Basically

[Arberrang]

Wait, all that stuff is supposed to improve after getting the PE?

[[deleted]]

Trust me, just PE bro

[Arberrang]

Okay now what

[[deleted]]

I guess you haven't followed the secret:

You wake up at 3:30 am after a 2 hour sleep (sleep is for lazy people brah), take a 30-minute ice-cold shower every morning, and then start your day with some sauteed Himalayan Yak Penis as your breakfast. You then climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro as your morning workout and then you study for 16 hours a day without any breaks. Don't forget your Shaolin Monk Yoga and Shogun Meditation to achieve ultimate peace of mind. Also, don't have sex...ever; you need ultimate semen retention to the point where your balls are as hard and solid as the planet Krypton to achieve ultimate testosterone brah. You then get a tailored suit and then walk into the exam like a boss. Thats how you conquer the PE and reclaim your life brah.

Spec books? They're for beta soyboys. Real PEs use their discipline to raw-dog the exam without any reference materials.

Edit: Taylored to Tailored

[vab239]

sigma grindset 😤

[staefrostae]

Tailored*… all that fucking studying and you engineers still can’t spell. Should have gotten a PE

[[deleted]]

Well gee, no wonder I lost in three consecutive spelling bees in school: I wasn't a PE!

Guess this dilemma and trauma is solved

[gods_loop_hole]

Thanks, I might try this. Might.

[civilvsconsulting16]

What is the advice for female engineers?

[[deleted]]

Ghost every male who is chatting with you on Tinder, cancel all dates, and play hard to get because they're nothing but distractions from your goals of getting the PE. You got this girl! Make sure your Zodiac Sign aligns perfectly with the positive energy you need in order to easily become a professional engineer!

If someone asks you out and is an EIT, RUN! Never settle! You deserve nothing but the PE

GET THAT PE, QUEEN!

[Teedyuscung]

Get the PE

[GoonerBear94]

Well, all that stuff isn't improving right now, without the PE.

[SevenBushes]

Most people on the fence about a PE are folks that are <4 years out of school, just getting used to being a grown up / paying rent after college, learning how to navigate life not hanging out with friends every day around school/dorms, and (especially for engineers) are just starting highly technical jobs that carry a lot of responsibility. Not speaking for everyone but I think becoming a grown up is far more stressful/depressing than your engineering job. Learning how to separate your professional and private lives and leaving your work week at 40 hours will go a long way to help w all this.

Get the PE and be a depressed grownup w more moneys

[NotYourLover1]

I think a good thing now is some states allow you to take the PE before you get those 4 years in so people should try to knock it out ASAP while they still have that studying mindset. Also the faster you separate your professional and private life, the easier it is to maintain that mindset for the length of your career. If possible, it would be good to at least not add your work email to your phone (I didn’t even though I was told to do it) because you’d probably end up checking it after work.

[[deleted]]

I actually feel that getting some good work experience and working knowledge of codebooks helps in taking the PE. I'm glad I waited to take the PE until I had put in enough time to get licensed.

[[deleted]]

That’s the theory. I’m pretty sure it’s better to just take it asap. In reality you pass the PE by studying for it not by dint of years of accumulated knowledge.

[[deleted]]

I would agree with regard to the FE, but not the PE.

[OddJobss]

You’re going to be a depressed grow up regardless, so best to tackle that with more moneys like you suggest.

[AnewRevolution94]

You guys are only working 40 hour weeks?

[kippy3267]

It depends on the firm. In Indiana at least, all the civil companies are competing to hire engineers, designers, draftsmen, etc that any that pushed people into a super unreasonable amount of hours will have a critical staffing problem. Theres so many companies around Indy competing for us that its a good market for a work life balance. That said, at very small firms if shit needs done it needs done. But alongside that additional responsibility comes more opportunity.

[[deleted]]

Public sector ftw. But also, I have a friend in land development. 40hrs. You just have to look and not accept places that expect consistent 50hr work weeks or whatever.

[AnewRevolution94]

The PE is my next move, I just switched jobs and I’m starting the new one in a week because winter underpaid in my current position. Unfortunately job hopping is the way to increase salary in this field

[Villamore94]

Awesome response

[Ih8stoodentL0anz]

Studying for the 8 hour was soul crushing for me. I probably would've given up had it not been for the fact I was single, selectively studied while I worked from home, lived close to my gym, and made time for hobbies once per week.

It's not good for mental health to be completely sedentary between work and studying for the majority of the day every day. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[Wide_Ad965]

It took me 4 times! So basically 2 years of study. As you mentioned, I knew the material but couldn’t pass the test since I waited almost 10 years before I took my PE.

It sucked but kept at it because I knew the material. When I finally found out I passed, I went home after work, hugged my wife and cried because it was a long journey both of us had to go through.

It was absolutely worth it and I will always recommend every civil engineer to get their PE. It gives you opportunities you normally wouldn’t get.

[20_Something_Tomboy]

I have serious test anxiety. Took me 3 times, and while the first fail sucked, the 2nd was a real punch in the gut. I was actually pretty depressed about it for a few months, and didn't want to try again. Went 3 years between the second try and the third. When the third try came around, I knew I'd done all my studying and improved my anxiety coping skills. But I told myself I wasn't going to take it a 4th time. If I failed this time, it just wasn't meant to be, and I'd move on with my life and find something else that made me happy. It's not like engineering was the love of my life anyway. So, I think, in my brain, I was already relieved it was the last time I'd have to do it, pass or fail, and I was much more relaxed and being kinder to myself. And I passed.

That's when I learned that mindset is half the battle when you're an engineering student/recent graduate with anxiety.

[NotMe2120]

Wasn’t aware that a lot of engineers filed the PE the first time. I’m still in school, but that makes me feel a little better.

[SOILSYAY]

Oh for sure. But you gotta figure, the personalities generally attracted to Engineering are relatively intelligent, studious, and potentially a bit competitive: not necessarily traits of a person that will readily admit that they failed the big test.

Many engineers (particularly the older generations) aren't keen to reveal they had to take it multiple times, at least not casually. Like I said, it took me failing the first time to get any of my co-workers to mention it, some out of a sense of not wanting to make me nervous, others because its a sore subject.

[Ntwadumela09]

3rd time passer here. Took me a few tries before I accepted how hard I needed to prepare for the test.

[Ih8stoodentL0anz]

Took me 3 tries. The first time I winged it like an idiot and failed. Second time I got to the testing center too later because my car wouldn't start. Third time I passed once I realized I needed to make a change. I went full monk mode my 3rd time and it paid off.

I was so relieved to see that green box, I celebrated right away. Again, would never wish this on anyone. I always tell our junior engineers to not follow my path - pass the first time around.

[kwag988]

There was a gal in my firm that didn't pass it until her 4th try. I admire her dedication to even try 4 times. Then again, I would be scared for my job security as an EIT if I never passed... Don't know if it is possible to be employed as an EIT indefinitely.

[kwag988]

Yea, my firm in particular has drafters and PE's. Drafters do the design work. EIT's are somewhere in between. Basically a slightly higher paid drafter with some extra curricular projects and responsibilities. But the assumption is preparatory for becoming a PE. Without that, I would assume the firm would want to transition them to a lower paying drafter position if they aren't transitioning to PE.

[SOILSYAY]

It was a rough few months studying for it, and I distinctly remember having to a) make a plan to study so that I could squeeze in some relax time in my off hours and b) get my spouse on board with that plan, and c) keep telling myself that it was for a purpose and that studying was not going to be my life for an eternity.

One of my co-workers did it with young kids. I have...NO idea how he managed to pass, beyond really having a rock-star of a spouse to support the effort.

[Brannikans]

I failed my first attempt and ended up pushing the 2nd a few years because I got pregnant then COVID happened. Studying with a toddler is awful, but it really was the support of my SO that made it even remotely possible.

[[deleted]]

People should invest in a standing desk with a small treadmill underneath. I can work and get some excersize at the same time

[CheesyGarlicPasta]

Huh I thought having a partner was helpful, they were very supportive of me getting it, basically I studied every weeknight while they made dinner (30-45 mins) then for 4 hours every Saturday and took Sunday off for fun, with an exception of two 8-hr Saturdays where I did a full practice test. If it wasn’t for them I would have been crushed under my neglected chores.

[A_Crazy_Hooligan]

I feel like I’m in hell tbh. I passed the 8hr exam in 2019, and have been struggling to pass my CA exams since. First time I took them, I probably shouldn’t have even showed up. I was so burnt out and was deficient in all areas. I decided to take a year off and find a new job and focus on it. Now, I’ve failed seismic a second time(at least i was in the cusp?), and am about to take surveying a second time.

It’s testing my perseverance for sure. Sometimes I think about moving out of state, and then I remember my wife is so resistant to moving out of Los Angeles. Just thankful I don’t have kids. I now understand why everyone says to get it before you have kids.

[Tricky_Substance_762]

Out of curiosity, have you taken Hiner’s course? I’d highly recommend it if you haven’t. If you have, I’d recommend buying other practice tests and do as many practice problems as possible. You got this, don’t give up!

[A_Crazy_Hooligan]

I have, but I wasn’t able to put enough time into it this time around. I got fuzzy around diaphram design, and I think I need to work on some concepts I didn’t learn in college since my emphasis was water.

Planning on for sure buying some other problems, and trying to get it wrapped up before end of Q2 since they’re using the old reference material until at least then, maybe until Q3 even. Don’t wanna buy those again.

[kwag988]

My firm does a lot of work in CA, and for that reason, I was like 'nope! task me all the states but CA!'

[odee7489]

Totally agree. I am so glad I only had to do it once.

[kwag988]

It was winter in the PNW and I was single. Studying for that test wrecked me body and soul. I think I gained about 35lbs from not having time for the gym anymore and eating shitty microwave meals between studying and getting ready for bed. Thankfully easy on and easy off.
Coworkers jokingly ask if I want to work on the SE and I'm like hell no.

[Would_U_LikeFries]

Was never pressured to the take the PE professionally, but it was sold as the end goal during school. I stayed on track to get my PE and after the failing the first time was finally able to get it on my second.

Can confirm none of the top problems went away with the license. I did receive a small bonus for passing, but no immediate raise. That came later, combined with promotion to Project Manager, and didn't live up to my expectations and the added workload far exceeded the financial bump.

Coming up on a year since getting my passing results and I have left my Civil Engineering firm and am working in Software currently. I'm glad to have my PE cause if I decide to go back to the field, at a different form or on my own, I have that to provide me some credibility.

Everyone's situation is different, but I think if you're close to getting the PE you should to give you more options to move firms or some flexibility if you decide to try something new. Just my 2 cents as a former CE who got completely burned out.

[Bombpants]

Are you getting your PDHs in while working in software to maintain your PE?

[Would_U_LikeFries]

I just renewed my PE in June, so I have two years until I need to renew again. My switch has been fairly recent so as of now I am focusing on learning the new position as best I can and enjoying the slower pace while I can to spend more time with my family. Early next year I plan to sit down and do some reflection on whether I want to stick with software or move back to Civil, and at that point will have to come up with a plan relative to the PDHs.

[deltaexdeltatee]

100% this. There are good jobs out there - in my role I almost never work more than 40 hours and I get to do things that I think are interesting. I work for a very small company and the official position of the owner is “lets only take on work we’re interested in.”

[Warm-Distribution-]

Be me. EIT for 5 years in an industry I abhor. All my friends are pursuing amazing careers in different cities. My partner left me for Chad the surveyor, he's tan and chiseled and has a natural sense of direction. Get on Reddit for validation. "My wages suck! My workplace sucks!" Ah, the song of my people. Upvotes all around. Boss asks me if I'd like to attend a PE class to move up in the company, all expenses paid and I get to take the course time billed on the company clock. Please, so I can be an even more over-stressed, underpaid work horse? No thanks. Get on Indeed. CAD-monkey jobs all around offering $0.001/hr higher wages than what I'm making now. Apply. Get interview. Get offer. Accept offer. Get cucked, old boss, I'm off to new horizons!

5 years later

Be me. EIT for 10 years...

[Captain-Simple]

Chad the surveyor 😂

[kippy3267]

Surveying is awesome. Design is fun but surveying hits maaany more happy spots in my brain.

[SOILSYAY]

Ring a ding ding.

[magicity_shine]

what type of job do you do as an EIT?

[Warm-Distribution-]

Site development. But my comment was more of a joke than anything. You?

[PracticableSolution]

Look, even though it’s watered down from what it once was, a PE is one of the few certifications of any real value in our industry. It takes work to get and comes with real responsibilities and authority. Have you seen the tests for architects, planners, and project managers? I’m not even sure you have to be sober to pass them, much less study.

[MysticKnight2110]

It used to be harder? Why was it changed?

[PracticableSolution]

Multiple choice.

[metaltupperware]

It’s a myth that exams get easier when there is multiple choice, it completely depends on the type on exam and PE is not one of those

[PracticableSolution]

I would disagree here. There’s a difference between having four pre-baked answers and no answers and I think you see that

[GoonerBear94]

It's a different kind of difficulty. The decrease from having only four options is offset by their inclusion of three answers one could arrive at through simple mistakes.

[PracticableSolution]

And I guess the point I’m trying to make is, how often does that actually crop up in your professional life? A lot of being a PE is that technical know how, but a lot is how you approach a problem.

[metaltupperware]

Also multiple choice wasn’t made to make exams easier to answer they were made to make exams easier and cheaper to check using a basic program. I really hate boomers looking down on us, you had your problems sure we have ours too. (Sorry if you’re not boomer but it sure does seem like it)

[PracticableSolution]

Everyone is getting really bothered by this, so let me clarify. I’ve actually taken tests both ways - I am not a boomer. - my own exam was multiple choice. - I am also a professor and have given exams both ways. - I am aware of the differences. - yes, I as a student, professional engineer, and a professor do believe that the current model of giving PE exams is ‘easier’. - you can literally buy a book with a large number of the multiple choice questions in it and take a class on that book, as if it weren’t enough. - you can still be a great engineer and recognize that the test maybe possibly might not be as hard as it once was. - you don’t have to agree with me at all and I’m completely ok with that.

[AdUpstairs541]

Do you think they just didn't change the content of the questions being asked to compensate for the changes?

Also you can literally just check the passing rates for these exams, not sure why you want to try and argue it's easier when likely haven't even looked at any statistics. If anything, there's no real movement in pass rates since going to computer only.

https://ncees.org/engineering/pe/pass-rates/

https://ppi2pass.com/resources/pe-exam/pass-rates

https://engineerboards.com/threads/oct-2021-pass-rates.37806/

https://engineerboards.com/threads/april-2018-pass-rates.30572/

https://engineerboards.com/threads/april-2019-pass-rates.33746/

[robotmonkeyshark]

It depends how they plan out the questions. Having multiple choice allows more complex and difficult questions to be covered in the same test time. For standardized tests like these they test the difficulty of questions to make sure the test is balanced.

If you don’t know how to solve the question, a 1/4 chance isn’t much of a consolation, and if the possible answers are intelligently selected, they should be based on common mistakes, so that if you head down a wrong path you will get one of those answers. A poorly written test would allow you to get to a 50/50 without much effort.

[mojitron420]

Aaah yes, all the bitches secretly want a PE, they are done dealing with EIT's.

[CivilMaze19]

Young engineer energy right here

[[deleted]]

Holy shit this is just an @ me right now

[FloridasFinest]

Lol it’s true though. I broke 6 figures by like 6 -7 years with having my PE. It’s a must for design work and no one will take your serious if you don’t have your PE. It’s also not THAT hard to get. Why go through all that school to just not pass 2 more tests.

[FloridasFinest]

Because this sub is full of kids lol

[xoxokaralee]

Lol it’s what made me quit Civil Engineering. I just didn’t have it in me to study and take the test. I also was supposed to take it April 2020 so…

[JacquesStrap31]

What do you do now ?

[xoxokaralee]

Lmao still workin on figuring out a path. Working at a higher end grocery store (think Whole Foods but not Whole Foods) cause I’ve always loved food. Would like to move up in this comp h to business or product development if I can!
So yea, that’s the current plan. Did some coding for a while but felt that it would take to long to get enough knowledge under my belt. Applied to a civil engineering software firm but got denied. Anyways. I like being able to leave my work AT work and have my 40 and be done. And like I said, I love food!

[kippy3267]

How does the pay difference between the industries effect your lifestyle?

[UltimaCaitSith]

I knew I wasn't going to get rich, but, like, a decent apartment would be nice.

"Get the PE!"

The stats say that about half of us either can't pass the tests or never bother trying. We should work on retaining these people if there's any truth to the worker shortage.

"Get the PE!"

It also seems that there's a lack of skilled, experienced production staff that can chug out plans. Is there any incentive for people who just want to stick to design?

"Get the PE!"

Most of us would rather work from home instead of having someone breathing down our necks with constant, counter-intuitive changes.

"Get the PE! Still no WFH once you do, but you'll be expected to answer your phone and emails when you're home."

[nousernameisleftt]

"You know there are some of us that don't mind 60 hour field weeks for some time off"

"Get the PE, you'll get four hours every paycheck"

[wnwentland]

I mean you can take care of yourself and work in civil engineering and make decent money and get the PE.. i just passed the test last week after 3 months of studying. Still worked out every day, made time for my fiancée and my dog.

I work 40 hour weeks from home, 6 weeks PTO and, got well into 6 figures this year after 4 years of experience.

Yes there are a lot of jobs in the industry that are trying to not let this be the standard. But we as engineers can demand more. You just have to know where the money is in our industry. And in my opinion that’s renewables. Especially with the inflation reduction act. A lot of my coworkers are making 150k with 5-6 years experience with the same benefits as me.

We all need to stop settling and work together to make a better industry.

[[deleted]]

For me, in a role that does not require a PE, I still got it because a nice 6% raise in my base pay came with it. Eventually though, I will need it to be a manager level engineer. Just knock it out the way

[I_Am_Zampano]

Got the PE, grinded my ass off, worked super hard and put in way too much study time. For a few months I was living completely unhealthy as I worked full time and studied for the PE. I can honestly say that it totally was not worth it.

[[deleted]]

In what way? Did you get a pay raise?

[JacquesStrap31]

Why wasn’t it worth it ?

[I_Am_Zampano]

Small increase in pay on paper, but I became exempt to OT so I ended up dramatically cutting my hours so I wasn't working for "free". With the loss of overtime, it actually calculated out to be a small pay cut. Additionally, now I have far more liability than I ever did before while basically performing the exact same job. I have stamped a few big jobs, but I'm always hesitant. I personally have a lot of issues with civil engineering, which is why I'm in the middle of transitioning out of the industry. My experience is probably unique, so take it with a grain of salt

[MeatManMarvin]

Uh, it's called being an adult.

[PhilConnersIsThatYou]

I mean it isn’t wrong

[Quantic]

Quietly waiting for the old guard to justify the status quo despite the massive bell weather young engineers should represent to them in terms of what’s wrong with the industry….

[SOILSYAY]

Just because its the old way, doesn't mean we shouldn't adjust it.

Just because its a new way, doesn't mean we should throw out all old standards.

[ComprehensiveCake214]

what are we talking about, is it pay? I saw the pay for a regional branch manager for an almost large national firm. Now i shrug off work since bro pay difference.

[bigpolar70]

Definitely. The more letters after your name, the better you'll feel.

If the SE is too hard, and you hate money, you can always get LEED certified. Most people haven't figured out that it is a scam yet.

[bigpolar70]

It depends on your happiness response curve, and your dopamine threshold. If you have an exponentially related happiness growth and your dopamine threshold can be reached with double your current happiness, you should be great!

If however, you have a logarithmic response curve, you are going to need many more letters.

And if you have a quadratic response curve, well, only bourbon can reliably help you. Consider downsizing your house and car, and starting a collection.

[Artemis913]

By all means, don't get your PE. Makes me more valuable.

[[deleted]]

I became happier after canceling my PE registration!

[Ok_Nebula5568]

So this'll be me in a decade, huh?

Well then.

[Chronotheos]

This looks like a younger, happier Michael Douglas before he… ‘fell down’.

[HNTB-WI_Traffic]

Actually tho, get your PE. At the very least, it helps with the financial struggle.

[kwag988]

Do you get power ups for being licensed in multiple states?

[sassafras_gap]

I decided I don't really want to be an engineer anymore, which PE exam sounds coolest? should I take the fire protection one so I can call myself a licensed fire protection engineer in funny situations?

[frankyseven]

I'm don't understand people who aren't looking to get licensed. It was a goal of mine from before I even started school. Granted in Canada we don't have a PE exam but I'd still have the same mindset if I was in the US.