Master in Structural Engineering
Master in Structural Engineering
(OP)
Hello everyone,
I majored in Structural Engineering this summer and I am struggling to find a SE job. I want to have a structural engineering job and get PE license. I do not have a spectacular GPA and I think that is why I am having trouble finding structural engineering jobs. If my GPA is the issue, does having a Master's in SE help? (Assuming that I graduate with a decent GPA anywhere above 3.5)
Also, I wonder if anyone knows about Cal Poly Pomona's reputation and its network. Career is all about networking and I wonder how Cal States would compare to UCs. I have heard good things about Pomona although it is not as prestigious UCLA, UCB, or USC.
Lastly, does it really matter where and what school you graduate? If one can be top tier in any decent school, isn't it better than being mediocre in great schools like USC and UCLA?
I am trying to enroll into a Grad program as soon as possible and I want to hear your opinions. Thank you.
I majored in Structural Engineering this summer and I am struggling to find a SE job. I want to have a structural engineering job and get PE license. I do not have a spectacular GPA and I think that is why I am having trouble finding structural engineering jobs. If my GPA is the issue, does having a Master's in SE help? (Assuming that I graduate with a decent GPA anywhere above 3.5)
Also, I wonder if anyone knows about Cal Poly Pomona's reputation and its network. Career is all about networking and I wonder how Cal States would compare to UCs. I have heard good things about Pomona although it is not as prestigious UCLA, UCB, or USC.
Lastly, does it really matter where and what school you graduate? If one can be top tier in any decent school, isn't it better than being mediocre in great schools like USC and UCLA?
I am trying to enroll into a Grad program as soon as possible and I want to hear your opinions. Thank you.





RE: Master in Structural Engineering
And as much as people like to dispute this, in my experience it does matter where you attend. My former company was located right next to a mediocre engineering school and they specifically leaned away from those graduates because the coursework was obviously a breeze and those guys didn't have the skills.
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
As far as schooling, I've never heard anything bad about any of the Cal Poly's, but I'm not in CA, so I'm not up on that, but going out of state might counter any negativity.
What I've figured out after many years is that all the schools teach the same thing. But entrance requirements and competition do make a difference in the overall quality of graduates. It's not the end-all or be-all, but the Cal Tech and MIT graduates are just likely better than ASU graduates (before you pile on, my wife went there). But that doesn't mean you can't get a damn fine employee out of any school. It's what you do with the knowledge that makes the difference. And a fancy degree doesn't measure work habits or desire.
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
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RE: Master in Structural Engineering
I have a job in construction industry And my plan is to attend grad school part time. My choices of schools would be cal state pomona , USC, or UCLA. With my GPA, I am likely to be accepted to Cal Poly Pomona. Because of the competitive admission rate at USC and UCLA, I probably need more work experience because my GPA alone won't do it. My original plan was to work several years to build my experience/resume and then apply to schools like USC and UCLA. But I figure if Cal Poly Pomona regarded highly among employers, I would not mind attending starting next year. This would save my time and money. That is why I want to know people's opinion about the school and what employers look for. (as MikeTheEngineer stated)
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
"JedClampett- what do you mean by going out of state may counter negativity?"
What I meant by that is that while Cal Poly Pomona might have a poorer reputation than other schools in CA, if you get a couple of states distant, that's unlikely to be the knowledge. Heck, I'm in AZ and I've never heard anything bad about it.
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
Generally, ABET does not accredit graduate schools. A quick search (on ABET's own website) turned up only 3 schools with accredited graduate programs (University of Louisville, Naval Postgraduate School, and Air Force Institute of Technology). I only searched the big 4, so there may be others. I know that U of L only got their Bachelors program accredited in 2010, so you had to get the masters in order to sit for the PE.
RE: Master in Structural Engineering
RE: Master in Structural Engineering