In order to get your P.E., I believe that most states if not all require to have taken the EIT, have graduated, and have a certain amount of experience (4 years in Alaska). The PE for civil engineering is VERY important as you can sign and stamp your work (required by codes and agencies) and it usually means a bigger pay increase and bill out rate.
im a 1st year and I took a bunch of courses, math, computing science, econ, chemistry, etc. I was thinking of computing science, but now I pretty much am set on transferring into engineering.
anyone have some tips for someone in the 1st or 2nd year of engineering, cause I’m definetely not going to be used to this kind of workload, although at the same time I’m ready to put all I have into it.
[quote]Trogdor wrote:
LOL, UCF? its a small world isn’t it. I started over at UCF as a computer engineering major. The campus is quite well organized I think.
[/quote]
Indeed…I’m looking into going to UCF for engineering and my brother is already doing engineering there (although he keeps bouncing around the particular majors)
A question for you engineers. I graduated with a Business degree a year ago, and have since learned I can’t stand the business world. I’ve been putting serious thought to going back to engineering (I started my undergrad in Computer Science) but don’t have any coursework. What’s the word on going back and doing levelling courses to get into a Masters in an engineering?
[quote]The Fragile wrote:
A question for you engineers. I graduated with a Business degree a year ago, and have since learned I can’t stand the business world. I’ve been putting serious thought to going back to engineering (I started my undergrad in Computer Science) but don’t have any coursework. What’s the word on going back and doing levelling courses to get into a Masters in an engineering?[/quote]
without a bachelors in math or physics or an engineering field, you’re probably not going to get into (or graduate from) a masters program for engineering. Not to sound harsh, but you’ll really lack a lot of the core competencies gained through those first 4+ years of classes.
[quote]The Fragile wrote:
A question for you engineers. I graduated with a Business degree a year ago, and have since learned I can’t stand the business world. I’ve been putting serious thought to going back to engineering (I started my undergrad in Computer Science) but don’t have any coursework. What’s the word on going back and doing levelling courses to get into a Masters in an engineering?[/quote]
if you’re technicaly minded perhaps you should look into a Masters program in Engineering Management. Your business degree would help out with the current course work, and you could minimise the levelling needed.
La’
Redsol1
I am not an Engineer, but I play one at work. I am a mechanical designer for an automotive test lab, designing fixtures and test equipment. It is a very rewarding and interesting field.
I deal with engineers daily, and can say unequivocally that experience will be your best friend. Many of the engineers I deal with are obviously intelligent and book smart, yet they lack basic understanding.
Also, get to know the machinists and machine builders if you are to become an ME. These guys are a wealth of experience, and are happy to help if shown some interest and respect.
As for the need for a P.E., it is almost exclusively in the CE realm. It will be of no value if you are to become an ME or EE.
I realize my insight may be disregard due to my lack of an ME degree, but this is coming from 25 years in manufacturing/testing.
HTH
[quote]Testy1 wrote:
I am not an Engineer, but I play one at work. I am a mechanical designer for an automotive test lab, designing fixtures and test equipment. It is a very rewarding and interesting field.
I deal with engineers daily, and can say unequivocally that experience will be your best friend. Many of the engineers I deal with are obviously intelligent and book smart, yet they lack basic understanding.
Also, get to know the machinists and machine builders if you are to become an ME. These guys are a wealth of experience, and are happy to help if shown some interest and respect.
As for the need for a P.E., it is almost exclusively in the CE realm. It will be of no value if you are to become an ME or EE.
I realize my insight may be disregard due to my lack of an ME degree, but this is coming from 25 years in manufacturing/testing.
HTH
[/quote]
depends on what field of ME or EE you’re in. If you’re working in machine shop or manufacturing you’re right the PE isn’t AS important, but if you’re in facilities design or industrial design a PE is critical bacause all government work (Schools, governmnet buildings, ect) must be stamped. This includes the HVAC, Plumbing, and lighting drawings. If your doing work for a hospital it gets even more complicated and the PE is even MORE critical. I’m not knocking your lack of a BS (There is a reason that you can sit for the PE without a BS if you have 30 years experience), but it is a matter of perspective. I’m an ME in a sheetmetal/Machine shop, but for 6 years before I was a facilities designer, so i’ve got a little broader perspective.
La’
Redsol1
Wow, this thread is really interesting… I’ve just started thinking about going into engineering when I’m older, and this has opened my eyes to the reality. Is it really that hard? I mean, I’m good in school right now, but I’m a pretty bad procrastinator. I’m really into all aspects of engineering, but I don’t know if I really want to get that serious with it from what I’ve read… If you guys don’t mind, could some of you engineers answer a few questions for an eighth grader really interested in pursuing engineering?
If you could go back to high school and change what courses you took, what would you change?
Which type of engineering(in your opinion) is most interesting/fun to learn about?
Is it just four years of college to become an engineer, or how many is it? Which colleges are known for their engineering courses?
Thanks in advance if anyone answers these questions… I’m just really trying to get something to work towards in high school.
Well, just visited UCF (University of Central Florida) and Embry-Riddle. I definitely want to do engineering…
So many “toys” and stuff…hehe…
[quote]Dusty407 wrote:
Yes, I’m considering UCF because of their large and popular engineering program (plus it’s not far from home at all, but by that same token, neither is Embry-Riddle). Embry-Riddle is still a strong contender though. Any one go to Embry for engineering of any sort? I know it’s considerably much smaller in both campus size and undergrads there than at UCF (which is a plus for me).
And thankyou once again for all the advice. I will certainly consider an internship or some kind of opportunity to get real world experience in engineering. Nothing is every black and white from a text book, so it’s definitely a good idea to get “hands-on” experience. Man, it’d be cool to work at Lockheed Martin messing with all their fun toys…hehe.
Once you see the Gym at UCF. You’ll be hooked.
Treat your enginnering degree like a job.
Spend 8 hours a day on course work.
Do each homework a total of three times just transcribe it for repetition before every test.
Always purchase the solutions manual for every book.
Get all classes afternoon(2-3pm would be best).
Do all that during the week and party hard during the week end, and you will create for yourself what it takes to make it through while having an excellent time.
Internships are extremely important.
UCF does not have the greatest internship program, unless you are a minority, then its cake. Any which way after two or three years of course work. Make a list of 8-12 companies you would like to work for more specifically intern with. And bomb their website on a weekly basis.
I would look into Government for internships, they pay the most and subsidize housing during the internship and the like. I would say Gov. would be more lucrative(or easy) to do as a poor college student.
Look beyond lockheed, trust me.
In Orlando area atleast, they pay the least, and treat employees the worst, in my observation.
UCF EE '05[/quote]
I saw their gym. I almost shit myself…
I didn’t know their internship programs were hard to get into though. I do know that UCF has tons of co-ops and internships available, but I didn’t know they were hard to get into.
Thanks for the tips/suggestions. They should come in handy.
[quote]Tokyoo wrote:
Wow, this thread is really interesting… I’ve just started thinking about going into engineering when I’m older, and this has opened my eyes to the reality. Is it really that hard? I mean, I’m good in school right now, but I’m a pretty bad procrastinator. I’m really into all aspects of engineering, but I don’t know if I really want to get that serious with it from what I’ve read… If you guys don’t mind, could some of you engineers answer a few questions for an eighth grader really interested in pursuing engineering?
If you could go back to high school and change what courses you took, what would you change?
Which type of engineering(in your opinion) is most interesting/fun to learn about?
Is it just four years of college to become an engineer, or how many is it? Which colleges are known for their engineering courses?
Thanks in advance if anyone answers these questions… I’m just really trying to get something to work towards in high school.[/quote]
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I didn’t have much of a choice in my highschool classes. I did finish calc pretty early though, took stat as well, and about every physics/chem course available. If you are into engineering, I at least suggest you take physics all the way.
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IMO materials science/engineering is one of the coolest disciplines because it incorporates such a broad array of subject areas. I love the diversity mechanical engineering offers though.
3)A BS in engineering is typically a five year program, although it can be done in four if you don’t take summers off or internships/co-ops. As for which schools are known for engineering, there are too many with decent programs to list here. I think MIT would top the list though.
I was a procrastinator in highschool too. When it comes to college though, you simply dont have enough time to procrastinate. You either start the assignment when its assigned, or it doesn’t get done.
The UCF gym even has freakin fingerprint scanners so you never need to bring an ID. I wish my school did the same.
[quote]redsol1 wrote:
Testy1 wrote:
depends on what field of ME or EE you’re in. If you’re working in machine shop or manufacturing you’re right the PE isn’t AS important, but if you’re in facilities design or industrial design a PE is critical bacause all government work (Schools, governmnet buildings, ect) must be stamped. This includes the HVAC, Plumbing, and lighting drawings. If your doing work for a hospital it gets even more complicated and the PE is even MORE critical. I’m not knocking your lack of a BS (There is a reason that you can sit for the PE without a BS if you have 30 years experience), but it is a matter of perspective. I’m an ME in a sheetmetal/Machine shop, but for 6 years before I was a facilities designer, so i’ve got a little broader perspective.
La’
Redsol1
[/quote]
While I agree the lines may be blurred,it seems to me that Facilities or industrial design are closer to the scope of a CE than an ME.
[quote]Tokyoo wrote:
If you could go back to high school and change what courses you took, what would you change?[/quote]
I would have probably done a few more gym classes, no joke. Also, I’d do college level chem 1
fun? engineering is not fun, it’s fucking difficult, maybe that can be construed as fun. But it is rewarding knowing that your efforts are doing something for the betterment of mankind (or someone). I myself am an Aerospace Engineer.
4 years is doable, I got this done with zero college credits going into my freshman year (my calc class I didn’t take for college credit in hs). Plan on 5 years if you go to a challenging school.
I went to the Unveristy of Colorado, Boulder. They’ve traditionally had a top 10 Aerospace Engineering Sciences program in the country, it was also a top 9 party school every year I was there, which was tough to balance out.
Enjoy highschool, you’re only young once, but get good grades and you’ll open up a world of possibility!
[quote]Testy1 wrote:
While I agree the lines may be blurred,it seems to me that Facilities or industrial design are closer to the scope of a CE than an ME.
[/quote]
When you say CE are you refering to Civil?
La’
Redsol1
Electrical Engineer here. Working in Substation Protection and Control.
On school: yeah, it’s hard and math intensive? Is it impossible or bone crushing? No. First thing I did in my second year was to drop down to 5 classes a semester, though. Extends your stay another semester, but you keep your sanity longer and you can still have a social life. Study hard, play hard.
In general, I think engineering is a great background for anything and it gives you a lot to fall back on. A good number of degrees out there really don’t open many doors.
No offense to those out there who have already chimed in, but stay the hell away from computer shit. Computer guys are a dime a dozen. What the world needs is true design engineers. All the good ones are in their 50s and 60s and the crush is on to find new ones. So that would mean taking the EIT at some point.
Also, if you do go the engineer route don’t be in too big of a hurry to hit management. It’s kind of the final resting place for all engineers and it’s easy to get pushed into it quickly, but then you just follow the Dilbert Principle and end up promoted to your level of incompetence. Spend a little time slogging in the trenches and that knowledge will help you talk to everyone from the guys installing the shit you design to the guys you have to convince to give you money to build stuff.
- Sean
[quote]redsol1 wrote:
Testy1 wrote:
While I agree the lines may be blurred,it seems to me that Facilities or industrial design are closer to the scope of a CE than an ME.
When you say CE are you refering to Civil?
La’
Redsol1
[/quote]
Yes
[quote]Testy1 wrote:
redsol1 wrote:
Testy1 wrote:
While I agree the lines may be blurred,it seems to me that Facilities or industrial design are closer to the scope of a CE than an ME.
When you say CE are you refering to Civil?
La’
Redsol1
Yes
[/quote]
Well, not in my experience but perhaps things are done a little differently in your part of the world 
La’
Redsol1
Civil Engineer, 8 yrs exp, w/PE license.
Sorry if this has been mentioned already but here are my observations:
Engineering is a function of population. Don’t expect to live in a rural setting. It can happen, just not as often.
Advancement in engineering requires social skills. Don’t go to a school that is all about technical work. A good engineering college has a good social environment (ie it is not only an engineering school).
Civils make enough to be slightly above average income. A friend of mine is an ME and is five years younger. She makes a little more than I do.
Someone mentioned the intern idea. This is very wise. Prospective engineers should really observe other engineers before committing to it.
I’m an outdoors kind of guy and grew up on the farm. Sitting in a chair for 8 hrs or more drives me crazy. I’m looking into switching to something more suited to my interest, like the land surveying route.
Lastly, DONT be afraid to use your engineering degree as a stepping stone into another position/profession (ie manager, CEO, etc). Many succe$$ful engineering grads do this.
Good Luck