Crossing over from Mech to Struct ?? 3

[RBarrett]

I am a mechanical (BSME) but my job as an elevator engineer has sort of thrown me into the world of structural engineering. I recently tried to go back to school in hopes for obtaining my Master's in Structural. The professor that I was talking to did not give me a comfortable feeling about "crossing over" to structural, saying that it's not a particularly common thing to do.

Thus, my question: is it a good thing to have both the BS in mechanical and the MS in structural, especially in that order? I guess I'm really after a reality check. I'm not sure whether I should pursue it or just quit and be happy as an ME. I really do like the building/elevator business; I've been in it for almost 10 years. A lot of my job relates to or has some aspect of structural.

 

[Lion06]

I would think you might need some undergrad prereq'a first. It would be hard to take a graduate level steel or concrete class without a solid understanding of the basics. To go straight to a grad level of these courses without supporting undergrad work is like throwing yourself to the wolves! I don't think it would take many classes to get up to speed, but I would at least consider it.

 

[csd72]

In my experience, ME's tend to earn more money. So dont do it for that reason.

Mechanical is probably one of the closest engineering professions to Structural engineering, but there are some big differences.

I would imagine that doing a masters would be really jumping in the deep end and you will probably find it harder than you think.

csd

 

[JAE]

I once knew a guy who had a BS in psychology and came back to school to get an MS in structural engineering.

He simply had to take a lot of undergraduate course-work to "get into" the SE program but eventually got his degree.

Going from mech to struc would be much easier I think....agree that you'd have to take some sort of undergrad courses to be ready for structural grad courses.

 

[whyun]

Do it only if you are passionate about structural engineering or else you will regret it. You will be competing with new graduates who will be happy with much less than your current salary, so finalcially there is no incentive.

If I were you, I'd consider picking up this knowledge as a hobby or a second part time job while staying with the day job. How about getting into contracting?

 

[HgTX]

Check your university's website to see what civil/structural engineering classes you'd be missing.

Hg


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[JStephen]

Seems like I remember reading that in some places (IE, California), to get a Structural PE registration, you must have an undergraduate civil degree. IE, check into licensing laws if you're planning on that, and do so before you start the degree.

 

[Lion06]

You should definitely talk to the school you are thinking about attending. I have a BS in Structural Engineering Technology (It didn't require Water Resources or Transportation or Hydrology classes, and all but 4 of my classes were "engineering"). I took 2 concrete "engineering" classes, 2 steel "engineering" classes, foundations "engineering" class, 2 analysis classes (including energy methods, castigliano's theorem, etc..), etc..,but the graduate program of my choice is requiring that I complete the undergrad prerequisites for a CE degree. Yes, I took up to diff. eq. and all my physics were calculus based.
The point I am trying to make is that no matter well prepared you may be, the university might require you to take the classes just for the hell of it.
I have made it clear to the university that I have no intention of taking any graduate classes in anything other than structural design or analysis classes in their graduate program. I am taking one class there on a provisional basis (I have to be honest, 80% of what we have covered so far I learned in undergrad) and scored a 99 on the first test and perfect on all the homeworks, but it is clear I will be attending my second choice for a grad program because they will not require me to take all these ridiculous prerequisites.
It is definitely worth taking the time to send an email and a copy of your transcript to the head of the department to get an idea as to what prerequisites they will require you to have.

 

[MintJulep]

What does the commonality of it have to do with anything?

 

[Lion06]

not sure if I understand your question MintJulep

 

[RBarrett]

Thank you to all who've replied to my question. I really appreciate the honesty. I'm really trying to get some practical advice before I pursue it seriously.

I failed to mention that I have my PE license (in Mech) and have taken some continuing education courses in structural steel design (I enjoyed it, really). My peers at work think I'm better off getting an MS in Mechanical because of the broader subject matter. However, the bosses are encouraging me to go for the structural because of the nature of the business.

Thanks whyun for your suggestion about doing it on the side. I've been studying the material on the side so far, so why not continue with some part-time contracting?

Thanks again for your comments.

 

[whyun]

Structural business is not the way it used to be. No matter what your fee is, there is someone who has the guts to do less design for less money.

I am all in favor of studying towards self-improvement. If you enjoy structures, start with the P.E. review manuals by Alan Williams. Then, you will be forced to purchase building codes, then the referenced standards such as AISC Steel Manual, ACI, NDS, ASCE7, etc. Even for those already in structural business, it costs arm and a leg to keep up with the new codes. Good luck!

 

[NS4U]

I have my BS in structural engineering and I just finished an MS in structural engineering.

While I think you will need to take under-grad steel/concrete design classes. Other than that I think you will be fine taking grad classes.

In fact, I my thesis was on floor vibrations and 2 of my 4 committee members were from the ME dept.

Also, at my school the CE and ME department cross list about 50% of their grad classes, meaning CE and ME grad student often take the same analysis, mechanics, etc.. courses.

The theory doesn't change, ya know? It's still Mc/I to figure out bending stresses. You just need to design differently.