First Job in Structural Engineering 22

[afdengo]

I'm about to start my first job in the world of structural engineering. I graduated in june of last year, and after working for a contractor for some months, I have decided that I want to try structural engineering before it's too late.

Even though it's been less than a year since I graduated, I have already forgot a lot of the more technical details of structural analysis and design. I have my EIT and I took a lot of my coursework in structures so I'm sure I can recall a lot of it with some practice.

I was just wondering if any structural engineers read this, if you put yourself in my shoes and were about to start a new job you're a bit nervous for: What would you review before starting? What knowledge is most useful or used?

I know I will be learning a lot and will probably have to ask a lot of questions, but I really don't want to appear clueless when I first arrive.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Shotzie]

Don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. Also, make sure you spend the time to find an answer before you go asking your coworkers for help. You should go to your supervisor/coworkers with a problem/question as well as possible solutions, and seek guidance for which solution is correct/the best option.

Edit: Also, it can be very helpful to familiarize yourself with the topics/documents you'll be using in your day to day. If you're going to be doing lots of steel design, then flip through the codes, textbooks, and read forum posts here. That way when a question comes up in the office you'll know where to look first. It's important to be resourceful and know where to look to find answers and solve problems. Knowing the answers when the question is first asked will come with experience.

 

[271828]

If you had a class in the subject, then that material will probably come back very quickly with a short review or when you get your first project in it.

If you're like most new grads, you know next-to-nothing about loads, so you might consider starting there. Get a copy of ASCE 7 and hopefully some examples.

 

[Shotzie]

To answer your question, review hand methods for calculating things. Beam capacities, load takeoffs, unit conversion factors, column capacities. You'll probably transition into using some sort of software pretty quickly so it'll help you recognize when you've modeled something incorrectly.

 

[KootK]

What kind of space will you be working in? Architectural? Industrial? Transportation?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[afdengo]

Judging from what I know of their work portfolio, they seem to do mainly residential/architectural structures, anywhere from a large house to 20-30 story apartment/office buildings, or the odd industrial warehouse.

 

[KootK]

I recommend the books shown below, in that order. All easy reads. If you did just the first three, cover to cover, you'd be at least four years ahead of your cohorts. For many, it feels like the most important thing is mastery of technical matters. Really, most juniors lack right of the gate is:

1) Knowledge of how buildings go together in the real world.
2) How to manage a project so that it is successful from both your and your clients' perspective.
3) What matters to the other disciplines involved in a project and will, consequently, matter to you.
4) What assumptions are typically made in the design of buildings.

Truly, I wish that someone had done this for me back in the late 90's. Of course, I was tool then and probably wouldn't have listened. Kudos to you for seeking this kind of assistance in the first place.

I read the Underwood book recently and loved it. Usually, in my mind, "structure for architects" = my wheelhouse for dummies. Not so with this book. I found it to be such a good entry level structural book that I question it's value to architects. I think that it would be over their heads / beyond their needs to a large degree. It's a fun read and hits a lot of the "how do engineers look at this problem" buttons. If a new grad engineer came to me understanding the entire content of this book, I'd be thrilled.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[KootK]

0) Get half a dozen representative, PDF drawings from your employer. Read them thoroughly and when you show up at the job, ask people to explain anything that you didn't understand the reasoning for. Knowing how a set of efficient drawings goes together is a must. And it's almost impossible to make money on anything unless you kind of know what it's going to look like before hand.

5) If you expect to do much light frame wood at all, I highly recommend the book below. I have considerable wood frame experience and even I learned quite a bit from this book. Wood framing can actually be especially difficult to understand because the associated structural drawings are usually very sparse, often for reason of available fee. The books geared toward Californa construction but much of it will apply anywhere in North America.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[msquared48]

Find out what the client wants, what you have to work with, and when your work is needed.

Learn proper nomenclature for residentical framing so you can intelligently talk to the Architect and contractor.

If you have questions, ask, no not assume. Assuming could come back to bite you.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[bones206]

Don't put pressure on yourself to have all the answers when you are starting out. You'll soak it in as you go. In fact, if a fresh grad walked into my office on their first day acting like he or she had all the answers already, they would need to be "re-calibrated". Like others said, ask lot's of questions and practice active listening. Obviously, engineers like answering questions and supporting each other's continuing education, since this forum alone has nearly 70,000 members!

In my opinion, knowing where to find the answers is just as valuable as having the answers. If you can spend some time now to generally familiarize yourself with reference documents, codes and standards, etc, you will have a good idea of what resources are available and applicable to various design aspects. Mapping out and scoping out resources is as worth your time and effort as anything else at this stage in the game.

 

[WARose]

Knowing what your design office does would be a start. if they do a lot of wood.....heavily review that.

I think one of the most important things to bring to the table is a good attitude. Having that will go a long way. I've worked at a lot of places where they pitch a lot of s@#t at the young guys......and you've got to be ready to take that with a smile. That (along with a strong work ethic) will go a long way.

 

[kipfoot]

I think universities often give engineering students and fresh graduates the false impression that they know how to do the job they're about to embark on. In reality, though, what they've really done is help you learn to think.

You'll learn as much, or more, in the next four years than you learned in the previous four, so don't sweat it too much.

 

[dik]

Don't put pressure on yourself to have all the answers when you are starting out.

I still don't have all the answers, and, I've been at it for over 45 years...

Dik

 

[dik]

KootK:

Ron, of Eng-tips has a fairly decent book out that is fairly comprehensive. I've actually read it cover to cover and have loaned it to a dozen or so engineers. I cannot give you the title, it's currently out on loan.

Dik

 

[Shotzie]

@dik is it "Principles and Practices of Commercial Construction" by Woods, Andres and Smith?

 

[KootK]

Thanks dik. It's on my iPad now. No way I'm not going to own any book written by Ron. Hopefully he just eared $0.32 on my $103.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[dik]

Shotzie: could be... sounds like it... don't have it in front of me. The book is very diverse.
KootZ: you won't regret your purchase... and, I understand there is a new edition out.

Dik

 

[KootK]

Arghhh..... no, it comes up in May.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.

 

[dik]

KootK: Thanks... you can wait... Dik

 

[KootK]

No, I can't. I already made the purchase of the old one.

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.