Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
(OP)
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.
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.





RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
Any experience is good - what doesn't kill you - will teach you!!
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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!!
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
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.
RE: Unique Career Opportunity - Need Advice
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com