Want to become an SE 1

[DWHA]

I am a licensed PE and am planning on taking the new 16hr structural exam next year. The state I live in requires an SE to practice structural engineering.

After working for 5 years at a private consulting firm designing bridges and buildings, I now work at a power generation plant. I would like to take the SE exam and become a Licensed Structural Engineer. Because the industry is exempt from requiring licensure, I am having a hard time convincing the upper level personnel that the corporation should help me with the financial burden of the exam.

I have determined these approximate costs: up to date codes: $1250, application & testing fees $1100, review course $1200. Plus misc expenses of hotel the days of the exam, etc.

I am willing to pay for the some of the items, but would like to get the corporation to pay for some also. Any advice on how to approach this? Any talking points that would help my case would also be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Costs sound about right...

Just tell them how great it will be to have an SE on their team...
Are there any other PE's to help your case??

That and a dollar might get you a cup of coffee at McD's

Unfortunately - there does not appear any reason for you to have your SE in this job.

So - GOOD LUCK!! or go find another job?? Sorry, but that is how management thinks!!

 

[cvg]

They should pay for the up to date codes regardless if you take the exam or not. I would not expect them to pay for a review course. You might ask them if they would split the cost of the application fee, contingent on your passing the test.

instead of reimbursement, ask for a raise/promotion once you pass.

 

[Lion06]

They should be providing you with up-to-date codes regardless of whether-or-not you're taking an exam or licensure is required.

I, personally, would not spend any money on a review course, even if I were not the one paying for it!

If you can convince them that having the SE is benficial for them to get them to pay for the exam, you'd be better served using that same rationale and approach for getting a raise out of them after you pass it. Asking for both might be a bit much, but maybe not.

 

[B16A2]

I see no reason why your employer should pay for any of this.

This license really only benefits you, and I think you should consider it an investment if you really want it. Further, If I were your coworker I'd be a little put off by seeing the boss drop three grand on something that's not really needed....in fact it's an additional liability.

 

[Lion06]

B16-

Up to date codes are a requirement to be able to adequately do his job. This should absolutely be paid for by the employer. Granted, his job may not require that he has all codes, but any code that is required to do his should absolutely be paid for by the employer.

 

[B16A2]

Well dugh, that's so obvious it shouldn't even need to be argued. I read the OP as above anything he currently does. If he's already PE, he should know better, shouldn't he?

 

[msquared48]

Man, times change. When I took the exam 32 years ago, it only cost me about $250.00... . That cost is what my son told me too...

Does that mean that structural engineers today are more valuable than they were 32 years ago?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[DWHA]

B16A2
You really believe that having a Licensed Structural Engineer on staff adds no value to the corperation? That is surprising.

 

[debodine]

It does not matter if having a Licensed Structural Engineer on staff adds value to the company or not. What matters is, "Does the company management perceive any added value?", with perceive being the operative word. )

 

[jpankask]

If your industry is exempt from licensure requirements, I would not expect the company to pay anything towards the review course or the examination. At most, maybe the day off with pay to take the exam.

If the Codes are needed for work you do, definitely ask for them to purchase the Codes. However, if they purchase, you won't be able to take them with you when you leave.

I was in a similar situation when I got my PE. I was working in an industry that did not require a PE license for anything. I paid for all my own resources and exam fees. I did ask for the exam day off and was given that. I did not receive any raise when I passed. I didn't worry about it too much...until guess who got called upon when the company needed to develop a spill prevention control and countermeasure plan for the EPA (which requires a PE certification). Used that opportunity to have purchased a couple reference books I had been wanting/needing.

From the company's perspective, it makes no difference whether you are a structural engineer or a licensed structural engineer, you are still doing the same job. The lack of value added is in the costs to obtain the license. If the company pays for it, then you take that new license and find a job that does value licensure, where does that leave the company?

 

[JedClampett]

You'll have to excuse my snarkiness, but most of the power industry engineers had very little interest in design functions beyond telling someone else their designs took too much budget. I worked as a consultant to power plants for twenty years and met a significant number of engineers resentful of my salary, even though they made the same as me (with better benefits) and who couldn't design their way out of a paper bag. There were some good people and good enginers, but they were the exception.
Assuming you are the exception and like to design, as opposed to administer contracts, you need to get out of there. Move to a company that will value your pursuit of a SE.

 

[DWHA]

Jed,
I am the exception. I love to design. In the short time I have been here I have done more structural designs that the other 2 guys in my group have in the last 5 yrs combined.

I was in consulting & loved it. But was working 55hr weeks. Now I am down to 40-45 hr weeks and get paid more with better benefits. And I have a shorter drive.

I have already found that if I push it, I can do some of the designs rather than send them to the consultants.

 

[JedClampett]

DWHA, I hope you can stick with it. My buddies, who were like you, got frustrated when their officemates left at exactly 5:00 and they were staying late for no recognition or pay. They ended up back where they started, which was no day at the beach either.
And with your consultant background, you can appreciate the role they play, as opposed to think of them as expensive leeches.

 

[B16A2]

DWHA,
- Your company's industry is exempt from SE licensure.
- Your company isn't going to market your SE.
- You dont suddenly become more competent when you get the SE.

I don't see any benefit to them. I bet you've made your boss think you're planning to flee once you get it.

I'm an SE, and more power to you if you get it but I hope you see their point of view.

 

[DWHA]

I hope that having an SE is a benefit to them. There are some item that to require a PE, and I am in charge of one of them.

My boss is not afraid that I will leave when I get my SE. I started working there 9 months ago and he was aware of my career path/goals. And knows that the reason I left my previous employer was to get better work hrs and have a shorter drive. Plus, the salary that they pay is much higher than I would receive anywhere in the area.

 

[DWHA]

In regards to being industry exempt. I have read the PE act and the SE act. I found where it states that utilities are exempt in the PE act, but I could not find that statement in the SE act. Has anyone ever ran across this before?

 

[DTGT2002]

Are you really required to take the test? Have you explored the clauses for engineers practicing within the structural arena prior to the introduction of the new test model?

Where are you located?

 

[DWHA]

Located in Illinois. A licensed professional engineer cannot practice structural engineering in the state, an SE is required.

The new test model has no bearing on the requirements of an SE in the state.

 

[construkt]

It is worse than that, I'm afraid. The management might perceive your endeavor to get the SE as a way to option out of the company, whenever you wish. Without the SE, your options are limited, no? Instead of seeing a benefit, they see a threat.