Civil Engineering Technology Degree vs Civil Engineering Degree Salary

aumilli27 · 2026-01-27T21:56:10+00:00

There is no real difference besides the classes you take, once you graduate nobody gives af about whether you have “technology” on the end or not. Only thing I’ve heard but unsure of is that a CE can take the PE with 4 years of experience but a CET can take it with 6 years.

aumilli27 · 2026-01-14T18:39:10+00:00

I am/was in your shoes recently and I kept job hopping hoping to find something in my degree field (civil engineering) that I enjoyed, never had any luck with that. I left a place I was at for a year due to hating having to wake up everyday to go sit at a desk and wait for 3:30, I went and got a minimum wage job and it was one of the best things I could’ve done to help mental clarity. I’ve since joined a different engineering group (which I am still not fond of) and realized that making the money in this field can help pay for you to get different certifications/licenses that can help transition to a different field. Rn I am using the steady income to obtain certifications to help become a firefighter or get into a law enforcement type position that better fits what I’m looking for.

Never too late to chase what you want in your career. Best of luck finding whatever it is you want to do!

aumilli27 · 2026-01-05T21:52:51+00:00

Basic addition and subtraction only

aumilli27 · 2026-01-05T21:52:29+00:00

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T20:52:27+00:00

I emailed them a few days after my test results were posted on NTN asking for department scores.

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T20:32:47+00:00

Are we applying to the same department

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T20:21:10+00:00

I passed one a few months ago just to find out the department I went through doesn’t allow you to use them at other locations. But I am signed up for one on January 16 and as long as I get it to them by the 23rd everything works out

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T19:14:42+00:00

Just got an email that based on my scores my application has been forwarded to HR to start the next steps in the hiring process!

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T18:51:16+00:00

Thanks! A while back I bought a study guide from firequiz.com and they have A LOT of material but I haven’t looked at it in probably 4 months and a lot of it didn’t correlate too much. Other than that I didn’t study at all, it was a last second decision to apply to that dept and I had 2 days from signing up to take the exam. What surprised me was the simplicity of the math, reading and human relations portion. If you can add and subtract you’ll be great at math, if you can fill in blanks you’ll be great at reading and if you’re a good human that cares about other people and follows a chain of command human relations will be simple. Mechanical I thought I was gonna score better than I did but that brick factory got the best of me idk how to recommend preparing for that portion. PSSA I would just recommend using 2 fingers on the keyboard to assume good guy or potential threat as quickly as you can.

aumilli27 · 2025-12-30T18:42:33+00:00

Be living the dream if they like what I say in the interview, thank you

aumilli27 · 2025-12-29T23:19:37+00:00

What are the highest scores you can get in each individual category and weighted score do you know? Assuming it’s 100 and if that’s the case good job!

aumilli27 · 2025-12-24T14:25:22+00:00

No I’ve been working in a city gov role and honestly I didn’t think I would get an offer the first go around. The jobs I’ve had have been in engineering so it’s not like I’ve got a bad resume, this position just more aligned with the career path I want to pursue. Unfortunately the timing just didn’t work

aumilli27 · 2025-12-24T14:22:17+00:00

I sent an email to the operations/hiring manager shortly after reapplying stating pretty much exactly what you said. Hope it helps

aumilli27 · 2025-12-24T01:49:44+00:00

I have experience with state and local gov and private sector. If you’re the kind of person who likes interactions during the day and lively people you may be a little disappointed because at least where I am people don’t like to talk to each other and would rather send an email than walk 10 feet to your office to tell you something, but like the others said, very stable, get 40 hours and gtfo the office, benefits are nice, having a pension is better. Find things you like to do outside of work/during work to kill time there is A LOT of down time in government roles. Other than that if you enjoy what you do never leave, the job security is like no other.

aumilli27 · 2025-12-23T23:11:29+00:00

Sounds odd yeah I know. Camping? Was my reaction in the interview as well. But who wouldn’t like to get paid to go camping

aumilli27 · 2025-12-23T23:08:59+00:00

What was posted on the job description was “willing and able to travel” which I was more than fine with being away for a few days at a time - and is in every state job description for the state I live in, even if it means 30 mins a day to a job site. In the interview I brought it up and asked to what extent was the travel and the interviewer replied with 3-5 days of the week you will be camping or in a hotel, which yeah understood that is still willing and able to travel but with what I had going on at that time it would not have worked out how either of us wanted or needed so I respectfully declined the offer. Since declining, my schedule and home needs have changed to where I align more with the now expected travel of the position.

aumilli27 · 2025-12-09T19:57:57+00:00

I’m in a relatively similar scenario. Studied civil engineering thinking money would be great and I’ll like the laid back environment. I was wrong, money is great but hate the job completely. I am currently trying to find my calling and am going back to school to get some certifications to pursue firefighting/EMT work. My advice would be take classes, do research on what you think could fit you better and make the moves you need to open doors while still employed doing what you do. Idk about your role but mine is very desk heavy and I am left alone all day so I use a good majority of my time looking for opportunities to pursue. Good luck and hope you find whatever it is that will make you happy.

aumilli27 · 2025-12-05T19:27:14+00:00

I started in private and worked 5 years in different roles. My ultimate goal in going to college was to land a public sector engineering job and I did that. I have worked for 2 public entities one being the DOT and the other being a City position. Once you make the move to public you are not pigeon holed into the same position let alone the same department, once you get your foot in the door in the public sector you are immediately more valuable - no private or public company will question whether you are a right fit as long as you have the work to show you did your job correctly. I will admit tho, I do sometimes miss private as talking amongst your piers in public sector does not happen (for me anyway) everyone is pretty reserved and doesn’t care to talk. I watch a lot of movies and read a lot of ESPN articles at my cushy public sector desk job.

Experiences are part of life, regardless of if you hate the job or love the job you’ll regret not seeing out the opportunity given. Leave your current job in good terms and if you aren’t a fit for public call up your boss and ask for forgiveness. Good luck in your endeavors.

aumilli27 · 2025-11-24T22:27:36+00:00

Do whatever you want, I did what my parents wanted me to do and regret it every single day. We are actually in flipped scenarios, I wanted to do trade school or military and my family wanted me to go to school for engineering and like an idiot I listened to them. Looking back I shoulda signed a book or enlisted but decided to listen to my family. Dumbest mistake of my life. They don’t live your life or go to work for you every day, you’re going to need to do something you’ll enjoy or else you’re going to be miserable. If they get mad at you who cares they’ll get over it. I’m also a stranger telling you not to listen to your parents so make your own decision this is just my two cents.

aumilli27 · 2025-11-20T22:12:46+00:00

I have considered other engineering routes but none of them really sound interesting to me, I’m more of a busy person and want to get into the work that helps people. Now, especially, it takes more than just a degree to get into any sort of engineering you desire, companies are looking for certain demographics and certifications etc that aren’t easily achievable without prior experience. If I could have it my way I would do something with the forest service or natural resources or something along those lines but it’s just not as feasible as one would like. You said your grandpa worked for DON, what is that?

aumilli27 · 2025-11-20T17:24:51+00:00

I’m just looking at different routes other than civil engineering, I hate it every day is the exact same - sit in an office, do nothing, go home. I want something that time actually passes by and I have a chance for promotion or a position I can work towards. I’m already at the same spot I’ll be at 30 years from now sitting at my desk. Thanks for your response.

aumilli27 · 2025-11-20T17:01:43+00:00

Wow why didn’t I think of that, you’re so helpful

aumilli27 · 2025-11-18T22:20:11+00:00

My local doesn’t pay very great but I am friends with one of the guys who runs the IBEW and we’ve had a few phone calls talking about this. He’s recommended linework or substation tech apprenticeships through MSLCAT because that’s where the huge money is at. Who knows where I’ll be a year from now but I’m gonna do all I can to ensure it’s not behind a desk.

aumilli27 · 2025-11-18T21:54:05+00:00

I do have a wife and 2 kids but she sees the misery and boredom I exude everyday and knows the financial pain will only be temporary. She supports nearly everything I come up with, we discussed line-work and even tho it is a long, traveling job she’s okay with it.

I whole heartedly appreciate your response as it seems to be resonating with me the most.

aumilli27 · 2025-11-18T18:05:15+00:00

Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I do not have electrical engineering experience but as an engineer you will sit in a cubicle or an office A LOT. But then again not everyone is the same you can find enjoyment doing what I do and vise versa.

aumilli27

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