Structural Engineering Jobs Outside Constructuion Industry

[Justinmc326]

I graduated in 2004 with my undergraduate degree in civil engineering w/ my course work concentrated in structural engineering. I have worked for 2 years with a small Structural/Geotechnical firm and have worked mostly on buildings (steel concrete wood). I am in the Northeast (Rhode Island) and I not sure how much I like working in the construction industry. The advice I am looking for is what other opportunities are out there for someone in my position??....I am also looking to get my masters degree in the near future and I would like to gear those studies towards my work. I am not sure where I should look for other types of jobs. What types of companies hire structural engineers outside of construction???....Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks

PS. Just wishful thinking....are there companies out there that will assist with my masters studies monitarily if it applies to my work?

 

[stanier]

A few careers:

Teaching
Forensic science-investigating failures
Insurance assessor
Patents Officer
Bank major project loans
Design consultant
Public authorities
Manufacturing

Geoffrey D Stone FIMechE C.Eng;FIEust CP Eng

http://www.waterhammer.bigblog.com.au

 

[Ashereng]

Justin, most of your client's probably have structural engineers (if they are of size).

Most refinery will have structural engineers on staff for example. They need someone to oversee the constructors after all! ;-)

Here is another thought. Are you disappointed with your chosen career, or with the job?

Many recent grads graduate into the workforce with some ideals and expectations that jarr very hard with reality. The reality is this. Unless you are among the very best at what you do (in any career), chances are, it will not be glamourous.

The glamourous trial lawyer on TV exists. Then there are the lawyers who do the grunt work of research, or specialise in mortgages, loans, etc.

The hero doctor/surgeon on TV exists. Then there are the GPs who look after tummy aches and running noses.

The flashy car/automotive engineer exists. Then there are the grunts who design o-rings, door handle, mud flaps and the gas cap.

What you do, depends on how good you are.

I am not passing judgemnet on your skills, just wondering whether you have a disconnect with reality, or whether you really made a bad career choice.



"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[Justinmc326]

Ashereng thanks for your respense you make some good points. I guess I feel that it is hard to be the best at something that you are not very passionate about. This is why I have been contemplating going grad school to, i guess, change paths. My major dilemma is figuring out what i want to do in grad school. I guess i am just lost right now. I don't see myself doing what i do for the next 30+ years. I think i would like to be more on the research and develepment side of the engineering field but I have no idea how to get into something like that.....I guess I am being a little vague but any additional help would be appreciated...I'll try to gather my thoughts and post more detail later...Thanks

 

[Ashereng]

Yup, you need to figure it out.

By the way, research and development side of engineering can be dull dull dull too. Been there.

Did you know that they used to grant Phd to candidates that did experiments, measurements, and etc. to determine physical propterties of various things? At one point, someone has to do it - and they were mostly PhD candidates.

Not a life or career of glamour.

On the other hand, your statement that you can't be the best at something you are not passionate about. I would like to differ. I think that more people are their best at something that they are not passionate about. That's why so many people have hobbies.

The are good at something other than their passion.

Example? The Williams sisters of tennis. They are good at tennis, but it is not their passion. Their passion? Don't know, but it isn't tennis.

There are also lots of musicians who's passion is sports. Or hockey and baseball players who's passion is golf, and I can go on.

Soooooo, figure out what you like to do, not what you think is glamourous. In the end, very few people have glamour job - most of us just grunt away in obscurity (until we mess up).

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[MintJulep]

Aerospace, shipbuilding, railcar, trucks, heavy equipment and similar fields all use structural guys.

 

[BelspringKen]

Ashereng makes an interesting point. I love to play the guitar, but I don't think I could make a living at it.
I like civil engineering, and am able to make a living at it.
I wonder if golf is the passion or just the vocation of Tiger Woods? I used to wonder how Kurt Cobain could be miserable playing music for a living, too.

 

[prost]

Aerospace structural design groups like Boeing and Lockheed just love civil engineering grads because they are so good at beams and trusses (i.e. shear flows, bending stresses), which are the skeletons of aircraft.