Experience vs Degree 1

[KillerEngineer]

Hi

I went to a 2 year collage where I received a Diploma in Product & Interior design. However, I have now been working as an assistant structural engineer for 1 year now.
I have since enjoyed my work and learned a lot in the process. I work mostly with making CAD plans and 3D modeling. At times I have helped with calculations in staad or similar programs.

I am very curious however, what my prospects look like. Considering my education had nothing to do with engineering. And when could I expect any other company to be willing to hire me, if I decide to switch companies?

Thanks

 

[Lion06]

Kirby-

Maybe "can't" wasn't the right word, but "highly unlikely" is. I'm just thinking out loud, but we spend a minimum of 4 years in college, then come into the job knowing virtually nothing about how things really get done. Our technical knowledge takes a bit of a back seat as we try to learn how the office works, how to balance the theoretical things we learned in school with practical issues like constructability, cost, schedule, etc. Someone who doesn't have the theoretical background before starting the job has to learn it all on the fly. That's a tall order for even a gifted person. Certainly the bulk of knowledge can be gained, but a deep understanding is necessary (IMO).

I think this is especially true when integrating computer software into the job. While you may be able to plug and chug and pull answers out of the computer for most designs, it is critical 1) that you verify what the computer is doing is correct and not just blindly accept the results, 2) that you have a complete understanding of exactly what the software does do, doesn't do, it's limitations, and it's assumptions, and 3) a thorough understanding of all of the required inputs, and defaults.

This isn't the easiest thing when you're really learning how to design from the software that you should be checking.

 

[SomptingGuy]

The assumption that the OP resides and practises in the US is not a given. In the UK it was always possible (may still be) to become chartered without a degree, but with relevant experience. This may well be the case in many other countries.

- Steve

 

[KENAT]

Sompting, it's possible in at least some US states too as I think hinted above, but will be more timeconsuming and I get the impression it's only going to get harder.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[dgillette]

Brings to mind my grandfather Rees, who was classified as a lab technician but did the work of an acoustic engineer at a major manufacturer of gypsum products, and later at a major manufacturer of glass fiber products. As he saw all the young degreed engineers he had trained making more $ than he did, he felt his lack of a degree really held him back. This was a guy who had published research on theater acoustics and knew his math better than most engineers that I know, probably an example of who Kirby was referring to. Regardless, right or wrong, a degree is a necessity for career advancement in many places. (Registration or charter too.)

 

[RoyTyrell]

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.

Contrary to what those on this board think - your prospects without any degree at all are about the same as those of a P.E. if all you plan on doing is design. seriously, industry is off-shoring this stuff to peasants in calcutta. and licensing boards are powerless to stop it.

There is the "law" - then there is enforcement of the "law". 2 totally different things.

Engineering is on a race to the bottom.

Go into health care (pharmacy, nursing - yes, I would be a male nurse for $100K/yr, P.A.) and take grandma for as much medicare money as you can before she croaks.

I say this as a P.E.

my $0.02

 

[FeX32]

christ, where is the pride. ...


Fe

 

[berkshire]

Roy,
You need a vacation on a tropical island, without a phone ,or the Internet, for at least a year, or until you get to thinking " It wasn't too bad" after all.
B.E.

 

[IRstuff]

$100k would be a pretty serious paycut for some engineers. ;-)

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[Lion06]

Roy-

Just out of curiosity, why do you think that the law regarding a PE registered in the state being in responsible charge is not enforced? I know it is in PA.

Not only do our drawings need to stamped/signed/sealed (as I'm sure is true in all jurisdictions), everything that we farm out as a performance spec is required to have calcs submitted by a PE registered in the state of the project.

We've also done many projects where we had to write a letter of "substantial completion" to the local building official (which also needs to be signed/sealed in most cases). We've had one of those letters rejected because it wasn't signed and sealed.

I think that local jurisdictions, for the most part, enforce the local laws.

All of that being said, I do agree with you that there is not much money to be made in engineering. You can make a good living and live comfortably, but you'll never get rich (speaking of most folks, anyway).

 

[B16A2]

Agreed, I don't see things getting farmed out to India. Verifying stamps is about the only thing local jurisdictions seem to do.

The real problem with jurisdictions is that they dont check calcs, general competency of design work, or special inspections .....allowing the bad PE's to develop bad practices into industry. That can be a thread in itself.

 

[abusementpark]

Engineering - particularly structural engineering - does neither.

Contrary to what those on this board think - your prospects without any degree at all are about the same as those of a P.E. if all you plan on doing is design. seriously, industry is off-shoring this stuff to peasants in calcutta. and licensing boards are powerless to stop it.

What planet do you live on? I don't see this happening at all.

 

[KillerEngineer]

Thank u all for your replies.
It is quite insighful.

Id like to add that I dont live in the US / canada.
Im from europe.

 

[KirbyWan]

Killer:

Well you'll just have to move here so that this thread can apply to you. But seriously, I don't think additional schooling toward a degree would ever be a bad idea. Good luck.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[TDAA]

Come on, admit it, you are from Calcutta

 

[dgillette]

One advantage that civil engineering has over some other fields is that site visits are needed, and local experience is often a great advantage (especially for geotechs). An electronic component can be designed just as well in Delhi or Delaware, but if the project is in Delaware, the site visits are in Delaware. The job might get "outsourced" as far as Baltimore or New York, but not out of the country (OK, very rarely).