Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 01, 2000 03:32am | #1

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   In NJ:

   Need a BS in Eng'g from an accredited college.

   Then you have to get a job as an "apprentice" under a licensed engineer. You are then an "Engineer in Training"

   After 5 years as an EIT, you take the test.

   I don't want to sound discouraging but Engineering is a tough program. Especially if you've been out of school for a while.

   First Semester is

   Gen.Chem. for Engrs
   Intro. Experimentation
   Intro. to Engineering
   Calculus for Eng'g
   Analytical Physics I
   2 Hum./Soc. Elective

   I ended up in the hospital with stomach pains that turned out to be stress related.

   First day of college, first class I ever had, the professor said "Look at the person on your Right and on your left. After the first midterm, only one of the three of you will still be in this program."

   He was right.

2. 
   Jay_Malaspino | Feb 01, 2000 04:33am | #2

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   Ryan,

   Thanks for the warning but I already know of the course schedule. At their website http://www.umassd.edu they have the B.S. degree course outline for your degree. I was 21st out of 354 in my class in High School and have been taking night classes off and on since the time I dropped out of college after my freshman year. The school work doesn't scare me. What scares me is working for $10 an hour for 4-5 years full time to get the required apprenticeship. That is why I posted to see if work study during education or other factors account towards the apprenticeship time.

   Thanks for the info.

1. 
   Sami_Kader | Feb 01, 2000 06:25am | #3

   *Jay-I am a civil engineer (PE) in california, so I dont know all of the specifics about the east coast, but don't be discouraged about pursuing your interest. You already have the analytical background for engineering and should go for it if it is what you want.Now, about your concerns - Choice of school: As long as the engineering program is ABET acredited (I cant remember what ABET stands for right now), there should be no problem applying for your license when the time comes. The advantage of going to a bigger school or one with a better reputation for engineering is in gaining employment after graduation. Also, check out the two programs and see which one looks to have more options and classes that interest you. Beyond getting in the front door of an engineering firm, I think that the school you go to doesnt matter that much - as long as it is ABET acredited, like I said. Also - EITs get paid more than $10/hour. Entry level structural EITs are making about $30-35K/year average around the country, I think. To be a structural PE, you must work for a structural engineer while you are an EIT. That engineer must verify by letter of recommendation that you worked for him or her as a Structural Engineer-in-Training and it is usually not very loosey-goosey, the experience portion is taken seriously, as that is where a lot of the practical design knowledge is gained. every state differs in how long you must be an EIT, based on education and work experience. Most of the time, work experience during school (internships, co-ops, etc.) DO NOT count toward the required experience. You can check with your state Board of Engineer Licensing.Some states will give you a provisional PE (Nevada, for one)if your structural engineering experience is limited (eg. if you worked for a truss manufacturer and only did truss calculations for the duration of your EIT, you may get a PE that only allows you to seal truss drawings and calcs and not concrete reinforcing, etc.). In any case, PEs can only seal drawings and calcs that they can show they are qualified to design (the PE license alone does not qualify you to design anything - you have to have experience and education in the specific area in which you are designing). What I'm getting at is that if you want to do varied design, you have to get your experience with a structural engineer who does varied design.Here in California, Civil Engineering PEs can seal structural drawings for small structures and can also do a wide variety of other work (streets, sewers, water distribution, pump stations, etc, etc). I don't know what your interest is, but you may want to take a look at what a Civil Engineer PE can do versus a Structural Engineer PE. Civil Engineers cannot design public buildings like hospitals or malls, but can do residential structural calcs as well as other parts of residential developments (as mentioned). I think there is generally a higher demand for civil engineers than structural engineers.this is probably more than you wanted to know, but i hope it helps. Good luck!Sami Kader

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 01, 2000 07:04am | #4

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   Some schools offer Co-ops as part of your education. It usually works out to a 5 year degree with about a year working in the real world. I wish I had had that option. All the formulas and calculations would have made much more sense if I had been able to use them on real problems.

   After all that schooling, I worked for a while in facilities maintenace and finally decided to throw it all away, quit my job, and now I'm a small time contractor.

4. 
   Jay_Malaspino | Feb 02, 2000 04:31am | #5

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   Sami and Ryan,

   Thanks for the in depth replies. I spent 8 years in So. Cal. is that what part of Ca. you are from Sami?

   If I received the right information I believe Ma. is only a 4 year internship. In my area a degree in engineering I believe would be far more advantagious than a degree in architecture.

   Ryan, what you said about all the formula's not making sense with 17 years in the construction trade it should help understand the theories and formula's.

   The young kid's still have the advantage with superior study habits and beer drinking ability. I'll catch up though.

   I am glad E.I.T. 's make more than I presumed.

   Jay M.

5. 
   Jay_Malaspino | Feb 02, 2000 04:31am | #6

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   Hello All,

   I know each state is different(I live in Ma.) but what is the apprenticeship required after receiving ones degree? Is it a loose affiliation or does one have to be in the employ full time with specific duties before one can take the test?

   I am 35 years old and after spending 15 of the last 17 years in construction I feel it is time to to get a degree in something other than Architecture. I draw house plans full time now and have been drawing plans off and on for the past 17 years. I guess what I am lookin for is the job equivalent of a bachelor asking a room full of married men what should I do? The local university (University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth) is the closest choice. Northeastern is the next closest but it is 3 times the cost. Any info from the PE's or SE's would be greatly appreciated.

   Jay Malaspino
   [email protected]
   http://www.capecod.net/cad