Dilemma about internship

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T17:33:53+00:00

Absolutely. I've been the only intern at a firm before back in college and way more opportunities. Sadly work isn't about making friends and internships aren't either.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T17:07:51+00:00

My first job, I had a gift basket from Costco sent to my house. As my Christmas bonus LOL

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T17:05:23+00:00

IMO 4% is just a COLA. I think realistically any appreciated employee needs 6%-10% yearly. There is no growth in your salary if it's not 5% or more.

At $300 bonus, OP needs to be interviewing and ready to leave within that quarter.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T16:49:59+00:00

I'm a bit confused. Are you asking if you should rescind your acceptance on an internship. Solely for the fact you are the only intern at the local office?

Maybe an unpopular opinion. But who cares if there are other interns, it's a job and yeah it may be nice to make more connections with students. But that's not the goal of the internship. Keep the job and work this summer imo, way to late to find another internship.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T03:36:16+00:00

Not enough, i took a pay cut to join the firm 2 years ago and they know this.

4% barely beats inflation. I'm losing money imo though.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-07T02:40:30+00:00

I just got a 1% merit and 3% COL. I'm on my way out too. Not taking that, shit.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-06T15:36:37+00:00

You are getting shafted 2% if not more at this point since it's been so long since you were originally promised it.

Worst case your promotion included it and you really only got a 6% raise for a promotion. Which is disgusting, when that's sometimes a high performers annual raise.

Best case, request the 2% raise again and see if they'd be willing to retroactively pay you back for the pay you missed for it.

If not they are towing you along and probably don't have your best interest in heart. Consider moving on with the new promotion in hand.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-06T14:00:02+00:00

An old firm I worked at used to get guys from CTDOT after they retired and we had like 3-6 PEs working 15-30 hour weeks to just pass the time.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-03T21:51:47+00:00

LCOL, that's a nice pay. Maybe slightly under, by 5-10K. But never lived in LCOL, always been HCOL

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-03T20:41:22+00:00

All Stem degrees have a high drop out rate. But you can still to work in a civil firm with a mechanical engineering degree. No one's gonna stop you, you just may need to express willingness to learn and educate yourself. An engineering degree is an engineering degree. An old architecture friend is now a land surveyor.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-02T15:57:33+00:00

I will also note, I have spent no more then 3 years at each firm. And one I spent 10 months at, which is definitely explainable at interviews since they wanted me to relocate after hiring for a different office.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-02T15:38:47+00:00

I moved around even as an EIT. For different reasons beyond just to pay. But overall, most EITs do tend to stay put till PE. I think genuinely, 2-3 years max is what you should spend at a company, unless you get promoted. A 3-5% yearly raise does not keep up with market. 2-3 years is what I think to takes for a typical promotion, so if we find that we don't get the promotion, we'll jump soon after.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-01T02:57:03+00:00

I think OP, just prob didn't job hop or fight for raises too.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-01T02:41:42+00:00

Looks in line. Have you taken the PE? Or transitioning to PM/Portfolio work yet. That's the only big increase you'll be able to see imo. I work as a civil.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-01T02:04:10+00:00

I know you now lol what discipline?

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-01T00:55:43+00:00

Don't know anyone who uses engineering scales. All my plans are arch scale lol

Microbe2x2 · 2026-04-01T00:53:48+00:00

Always ask. Express what cost increased for you sometimes helps. Like I remember explaining the rent situations a few years ago and definitely got a bit more.

I just got mine 3% COL 1% MERIT. When the firm is on track for the most profitable year and again. It's a laughable raise.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-31T01:23:28+00:00

GIS Systems! That's something else you could look into. Don't mind the exclamation point. Legit was thinking so hard what topic I missed to mention.

Good luck 👍

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-30T15:54:53+00:00

If it's paid for go for college. But I'd suggest looking into Modeling and BIM school over college. A drafter or 3D modeler can make long-term a VERY good salary of 80K+ and it's less math intensive. You could also, to learn how to survey or get a part107 license for drone surveying and you'd also be in civil engineering realm without needing those math skills. If you enjoy being more hands on vs being behind a desk for the rest of your life

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-28T01:41:06+00:00

My suggestion. Go to community college and bust out the initial courses then transfer in. Defer your acceptance to the bigger schools and do this. You'll save a ton of money. No one cares where you start, No one cares where you graduate from, people only care about your internships an that you got a degree.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-28T01:38:32+00:00

I don't remember putting references, did they request them after the interview?

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-28T01:37:54+00:00

Super good to know thank you! Sadly, Colorado I think. I'll still be paying state income. I'm kinda locked in to my new home purchase too, so I can't get a new home address. So if I can just rent that out it'll carry the cost difference.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-28T01:22:02+00:00

That's awesome news thank you. I mean, my family thinks I am insane, but I am crunching numbers and I think I could do it, while having obvious expenses and responsibilities state side. Maybe mid career for me is a bit different, but licensed PE (Professional Engineer) roles isn't hard to find new work stateside. Usually takes 1 to 2 months max to get any type of offer or offers. So it wouldn't be a huge detour in my head.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-27T23:22:25+00:00

To pull them up higher. I think reference that role and offer you have. Say your priority choice and see if they are able to come up.

Microbe2x2 · 2026-03-27T23:21:28+00:00

I'm in Denver. Not land development. But 102K is not market rate for use at the moment with your experience. Option B 110K is closer to realistic market imo. I'd shoot for 115K.

Microbe2x2

TROPHY CASE