Will a rail job help me get a structural job later?
Will a rail job help me get a structural job later?
(OP)
Hi everyone,
I'm a civil grad with no experience. Eventually I'd like to go into structural but I've been looking for 2 months with no luck. I recently received an offer for a transportation position doing alignment, drainage and other rail stuff. Right now I have no other offer and I don't know if I should take this job. Would this job help me in getting a structural position later? The two are unrelated so I don't think it'd make much difference, except I'd have some work experience... If it doesn't help me with getting a structural position, should I take it? I'm afraid that I'd be setting my career direction into transportation and I wouldn't be able to go into structural later. Any opinion on this? Please help! Thanks!
I'm a civil grad with no experience. Eventually I'd like to go into structural but I've been looking for 2 months with no luck. I recently received an offer for a transportation position doing alignment, drainage and other rail stuff. Right now I have no other offer and I don't know if I should take this job. Would this job help me in getting a structural position later? The two are unrelated so I don't think it'd make much difference, except I'd have some work experience... If it doesn't help me with getting a structural position, should I take it? I'm afraid that I'd be setting my career direction into transportation and I wouldn't be able to go into structural later. Any opinion on this? Please help! Thanks!





RE: Will a rail job help me get a structural job later?
If the answer to all those is yes I suggest that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Moving sideways into your preferred area of interest is much easier than finding the perfect job when unemployed.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Will a rail job help me get a structural job later?
If you do it other way then you will get a pay cut later.
RE: Will a rail job help me get a structural job later?
Pure structural design firms and A/E with inhouse structurals alike have entry level engineers with civil background. That's how most structural engineers start out.