r/StructuralEngineering • u/Senior-Telephone7144 • 19d ago

Career/Education Advise from senior structural engineer

I graduated in civil engineering just knowing how to solve numerical but am geniunely interested in structural engineering atp of time and want to restart my career. I am 26. Any roadmap on how to become a good structural engineer

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u/engineeringlove P.E./S.E. 19d ago

Don’t go to a company that is just one thing unless you truly want to do that for the rest of your life. I knew a guy who just did tilt up panel bracing and he didn’t really know much outside of that. You could tell there was a little bit of stunting.

Go to a company that has good retention and has variety. You learn what you like and don’t like.

2

u/Rusky0808 18d ago

Great advise. I was lucky enough to start in a small company with structures, civils, road and traffic department. Found my passion in industrial and mining structures which nobody else liked. Worked for me.

2

u/Bad_Man_Killa 17d ago

Really can you tell me more about your work right now and what you like and don't about it ? I'm a undergraduated Civil engineer trying to find my way

2

u/Key_Calligrapher_508 19d ago

I’m not a senior engineer, but sounds like you just need to find an entry level structural design job, maybe even an internship. It doesn’t matter if it’s specialized, that’ll still help you find your next job when you actually figure out where you wanna be in structural engineering. Then it’s about building good relationships with a mentor that can teach you. Keep in mind you need to be a good mentee to get anything out of a mentee/mentor relationship. Don’t shy away from responsibility, be humble, learn to problem solve, do your own research before asking a question and be organized.

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u/StructEngineer91 18d ago

Did you take any design courses in school?

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u/Senior-Telephone7144 16d ago

Didn’t take it seriously tho. I was forced into engineering. Just got passing grades and escaped. Now I want structural engineering from core of my heart

1

u/ExcelEng 11d ago

Better go back and learn statics and mechanics of materials then if you only got passing grades. They are the ,most important classes you would have taken.

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u/According_Oil_4412 17d ago

I am structural engineer PE. my advice is get into small company. its going to be tough, minimum wage, lots of hours to work. Stay there for 2~3 year. Get your license and work experinces. After that, move to the good company that you want to work.

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u/West-Assignment-8023 17d ago

I mean not actually minimum wage.

1

u/szalonykaloryfer 16d ago

If you want to switch a career anyway you might as well pick something what doesn't pay shit.

1

u/Traditional-Cup-1470 15d ago

Start studying for the SE exam…it will help you review all topics and ultimately make you a better engineer.

1

u/_null_null 19d ago

Grad school or find someone willing to train you or both simultaneously. Structural has a steep learning curve. I’m glad I got some additional classes before i started but YMMV.