Metallurgical PE License 1

[Maui]

I recently earned my PE license in Metallurgy in New York State. I'd like to know from those of you who also have your PE, what has it done for you in a professional sense? Specifically, how have you benefitted from earning it? Have you received a promotion, a significant increase in pay, or a better job from another employer because of it? Did it allow you to open your own engineering firm? Did it do nothing for you at all except provide you with a sense of professional accomplishment? What are you opinions?


Maui

 

[metengr]

Maui;
Professionally, my PE license did not provide any real rate of return on "short term" investment. By "short term" I mean with my current job assignment. I do perform metallurgical consulting but within the context of the industrial exemption.

Part of the reason why I decided to obtain the license was a sense of professional development and pride, and to provide employment options in the future. In Power Generation, I had survived my 3rd downsizing with the same company. If I ever need to change jobs, I believe it would help in seeking employment with an AE firm or to perform consulting on my own or with a small firm.

 

[Rich2001]

Kudos on obtaining your PE!

Immediately there was a raise when I got my first license(Mechanical Engineering) nothing immediately when I obtain a license in a second displine (Welding Engineering).

Long term it did help me obtain several additional positions. at a significant higher rate.

At one job there was a $4000 per year bonus on top of base salary if you had a PE License.

 

[TheProfessor]

Maui,
Congratulations on that accomplishment. Let me comment from the other side of the fence, so to speak. When I got my BS Met Engr in 197x, this state did not recognize Metallurgical Engr as a separate specialty. Others who graduated when I did went for Mech or Elec registration, I went to work in industry without the PE. Lack of it never hampered my career, and having one, in my particular life-path, would not have made much difference.

But now I manage construction projects and regularly hire engineering firms for design and consulting. I make it a point to find out who their PEs are - and whether they know anything. Don't let the license be your only credential!
Continue your education, remain current in your field, and add value to the engineering process, as part of whatever projects you work on. I get too many high-priced meeting- attenders. Their names are on the sign-in sheet and their time is billed to my job - but they contribute....nothing. PE registration may be satisfying, but it is minor compared to seeing something, you once only thought of, really WORK! Participate, learn from others - whether PE or not - and enjoy being part of the solution.

As a Metallurgist, I have had the opportunity to work on lots of different kinds of jobs. Few, if any, engineering specialties touch so many others. You will be known by your accomplishments and reputation, not the letters after your name - the degree and PE just get you over the first steps. You have chosen an important profession - and having more registered Metallurgists does nothing but improve the status of the profession.