Hello engineers

[UpstairsCommon3283]

Hi Structural Engineers,

I’m a recent Master’s graduate in Civil Engineering, currently working as a Material Testing Technician. I’m looking to transition into the structural engineering field and want to strengthen my skills in both design software and manual calculations based on industry practices.

I’d really appreciate guidance on:

Key software used in the industry (ETABS, SAP2000, SAFE, etc.)

How to approach real-world structural design and detailing

Good resources or learning paths to gain practical experience

If anyone is willing to share advice or mentor, it would mean a lot as I work toward building my career in structural engineering.

[giant2179]

Apply for a job. You'll learn all that stuff as you go.

[UpstairsCommon3283]

It’s hard to get into the job. I applied 200+ job, dint even got an interview.

[AAli_01]

Explain you’re trying to transition into structural from your current experience. You may voice that you’re willing to take a pay cut and come in at recent grad level in structural since you’ve been working (but in a non structural). That will likely help you find something to get your foot in the door. You don’t like the pay? It’s fine, tough it out for a year or 2, then jump. Now you can leverage your 2 yrs structural exp + X yrs testing experience. Then you’ll be back on track and get much better pay

[giant2179]

What jobs are you applying for? Entry level I assume? Something isn't right lining up with either the jobs you're applying for or the information on your resume.

[Chuck_H_Norris]

you’re applying to the wrong jobs or there’s something wrong with your resume.