To all Engineers on this forum

[AndrewNS]

Hey, up here in Canada the regular program takes 4 years if you skip co-op, 5 if you don't. Most people add at least one extra term for one reason or another as they go along, though. A much higher percentage of grads actually go on to register as P.Eng's than in the states, mainly because the licensing bodies are self-regulating and not government run.

The program is pretty intense. I did my undergrad degree (mech) in two tries, with a 3 year break between between halves. After graduation, I worked for a bit as an engineer, then did a couple of grad degrees and finally ended up teaching. I see lots of my students dropping out or switching to other programs as they go along, and that's fine. It's a great profession, but probably not for everyone. I'd only recommend you follow through and finish the degree if the thought of being sort of a self-directed problem solver appeals to you as a career.

One final thought: I don't think the school experience is really all that similar to what engineers actually do after graduation. So it's sorta hard to know if you would like being an engineer just by going to engineering school. Others may disagree with this observation, it's just my personal opinion, so take it for what it's worth.

[aaronb]

took me 7-1/2 years to get my BSME, but i took 3 years off to snowboard, ride bikes, work in bike shops, and smoke weed.  although i had fun and met my wife (who motivated me to stop make the beast with two backsing around) i don't recommend that path.

[desmopr]

Took me 3.5 years to finish my BSME as I also have a BBA and school accredited a couple of classes.  The most important thing is focus imo.  Job market right now is horrible, so I'd stick for a while in college if I were you.  Definitely do the EIT in your last semester, I did not and am suffering the consequences of work and study for it now.  Make sure that your college is ABET certified.  In today's competitive market it may me important, who knows.  AND, do some type of internship, co-op, or research.  It will be easier to get a job.  Good luck!!!

[He Man]

wow, i learned a lot from this thread. I honestly never looked into the future of my career, im just narrowed into finishing school right now. Never even heard of ABET or EIT, just the PE. I looked up and luckly my school is indeed ABET certified since 1936 and apparently it matters a lot in CE (but not so much in Bio-ME apprently). phew!

I assume the EIT is just a cumulative test on physics stuff (deformable bodies, hydraulics, thermo etc...?) Can you do the EIT after you graduate? (so you dont have to prepare for it during senior year, unless senior year is suppose to be easy? or is that wishful thinking? lol)

[DoubleEagle]

Just a question since I'm trying to see how realistic my graduation plan is...
How long did it take you guys to graduate?

If my grad plan looks good, then it would of taken me 5.5 years to graduate with a BE(Civil Engineering). and if that calculations are correct, I should have about 1.5 years to get a job or do nothing at all before I die (because the history channel and Nostradamus says we're all gonna perish in December 2012).  Everyone is saying i need another 4 years  !!!!

The Myan Calendar ( which has been more accurate than our own ) stops in I believe... Dec. 2012 and an Ancient Chinese text ( from thousands of years ago ) that has been more recently decifered has the ending date for the Earth.... 2012.

So cheer up . We'll all be gone in the next 3 years so let's enjoy the 3 we do have !   Dolph     

p.s .   It's the Hanta Virus that destroyed the Central American peoples ( Myans ) it will be the Hanta Virus that we fall prey to here in North America. I'd try to explain how we get there from here but ......suffice it to say it has to do with Rats.    Anyone remember what the Plague of the " Black Death " did to Europe ?!  This will  "Dwarf  " that.   Dolph

[Triple J]

I assume the EIT is just a cumulative test on physics stuff (deformable bodies, hydraulics, thermo etc...?) Can you do the EIT after you graduate? (so you dont have to prepare for it during senior year, unless senior year is suppose to be easy? or is that wishful thinking? lol)

Yep...cumulative test. I've heard now you can choose a discipline though (i.e. civil, mechanical, etc). When I took it it was just general.

You can take it whenever, but it is a national test (like the PE) and is only offered once in the fall and once in the spring. Do it while you're in school...it's easier, even if it means you have to study a bit more the month before. Also, it's graded on a national curve. Since more people take it in the spring it is usually easier to pass in the spring due to the curve.

[Buckethead]

p.s .   It's the Hunta Virus that destroyed the Central American peoples ( Myans ) it will be the Hunta Virus that we fall prey to here in North America. I'd try to explain how we get there from here but ......suffice it to say it has to do with Rats.    Anyone remember what the Plague of the " Black Death " did to Europe ?!  This will  "Dwarf  " that.   Dolph

Its spelled hantavirus, and its not that big of a threat. Its easily preventable, is not transmitted from person to person, and kills fewer people per year than auto-erotic asphyxiation.

[/threadjack]

[erkishhorde]

I've heard teachers saying that CA is going to require a master's degree to get your PE in civil. Dunno if that matters to you.

Why did all the columns not invite the beam to the party?

Because they thought he was a drag.   

[bigiain]

Its spelled hantavirus, and its not that big of a threat. Its easily preventable, is not transmitted from person to person, and kills fewer people per year than auto-erotic asphyxiation.

So you're saying the entire human race is going to die out from auto-erotic strangulation in 2012?   

Oh, and I know I'm a couple of pages late for the engineer gags, but I like this one:

There's two types of engineers. Mechanical engineers who build "weapons", and civil engineers who build "targets".

big

[trenner]

A mathematician and an engineer stand in the doorway of a room, wherein lies a gorgeous naked girl on a bed, two meters away.

The girl says to the gentlemen, 'Whoever reaches me first can do with me as they please, but you may only approach the bed in steps of half the remaining distance at a time.'

The engineer, with an expectant grin on his face, immediately steps one meter into the room, then a further half meter, then a quarter meter, and so on.

The mathematician, after watching the engineer's progress for a while, exclaims, 'You're crazy! What are you doing? You know very well that you can only reach the bed after an infinite number of steps!'

To which the engineer replies, 'Yes, but soon I shall be close enough for all practical purposes!'

[River]

So you're saying the entire human race is going to die out from auto-erotic strangulation in 2012?   

Oh, and I know I'm a couple of pages late for the engineer gags, but I like this one:

There's two types of engineers. Mechanical engineers who build "weapons", and civil engineers who build "targets".

big

HA!  My husband was a brilliant mechanical engineer with 6 patents to his name by the time he turned 36, with another still pending.   He graduated (in 4 years) from Central Michigan.  Even he wouldn't work for an aerospace company, though he was courted by many, because he didn't want to be responsible for someone's life if he messed up or if he made weapons of war.

So he worked for a card printer company and kicked ass there instead.

BTW, IZ, civil engineers are always needed.  In this economy you have to find something that's recession-proof, and if you're good at what you do and passionate about it, you'll do fine in that field.  Best of luck to you!

[bigiain]

HA!  My husband was a brilliant mechanical engineer with 6 patents to his name by the time he turned 36, with another still pending.   He graduated (in 4 years) from Central Michigan.  Even he wouldn't work for an aerospace company, though he was courted by many, because he didn't want to be responsible for someone's life if he messed up or if he made weapons of war.

My pesky little sister expended much teenaged angst about her "capitalist warmonger" father building sonar systems and flight simulators and submarine fire control systems, and using his share of the "profits of death" to house and feed and clothe her... (and send her to university...)

Me, I just _loved_ getting to "play" with things like F1-11 flight simulators!

big

[aaronb]

HA!  My husband was a brilliant mechanical engineer with 6 patents to his name by the time he turned 36, with another still pending.   He graduated (in 4 years) from Central Michigan.  Even he wouldn't work for an aerospace company, though he was courted by many, because he didn't want to be responsible for someone's life if he messed up or if he made weapons of war.

So he worked for a card printer company and kicked ass there instead.

ha, my company manufactures many parts for many things,,, and that is all i can say.  oh, and i am proud of it. 

[bigiain]

ha, my company manufactures many parts for many things,,, and that is all i can say.  oh, and i am proud of it. 

Heh, my dad loves telling people how the "Official Secrets Act" document he signed while working on the Barra Sonobouy project back in the 70's means he could go to jail for telling anyone things that we all saw in a documentary ten years ago or things that are on public display in a local museum.

big

[B.Rock]

I'm a CE with a PE. Took me 5 years to graduate but that program is fairly rigorous and I had three jobs. I like it OK. The downsides are that everything is politically motivated and the environmental laws (which are not all about the "environment") are incredibly time-consuming, boring, and often misguided, though well-intentioned.
It's also not recession-proof. Our projects are either development or tax-based. In a recession both take a hit.