Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

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robbie

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I recently passed my EIT and plan on taking my PE in October 2005. I currently work for an Electrical Design/Build Contractor designing lighting/power systems for various projects. I do not work under a PE at this firm.

My question is this: Do I continue gaining "real world" experience by working with the Design/Build contractor? Or do I need to have some more accountablity and work directly under a PE at an engineering firm to gain more insight?

I'm really at a loss as to what to do...

Thanks in advance...
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

No easy answer.
Depends on the type of work you are doing with the D/B Contractor. I think it is important to experience the field from many angles.
Keep in mind, you will probably not be signing and sealing drawings right away, as usually the more experienced folks in the company should be taking that liability.
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

Robbie -

First, congratulations on passing the EIT. It's not an easy exam.

To be eligiable to sit for the PE exam usually requires work performed under the direction of a PE. At a minimum, you will need 3 to 5 PE's (depending on your state)to verify your work experience. This is the first concideration.

Secondly, decide what you want to do with your PE. Use that as a guide to determine the direction of your career experience. The greater the depth and the broader the range of experience will benefit you in the long run.

Finally, this industry is a continuous education. You will continue to learn new things daily, you will never know it all, and you should always be ready to listen to the experiences of others.

Good luck with your career.

Sam A. - PE
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

It varies by state, but I needed to 4 years of experience doing engineering. Someone has to sign for you're experience. In Illinois, one person could sign off on the entire 4 years.

I had two PE's verify my experience (I changed jobs midway through - make sure you leave a job on good terms). According to Illinois rules, you don't need a PE to sign, it could be another intern. However, I think you will have a hard time claiming you were doing engineering unless you work with a PE. If you don't need a PE to review and sign off on your work, how can you be doing engineering? (That's not my opinion, but I think the board who reviews you're application may have that mind set.)

Steve
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

I would not even suggest, let alone recommend, that you seek other employment, if the only reason is to prepare yourself for the PE exam. I have worked at engineering firms and at one D/B firm. The types of work that both perform have no direct bearing on the types of questions that show up on the exam. When I took the test, every question could have been adequately answered by a recent college graduate. The idea is that the Board wants you to gain experience, and to still be able to do the stuff you learned in college four years after you graduate. If you like your job, and like the people, and are satisfied with the compensation, then consider yourself lucky.

California requires four references, all of whom must be registered PEs in the discipline in which you are applying for a license. My understanding of the requirements is that the references do not need to have been your supervisors. Therefore, you do not need to quit your present job. But they do have to have had knowledge of your work experience. So you do need to get to know a number of PEs, and you need them to know you.

You might also try reading through the following web site: CA PE Rules
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

Robbie, check your local PEL's board and see what is required. In my home state you can take the exam while in school, then go obtain 4 years experience.
 
Re: Attn Engineers: Need Advice...

robbie,
you need experience working under other pe's. by working under them you do two things. first - experience. second - the pe over you will point out your miatakes, and he also has several years of experience under his belt. he should let you know why he went up in size on a busbar system. he has made errors also and he can help you not to make the same ones he did.

good luck in the future.
 
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