Career Change!

[MAOakley]

To make a long story shorter: I am an Army Officer who was assigned as an Engineer despite having a business degree and logistics experience. Frankly, for the Combat-side of the house, a lack of technical knowledge is not problematic. On the construction and Engineering side of the house, I am feeling the pinch. Frankly, it is not really "needed" but I have found a lack of degree to be a bit of a challenge during certain projects and assignments. The Army is also making a big effort to get degreed Engineers and professionals with other credentials.

Due to all this, I am feeling very motivated to go ahead and make the move completely into Engineering. To do this, I am going to work on a MS in Civil Engineering since there are no reputable online bachelor's programs that offer an online ABET-accredited degree. I know this will not set me up as well as a BSCE and MSCE would, but I feel it is a step in the right direction. I will also have the ability to earn a MS in Geological Engineering through the Army.

The good news is that I started off in a hard-science, so I have a lot of the math and science needed. I have found three programs who can work with me on earning a MS in CE. Florida, SMU, and Norwich all have programs which I can pursue.

Primarily, for the rest of my career, I will be in Operations and Engineering Management and not as much in design or highly technical roles. I may find some DPW or Facilities assignments which will start to border on more technical, but still not something that would require someone to be of the caliber of a PE. Does anyone have an opinion of these schools and their overall reputation? Does anyone have a recommendation on a specific discipline I should choose within CE (Structural, Geotech, Public Works, etc)? I was somewhat surprised to find the variety of options offered at each school.

My largest concern is that I am building a resume in Engineering, but will probably not be able to fully get to the level that I could pursue PE licensure (unless I really have an inflated idea of the PE licensure and examination in my head). In the Army, this will not be a huge deal, but could be a bit problematic IF I were to have to get out of the Army (injury, downsizing, etc) or when I retire if I need to continue to work for a bit. This brings me to my big questions:

-Are there really decent job options out there for someone with a semi-technical background, 2 Masters-level Engineering degrees, Operations/Management experience, contracting(actual contracts not just construction contracting), and PM experience (I will take the PMP exam after this deployment)? I am concerned that I will start to build a resume in Engineering and then not be remotely competitive because I will not be a PE and I will be older/experience in other aspects of Engineering.

-Should I consider trying to pursue the PE? Is it really the monsters that some make it out to be? Is it obtainable for someone who studies only at the Masters level?

Any other thoughts or advice is extremely welcome as well.

mark

 

[bimr]

If you are going to stay in the military, the public works sector will probably find you the most opportunities.

By all means, you should pursue the PE. Norwich is a great school, don't know about the others.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I agree with bimr about the public works sector.

-Are there really decent job options out there for someone with a semi-technical background...?

Project Manager with a sophisticated Contractor. I know individuals who have no formal technical education, but are excellent at organizing and carrying out the many aspects of a complicated project that includes not only civil / structural but also mechanical, electrical, architectural, etc. These jobs pay well, too.

Should I consider trying to pursue the PE?

Probably, but check out all the requirements before you start. Your biggest hurdle will likely be obtaining the relevant, documentable necessary experience required after obtaining an engineering degree (and becoming an EIT) but before taking the PE exam. An advanced engineering degree may count for some, but not all of that time. Check the "National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying" (NCEES) website for general requirements and links to specific state requirements:

http://ncees.org/audience-landing-pages/students/

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[MAOakley]

Thank you both for your input. Feel free to dig-in deeper if you have more to say. I am trying to ensure that I am not missing anything and my military mentors have varying opinions.

My experience in the Army will count for the PE. Many of my peers are already EITs, and a few already have their PEs.

Public Works definitely is one that is on my radar. Just out of curiosity, how would the degree in Geological Engineering complement the CE with a PW focus. A Geotech focus is obviously more complementary but I would not mind having a more diverse set of skills considering that I may encounter a broader set of problems in the Army.

 

[bimr]

Most of the disciplines are focused on core areas. I have not experienced a situation where a second degree such as Geological Engineering adds much. For the most part, Geological Engineering is a small part of civil engineering. I would focus on one or the other, not both.

 

[MAOakley]

bimr,

I agree with you, but the Geological Engineering degree is one that with actually come as part of a cooperative agreement in conjunction with some Army training that I must attend. Basically, it's the low-hanging fruit. The civil is the big degree that I am focused on, since it will have the widest application and best options for a post-military career once I retire. I feel like any engineering education will help me at this point since I am working from a business/logistics background.

 

[BigH]

Have you thought about contracting? On big contract projects, say hydro power projects, contractors need people who have the experience you seem to have. . . don't necessarily need a PE - and, hint, working overseas has its strong advantages whether for a US or Canadian company. From what I am pick up, a career in Hydro power may be a good ticket . . . a lot of the engineers who are hands on are, say, getting far too many grey hairs if they have any left. Just another thought rather than straight engineering . . . project management; quality control, etc. . . .

 

[chicopee]

Sure, to have a BSME,BSCE,BSEE,ETC... is great to have in the field of engineering but is not necessarily a requirement. I knew of a project manager who was involved in the construction of 13 bridges at the intersection of I84 and I91 in Hartford, Ct. in the 1990's whose formal education was being a union laborer on bridge construction projects. Can such event occur now, sure.