08-05-2011, 12:21 AM
Ok, Mr. Ross. First of all, if you are getting into engineering make sure it is not for money. If you want money become a lawyer, a politician or a surgeon. If you are getting into engineering, make sure you love it as you would love someone who you are willing to marry.
Second, choose which field you want to specialize on, specially if you are already 22. You will have a hard time if you decide to switch half way at the age of 27 after you are done. It will take you at least 4 years to finish if you are starting from scratch.
Your fields of choice (in general): general civil, field engineer, structural, management, hydrology, environmental. If you decide to specialize with a Master's afterwards: structural (subdivided into concrete, wood, steel, masonry), construction materials science, forensics, MBA, transportation.
As for my personal experience: I started being a field supervisor for a precast concrete plant. There I supervised Double T's concrete pours, precast erections (including 3 story apartment buildings and a convention center). After that I was a field supervisor for a subway, several miles long. Then I worked for a civil site design/development firm. Following this I became a senior project manager for the International Design winning award for year 2010, 3-40 story buildings united at selected floors. During my Master's I designed concrete mixes high in microfines, while doing structural design for buildings part time. Currently, I am a structural designer for an international company that designs marine platforms.
So as you can see, the structural engineer training will allow you to be versatile, but you have to enjoy it. Finally, I would recommend you do an internship in a civil engineering firm/contractor, even if it is volunteering, so that you can get exposure to it before you get into this career choice.
Best of lucks with your choices. Regards, MDMH
Second, choose which field you want to specialize on, specially if you are already 22. You will have a hard time if you decide to switch half way at the age of 27 after you are done. It will take you at least 4 years to finish if you are starting from scratch.
Your fields of choice (in general): general civil, field engineer, structural, management, hydrology, environmental. If you decide to specialize with a Master's afterwards: structural (subdivided into concrete, wood, steel, masonry), construction materials science, forensics, MBA, transportation.
As for my personal experience: I started being a field supervisor for a precast concrete plant. There I supervised Double T's concrete pours, precast erections (including 3 story apartment buildings and a convention center). After that I was a field supervisor for a subway, several miles long. Then I worked for a civil site design/development firm. Following this I became a senior project manager for the International Design winning award for year 2010, 3-40 story buildings united at selected floors. During my Master's I designed concrete mixes high in microfines, while doing structural design for buildings part time. Currently, I am a structural designer for an international company that designs marine platforms.
So as you can see, the structural engineer training will allow you to be versatile, but you have to enjoy it. Finally, I would recommend you do an internship in a civil engineering firm/contractor, even if it is volunteering, so that you can get exposure to it before you get into this career choice.
Best of lucks with your choices. Regards, MDMH