CE Student Seeks Advice...

I would highly recommend that attempt to get an internship or job next summer with a CE or construction firm. Also, many schools offer co-operative type programs - school two quarters and then work two quarters (substitute semesters for quarters if that is appropriate for Portland State). I did not go that route through college, but those that did swear by it.

Hi KRZYSZEK,

I am happy to tell you that you are not the only first year that have asked such questions. I just completed my degree in CE last May and up to third year students have came up to me and asked me these exact questions. First let me compliment you for signing unto this website, you wuld gain alot of background knowledge. Second, my advice: get some first hand experience but with a firm that would allow you to work on the field so that you get practical experience. This way you not exactly what things in CE are made of. Next, read as much as you can books, journals, past students projects, etc, this would open your mind. Don't worry too much about the Math and Science because when you get out there, all of this would fall into place. You would become an excellent CE based on your practical experience, excellent report writing and most of all knowledge of all that's around you.

Good luck, pay attention to Math because it will get tricky.

I am in a similar situation as you are. I have a coop in my field of Mech Eng. I won a contest in one of my classes because of my learning on the job. Start now, never wait till others say your ready. Real world experience gets people jobs. A degree just says that you learned it; real world shows if you know it or not. We have senior managers at my company that are working on assiociate degrees. They have 20-25 years of real life in the industry and so earn 80 grand for it. And one of them took a pay cut just to work closer to home.

Krzyszek,

To mirror the comments above, it's never too early to start, and CR4 is great for getting a general feel of what's going on, etc.

You are in a good place as a student - you shouldn't have too much trouble getting tours at sites, etc. Try www.constructionwire.com and search on Oregon - there are quite a few projects going on, some of them quite large. Try to visit a few sites - the networking alone could get you into an internship next summer. If nothing else, you'll likely get a feel for the real world - what challenges the engineers face with materials, workers, etc. You can't go wrong.

I think everyone would like to hear back from you sometime in the future to see how it went.

I would suggest, you consider that most CE's spend the majority of their time on marketting, project management and project accounting. The really skilled licensed engineers make substantially less than their less skilled licensed counterparts in management and marketting. Get the skills you need to get through the exams, Math above calculus is unnecessary for a EIT (and lower math skills required for PE). You will really need to have an understanding of construction materials and equipment in your field, and the associated costs of such. You may spend 40 to 120-hours on a design, and alot of that is choosing the most cost effective materials. You will spend at least that much time on contract and specifications preparation; meetings (lunches) with (potential) clients, consultants, lawyers and contractors;probably 2-hours a week for the life of the project (maybe 2-years) on standard budget (add time, maybe 8 hours a month for unusual budgetary occurences and end of month billing); 40-hours on preparation of the various needed proposals (and related contract language); proposal presentations; etc.. All of this is after you have a project lined up. The guys who make the real money, reduce the design time, and spend much of their time meeting with potential clients to line up new projects and allocating company labor resources to potential projects. So make sure you have a reasonable background in electives relating to project management, cost estimating, management, preparation of contracts, and marketting. In particular, the bigger the corporation the more valuable these non-engineering skills will be.

That is very interesting to know. I have heard that the sales and marketing divisions usually make more money than the actual nuts and bolts engineers, that is why I have chosen Communications as a minor, I am also planning on taking a semster abroad in Warsaw, Poland in the economics dept. at the Universytet w Warszawa. I hope this will give me a little bit of an edge. I know it will be fun. Thanks to everyone who reply, your insight has been very helpfull!!!

Regarding "nuts and bolts" engineers making less money then sales. I would disagree. From my perspective as an Environemantal and Civil Design engineer, owning a small engineering company. I am making in the low-mid six figures doing "nuts and bolts." Take care of your clients and you will have to turn away work or prey that God gives you a couple more Wednesday's and a couple more Friday's during the work week to be able to keep up with the client demand.

As I have told folks the money isn't in finance it is in Engineering. :)

Good Luck.

KRZYSZEK

I am a senior CE student in a co-op program at Northeastern U.. I m currently in my 3rd internship and looking to graduate this upcoming spring. The reason I chose a school that specializes in Cooperative education was to get a better idea of the different fields and career paths that are possible within the civil realm. I'd suggest you try and do the same. If you dont have the option to do internships through your school then definitely do them over the summer, and don't just stick with the same firm, try out different companies in different areas to see what peaks your interest. Whether they have you copying plans or counting the linear feet of sidewalk out in the field make sure you get the most out of the experience and use it to build up your resume.

If your looking for a starting place I just so happen to know of a firm out around your part of the country. I met this guy while I was volunteering down in Biloxi this past spring (Hands-On-USA...check it out), anyway, it turns out hes a civil engineer for a large firm based out of the Pacific NW that specializes in Wastwater/water distribution. They are very big on hiring interns from schools around that area. Check them out: http://www.kennedyjenks.com/.

Davin

Another option you might consider would be to check out a internship with the Oregon Department of Transportation. Most states have intern programs that can give you on the job expierence. They may also have opportunities to allow you to work with design, project management, contract administration, utilities, research and development, and even lab work.