Good post here, but I'll disagree with that from an Australian perspective. Engineers are amongst the most highly paid professions in Australia. Engineers over the age of 35 often pull in salaries in the area of $150,000 - $200,000 per annum, mainly thanks to the Mining and Resources industry boom Australia is currently experiencing.Well, there has to be a place for all the people who couldn't hack actual science....
I used to be a computer science major, so it applies to me too. In reality, I have nothing but respect for my engineering buddies. The issue with the major is that (at least in the US), it is hard being an engineer after the age of 35. There is a limit in terms of how far you'll progress, and when you reach your mid thirties, the companies often just higher twenty two year olds (who'll work for cheaper) to replace you. By that time, you have to be in business for yourself, or be willing to work (relatively) cheaply. In some of the other majors, there is a ladder that you climb in terms of salary and job responsibility, and you start off very low, and can go very high. Engineers (and Computer Science majors) start out high, but their ceiling is also not very high, unless they go into business for themselves, or switch fields. So I would simply be aware of that. Again, this is the situation here in the US, so your mileage may vary.
Very interesting stuff. Good contrast from the US. Great to see it.Good post here, but I'll disagree with that from an Australian perspective. Engineers are amongst the most highly paid professions in Australia. Engineers over the age of 35 often pull in salaries in the area of $150,000 - $200,000 per annum, mainly thanks to the Mining and Resources industry boom Australia is currently experiencing.
Of course if you're working with International Engineering companies such as Chevron, Fluor, Aker Kvaerner, BHP Biliton and WorleyParsons, this provides some great money and a great pathway to advancement into either becoming a Lead Engineer in your chosen discipline or ofcourse a path into a Project Management which once again can be very lucrative.
Of course I'm mainly talking about the traditional Engineering disciplines here ie. Chemical, Mechanical/Industrial, Electrical, Civil, Materials etc. Computer Engineers and Computer Scientists still continue to be paid poorly here in Australia compared to the other Engineering fields.
It is similar here in Australia. At the university I went to, as part of the Engineering degree you had to complete a mandatory 3 month full time employment stint at an Engineering Company.good posts. I think the best thing about the British engineering education system is the integrated (optional, and often very competitive) 1 year placement - it really pads up the CV and provides valuable experience.
I think you've chosen the right path. How long is the duration of your PhD? When do you expect to finish?Initially, I wanted to do Computer Science, but poor performance in my senior high school year meant I had to choose something which was lower in demand. I chose Chemical Engineering because a) I thought I liked chemistry (even through chemical engineering is not just about chemistry) and b) my brother was also a chemical engineer, and I thus knew what to expect from it. I went on to complete my BS in Chemical Engineering, and am now a PhD candidate in Chemical & Environmental Engineering.
I don't regret at all of having chosen Chemical Engineering. It's probably the best platform I could have got for what my research interest has developed into: Environmental Biotechnology (specifically on cleaning air using bacteria). In retrospect, I probably would not have enjoyed Computer Science as much as I do what I'm doing now. The only other profession I have always thought of being better for me than being a Chemical/Environmental engineer is a print journalist. I never really developed my writing skills though to the point that I could seriously think of doing it.
Hey MB, hows part-time masters combined with f/t work going? I am considering doing it after I graduate but a bit worried about the workload.I think you've chosen the right path. How long is the duration of your PhD? When do you expect to finish?
Currently doing a Master of Engineering myself part time alongside work, don't think I'd want to go more advanced in Engineering than that. Although doing a PhD in Engineering is admirable, so well done and keep going!
It's not too bad actually. Although I'm doing my Masters on a 'Off Campus' basis. There was no way I could attend On Campus Lectures whilst simultaneously working every day from 8:00am - 5:00pm. The Off Campus arrangement is great, the uni sends me all the lecture notes, readings, notes etc. in one big package before the semester starts.Hey MB, hows part-time masters combined with f/t work going? I am considering doing it after I graduate but a bit worried about the workload.
FTR, I am 4th yr Electrical & Nanotech (Physics) student and yeah if I decided to change Eng degrees it would probably be enviro eng. Always think about changing science degrees though (possibly Biomed), cos Physics can be a real pain in the ass.
Not entirely sure which stream ATM (it is 2 years down the track) but yeah just interested to know how postgrads/f/t engineers combine the workload.It's not too bad actually. Although I'm doing my Masters on a 'Off Campus' basis. There was no way I could attend On Campus Lectures whilst simultaneously working every day from 8:00am - 5:00pm. The Off Campus arrangement is great, the uni sends me all the lecture notes, readings, notes etc. in one big package before the semester starts.
There's good support from the lecturers if you need it and there's always plenty of people to talk to on the online subject discussion boards. I'm not sure about On Campus study with full time work, but if you can find a good Masters that's off campus it's certainly manageable with work if you have the discipline.
By the way, what area are you considering doing your Masters in?
Yeah, if you're working full time I'd definitely go the 'Off Campus' route if you can. My experiences with Distance Education have been good so far so I'd recommend it.Not entirely sure which stream ATM (it is 2 years down the track) but yeah just interested to know how postgrads/f/t engineers combine the workload.
Yeah, I am currently doing my one year internship, it pays really well too, which is always a good thing. And the experience is amazing.It is similar here in Australia. At the university I went to, as part of the Engineering degree you had to complete a mandatory 3 month full time employment stint at an Engineering Company.
Without it you could not graduate even if you had completed all your coursework and thesis components. Also it was mandatory in order to gain Graduate membership with the Institute of Engineers Australia, the governing body for Engineers here.
I can say it was worth doing the 3 months, I learned heaps, got paid really well and it really looked good on my resume and opened up a great career path. If it's not mandatory elsewhere, I'd still recommend doing a placement. Make sure you get paid though!
It's a 4-5 year course. I'm done with two years; I expect to complete in another two. Knowing my personality, I think there's a larger chance that I'll end up in academics than in industry.I think you've chosen the right path. How long is the duration of your PhD? When do you expect to finish?
Currently doing a Master of Engineering myself part time alongside work, don't think I'd want to go more advanced in Engineering than that. Although doing a PhD in Engineering is admirable, so well done and keep going!
Good for you! My plan is to do the same. Industry sucks . Academia is where it's at! Publish-or-perish sucks sometimes, but you're going to have crap everywhere.It's a 4-5 year course. I'm done with two years; I expect to complete in another two. Knowing my personality, I think there's a larger chance that I'll end up in academics than in industry.