What would you do (career advice)?

[StrucDoc]

I have a BSCE with emphasis on structures, with 3.63 GPA. In addition to the typical common requirements for BSCE, I took Bridge Design I, Steel Design, and Earthquake Engineering as CE electives. I particularily enjoyed the math classes and indeterminate analysis of structures. My objective was to become a structural engineer. Then I got a job at a small cargo tank manufacturing plant, where I took on several different tasks, including CAD drafting, designing structural parts, designing pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII div 1, supervising quality control and safety, writing WPS, traveling to China, and maintaining welder files. This company lasted 2 years, and are now bankrupt.

Now I am very interested in both structural engineering and welding engineering. I will be taking the AWS CWEng exam this summer, and I am looking into graduate schools for welding engineering and structural engineering. I am looking at Ohio State for MS online for welding engineering, and UW (University of Washington) for structural engineering. I live in Washington, so Ohio State may be very expensive. I have no debts, no tie-downs (kids or house) and a a little money saved, but there are so many different oppurtunities and options, it seems very overwhelming. Please answer the following:

1. Is an MS degree online a good idea?
2. Which is better, structural engineering or welding engineering?
3. What other oppurtunities do I have, that I have not considered?
4. What is a good graduate school to attend?

I know these are very open ended questions, but I appreciate all types, or any number of suggestions. Since january is a typical deadline for most applications, i need to decide quick.


Regards,

Ron

 

[MikeHalloran]

First, get a job.

That will determine what sort of additional education would be of value to you.
... and to the company.
Let the company pay for the schooling.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Ron]

StrucDoc...
Whether you get a graduate degree in structural or welding has only to do with your interest. My former business partner had a master's in welding engineering from Ohio State...probably the better welding engineering graduate school in the country. We complemented each other in our technical pursuits, and since I had both a structural background and welding inspection background (ASNT Level III), it was always interesting to be involved in both. I learned a tremendous amount from him that helped me in my structural analysis and design. It also lead me to be technically conversant in metallurgy, which has helped many times with spotting issues and solving problems.

From a purely technical enhancement perspective, I would opt for the graduate degree in welding engineering. Sounds like you have a desire for a bit of hands-on engineering, so that would fit well and make you a good find for the right employer. Further, you get the diversity of being able to fit in from construction, to fabrication to manufacturing....good spread.