Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice

[Elapse]

Before I get into the details of my situation, I want to thank everyone for contributing all the great information and tips in regards to structural engineering and general career advice. I've been lurking around for a good year and a half now while in school. I'll try to keep this brief. I would appreciate any feedback the community can provide.

I have worked for a specialty contractor (read structural rehabilitation/construction firm - not an engineering company) for 2.5 years while working on my structural engineering degree. Now that I am looking for full-time positions, my boss asked if I would be interested in a career at the company. Here's my situation: my boss would like me to accept the position I am in now (Project Manager/Construction Estimator), with the idea that in 4-5 years when I get my PE, the company can provide in-house engineering services. From my understanding, in my state as long as I am working on jobs that were designed by an engineer, then I am eligible to become a PE.

Now for the questions:
1. Does this unconventional career path seem feasible in order to gain engineering experience? Granted, I will gain PM/CM experience, but will I realistically be able to one day offer structural rehabilitation (CFRP, shotcrete, etc.) consultation?
2. If I decided one day I would like to switch jobs and work strictly as a structural engineer, then would this be valuable experience to have or will potential employers still only see me as an entry level engineer?

I'd appreciate any advice or feedback.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Are you working under the tutelage of any PEs yourself? If not, where will that experience come from over those 4-5 years?

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[Elapse]

That's the million dollar question. I wasn't sure if I would qualify from learning from workshops and the projects that I would manage.

 

[SLTA]

In my state, you have to do actual design work under a PE to eligible to take the PE after 4 years. Pretty sure that's all states, as they're guided by the NCEES.

http://www.ncees.org/

Do you have your EI?

1. Not sure you're getting actual design experience in this job. To consult, you need a ton of different types of experience, and just doing the construction side won't be enough.
2. I think it would be a great asset, but not to bump you above other engineers at your level, unless you've been doing the design work too. You'll have an advantage over other entry-level engineers but you likely won't have the same design experience as others from your grad class.

My husband and I were in CivE undergrad together; he went construction PM, I stayed design. 14 years out, he would not feel comfortable designing much of anything, but he can run a project like nobody's business. It really just depends what you want to do with your life.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Actually you usually need references from 4 PE's(most states and NCEES). That can be hard sometimes if you are working for a small firm!!

Any experience is good - what doesn't kill you - will teach you!!

 

[Elapse]

slta, thanks for the feedback.
1. Not sure you're getting actual design experience in this job...
We usually have to 'design' our own temporary supports/structures and submit them to the engineer for approval. Also, we frequently have to report any structural problems during restoration which is usually to the PM's better judgment. Furthermore, my company is frequently contacted for design-build opportunities which normally allows me to be in contact with engineers multiple times per day. I'm not sure if that is helpful in any ways other than those references. Do you think this would count experience?
2. Honestly, my nerdy passions are heavily involved in historic structures and bridges (both restoration, of course). If I did switch careers, it would more than likely remain in those areas or structural forensics. I didn't know if the hands-on approach would keep me on par with graduates of my class.

Mike, that was my understanding, too. For references, if I get 4-5 from engineers that I routinely work with outside the company, opposed to work for or under, do you think they would have a chance at being accepted by the licensing board? My state's licensing board says nothing about working under a PE, but does say it's the typical path.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I'm not a P.E., so take this with a huge salt lick, but those 4-5 engineers need to be PEs themselves, I believe... otherwise, you could find any old engineer Joe off of the street to write you a letter, and nothing says they have the needed experience to judge your work.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[SLTA]

Dan, I think at least 2 have to be PEs and the rest don't. The NCEES website has lots of info on that.

Elapse, that's what I do - the historic pres/renov/etc, but structures, no bridges. Are you a member of APTI?

http://www.apti.org/

If not, get yourself in there fast - there's a whole preservation engineering group, and lots of good technical info.

 

[Elapse]

Macgyver, from what I've read up on thus far, experience is all relative to what the board deems relevant. I guess I can write the board in my state and hope for a response or talk to the Dean of my school for a direct answer. Even though I will consider myself a structural engineer, I think I could take the civil engineering - construction module if offered in my state. Ultimately, my goal will be to be able to provide consultation services for restoration/preservatoin Maybe I'll look into a mentorship program in my state.

slta, thanks again for the info! I'm not a member of that particular association, but I'll check it out tonight. Is your workload 100% historical preservations/restorations? I'm asking because I'm under the impression that that particular sector along with concrete repair is growing and may be a safe bet for my future career-wise.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

You will need to check the laws of the particular state where you get your PE.

My experience is that you just need GOOD references - like somebody you worked with on a few projects who can verify your reputation and knowledge. That has worked for some of us. Might be pushing the envelope a bit - but nobody has "pushed" back yet!!

 

[weab]

I worked for a small firm for my first 4 years so found myself in a similar position. I'm sure that licensing has changed over time though.

In my opinion, you will not get engineering experience if the work you do does not require engineers, that is, if your work is not something that requires an engineer. I guess that you could word your application so that the board won't know the difference. I just don't know if your "work" reference (your boss) can provide what you need.

You must, however, have some number of engineers vouch for your character, and you don't even work with any. It's true that you could get this through your contacts along the way. I would just doubt that you'll come across enough engineers for enough time that would be willing to give you a reference.

I suggest that if you really like this position, tell your boss that you must go elsewhere for some time. After that, if he is honorable and market conditions don't change, you could return - with a healthy increase in compensation of course. And not just because you'll be a PE, but you will help to grow his business.

How about this? Convince yourself that your current work will provide applicable experience. If so, stay there for about 2 years. Leave for another 2-3 to get contacts/references and more diverse experience. Then get your PE and return. Maybe this is convoluted, but maybe it could work for you.

 

[GregLocock]

That's a very complicated solution. OP-Why not hire a PE, do his PMing and work under his supervision. That way your company gets into engineering earlier, you get your PE. PEs are pretty cheap to hire at the moment, from what i read.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[Elapse]

Greglocock, I don't think my company would want to take on an engineer specifically for engineering work. However, the possibility of me working as a 'contract hire' for another company for a year or so was brought up. I don't know how I feel about that.

Weab, the typical scenario I run into involve change orders or an engineer's approval. For example, during structural restorations we will have to report any potential problems. Typically, we will also provide our solutions to the problems which usually require some rough analysis. There are other instances, but this is an easy one I can think of without having to go into much detail.

Mike, we have 2 engineering firms that perform 'niche' work who we work with consistently-as in 3-5 projects per year. We are very familiar with their staff.

I just read my state's rules and no where does it mention this experience must be under the direct supervision of a professional engineer. The rules state that experience gained through execution or supervision of construction projects that are designed by a PE also qualify. Even sales experience qualifies.

However, the rules state that the experience shall reflect the increasing complexity of an engineering task. Also, one rule states that any experience received while not under the supervision of a PE must be demonstrated or explained why it should be accepted. I'm not too sure what that entails.

My next step is to contact the licensing board.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Even sales experience qualifies.

I cannot imagine a scenario where this would be beneficial to allowing someone to claim they are a PE... :-/

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com