and railroads. It was like a kid in a candy store.

Later, I worked for a public utility designing power transmission line, supervising construction quality on nuclear plants, plant site selection and even worked with an engineer from the aerospace program on the dynamic soil properties of a proposed nuclear plant site they (D&M) were hired to perform the actual site analysis. The work was boring for the most part, except for the real world.

After my 6 years experience, I went into the concrete block industry and was required to be involved in every possible technical production committee for 20 years. It took 10 years waiting to become a voting member on the ASTM committees and I fortunately was involved in the ACI 530 writing and participated in many disaster analysis after a last minute flight overnight to see the real world.

Bottom line - Do NOT put your self into a "box" too quickly if at all possible! You could miss a lot personally, professionally, exposure (41 countries and counting) profession and many friends and acquaintances that last forever. I appreciate a call at 3:00 AM (U.S. time) from an engineering friend from Ufa, Russia (8 hours different) because he happened to have a free phone connection.

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[isonthejazz]

Thanks for all of your replies. Rolla is looking better to me although on another forum, I had gotten some different responses. This one contradicts some posts here:
well...a engineering science degree vs a engineering technology differs on the school and the job. If you only pursue a 2 year degree for technology, the pay will greatly be different. You will be titled an engineering technician. Where as a engineering science degree is not employable after 2 years. You need 4 years with an engineering science. Now you can also pursue 4 years with a technology degree and be titled a engineering technologist or a applied engineer. In my experience, this is not the case for everyone. applied engineers(with a minor in math) and engineering science degrees garner almost an equal pay(I have seen engineering technologist degrees be placed in engineering jobs). The real difference between the two at this point is their ability to transfer into graduate programs. This is where engineering science degrees really shine(especially in mechanical or civil because of calc based physics and calc based mechanics). However, if you go for a math minor and get a B.S. technology degree(especially from a good school like R.I.T. or SunyIT) you could go for a graduate degree in industrial or systems engineering seeing as they dont rely as heavily on the physics but the math.

The main difference between the two are just that though. Engineering technology is algebra based and engineering science is calculus based.

Both are in demand and pay great.

Another interesting aspect of these two degrees are their ability after 4 years to take the F.E.(fundamentals of Engineering) exam. This exam allows you to, after 4 years of residency or working in industry, take the P.E. exam(also known as the principles of engineering). This titles allows you to command a whopping salary no matter what your degree is. You can even take the test after 12 years of engineering related experience and no degree. Even getting your 2 year degree, you must wait 2 years after you graduate to get your FE and then 4 more for your PE...

The director of ET at UCM has stated some interesting things about the program there too. The main point I got was that I will do many jobs for a company, not just drafting, and everyday is different. That is really what I want. She also stated that in the civil field, many companies are just getting to know what a technologist can do. Most just hire CE's when what they really need is a CET and that they are opening there doors to their graduates.

I am not thinking of this as a shortcut, but a longer road actualy. If I got a ET degree, then I will have to learn calc and physics in the evenings while I work. So it would be kinda like I get a bachelors in ET and a associates in Engineering. Then wait longer to get a PE license or just be happy where I am. I go to Rolla, and I get the CE in four to four and a half years and thats it. It has always seemed more logical to go to Rolla, but I still see the program at UCM giving me a lot of skills. I am waiting for Rolla to call me back and I am also going to get some face time with engineers and technologists here at Black and Veech.

 

[concretemasonry]

isonthejazz -

It looks like you have researched options well and made and decision made on the basis of your personal needs, local opportunities and future goals/interests.

Good luck on your future growth!!

Dick

Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.

 

[eea]

Warrensburg, seriously? Try the Bailey Technical Institute (a/k/a ITT) - "your future is just a phone call away". Why not knock out two years at night at "Slow Flo" and transfer down to Rolla and get your BSCE. Done!

Get the calculus courses out of the way at community college and sail through the technical courses at a real 4 year institution. Are you married with kids or something? I don’t get the procrastination. You need a contact at Rolla? The civil engineering undergraduate student advisor used to be Dr. Charles Dare but he retired. Try Dr. Jerry Bayless or Dr. Dave Richarson ('ole Toad Suck).

 

[isonthejazz]

Thanks you guys for all of your input!
I started this thread with my mind on a technologist degree. All of the information that I looked up seemed favorable for it but I wanted some other insight on what kind of work I could qualify to do. I decided to go to Rolla. Looks like I can still be just as hands on with a CE as much as with a ET. If I do happen to struggle with calculus, which will be one of three classes I will take for the next 2 years, then I can just get an A.A.S. in ET with certificates in drafting and GIS within 3 years but I think I can handle the calculus classes while taking 2 other courses in a semester. So I will have the time to study for it. My community college transfers to Rolla having completed the first 2 years in their curriculum. I will take me 5 semesters though to get 2 years done before I can transfer due to the fact that I need to take precalculus first. But I feel very good about it and you guys steered me in the right direction and I thank you for it!

 

[NorfolkEIT]

Good luck. I was in a similar situation- 10 years in music only to need a real job because I have children. I started off in remedial math in community college when I was 30 with no real direction. I'm 36 and now a civil engineer EIT with muncipal employment and the ability to sit for my PE next April because I took a job as an eng technician my first year as an engineering student. I'm not a math person but I made it through calc 1, 2 and 3 plus dif eq. You can do it. Don't sell yourself short. If you want to do it, you can.

 

[civilman72]

Good luck and good choice!

 

[isonthejazz]

One more question; what is the difference between Architectural Engineering and Civil Engineering? I
Understand a little about it, but which one has the more hands on approach?

 

[MrBachelor]

eea:
I remember fondly Dr. Richardson's Toad Suck stories from my days at Rolla. The Dr. is a very knowledgeable man and I learned a lot from him. I never thought I would end up in Arkansas after school but did and even found this one day:

http://toadsuck.org

I was planning a trip to Rolla for St. Pat's this weekend, but it doesn't look like I will make it after all, maybe next year.


OP:
As others have said, the BSCE from ABET school will take you as far as you are willing to go, so long as you are ready to work for it. I made the decision a few years ago to take on a management role with less engineering calculations. I value my base doing the drafting and calculations but enjoy the people skills that come with management more. Having the BSCE qualifies me for current and future promotions with my company and many others. I look forward to the possibility of Principal, President, or CEO one day. Don't forget to look toward your future rather than just compare salaries 2-5 years after graduation.


Nate the Great

http://www.ceieng.com