seeking advice 2

[aliweeka]

hello every one
i am a civil engineer who graduated 15 years ago ..practice the job for 3 years and then i did change the whole field ....working in catering comp..making a great money..lately i did decide to get back 2 the field...i did apply for several jobs (junior...entry level...fresh graduated ) titles ..only one company did respond 2 my application as my resume does not have enough to say about my career .....they offer my 1/2 the money i am getting now from my current job with much less benefits ...the company (u could call it a lab) working in testing materials and gives training for the engineers to work as inspectors and to be ACI certified ...i am not able to take a decision ....is that a good starting ? is there any chance to gain any considerable experience ? OR ANY chance to improve my career in the future ...i am deeply welling to get back to the field but i am deeply worry ....
any advice please...............?

 

[msucog]

for half the money and less benefits if you change professions, i'd stay where i was at. you can always keep looking for the dream job as long as you have your current job.

 

[francesca]

You did not say where you acquired your undergrad or your three years of experience, but by your command of English, I hope I am not offending to suggest it may not have been in the US. I am foreign-born and received my degree and several years of experience out of the US and struggled to find a position when I moved here, despite my experience being current (minus 6 months while the government shuffled my immigration paperwork). All it took to make me an attractive employment prospect was going to grad school. I was offered an internship over the summer at a decent rate, then a sign-on bonus and 35% raise after passing the PE, but not yet completing my masters degree.

 

[bimr]

Most organizations would not be willing to hire someone that has such a large gap in thier career. And you are also going to have to explain in the job interview what you have been doing all these years.

One route to get back in the engineering field would be to apply for government positions where you take a civil service test to qualify. This may be your easiest route. But you will need to be able to get professional registration.

Another route would be to go back to school for a master's degree. You probably would have to do this route since you do not appear to have professional registration. Most registration boards also now require continuing education over your career and you also have not kept up to date on the continuing education.

Another route is the one that you have suggested. Take a position with a substandard salary and basically work as an apprentice until you have some experience on your resume. This is probably not a good option since it will take a few years.

 

[lovethecold]

What area of civil engineering are you wanting to get into? Materials testing won't hurt, and can give some very practical experience. I would recommend taking the FE exam. That many years out of school, there is reason to suspect you may lack the skills necessary for an engineering position. Passing the FE would help show that you still have those skills.

I would ask the company offering the position what opportunities there would be to advance into an engineering position. Perhaps they want to see what kind of worker you are. It seems there is a shortage of civil engineers in this country, and will only get worse as many begin to retire in the next ten years. Ask one of their engineers, they may be hoping to make you an engineer. Many geotechnical engineers begin their careers doing Nuclear density tests and concrete testing, the practical knowledge is useful when it comes time to write reports and give recommendations.

Hope this helps, good luck.