Submitted by teaguek122 on
in
Forums
I am looking for advice on the forums. Help me out please.
What would you do to establish a career in civil engineering?
What would be the best methodology to establish a career in engineering should it be at all different from what you would personal do.
Thank you.
Assumptions to start
I would assume you have a Civil Engineering degree. If not, then my first suggestion would be to get a Civil Engineering degree.
The rest is fairly easy: Don't worry about starting salary. There's a reason why everyone asks for 3 to 5 years experience; you may or may not be able to do the job, regardless of the fact that you have the degree. The main objective of your first job is to work in your field as a Civil Engineer. This will probably require some hands-on dirty work on one of the field teams. Do the work as well as you can, and don't complain that you're manning a shovel or whatever. There is no work that is "beneath your position." The boss needs to know that you're willing to do "whatever it takes" to get the job done.
Now that you're working as a CE, make sure you interface and talk to the more senior CE's. They have already done what you're doing, and chances are they're willing to help. Learn what you need to learn, and continue to show initiative. Engineers make decisions and solve problems. That's it. So, if you see a problem, try to develop a solution. Get approval and implement the plan. If there is a decision to be made, study it in the time allotted and make a decision. You'll be right more often than you're wrong, but you'll keep the project moving forward.
I have a lot of entry level electrical engineers working for my group, and what I look for are guys who think, volunteer, and learn from their mistakes.
Thanks for the advice DONM
So, I have gotten my degree in civil engineering, and I have worked at several entry level jobs. I have not had a full time job yet in the engineering field. The starting salary has really been what has kept me from getting on my feet cause I have to eat, so I have always been attracted to a higher paying but non-engineering job for the short term cash.
I have been noticing that between salary and getting experience that perhaps the field team was the only way to go. I'm willing to do the job of a technician and want to jump into the game. I want to get up into the engineering, lead engineer, and project management career path. How can I get noticed faster that I want to jump up on an upward career trajectory without seeming desperate or annoying? I feel like too many people just want to go on with the status quo.
Thank you again for the advice. I know I just need to stay humble, patient, and ambitious.
A point missed so far in
A point missed so far in the discussion is to join your local (state, provincial, national etc) engineering regulator as a member. These membership's often provide news updates, training ideas, job postings etc. It also shows to potential employers that you not only have the degree but are also taking steps to professional licensing.
Often times there will be mentorship programs and networking opportunities arranged & promoted by the regulating body as well. I would attend all you can.
The other thing I tell young engineers looking to break into their career is to be positive and to keep looking. The field of engineering I started in has been rewarding personally and financially but it wasn't easy to land my first job. As best you can, heed DONM's advice and try to ignore the starting wages for positions. At this point in your career you really need experience more so than the pay check. A part time bartending gig on weekends was a way lots of my graduating class made ends meet until they landed a career track role.
Best of luck with your hunt and keep at it - it will be worth all the more to you once you land the right role.
V
Thank you for the advice VPFREEDUDE
V,
Thanks for the advice. I am assuming when you mention the engineering regulator you mean the professional society because I am not very clear on what you mean by engineering regulator.
I have been part of the engineering societies in my local area and I attended a lot of events in order to network.
I will keep in mind the positive advice and keep my head up. It's hard not to be distracted by a short term job with significantly better pay though.
Yes that is what I meant -
Yes that is what I meant - I'm in Canada so I know how the professional standards are monitored. Not as sure in the rest of the world but yes that was exactly what I meant.
Another quick thought is to consider CE positions in a broad variety of industries. EPC, construction, refineries, industrial plants, petrochemical, oil & gas, etc all have civil requirements which may help broaden your search.
It's tough at first but if you stick at it hopefully it all works out for you. Best of luck!
Awesome - Brazil is like that
Thanks for the clarification. I have joined the engineering societies, and even follow the engineering society here in Brazil which is unfortunately not as active as the American counterpart.
I believe the common laws are the same between these countries too. I mean that a civil engineer who wishes to design and sign off on official engineering documents needs to not only be registered but also a citizen of whichever country.
Your advice about looking into a wide variety of work is great advice. I was personally smacked in the face by this very realization since moving to Brazil. While in the United States I thought that engineers only went to work as engineers. While in Brazil I have found that engineers are in huge demand for every industry, everything from finances and business, to the marketing and medical fields.
I will look into the EPC, construction, refineries, industrial plants, petrochemical, oil and gas, and what I can find in those areas.
Currently I have 50 companies listed that I wish to apply to, roughly 25 are mega-corporations, and 25 are small local firms.
I will send out my cover letter and resume to each one by postal service, and follow up with each company at least three times.