Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
(OP)
Hi all,
Backstory: I worked for several years as a Civil EIT in a consulting firm, applied for and was approved to sit for the PE, but before I took the exam I switched jobs. The new job (now 3 years in) is peripherally related to CE, but does not require a PE and does not require any 'real' engineering work. Now I'm on the fence as to whether I should study and take the PE exam, or be content that my undergrad work got me a job that I am happy in.
The voice on one shoulder says I should get my PE license: to keep as just-in-case insurance for reentry into engineering in the future (never know in these economic times what may happen), to finish what I started when I began my undergraduate program, to potentially use as a tool to increase my earnings ability (resume builder). The voice on the other shoulder says: that the last thing I want to do over the next 5 months is devote my time to re-learning everything I've forgotten (it goes Fast!), that I'm happy in my career now and shouldn't be driven by fear, that I can reenter the CE field as an EIT (albeit, older EIT) if I ever need to, that getting my license now would just be for ego, and that it would be essentially meaningless if I wasn't actually a practicing engineer and keeping my skills up.
Thoughts? Would any of you that have been in the field for awhile hire an older employee as an EIT? I've been undecided on this issue for years now and need to come to some type of resolution.
Thanks!
Backstory: I worked for several years as a Civil EIT in a consulting firm, applied for and was approved to sit for the PE, but before I took the exam I switched jobs. The new job (now 3 years in) is peripherally related to CE, but does not require a PE and does not require any 'real' engineering work. Now I'm on the fence as to whether I should study and take the PE exam, or be content that my undergrad work got me a job that I am happy in.
The voice on one shoulder says I should get my PE license: to keep as just-in-case insurance for reentry into engineering in the future (never know in these economic times what may happen), to finish what I started when I began my undergraduate program, to potentially use as a tool to increase my earnings ability (resume builder). The voice on the other shoulder says: that the last thing I want to do over the next 5 months is devote my time to re-learning everything I've forgotten (it goes Fast!), that I'm happy in my career now and shouldn't be driven by fear, that I can reenter the CE field as an EIT (albeit, older EIT) if I ever need to, that getting my license now would just be for ego, and that it would be essentially meaningless if I wasn't actually a practicing engineer and keeping my skills up.
Thoughts? Would any of you that have been in the field for awhile hire an older employee as an EIT? I've been undecided on this issue for years now and need to come to some type of resolution.
Thanks!





RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
Since you only mention being peripherally associated with Civil, it's tough to tell for sure how this could play out. For instance, if you work for a proprietary engineering company and you are selling a product related to civil's but not that you are doing the design/engineering behind, I think a PE could garnish you a lot of respect when you deal with civil's who are also PE's...kind of like you are a member of the club. But without knowing more about what you are doing, it's tough to say this for sure.
I would have to say go for it. It's never going to be easier to get than it is now and could garnish some respect in the meantime.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
I never hear lamenting "I never should have gotten that PE!"
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
For my first 12 years in the work force I worked for/with a steel fabricator/contractor. I was told by many that they were a great company to work for and that they would be around forever. After many bad decisions by management and lack of oversight by the owners the company went bankrupt a few months ago. I could see it coming for a long time but I was told to keep my mouth shut. Everyone was shown the door(an absolute horrible experience). Had I not attained my PE I would not have as many available options as I do now.
At worst you are out a few hundred bucks every other year to maintain your license.
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
A couple hundred dollars a year is not inaccurate (depending on the state), but Ohio is $40 every other year. That's cheap insurance any way you look at it.
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?
If you don't pass and your employer doesn't care (or doesn't even know), what's the harm?
If you pass... great!
- Steve Perry
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RE: Out of practice EIT - shoudl I get a PE?