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Anonymous Poster

The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/03/2009 7:38 PM

I am greatly considering the occupation of a SE, but I am also considering what the lifestyle is like.

Is there enough time for family and vacation.

Will the pay of a 5 year+ experienced engineer provide a comfortable living?

What is the day in the life of a Structural engineer like? // how many hours working?

Thanks for the help.

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Power-User

Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 126
Good Answers: 15
#1

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/04/2009 11:48 PM

Hello Guest ,

Wish you had a name, Pal !

Q1 : Well those SE's that work for me, seem get more time off than I do & seem to enjoy their lives just fine, have lots of children and wives and some a few girl friends too, and more children too so, I guess you will find the time, to enjoy your life, no matter which station you choose.

Q2: On your own, you should quite easily be able to squeeze $100 bucks + an hour in the Southeast States , out of the world in a open market situation , less perhaps in a long term contract labor situ were your needed daily, on big projects. Some get much more money than that and work 6 to 12 hrs daily, sometimes often 4 to 6 days a week .

Q3 : Tough one but, one can guess that a less stressful life, is probable than we "Dress Makers" for Structural Engineers frames, might enjoy, as we have to dream the dream & sell it to the client, plus make enough money, to pay you fellows too . Where as you guys just keep the world from waking up dead, in a bad dream - pile of steel & concrete . Its Simple, No ? Well , maybe not that simple.

I would also suggest you look into the study of natural materials , as your building blocks, as that this is the 1 area you will be in a superior position, to consult upon and as that the other students around you, may pass by alternative construction methods, as a lost art or think of them, as that only sought by Non paying Hippies - but, I can tell you as Nader Khalili once put it : " The earth turns to gold - in the hands of the wise man ".

Best Regards,

Joe Woodall, Architect

Georgia Adobe Rammed Earth & Renewable Energy

http://www.georgiaadobe.com

706-363-6453

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Power-User

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Manchester NH
Posts: 119
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 8:49 AM

So are we to make the presumption that monogomy does not go over well in your office?

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Guru

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: "Dancing over the abyss."
Posts: 4765
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#5
In reply to #2

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 12:51 PM

The "girlfriends" part sounds good, tell me more, We haven't been able to get that done on mere metallurgist wages...

Not sure I'd like the "wives" option. One seems about all i can manage.

regardless of pay.

milo

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People say between two opposed opinions the truth lies in the middle. Not at all! Between them lies the problem, what is unseeable,eternally active life, contemplated in repose. Goethe
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Associate

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Somewhere in Texas
Posts: 29
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#3

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 10:25 AM

The life of an engineer, or any other profession for that matter, is what you want to make of it.

The initial aprenticeship period while you prove your initial worth is the most intense. Yes, you must prove yourself to others because that is your prime product.

A 5 yr engineer in a single company job, is just at the point of making his stride. Learning the ropes and hopefully making use of them as leads and not nooses. Companies differ as do individuals. Some start interns as part time to minimize exposure, some load the newbies to a crash point.

Know your requirements and desires ahead of time. But know what the market is. Many come into the workplace with grandeose expectations of initial 6figure salaries and 30 hour work weeks. Work toward your expectations. Be calm, honest, and enjoy the work you do.

All together now ohmmmmmmmm. (ee)

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Associate

Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Space Coast - Florida
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#4
In reply to #3

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 12:30 PM

Office work, partitioned cubicle, glued to puter and cad machine. high blood pressure and gout. Get outside in the fresh air and make more money by being an Inspector RPR.

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Some drink at the fountain of Knowledge - others just gargle.
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Guru

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: "Dancing over the abyss."
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#6

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 12:54 PM

As an interviewing manager, I can tell you that this line of questioning, while genuine, indicates that the focus is not on the work but the "remuneration"

I would be hiring someone with passion for the work, not obsessing over the lifestyle compensation and comfortable living issues.

just a point of info from the bosses side.

milo

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People say between two opposed opinions the truth lies in the middle. Not at all! Between them lies the problem, what is unseeable,eternally active life, contemplated in repose. Goethe
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Power-User

Join Date: Apr 2007
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 1:14 PM

Good Answer from me Milo, and I suspect that's why he/she's a guest & not as a job candidate.

For my contractors, I suspect that Monogomy, girlfriends & wives are subject to the requirements of service . Unless one is speaking, to ones own GF. or Wife.

HA ! , Bloody Good to se your voice Milo,

Joe

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Guru

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: "Dancing over the abyss."
Posts: 4765
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#8
In reply to #7

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 1:21 PM

Hi Georgia Adobe. I thought you wouldn't mind a little ribbing over the girlfriends and wives opportunities.

My wife is way more jealous of my computer than other women...

I appreciate your feedback on the serious side of the issue. Thanks for connecting.

milo

__________________
People say between two opposed opinions the truth lies in the middle. Not at all! Between them lies the problem, what is unseeable,eternally active life, contemplated in repose. Goethe
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Power-User

Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 126
Good Answers: 15
#9
In reply to #8

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/05/2009 3:27 PM

Here Here Milo ,

And A Toast To Wives And Girlfriends, May They Never Meet !

Joe

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Anonymous Poster
#10
In reply to #9

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

09/07/2009 7:34 AM

Presumably they are aware of the others' existence (even if they don't let on). So I guess you worried that they would gang up on you?

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Anonymous Poster
#11

Re: The Life of a Structural Engineer (SE)

03/03/2010 12:59 AM

guys...can anyone give very good ,funny quote for structural engineering .kindly send it to me on sumit_fm77@yahoo.co.in

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