What Specialty Area Should I go for

[bdonnell86403]

As i started my undergraduate degree I thought I want to do nothing but structures now graduation is after next semester and I am not so sure. After I graduate I will start working full time while taking two classes a semester in graduate school towards an MSCE. I am not sure which are to specialize in though.

I am very interested in the three areas of geotech, water resources, and structures. I would like to design dams and bridges. So i was think that it would be most beneficial to get on the job training as a structural engineer and then supplement that with grad school in either geotech or water resources.

Is this a good idea? What would any of you out there recommend? I appreciate any help on this

 

[coloeng]

Because you are undecided about what area to specialize in, maybe you should work in all three areas a couple of years before pursuing your masters.

 

[bdonnell86403]

I would also like to add that I want to start my own consulting firm in about 6-8 years. Is there any of these that does not have as much potential at getting work coming from a small consulting firm?

 

[HgTX]

Designing dams and designing bridges are very different fields. I doubt you'd be able to do both.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[cvg]

geotech would be difficult as a small firm
structural would be good, however most of the bridge design is not done by small firms

dam design is done typically by a team of engineers, usually with a significant amount of experience. For instance, I am on several dam design teams with 2 or more PhD's. For design of an embankment dam you will need a very experienced geotechnical engineer, geologist and hydrologist. You will also need structural, general civil and environmental folks to round out the team. this would be difficult for a small firm to do. Unless your are seen as a recognized expert in one of these fields, you probably won't get the work.

In addition, both dams and bridges are costly and high risk endeavors and typically the liability insurance for designing one of these is quite high.