how i could start? 5

[aliweeka]

i graduated as a civil eng.in 1989 ,never worked in the field

as i got busy doing another job that i used to like and i used

to make money .....lately i am thinking to get back , i did

try befor in 1996 and joined steven inst. of tech to finish my

master degree, i did finish the bridge design and could not

finish my master as i had tough time in my life and i had to

go back to my job that has nothing to do with engineering .

is it possible to to work in the engineering field now after

all these years? ?

how i could start again, ? does any one know any schools in

nyc that could help me in some training or any firms that

accept a civil engineer with my conditions?

plz any advice?

 

[gerhardl]

Contact potential employers directly yourself, backed up with a good/short CV and tell them about what you can and will do.

Do not focus in long details on why you have not been able to do it before.

This direct market research is the only one that will work.

 

[ACtrafficengr]

You could take the NYSDOT Junior Engineer exam, or the NYCDOT equivalent, work there long enough to get your PE, then see who would hire you.

"...students of traffic are beginning to realize the false economy of mechanically controlled traffic, and hand work by trained officers will again prevail." - Wm. Phelps Eno, ca. 1928

"I'm searching for the questions, so my answers will make sense." - Stephen Brust

 

[francesca]

If you're prepared to start at the bottom and get your EIT certificate I don't see why someone wouldn't hire you. You may be earning less than you are now, but once you get your PE your salary should right itself.

PB's head office is in Manhattan and they hire recent graduates all the time. If you're prepared to accept a recent grad salary, I don't see why you wouldn't be considered for that type of position. There are state and federal laws against ageism.

 

[DMcGrath]

I was in a similar boat several years ago, 8 long years out of school before day #1 as an engineer (thanks to the Army). I agree with francesca - you've got to be willing to swallow your salary expectations and start at the bottom. If you don't know AutoCAD, learn it well enough to be dangerous. Show a willingness to learn and to take on jobs to completion (resume: highlight skills and accomplishments - be specific).

Figure out what type of civil work you may be interested in and target the firms that do that kind of work. I thought I was going to be a structural engineer when I graduated from college, but now I am very happy doing hydrology and hydraulics. Don't turn your nose up at any potential work just because on the surface it sounds bad - civil engineers take care of a lot of "unglamorous" things such as sewers, solid waste, and streets. However, there is a lot of engineering involved in those "unglamorous" topics. Remember in your position right now, ANY experience as an engineer is good experience.

 

[greenone]

You could also decide what specialty you are interested in and take some courses as a non-matriculated student, to get a feel for engineering again. Many schools in NY would have courses, or go to an extension for a certificate program.

 

[COEngineeer]

I had engineering job that didnt feel like engineering (didnt use my calculator for a whole year). Is that the type of job you have? If not, there are a lot of engineering firms that need engineers in the field and to be honest with you a lot of that positions a high school graduate can do it no problem (just bunch of data collecting and stuff). If you want to do designs, there is nothing wrong with reviewing all of your design text books again and look for an entry level design job.

 

[aliweeka]

thanx every one i think the best way to start is getting EIT test.....
COengineer thank u , (no) i am in a hotel business when u could make a great money but after a while u feel that u have no career....
thank u all again,i did read ur advices several times and i think i will start very soon