Engineering Is One of the Top Paid Professions . After a few hours it ended up looking like this: Not what many would call an amazing list for a few hours of thinking, but I strongly believe it was the act of finally doing some serious reflection about this that freed me. Sound familiar? As engineers, we like to have our problems completely figured out, but that can’t always be the case. The P.E. I have a degree in electrical engineering. I could code, but didn’t really enjoy it, so those jobs were out. Regardless of what it says on your degree - General, ECE, MechE, Bio/MatSci, it’s ok if you take a different path. My classmates were all getting job offers at prestigious tech enterprises, accepting admission to grad schools across the world, or deciding to start their own engineering ventures, and I had no plan at all. (If you don’t get that reference, you’re probably not cut out for an engineering career.) So with that list in mind I came up with a second list. You learn a ton of transferable skills that can be applied to many professions. Logistics covers the physical movement of materials – the transfer of raw materials to manufacturing facilities or the distribution of products to customers – as well as all the planning and financial transactions involved in these operations. Bachelor of Software Engineering : This is a 3 or 4 year undergraduate degree awarded in the field of software development or information technology. In engineering, we are responsible for thousands & million lives. Failing step one, focus on what you can do and where you might go from here. Our windows overlook beautiful woods. Without a degree or experience on his resume, Marcus applied to … It was only for 3 months, but it gave me time to learn first-hand what I enjoyed and what I didn’t in this unfamiliar environment. What if you get the wrong master’s degree? Our commute is a walk across the house. I like urban planning, but like I said, I don't know if there's a future there anymore. One that came about with the help of Google, that defined all the jobs I could find relating to “Math” and “Video Games,” while removing all those that contained the 3 things I disliked. Here’s what I’m trying to say. Now, don’t get be wrong, there’s a huge amount to be said for pursuing an education in engineering. All right. licensing has been placed for a purpose and I don’t think it should be taken lightly. Or can you drive internationally? The degree you choose doesn’t have to lock you into a particular career. Thank you for your helpfull information. In the field of engineering, there seems to be a perennial issue between engineers having licenses and those having none. I was wrong. ever since. Thanks for your not-dumb question. I graduated a year ago with a marketing degree with a good deal of communication coursework from a nearby private college. Programmers are a broad subgroup within Software Engineering – a discipline that includes both jobs that require a bachelor’s degree … I’m not telling every engineer they should drop out of their degree program. Over and over at Olin we learned that when you’re stumped, do some research. If you love several topics, just pick one, you can mix them as you go and it can be an asset down the road. I have distinct memories of the day I got a call back from the most recent company I had applied to, telling me that I hadn’t made the cut, and I wasn’t even surprised anymore. My recommendation for anyone who is dealing with … Master’s degree is required for some positions. Period. At the end of this exercise, I had a much broader list of jobs which I didn’t necessarily have all the skills for, but that I was much more excited to pursue. If they failed to a basic bunch of questions in engineering, they might also fail in giving safety & engineering standards. Much more fun, much more pay, much more responsibility. In Canada, an engineering degree is achieved by attaining scientific, economic, social and practical knowledge through an accredited four year program of study. After graduation, instead of finding a full time position, I settled for internship as a Financial Analyst. Even though many of them still said no, I wasn’t disheartened anymore because I could understand why I hadn’t made the cut. An engineering license is considered the highest standard of competence, which dignifies an engineering graduate who really is capable to practice his or her profession. Too scared to take the leap? Are You an Engineer or Just an Engineering Graduate? ... Also, a music degree made me a better engineer as music develops the mind. A very simple list of things I liked and things I didn’t like. What are you buying this season? They can be allowed to ACT LIKE engineers but not to PRACTICE engineering. What had happened to the younger me who would spend all day playing with Legos, discovering new ways to create? Well…I started from scratch. I have only a year left. Let’s say you want to build your own engineering firm or simply want to use your engineering skills to create a business of your own. Moreover, registered engineers get immediate respect from peers and an innate sense of achievement. Here’s what I’m trying to say. But finances got in the way and he was forced to leave school before finishing his degree. 1. There are also some fields that are not as intensive as others. Ashton Kutcher. I cook better than our head-chef who has qualification. If you’ve been feeling as frustrated as I was along your journey, think back to when you first came to Olin. But then, we would feel sudden bursts of joy each time we figured out another piece of the puzzle. It took me 4 years and 6 positions before I realized that with this process, I was doing what Olin had taught me. While my degree would read “BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering,” I knew in the deepest recesses of my heart that I didn’t want to do engineering. I am a mechanical engineer by education and license, and I encourage all unlicensed engineers, to consider professional licensure, it is really the only way to differentiate the real engineers, from those with some sort fo engineering education. The aim is to move things around at the lowest possible cost. Then, they went to a software company. What happens if you answer one of them wrong? I could tell I was already doing better in my interviews - simply because I was now genuinely interested in knowing everything about each job, rather than just repeating the questions I knew I should be asking. Where was the kid who had learned the intricacies of the family PC before my parents had? Case in point, would a consumer of medical services choose to go to a doctor who was simply someone who graduated medical school, maybe even from a non-accredited school, or would you rather go to a licensed MD. I don't like it. For many people, such as me, engineering can be a fulfilling and enjoyable major, allowing you to hone your skills and learn from experts in a variety of technological studies. The title is not strictly exclusive to those who passed professional exams, but also to those who uphold the values and ideas of an engineer, which is to design and innovate. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The answer might not be as clear as you think when you’re living in a dorm and playing beer pong. Here are some awesome gift ideas for your beloved engineer and some tips on how to give gifts to the unfortunate. How about those Engineering Degrees that doesn’t have a Licensure exams? Thank you for that information and it inspires me as non licensed engineer, Thank you mate. Hey folks, I don’t want to be an engineer anymore, and I need help figuring out how to make a career change. You don’t have to become a PM and work on technical products. I've realized engineering work in the technical sense is just not for me. This article may be feel good but I can assure you, in college you’re going to take a lot harder math than algebra. Did I come to the wrong school? If you don't like engineering just be really good at it for 5-10 years more and you can be a manager which is a completely different job. Im also a non license Engineer for now. I am writing this post as a follow up to the post I wrote last week entitled How to Explain “Job-Hopping” on Your Resume during an Engineering Job Interview. I am also an Engineering graduate who is willing to work in my field as an environmental engineer…. Then, the opportunity to work for a Death Star might have a certain name-dropping appeal. Could I see myself doing that? On the other hand, I had an internship as a Financial Analyst! Patricia took her MBA in London, UK. You may also encounter limitation when dealing with Government project and you are one of the key decision makers. But there are far more substantive reasons that you should want to have and demonstrate clear goals in your application. If the way they described the job wasn’t for me, I felt more confident and less apologetic in telling them that that I didn’t see a match, either. Don't get me wrong, I like learning how some things work, how to build some things, but I'm just not interested in actually being apart of that and doing the design for it. During my next few jobs, I continued to hone my list of likes and dislikes. Needless to say, they were having trouble finding someone to fit all those requirements, but thankfully I seemed to be the jigsaw piece they were looking for. Stay right where you are. After dropping out of high school, he received a GED and entered college in order to pursue his dream: a career in software engineering. 1000 Olin Way Needham, MA 02492 781.292.2300 © 2020 Olin College of Engineering. I enjoy my coworkers and recognize when my work grows our revenue. I found companies relating to each job and sent them my resume, as mismatched as it may have felt. And so I began. A typical starting salary for a chemical engineer fresh out of school with a bachelor's degree was $57,000 as of 2015, according to Forbes.An engineer can double his or her salary with experience and additional training. Hi Cecilia. In retrospect, I’m sure this came through in my interviews with the companies that visited Olin. If you want more flexibility, you can consider an online engineering program like one offered by North Carolina State University. I know many people who don't even work in their preferred field of study. You don’t have to become a PM and work on technical products. It’s extraordinarily difficult to write such a statement when you don’t have a purpose beyond obtaining a graduate degree! Don’t let a friend talk you out of going after what you love to do. Honestly, I'd rather be working a retail job than having an engineering role. Now, every day I face interesting and challenging problems, and can see the impact I have on the company. Perhaps a child with passion and ideals in structural engineering can be called a real engineer, as opposed to a board passer electrical engineer who sells second hand cars with loud speakers. Regulations about licensing in engineering vary from different countries but a license has one humanitarian purpose: it is to encourage safety and well-being of the general public by being accountable as an engineer. Learn how your comment data is processed. She's a model, actress, blogger and a copywriter. I have a minor interest in architecture but I don't want to go back and get another degree. If my skills didn’t match, I knew what to start educating myself about next. Had I let down my family, my professors and advisors and most importantly…myself? We all experienced those moments when we were struggling to grasp the problems we were working on. I graduated college in 1982, was licensed in 1987, and have been a P.E. But What If I Don’t Want to Be An Engineer? Degree must be from ABET-accredited program to earn a professional engineer (PE) license. Biochemical Engineering, University of Iowa From his first role in That ‘70s Show, to his more recent appearances on the big and small screens, Ashton Kutcher is known around the world as a famous Hollywood star, so you might be surprised to find him on a list of celebrities with degrees in engineering.. 15 Best Handheld UV Light Sterilizer That Can Kill Virus, Top 10 Best Construction Drones by Civil Engineers, Your email address will not be published. Exams are structured somewhat like the problems in school, with a few real world problems thrown in. While many never did get back to me, I found this process far less depressing. I don't want to do that. It is the stronghold of the law for engineers to take legal responsibility for any engineering work or projects, through the registered engineers’ signatures, seals and stamps. Nearly every engineering degree is challenging, and there are so many different types of engineering degrees that you can be nearly certain to find a field that leads to your career satisfaction. After sleepless nights, reading all those engineering books, pinching your scientific calculators on radians the whole time… you passed the board exam. In any case, take some time to think about what you want to study and what you truly enjoy. You might be involved with building dams or irrigation structures, just like a civil engineer might (some agricultural engineers have a degree in environmental engineering). Don’t squander your short four years of college staring at some code that won’t compile. They generally stayed in the area of their engineering degree until they got design experience and their PE. While we don’t all become engineers, we do take from Olin certain traits. I … What’s the purpose of having an engineering license anyway? I started looking for specifics - what did each job entail? Congrats, you are now an engineer. The young Mike Murphy who was going to change the world with his creations, where was he now? But that shouldn’t be the case. From solving complex problems, to working with other students, to using high tech equipment from the start of freshman year to pulling it all together for senior year projects, my time at Olin was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. They can still become engineers of their own right. In my PM interviews, I would flounder when describing my skills, and would inevitably receive a nicely worded ‘No Thank You’ email. Her boyfriend is an overworked and underpaid engineer. On the other hand, most students don't really know why they want to be an engineer, let alone what type of engineer. I'm in engineering too and would rather be an English major, but I want … You don’t have to write code if you don’t want to. I’m in my 20s, I’ve got a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in engineering from a prestigious school. But they may encounter limitations like when you will be involved on multi-million dollar project and you will be designated as one of the key person. If you want to become an engineer, you must earn a bachelor's degree from an engineering program, majoring in the branch in which you want to work. In not redistered but lots of reg. In my head I started making a list. Starting salaries for engineers are among the highest for any college degree. Graduated 1 year ago, Didn't like Degree, Don't know what I actually want, Working HS level jobs, Embarrassed, Lost This is a long one, but I really need help. It may take a while to get there, but that makes the final destination all the more worth it! I have a BS and MS in engineering, plus many years of experience as a structural engineer. I chose engineering because I am afraid of the idea of being responsible for ones life. Engineering Degrees in Canada. I added ‘large established companies’ to my list of things I wasn’t looking for, and began to look more at start-ups. Whatever your exact role, the high demand for qualified engineers means you can expect a reasonable salary, with recent graduates earning up to US$61,457 annually in Saudi Arabia, for example. When I first interviewed for this job, they informed me that they were looking for someone with an analytical background, passionate about gaming, strong math and statistical skills, the ability to understand and work closely with everyone from the most technical engineer to the least technical salesman, and a strong desire to learn every day. Becoming an engineer at Olin is an amazing experience. The list I had come up with a few months ago continued to grow and evolve. The most basic reason is that most engineering programs require a statement of purpose. Just like a wedding ring that brags you are already married. If I want to go for a run at 11 am, I don't have to ask permission. It is the title that represents an authority and responsibility. They moved into patent law, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and many other fields. What would I have to learn to get my foot in the door? Alumni Speak; Making a Difference; A Broader World View, Alumni Speak; Making a Difference; A Broader World View; Scholarships and Fellowships, Alumni Speak; Olin Employers; Entrepreneurship, Alumni Speak; Olin Employers; Entreprenuership, Making a Difference; A Broader World View, Olin College Graduation; Seniors; fauxmencement. They are also the ones who are first noticed by employers upon hiring, even when licenses are not necessarily required to be in the workforce. Regardless of what it says on your degree - General, ECE, MechE, Bio/MatSci, it’s ok if you take a … For me, being a junior engineer was the most fun part of the career. The base math courses we were required to take were calculus 1 through 3 then differential equations on top of it. When I was a kid, I wonder if I want to be a doctor or to be an engineer. An engineering program of study is accredited by the local authority in the province or territory the program is located in. If it's not something you want to do, it's unlikely that you will magically just start to put in the hard work and be successful in that area. You can earn an engineering degree in as little as two years or take as long as ten … By the same token, would a person who needed legal representation or legal documents trust just anyone who called himself a lawyer, or would it be better that this person be licensed. If they are not satisgied they sent you home. I chose engineering because I am afraid of the idea of being responsible for ones life. I really liked the analysis part, reminding me of my time in ModSim, but I found the company a bit old-school and established, and had an air of “it’s always been done this way.” As an Oliner, I wasn’t too excited about that mindset. Engineers who complain about crazy hours, and less than professional pay, should take heed of licensing and pursue getting the license. These are all important questions to be considering in your engineering career development, and to be honest, it’s quite scary to have to deal with them all at such a young age. But I just don’t want to do engineering anymore. There is a big difference between a “graduate engineer”, and a P.E., biggest difference is that school teaches you how to get through the system and obtain a degree. I am also happy to hear that inspirational message… Thank you. The bigger point here, is that college does not prepare the young engineer to work in the real world. I am not registerd but i read books of structural codes… i din not faiked in board exam coz i never tried yet to take the exam…. I was already reaching out on a limb for many of these, so instead of being disappointed by the failures, I was excited and happy for the successes. But at the end of their study and when they apply for employment they are called and given a position as Engineer with good compensations and benefits. This might be in construction, in which case a Civil Engineering degree and career may well be the best engineering degree for you. designation. A qualification does not prove better than those who has none. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I don't like law and real estate. Having the experience with real world problem solving, how things are really calculated in industry, and how engineers really design things are learned after college. Here’s the best advice if you plan on starting or growing a business, According to this Topnotcher: "While reviewing for the exam I spent most of the time playing computer games with my brother and going on dates with my girlfriend". Thanks so much for that inspirational information. Things I like and could see myself working in: Things I don’t like and can’t see myself working in. In fact, he studied biochemical engineering at the … It's a reasonable thing to wonder. Think of this – are you going to trust your life to someone who is ACTING LIKE a doctor? The title professional engineer is not an honorary title, it seriously differentiates the licensed engineer from those without. Engineers who choose not to pursue a professional license, keep the profession lower paid, and give the impression that the difference is no big deal. A college degree is a must if you want to become an engineer. In Canada, if you are a licensed engineer, you need to wear that Iron Ring as a symbol of accomplishment. We create REAL things - we don't just shuffle paperwork. Most engineers I knew got tired of the job and transitioned to a different career. At the early stages of your life, you may have said, “When I grow up, I want to become an engineer,” for a reason that probably you have just heard from your parents: engineers make good money. There really is a big difference. I really do want to be an engineer, but I don't see the point in having massive OSAP debt with very little guarantee whatsoever that I will be able to pay it off after 6 months. He or she also has a valid engineering opinion that may even be better than those who have licenses. An undergraduate engineering institution exploring innovative approaches to engineering education since its founding in 1997. If you don’t want to relocate or commute long distances, then you college choices may be limited, especially if you want to obtain your degree in person. ... I’m concerned I only got into engineering in hopes of doing stuff like that, but I have only briefly done stuff with that in college and everything else I don’t enjoy very much and struggle with at times. It has created some unnecessary barriers at work because of the pride that licensed engineers hold. Instead I lay down on my bed and just thought. Truthfully don’t bother with the engineering degree. It may be that the law doesn’t allow non-licensed engineers to be called engineers in everything they do, but it doesn’t mean they are not also allowed to act like engineers. I may not be a licensed engineer but I comply the safety & quality regulations as a human being. But if you can't handle and really don't want to get this engineering degree, you don't want to throw good money after bad by continuing with it. Chances are, you have never really thought about what career … Yes, there are several components of engineering that do not require lots of math and science. We need to stop thinking highly if we are one of those registered engineers. There are many different things you could end up doing with this degree. 3. It’s more than just having an “engineer” tagged in a name. It’s ok if you don’t want to be an engineer. Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, civil engineering technology, or similar specialty. In fact, engineering degree programs are notoriously difficult, and many students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects take longer to graduate than their peers is less demanding degree programs. The following are some of the degrees you can consider if you want to take a formal route to landing a career in Software Engineering. There is so much power than a powerbank that is paired with an engineering license; however, there’s a huge “but” to all these merits: if one is not a licensed engineer, it doesn’t mean that he or she doesn’t have the right to work as an engineer. My journey may have taken a bit longer, but taking the scenic route was definitely worth it! In other country license don’t have any merit, They are result oriented, Give your best they pay you well. Engineers Turn Toxic Waste To Edible Food, Engineering Gift Ideas to Give to Friends This Christmas, To The Young Engineers Who Want to Be Entrepreneurs, Engineering Topnotcher Spent Most of His Time Dating His GF and Playing PC GamesÂ, One Thing That Successful Engineers Do: They Go Out of Their Comfort Zones, Engineering Topnotcher Survived on a 15 Pesos Allowance Meal, Only the Young Badass Engineers Will Understand. For example, you might design a desalination plant for crop irrigation that also protects marine life. I’m not going to say that once all was said and done, a rainbow awaited me. What if you go into a discipline and don’t like it? I don't know if environmental is really as hot as everyone says. I had been trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, which was completely ridiculous! I could feel myself growing not only as a person, but I was also closing in on what I really wanted to do. Toward the end of my time at Olin, I felt that determining my next step in life was a problem I was just beginning to understand. If they failed to a basic bunch of questions in engineering, they might also fail in giving safety & engineering standards. first of all, it depends which country you are, if you are in Canada, you are not even allowed to call yourself an engineer if you are not licensed. I am also second guessing university in its entirety. Buy This – Air Purifier Necklace PM2.5 Negative Ions, Online Distance Learning is the Safest Solution During Covid-19, Buy Now – AA USB Rechargeable Batteries 1450mAh No Charger Needed, Buy Now – 4D Bass Double Speaker Wired Earphones with Mic, Buy Now – TP-Link Wi-Fi Range Extender Booster. Choosing to become an elementary teacher after majoring in engineering will require a significant amount of additional course work. Did I have all the skills required? Here are 13 jobs in engineering that don’t require a degree: Programmers. Required fields are marked *, I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy *. I enjoyed dealing with problems that spring up, but not dealing directly with clients or customers. Indeed, it is same with Chef who studied culinary and Chef who studied on their own. However, what happens if you spend your four (+) years at Olin only to realize that you may just well… not want to be an engineer? The education at the end of a four year degree is less than half what a competent engineer needs, the rest is learned on the job, hence the P.E. It covers processing and tracking orders, working with planning departments to check availability of products, forecasting to meet changes in the market, and dealing with contra… When I was a kid, I wonder if I want to be a doctor or to be an engineer. It’s ok if you don’t want to be an engineer. Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t limit my career choices. It’s never too late to switch gears, or work toward things you enjoy. I had no idea where he’d gone – and it didn’t feel good. My husband and I run our firm out of our home office. Engineers i know asking me about tolerances what is the min and max req. therefore, non-license engineers may also have better ideas than those with license. You don’t necessarily have to hold a Bachelor of Science in engineering to be employed by an engineering company and take part in many of the career benefits engineers enjoy. Progress! We need to stop thinking lowly if we are one of those non-registered engineers. My 15 Pesos Budget Meal Made Me an Engineering Topnotcher, To the Young Badass Engineers Who Aren't Afraid to Live Outside their Comfort Zones. Well, that’s exactly where I was in the spring of 2012. What if you don’t have a driver’s license, are you capable of driving in the National roads & highways? Unlicensed Engineers can still be called Engineer in their own right. When it comes to deciding where to study, you may select either an accredited or an unaccredited program, but it is usually in your best interests to opt for an accredited one. An engineering license allows one engineer to work having the credit of an engineer. While general education credits are likely to count toward the second degree, engineers-turned-future-educators will also need to complete courses in methods of teaching, child development, literacy and learning, knowledge acquisition, diversification of learnin… The most important thing I want to share is you don’t have to be an engineer forever. Your email address will not be published. I felt I had been presented with a fire hydrant of knowledge of all these new jobs and markets, and bit by bit, I was learning more about myself. All this had me wondering - what had I been doing for the last 4 years? What do they know about standards if they didn’t passed the exams? Today I work as a Lead Analyst for CrossInstall, a mobile gaming advertising start-up based in San Francisco. And remain stuck there. You don’t have to write code if you don’t want to. Either way, this is a kind of thinking lying at the back of our heads which breeds the discrimination. The difference in mindset was astounding! Graduates entering the engineering profession often don’t realise the full range of specializations available in the sector. in the U.S., non licensed are also called engineers but greater emphasis are given to a licensed which is often called a PE to differentiate. At the end of the day, many of us describe ourselves as engineers. You’ve learned how to think like an engineer, and how to solve problems like an engineer. So take those skills and go do something that makes you happy. For example, some aspects of computer engineering or software engineering deal more with logic. Marcus Posey is a 23-year-old software engineer from Decatur, Alabama. This path will require completion of an elementary or primary education degree program. It was an easy decision for you to make since there is no maturity to it yet, not knowing the impact of that decision in your life. I’m going to keep the identifying information to a minimum because I’ve got a lot of friends who browse this site. We are all engineers if we do engineering. I found out I liked small companies, but disliked a lack of direction. For a person who is not a technical expert to choose to hire “an engineer”, this is the only legally acceptable method to differentiate between someone who attended some school, verses someone who has the training and experience to do the job. How can I deliver such cheesy platitudes with confidence?