education

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jimthies

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Whatis the consensus for the value of Construction Management degree (Bachelor of Science)coupled with a Master Electricians license? I am about to finish my degree in May and will be trying to find a job that would move me from the field to a management/office position.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[ December 09, 2004, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: jimthies ]
 
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12345rsmith

Member
Re: education

Individual circumstances and markets vary a lot. In North Carolina your degree with your field experience would probably get you a shot as a starting project manager or estimator-training to be a project manager with one of the larger contractors in one of the larger cities. Construction is doing very well here.

One item of note, you may want to look at what the Engineering PE requirements are in your state. If your degree will allow, working towards getting your Engineering PE (generally by working under another PE) would probably benefit you a lot down the road. I am not sure why but the General Contractors have been looking for PE Project Managers for some time now, and I have noticed some Electrical Contractors starting to do the same.

Not being a PE will not keep you from working in management, but being a PE (particularly one with actual field experience) would but you in a more desirable category.

Good Luck!
 
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midget

Senior Member
Re: education

Someone told me it was practicing engineer. :p Thanks.

[ December 09, 2004, 09:27 PM: Message edited by: midget ]
 
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rattus

Senior Member
Re: education

I know a number of PEs who have never done any work requiring a PE license. Just looks good on their resume'. I started out years ago, but didn't see the value in it for me.
 
charlie

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
Re: education

It is fine to have a PE and not use it but don't do it the other way around or you could go to jail. In my company, it's an automatic pay raise if you get a PE license. Also, Indiana state law requires a PE license to supervise design people. Are PEs necessary, yes. :D
 
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rattus

Senior Member
Re: education

Charlie, I agree that PEs are necessary as is the NEC. In the electronic industry though, I have never encountered any need for the PE license.
 
charlie b

charlie b

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Lockport, IL
Occupation
Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: education

When a PE signs and seals a document, he or she is saying, ?This work was done by me, or under my supervision.? A clear implication in this statement is. ?Any issues or problems that arise from this document may be brought to my doorstep.?

But a more important implication is this, ?The State issuing the PE license has reviewed my education and my experience, and has accepted the results of my two tests, and has therefore decided to entrust me with the authority and the responsibilities that come with the license.?

Even if the license were never used, even if your current duties would never call upon you to use it, even if you got the license and never said so on your resume, there is still great personal value in having been awarded that distinction. I therefore always encourage anyone who, by virtue of education and experience, is eligible to become a PE, to consider doing the work necessary to get the license.
 
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rattus

Senior Member
Re: education

Charlie, you are right of course. The attainment of the PE license is an indication that one has the discipline to do it. And, even if you never need it professionally, the process I think would make one a better engineer.
 
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jimthies

Member
Re: education

I appreciate the feedback. The degree I am pursuing is in Construction Management and not engineering. The major focus is on the management and not specifically design. My real concerns are weather or not to pursue a job with a general contractor as an MEP coordinator or rather an electrical contractor as a superintendent or project management. Any thoughts?
 
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12345rsmith

Member
Re: education

On an electrical board I think most people would say go the specialist route. I have worked as a CA (Construction Administrator) for PM&E Engineers which requires at least an adequate knowledge of the three trades (+ fire protection). It is much much harder then it appears and full of land mines. But which route you go should depend on which you find the most interesting. If you really like looking at all the trades and want to know about all of them, then that would be the route to go. In the long run you will do better at what ever area interests you the most.

General Contractors are actually bigger on the PE requirement then the PM&E (plumbing, mechanical, electrical) folks. And many PE's don't do much actual design. There are many PE's in the Construction Management at risk field, who do very little design work. Check you State requirements. Not all states are as insistent on the Engineering Degree as others. If you don't want to do the engineering thing, not having a PE it is not a show stopper, but it will limit you from some venues that might be of interest to you down the road. Just keep in mind that it is usually easier to get your degrees etc. while you are young and have fewer commitments, and you have the added bonus of being able to use them for a longer portion of your career.

I cannot tell you how many people I have met who regret not having continued on and maximized their education when they had a chance.

Sorry if I am being too preachy! But best luck with what ever you do.
 
charlie

charlie

Senior Member
Location
Indianapolis
Re: education

You want to also be sure what the laws in your state are for the designation of "engineer". As an example, we have a lot of Assistant to Engineers who are not degreed (I used to be one). Whenever someone needs service, they would call in and ask to talk to an engineer and got (still do) an Assistant. When out in meetings or on the job site, they are told to refer to themselves as the "engineer for power & light".

In some states it is OK to represent yourself as an engineer when you are working under the direct supervision of a PE (the assistants here are). In other states, the "engineer" title is reserved for graduate engineers and jail time is possible if you are represented as an engineer when you are not.

You are going to be in a position where some people will "assume" you are the engineer. As was stated before, go where your interests lie. I really wish you well, if you like your field and your work, you will be a happy person. :D
 
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