Related Fields to Structural
Related Fields to Structural
(OP)
OK....
I do not know how to say this right without putting a little history into this, but please bear with me as I set the stage.
I am a technical individual that has always loved problem solving. The things I liked the most were usually physical or geometrical problems.
The things I excelled in as a child were things like perspective drawing and physics. An innate love of things physical and how they related to the world.
Now, combine that with a knack for math and Engineering was a natural result.
Now, some 15 years after graduating with a masters an a PE in my belt, I have found that most of what I love really isn't in engineering. You do a small piece where you figure out the problem, how it will work, and then the rest of the time finding the code that applies, some details that someone else drew up 10 years ago that will apply, and handling all the specific design t-crossing and i-dotting that is only surpassed by Detailers doing shop drawings.
Needless to say, it rarely involves seeing things in 3D and playing with anything but the basics in physics and calculus....
And with that I get to the actual question I wish to ask.
What other careers relate to Structural Engineering closely enough that they would require a minimum of re-training in order to persue? I have tried Googling this, only to have the results tell me how to BE a Structural Engineer :rolleyes:
The key here is twofold. Not only to make what I have worked so long and hard worth the time and effort, but to find something different that may appeal more to my sense of 3D relations and actual physical interactions.
That not withstanding, careers that may take advantage of my technical proficiency and ability to communicate would be another route to take.
ANY suggestions would be welcome at this point, as many net searches seem to point in vague directions, if anywhere at all.
TIA!
I do not know how to say this right without putting a little history into this, but please bear with me as I set the stage.
I am a technical individual that has always loved problem solving. The things I liked the most were usually physical or geometrical problems.
The things I excelled in as a child were things like perspective drawing and physics. An innate love of things physical and how they related to the world.
Now, combine that with a knack for math and Engineering was a natural result.
Now, some 15 years after graduating with a masters an a PE in my belt, I have found that most of what I love really isn't in engineering. You do a small piece where you figure out the problem, how it will work, and then the rest of the time finding the code that applies, some details that someone else drew up 10 years ago that will apply, and handling all the specific design t-crossing and i-dotting that is only surpassed by Detailers doing shop drawings.
Needless to say, it rarely involves seeing things in 3D and playing with anything but the basics in physics and calculus....
And with that I get to the actual question I wish to ask.
What other careers relate to Structural Engineering closely enough that they would require a minimum of re-training in order to persue? I have tried Googling this, only to have the results tell me how to BE a Structural Engineer :rolleyes:
The key here is twofold. Not only to make what I have worked so long and hard worth the time and effort, but to find something different that may appeal more to my sense of 3D relations and actual physical interactions.
That not withstanding, careers that may take advantage of my technical proficiency and ability to communicate would be another route to take.
ANY suggestions would be welcome at this point, as many net searches seem to point in vague directions, if anywhere at all.
TIA!





RE: Related Fields to Structural
Unfortunately, if they don't have work then you don't.
And not everyone can get such opportunity even with right qualifications.
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
However, even there, sometimes engineers concentrate on number crunching more that the actual designing as such.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
As for some of the others:
Automotive seems interesting, but it never got to me. My brother and cousin both enjoy it greatly, one being a mechanic and the other a salesman, but I am not sure my degree in Structural will go very far in any field requiring more of a fatigue strength and mechanical background....
Academia was something I have also contemplated, but the lack of funding there makes it difficult to persue with existing financial obligations. That may change, however. (Note: My mother is a teacher!! ;) )
Aerotech also seems interesting, but another that, as you have said, may lead to more of a minute cubby-hole type position that concentrates more on widgets and wingnuts than the greater design.
Lastly, Aerospace also seems interesting, but not too lucrative unless a military application is in order. I do not mean the job would not pay, but the field is narrow and hard to break into. If Advanced Engineering Mathematics, Thermo and other advanced science classes are any indication of what may be involved, something atthat extreme level may be too much to seek... :(
Thank you all for your input! I look forward to reading more! Even if a suggestion is not something I seek to follow, it does get me thinking......
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Sounds like you need to be getting some experience at management, be it going back to school, or a training program in a firm etc. That way you can globally throw solutions out and have the minions do all the 'i' dotting and 't' crossing.
I don't think the majority of consulting structurals love to get their ideas out onto paper or electronic media, but how else would the designs be implemented? The greatest solutions to problems in the world are worthless unless that final step is completed, communication is number one in our field.
Hokie is right about the audience. Good luck in your search for the right fit.
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Or you can get into the construction industry. You won't get to do much design, but PE's are valuable to large construction firms who will value your ability to create field details or to know when the design engineer is being too conservative in design.
RE: Related Fields to Structural
http://www.engineerjobs.com/job.php?jobid=70165
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
The business risk people are always happy to employ engineers.
If you are good with computers then there are computer programmers that specialise in physics of computer games.
Construction management - often the building of it is the most challenging thing.
Temporary works/Falsework - see above.
Structural inspection.
Towers and signs.
Not sure if any of these would match your criteria though.
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Some of what you were saying does align with what I was thinking.
The key here is that I like problem solving, learning new things, and have an affinity for classical physics and 3D spacial relations.
I also like economizing design by way of spreadsheets and other mechanisms (taking the banal redundancy out of design and other things).
My wife has mentioned some Business Solution work, but the category itself is too vague. It is like recommending "Engineering" to a HS grad. I need to do more research on that.
Inspection? Been there and done that. Forensics sounds fun in that you are not just in the field with a hard hat and tape measure, but you also try to model the building and its loads to replicate the failure mechanism and determine what went wrong. I have always liked thinking like that. the hard part is slogging around the site looking for it. (After doing bridge inspections in NJ in January, I am not in so much of a rush to get back "outside" ;) )
Video games? Sounds great! Problem being, that industry is (from what I have heard from people in it) like Paralegal. They take in fresh blood and pump it until it is dry. While that may be fun for some time, with a wife and kid, it would be hard to give up my life for something that may not yield much in the long run.
Plas. Petro sounds good to. And so does Nuclear. The only problem with each being that, as told by a former co-worker, work is sporadic and can be scarce at times. It is such a specialized field that much of the experience you gather can only be used for that area. He had to switch when the call for new facilities waned about (10?) years ago.
Anyway, as negative as I sound with all these comments, I really do appreciate the input. As for the ones saying that these questions would not be well received, the only thing to say is that if I really did not like anything about SE, why would I be asking at all? The only people that would know best what might be connected with the profession are those that practice it, so who better to ask?
Your opinions are valued, and so is the profession I spent so much time and money on. I do not want to forfeit this if there is something that can still satisfy my love for problem solving, physical interaction and 3D spacial relations.
Thanks again!
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
RE: Related Fields to Structural
If building makes a comeback this could be a very natural fit for you. My current business partner has basically done Structural Engineering his whole life and is now working with me.
B+W Engineering and Design
Los Angeles Civil and Structural Engineering
http://bwengr.com
RE: Related Fields to Structural
You may look into companies like Proctor & Gamble. They go to extraordinary lengths to save pennies in packaging, since their quantities are so high. So, structural adequacy analysis is a big deal to them.
I've found that there's a lot of opportunities for jobs that involve figuring stuff out, but the trick is finding the right one.