Midlife Crisis

[ReNewB]

Wishing to equate "crisis" with "opportunity", I am looking at the possibility of parlaying a recent departure from a career in computer application development (developer, analyst, consultant, project manager) into a chance to make use of my very theoretical (and very old) engineering education (BS in Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences, plus a prestigious MS in Civil - Structural).

I am preparing to take the PMP exam to certify my project management experience, and was wondering if you might share suggestions/encouragement regarding how I might best leverage that certification into a career change into Structural engineering or a related field. In grad school, before I took the turn into computing, I was developing expertise in structural dynamics. I am more than ready to get out of the ailing IT world and into something more stable and down-to-earth for the remainder of my working life.

Having "Googled" into this forum last night, I have read threads regarding the FE (it was the EIT when I would have taken it in CA in 1982). Is there some way I can track down a record of my certification or is the point moot because of the passing of 20 years? I understand retaking the test now will require significant re-education! :|

Thank you in advance for any ideas/suggestions you might have. In my brief exposure to this site, I have appreciated the knowledge and sincerity of the participants.

 

[Qshake]

I am not aware of a statute of limitations on the EIT/FE, but I could be wrong. You should be able to contact the California board of registration - I belive that its called something different there - and get the information that you'll need.

The hard part might be getting a job in the field of your choosing, since you've seemed to amass experience in another but somewhat related field. You should be willing to spend some time on the junior level relearning applicable parts of the codes or even new codes.

Good Luck!

 

[ReNewB]

Thank you, Qshake. I found the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors at

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels

and have made my EIT inquiry there.

As for the effective "demotion" I am liable to face in changing careers, I am fully prepared to start at a less senior level (I think I'd be afraid not to!).

 

[plasgears]

Don't be so fast to sell yourself short. There are positions out there that are begging for your particular set of skills and experiences. Be patient. Work with a specialist who accesses thru the net. Good luck.