A Guide to a Career as a Structural Engineer
Structural engineering involves creating and building structures that can be used as offices, churches, stadiums, bridges, dams, and so much more. This career choice will require you to learn how much weight and force a structure can handle and how to construct it securely so people can use it.
The responsibilities of a structural engineer are rather demanding, so this must be something you are truly ready to pursue. It can also be highly profitable financially, especially if you are good at your job. Still interested? Read on to learn how to get started.
A Guide to a Career as a Structural Engineer
Education First
Just as with most careers, formal education on a high academic level is required. First, you must earn a minimum bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering. The entrance requirements for university admission in the US differ depending on your state in which. The mostmmon requirements are a high level of math, including calculus with the inclusion of chemistry, and computer science with your high school diploma.
Often, science and environmental studies are required. At the very least, they will be very beneficial to your studies. You need to know about biology, plants, chemistry, and if something in your structure might be wrong for the environment or the people using it. These factors come into play constantly when designing a structure that must withstand external forces such as the weather.
Become Recognized with Certifications
Even with 10 years of studies behind you, without that formal certificate, you cannot get a job. It is an essential requirement, like most trades, such as locksmithing, electrical work, construction, and manufacturing.
You will need one leading certification if you remain in the US, The Structural Engineering License (SE) certification. Once you have this certification under your belt, you will be able to apply for a job with a reputable company. Places like this structural engineering Saint Louis office always seek fresh new talent. There is a waiting period in which you are allowed to qualify, but this differs by state. You are looking at five years at least. These certifications also must be registered through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). This is the licensing board for all American states, including parts of South America.
Expectations and Your Future
This career is an excellent choice if you enjoy technical drawing or building things. There are a few other skills that you need to adopt if you want to be successful, though. For one, you need to pay attention to detail. You are dealing with structures people may walk on, so every aspect matters. You must also be highly organized because you will work on large projects with many moving parts.
Once qualified and in structural engineering, you can expect to be primarily office-bound. Your job will be to focus on the design, but occasionally, you must go to construction sites to take measurements or alter your design.
The nature of the job could take you to other places in the world. New structures are constantly being built so that you can see some international travel time in the future. This is undoubtedly a worthwhile career; the sooner you can get started, the better.
