Is this a good job offer? 1

[juniormtz]

I'm have an MSCE, and I got an offer of $55900 for an entry-level transportation engineer position. The job location is in Virginia. I have internship experience in civil engineering and I get really good grades. Is that a good offer? I'm not sure if I should take it or keep looking.

 

[cvg]

i would treat them as entry level because they are entry level - unless they have interned along the way. they will get paid more right up front because they have a larger skill set and may be able to start producing right away. However, in some areas they may not produce any more than someone with an undergrad degree. The fact is that a PhD has put a lot of time into academic endeavors, but generally little in practical applications. Often, if you ask one they will tell you the same. Many entry level engineers, regardless of education level have never even seen a set of construction plans or spent any time observing the process. Since 75% of our work is spent preparing plans, specs, contracts, etc. to construct something - they have a lot of learning to do. (in these cases, it might be better to hire an undergrad instead) I am not knocking an advanced degree because it does show one's capacity to a) learn and b) persevere. In fact, many who have the advanced degrees will eventually advance far beyond those with undergrad degrees given time and work experience.

 

[COEngineeer]

The question is, do you want to do transportation? I have never taken transportation class. But I still think I would not like it anyway. It is really up to you whether that is the emphasis you want to shape your career in to or not.

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[Helicopterjunky]

As several others have pointed out it is not necessarily how much money you make but how much you end up with after spending part of your take home to live and your quality of life expectations. Check out nice one bedroom apartments in the area you are considering. What do they run per month? Factor in commute time.....cost of gasoline and auto insurance. Check out taxes, state and local. Check out sales tax rate. What is the cost of food and clothing? If you stay and decide to purchase a home are they affordable? Are property taxes affordable? How is the crime rate where you are going? Do you like urban or rural settings. You can go to many large urban areas and live near poverty or go to smaller and usually rural locations and do very well. Don't count on big raises once you are there. I live in the south, small urban area and I like the quality of life, low property taxes...slower pace. I have worked in Chicago, Phoenix and Boston and hated them. I will never go back to big city unless for short contract at very big bucks. Even so I return to good old south after contract done. Good Luck on your first job. Don't be in a rush to take just anything...relocating is not that easy or cheap anymore. Above all find a job you enjoy so you don't hate coming to work. Easier for everyone.

 

[abusementpark]

A Master's Degree is something that is should reap long-term benefits, not necessarily short-term. To kinda continue what StructuralEIT was saying, you are going have to spend a great deal of time learning all the stuff they don't teach you in school necessary to get the job done before you become an efficient engineer for the company. In other words, someone with a Bachelor's who has been with that firm for 1-2 years will be way more efficient than you will be coming in with a Master's.

Now, in due time, when you master the practical aspects of the job, your extra expertise will be more valuable. I do think it is reasonable to expect more since you have a Master's, but it sounds like you should do a little more research to find out how much you are worth, which means going on more interviews and hearing more offers.