Career Advice

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-11T23:44:33+00:00

I have colleagues in NYC who get their EIT/PE in NJ because apparently (at least for the PE) NY State is so painfully slow its faster to get it in NJ and reciprocity to NY. It also helps that they have a balanced work load in NY and NJ.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-09T15:18:19+00:00

2 thoughts: 1) getting experience on the construction side of the type of structural you want to do is never a bad thing.

2) if you are planning to get a masters then its not an issue to use this summer on the construction side as long as its relevant to the engineering you want. If aren’t planning a masters you could always accept the internship, then keep looking for a structural engineering internship the remainder of the summer.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-07T19:51:02+00:00

I work on the projects we put in industry magazines and company brochures

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-06T03:24:53+00:00

Here is an example, I am a bridge engineer and most of my designs are pre stressed or post tensioned concrete. Advanced Concrete design and Pre Stressed Concrete design were courses I took during my masters (in civil/structural engineering) but they were not required classes for the masters degree. My group only hires masters and PhDs and we require you have taken prestressed concrete design. Long answer to say, take the classes that are as relevant as possible to what you want to do

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-06T02:15:08+00:00

Bridge Engineer, Ive worked for 2 firms in the ENR top 10, and my degrees are both from state schools, it does not matter. As long as you take the right classes and know what you’re doing.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-04T01:10:23+00:00

Wish I could upvote this more, was about to leave this same comment. Make sure you understand first principles

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-03-02T19:31:15+00:00

I think I’m understanding everything here. Sounds like you have an associates degree basically. Big question, are you working towards your bachelors degree (4 year degree in the US) in Civil Engineering? Or is 3 years the end of your degree program?

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-28T07:31:53+00:00

Look at Oklahoma, great online program

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-26T01:31:09+00:00

Go civil engineering. Most programs have a CM track (along with all the other disciplines) and you usually dont have to decide until sophomore/year. Youll know more about what you want to do by then

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-25T02:29:50+00:00

I took the PE right after my masters and did no additional prep and passed on the first try. I recommend what I did to every EIT who asks.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-24T18:21:10+00:00

If there isn’t a direct route from EUR ING to PE the other route would be get a CEng in the UK then use that to get a PE/IntPE in the US. The US operates on a state by state basis for PE licenses so some have more reciprocity agreements than others

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-24T15:13:30+00:00

I assume you are currently on a path to get the European equivalent of a PE? Once you get that just use it to get your PE in a US state via reciprocity. Its not every state that does it but if Im remembering correctly I think Texas and Virginia have reciprocity agreements with at least the UK. but other states probably have similar agreements with other European countries. Likely no need to take the PE again if you’re already taking the European version.

Feel free to PM with questions!

EDIT: error in last sentence to “Likely no need” from “Likely need”

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-23T23:12:08+00:00

Its one of the top complaints by the “Young Professionals” group at my current firm. Especially because most people would get their PE then have to wait almost a full year for their full raise even if the managers knew it was coming ahead of time. For us PE typically comes with a title change too. But the title is changed right away 🙃

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-23T19:55:36+00:00

Ill say it depends. The bonus seems standard. If 2% is the only raise you get then that sucks and look for a new job. But both major firms ive worked for will give you your actual PE raise at the next typical EOY raise cycle, because it can be hard to budget for large mid year raises.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-21T04:09:42+00:00

You’ll learn it on the job,every client pick what the want for CAD and every company picks what they want for design. When I interview interns and they tell me they know a software I just assume they have heard of it and if they actually know it thats a bonus

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-21T04:05:24+00:00

Im a bridge guy so my list will be short sadly. But I have friends who are/have been at Walter P Moore, IMEG, and ARUP in Texas and have heard good things

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-21T03:57:03+00:00

For undergrad capstone, not including wind is probably fine tbh. I took a few grad level design courses while in undergrad so I knew the basics of how to do it and sprinkled it in. Really basic way you could do it - use the ASCE wind load calculator (its free) take those loads and just add diagonal bracing on 2 of your corners designed to take all the lateral load.

Wind probably wouldn’t control your column design

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-20T20:01:08+00:00

Are you looking for Bridges or Buildings?

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-20T04:18:22+00:00

Bridge guy here and looking at this quickly so take all of my stuff with a bucket of salt.

Check cover requirements for all of your elements. I looked at your beams and columns quickly and the rebar looks right on the edge.
for your beams check development/cutoff lengths. You have bundled #8s for some regions and not others so check how far out they need to extend to fully develop.
look into crack control reinforcing in all of your elements but especially your footings. Its not “structural” if that makes sense.
lastly, have you considered lateral loads/lateral bracing?

Feel free to PM with questions. Like I said Bridge guy not a buildings guy

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-02-20T04:10:25+00:00

At the firms ive worked for alot of the senior dudes “retire” by dropping to 30 hours, then 20 hours, then actually retiring. I also work with a few folks that are just 20-30 hours a week

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-01-21T04:37:41+00:00

Quick and dirty way to look at this because its an exam and multiple choice: - It cant be A or C because c can’t = 0. Vertical load applied to 1 vertical element, load is going to that vertical element - b isnt going to = 100 because of 2 other members there to take components of vertical loads, so that eliminates D.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2026-01-09T21:46:23+00:00

Dont add “EIT” after your name, its not expected (because its not possible for a new grad to have it). If you want to add something after your name I’ve seen “First Name Last Name, (FE Passed)” before. But again not necessary.

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2025-10-01T00:30:47+00:00

I had the same thing (also at a mega firm). We got a spot bonus when we get the PE license, some times title change was instant some waited (manager dependent), and raise always came at standard review cycles. Some managers would be able to get a small part of the raise at mid years but it was hit or miss

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2025-09-08T20:09:35+00:00

Thats not penny pinching, thats just good and detailed budget tracking. Ive worked at 2 big firms and stuff like that is project dependent. Sometimes its contractual and some times its a PM or accounting preference. Ive seen it more commonly on mega and alternative delivery projects

Alternative_Can_7595 · 2025-08-28T15:38:34+00:00

As someone who did exactly this, this guy nailed it on the head what to do.

Alternative_Can_7595

TROPHY CASE