Life as a Structural Engineer 4

[evanilily37]

I am 3 years through my civil engineering degree and am currently working a co-op term for a municipal consultant company. Am enjoying it so far, but my “passion” going into studies was structural engineering. As much as I like municipal work (and it’s forever need in this world) I could see myself getting less interested as the years go on. I want to try and obtain my next co-op/EIT position at a structural consultant firm.

Any stories/tips/advice from structural consultants? Would be interested in how your average days go (at all experience levels).

Thanks! [URL unfurl="true"]https://100001.onl/[/url]

 

[DaveAtkins]

I would say the best thing about being a structural engineer is...the variety.

I spent the first 21 years of my career doing structural engineering for architects. I got to work on some interesting projects over the years, in all sorts of materials--concrete, masonry, steel and wood. Small wood buildings can be fun to design, because you can bang out the design quickly.

I have spent the last 14 years being a structural engineer on civil engineering projects. Sheet pile walls along rivers, floating docks, spillways, dams. Last summer I went to Alaska to inspect a rock filled timber dam. It has been very interesting for a guy like me who majored in Architecture!

Some structural engineers design bridges. I only have experience with pedestrian bridges. From what I can tell, DOT projects involve as much administrative approvals as actual structural design.

I have cursory experience with municipal engineering. Storm water management, etc. The one thing about storm water design is advancements are much more rapid than what we see in structural engineering. Best Management Practices, new ways to deal with storm water.

DaveAtkins

 

[JoshPlumSE]

You never know what direction your career is going to take. I started out as a structural engineering in the heavy industrial sector (power plants, Petrochemical, etc). Then I pivoted over to structural engineering software. I thought After 16 years, I was comfortable and was sure that I would finish my career with that company, but then I was unceremoniously let go when the owner retired and sold the company to a foreign enterprise (Nemetchek).

Then I spent a year doing OSHPD type healthcare projects, before pivoting back to another structural software company (which is awesome!).

My point is don't put too much pressure on yourself for finding the PERFECT position. Instead focus on getting the most out of the position you have before moving onto the next one. Go to places where you'll learn what you need to learn.

As far as finding internships during the summer and such, your best bet is to take advantage of the resources your school offers. Job fairs and career guidance and connections they have with the local community.

If your family lives far from school then spend your entire spring break contacting local structural firms to see if any of them are interested in having interns and what skills they're looking for in interns. If they want AutoCAD knowledge then make this your side project next quarter. If they want Revit, then make learning this your side project.

 

[IRstuff]

https://www.danpink.com/2013/05/the-6-essential-lessons-of-a-satisfying-productive-career/[/URL]]The 6 essential lessons of a satisfying, productive career
Just in time for graduation season, Johnny Bunko is here to remind you of the 6 essential lessons of any satisfying, productive career:

1. There is no plan.
Make decisions for fundamental, not instrumental, reasons.

2. Think strengths, not weaknesses.
What do you consistently do well? What gives you energy rather than drains it?

3. It’s not about you.
The most successful people improve their own lives by improving others’ lives.

4. Persistence trumps talent.
There are massive returns to doggedness.

5. Make excellent mistakes.
Commit errors from which the benefits of what you’ve learned exceed the costs of the screw-up.

6. Leave an imprint.
Recognize that your life isn’t infinite and that you should use your limited time here to do something that matters.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[WARose]

You gotta go with what interests you.....especially if you can make a living at it. But I'm not sure I'd honestly advise anyone else to go into this. Don't get me wrong: I've been in it for over 20 years and its been good to me (and I enjoy it).....but there are some fundamental issues with this business.

If you have to do it.....learn drafting and modeling software as well as you can. It's a big plus for a Jr. level guy and the good designers are all dead or retired.

 

[msquared48]

Personally, I find it very structured...

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA, HI)

 

[Ron]

@evanilily.....
Like others have noted, the variety is great...

I've been incredibly lucky to have been exposed to so many different types of projects and problem solving. I've done towers, tanks, amusement rides, manufactured products (hunting treestands, aluminum canopies), pavements, geotechnical investigations, lab testing, and design, stormwater management design, roof system inspection and design...I've even done pieces and parts of buildings and a lot of specialty structural stuff that others didn't want. Over the years I've been involved in thousands of projects, many of which were involved with failure investigation of structures, products, materials and processes. Most of what I've done for the last 16 years is forensic work involving structures and building envelopes. I enjoy that more than any of the others....it's very challenging and each failure has its own nuances that have to be resolved.

The point here is that structural engineering prepares you for such a broad range of opportunities and challenges that you will likely never be bored.

@Mike....<groan>

 

[1503-44]

My simple advice is to find a company that has a wide portfolio of clients and projects. I got extremely bored with a constant line up of refineries, refineries, refineries.