How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
(OP)
Hi all.
I got my bachelor's in Civil Engineering and now have nearly 3 years of work experience as a Civil Engineer. I have my E-I-T license and I am focused on getting my PE license. After achieving that goal, my inner conscience says I should take my ambitious attitude and move into the building/developing field. I am fascinated how the construction industry works and I await the opportunity of being a part of it. Some questions I need answers for are the following:
1. What kind of company should I look to join, after getting my PE, if I would like to be a residential developer in the future??
2. Can I start doing anything now to prepare for what I would like to do after attaining my PE?
3. Is there anything I can read/study to familiarize myself more with the development/construction/real estate world?
I have a lot more questions, but this is a good start.
Thanks
I got my bachelor's in Civil Engineering and now have nearly 3 years of work experience as a Civil Engineer. I have my E-I-T license and I am focused on getting my PE license. After achieving that goal, my inner conscience says I should take my ambitious attitude and move into the building/developing field. I am fascinated how the construction industry works and I await the opportunity of being a part of it. Some questions I need answers for are the following:
1. What kind of company should I look to join, after getting my PE, if I would like to be a residential developer in the future??
2. Can I start doing anything now to prepare for what I would like to do after attaining my PE?
3. Is there anything I can read/study to familiarize myself more with the development/construction/real estate world?
I have a lot more questions, but this is a good start.
Thanks





RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Also to be a developer you need a LOT of self-confidence. (Think Donald Trump.) Since you are asking here how to get started, I would assume that you lack the necessary self-confidence to bet everything you own on a repeated basis. I know several developers and contractors who have gone bankrupt more than once. Lost their house, cars, savings and basically walked away with only their clothes. Can you take that risk and still sleep at night?
To start building you will need a lot of knowledge about construction details not what is on the drawings but codes and actual practices. (You need to not only know structural but mechanical and electrical as well and know this at the nuts and bolts level.) You will also need considerable people management skills. (And a really good BS detector.)
If all you want is to get out of the office then the field of civil engineering is broad enough that you have plenty of opportunities to get outside. Look for positions in project management and construction management. You will most likely start off as an inspector but that’s where you want to be anyway.
Even if you end up as a developer then a stint as an inspector and construction type will do you in good stead.
Good luck
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Robert J. Ringer was a real estate broker who made his fortune by finding developers who desparately need to sell their properties. He refers to them as "pathological builders."
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Regards,
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Thanks!
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Good Luck
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
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RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
RE: How can I go from Engineer to Developer?
Alternatively, there are numerous design-build firms that are perfect for your combination.
Good luck.