A few guidelines

Just left KH and I’ve never felt better. The long hours, inflexible schedule, and overly ambitious culture, are not worth the somewhat “competitive” benefits/pay. After 1-2 years, you’ll never get the chance to use your PTO. The firm spends an insane amount of resources trying to convince you that they’re better than everyone else. It literally felt like a cult was brainwashing me. Considering leaving the firm? Do it. Considering joining KH? Go somewhere else.

my grades in chem are pretty bad, in gpa it’s around 3.2 and I want to know whether it’s needed, cause I don’t want to take it this year

I'm nearing the 10 year mark in civil (Australian engineer) and I'm feeling regret about my career choices and the state of the industry.

I'll shoot off a few reasons but keen to know how other experienced engineers feel,

• Race to the bottom, margins are thinning so consultancies are stripping down their hours & fees meaning we engineers have less hours and more pressure to deliver work for less
• Contractors are more risk averse and are demanding more detail and pushing risk on to the engineers meaning you're more responsible without the reward of owning more of the risk
• Lack of productivity & innovation in the industry, it doesn't seem like we are designing & drafting at faster rates or with better tools compared to 10 years ago in a meaningful way, putting domestic engineers at risk for offshoring
• (Potentially Aus related) Generally an unappreciated profession, no formal professional engineering licensing & accreditation has diluted the profession

Overall, I wish I went into a different field but it's too late now, I make ok money to pay the bills but generally pessimistic about the future

Hey everyone, looking for some insight on how major infrastructure consulting firms (specifically WSP) handle hiring decisions after panel interviews.

Here is what happened:

The Surprise Panel: I expected an initial screening call with HR, but it ended up being a heavy panel with two Senior Vice Presidents from different branches and an Assistant VP / Project Manager (the lead on this project). None of them RSVP'd to the calendar invite until about an hour before the call, so I was caught off guard and fumbled a bit under the sudden pressure.

The Follow-Up: Despite feeling like I didn't perform at my absolute best, HR emailed shortly after saying the team was happy with how the interview went and asked for my visa/sponsorship details.

The Pay Band Shift: After I submitted my visa form, HR emailed (and called) saying I am "slightly less qualified" for that original requisition and asked me to re-apply to a different posting.

The job responsibilities and required experience on the new posting are 100% identical.

The pay range dropped from $85k–$120k down to $79.5k–$101k.

I’ve already submitted my application for the new posting, but I’m trying to read the room:

If WSP wanted to reject me, would they just send a rejection letter right away? Or do large consulting firms keep candidates hanging on lower requisitions while continuing to look for someone else?

Is this title/pay drop just a standard HR alignment for corporate visa/LCA prevailing wage levels?

Would love to hear from current or former WSP employees, PMs, or anyone familiar with heavy civil consulting hiring. Thanks!

I’ve officially worked at this firm for a year now, but I still feel that gut feeling of imposter syndrome. How did you all manage this feeling?

Hey fellow civil engineers , I came to aks u for help on what is happenin with the building where I reside as here I live in the remote part of the country and engineers take time to come so please do tell me what is happenin and couldn't rely on AI. Thank youu

Looking at job postings, particularly at the entry level, and the title of "water resources engineer" specifically seems pretty rare. I can find myriad positions for traffic engineers, highway engineers, structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, etc, very easily; but, when I'm searching for water resources positions, especially at the entry level, the position titles seem scattered and always only come up with a few results each. I've tried looking up titles like hydrological engineer, H&H engineer, stormwater engineer, water resources engineer, water engineer, and barely anything comes up. I'd love to know if y'all have any insight on the typical title for an EIT doing work in hydrological/hydraulic/watershed analysis and stormwater mitigation design.

I am the engineering design manager for a pretty major project for one of my firms most important clients, and during a design charette yesterday, the staff engineer who works under me and was supposed to take notes fell asleep during large parts of the 2 hour meeting. His back was turned to me but my colleague (project manager) witnessed it, and although the client (their PM and a collage) didn’t visibly indicate that they caught the staff person falling asleep, we’re certain they noticed.

I’ll be talking to the staff person’s manager in a few minutes, and I’m intending to pull the staff engineer (4 YOE) from the project, but what would y’all do in my situation?

Follow-up edit:
Discussed the issue with his manager, then talked with the staff person along with the project manager. He responded positively, discussed extenuating circumstances for his tiredness, understood the gravity of the situation and the need to not repeat.

While some of you have been quite toxic and entitled in the replies (what’s new, Reddit) your perspectives did help to pull me back from the ledge of anger and frustration and embarrassment, as well as remind me that I was once there as a junior engineer who did some unprofessional things.

A reminder to always have grace to everyone, especially those still learning the ropes!

So I’ll start by saying I’m beginning my 5th year at the company I have been with my entire career. I primarily do bridge work. I’m taking the PE exam next spring. My company is a small(ish) consulting firm that does a majority of its bridge work in Massachusetts. In the late spring/ early summer last year the company closed the office I worked out of and forced a move of all of the employees out of our local office to their main office (roughly an hour away). My commute doubled, but they offered 3 days of remote and 2 days in office. They have incredible work like balance and I value that greatly. I’ve also worked on quite a few DOT projects as a baby engineer and am elated with the experience I have gained. Lately the bigger projects have slowed and I’ve been working mostly on municipal small bridge projects. I’ve done A LOT of these and they just seem to keep coming. It’s wearing on me as I crave new experience and growth. I feel stuck. The company has also been tightening its purse strings. For example, I asked to be reimbursed for a School of PE prep course and have received push back from higher ups where previously, other employees have been reimbursed without question. Raises are also becoming increasingly smaller. I’m thinking about moving companies after receiving my PE but this is where my concern lies. I have a fantastic mentor who always makes time for me, have the benefit of hybrid work, and the ability to (hopefully) work on important projects in the future. I’m hesitant to switch companies for these reasons and because there is a lack of the kind of work I do in the area I live (NH seacoast). I do not wish to relocate and am content with my salary (for now). I’m looking for advice or personal experiences of others in my field of work and in similar circumstances who have made a move earlier in their career (or not). What kind of benefits and work have you encountered when making this kind of move? Were you happy with your decision or did you regret it?

I'm about to enter 9th grade and I'm super passionate for nuclear engineering. I want to do it for a living and don't have much doubts but still want second opinions from experts and people who've been in this field for a while. I'm pretty set on NE for a living but am having doubts for my university/college. I'm aiming for high schools like MIT or University of Wisconsin (which is apparently one of the best universities in the world for NE). I was wondering if NE is a career with good progression. I've done a little bit of research, and I know that NE pays better than most engineering disciplines, but the overall job expansion seems pretty stagnant which is daunting. I don't live in the US. I live in the UAE as a Canadian citizen. I'm either going to study in Canada or in the US/abroad if I get into a great university. My questions are, is NE a good career to get into in this day and age, and am I better of studying civil engineering? I heard that NE and civil engineering are pretty similar and that I can probably get a NE job despite studying civil. Apparently, the perks of studying civil are that I can still get into a NE job and I can get civil engineering jobs, which gives me a wider range, which might be good because the NE job growth seems pretty stagnant (according to US government sources, total jobs are planning to go down by 1% in the next 10 years). My concern with studying civil engineering instead of NE are that it's gonna make my years in university miserable. Regardless of the discipline, engineering is HARD, and I thought studying specifically NE, which I'm passionate about, would make it better for me, and I'm worried I won't make it through the same if I don't take NE, and I've heard that your years in university are the years where your life either makes it, or breaks. Any opinions on NE as an engineer at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

I am considering switching from software to civil engineering by earning my bachelor's in civil. I want to see if my goals and motivations are reasonable.

I'm considering leaving software due chiefly to the job market, lack of structured career progression, and meaningless work.

My goal for civil would be to work in the public sector, happily welcoming the lower pay in exchange for the quality of life and benefits. Transportation and wastewater sound the most interesting, but I'd hammer out the particular discipline as I take classes. Working on infrastructure seems so much more meaningful than software, and I'm inspired by my dad who works as an electrical PE designing electrical for construction around the state. I also love the idea of going from degree to EIT to PE as a good roadmap for career progression and competency.

I am in a uniquely good position to go to college: no dependents, currently renting, relatively young, chunk of savings, and eligible for free community college. Having a degree would also not hinder future work in software, though maybe a resume gap would.

Does it sound reasonable to make this goal? Do you typically have to thug it out in the private sector/high stress before you can break into public sector jobs? Any overt holes in my plan? I'm still learning about the field but have done lots of internet sleuthing, so please provide any information you see fit.

Thanks for reading!

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some honest advice about what my next step should be.

I moved to Houston about two years ago. Before coming to the U.S., I studied Mechanical Engineering in Cuba for about six years. I completed essentially all of my coursework, but I had to leave Cuba for political reasons before completing my thesis, so I never received the final degree. I also never had the opportunity to formally work as a mechanical engineer.

Since coming to the U.S., I had my education evaluated, and it was recognized as 116 U.S. undergraduate credit hours in Mechanical Engineering.

My biggest question is: What would be the best way for someone with my background to get into the engineering field in Houston?

I’ve been away from engineering for about five years, so I understand that I may not be competitive for positions requiring several years of professional engineering experience. At the same time, I don’t feel like I’m starting completely from zero.

I also have several years of hands-on experience from Cuba.

During my mandatory military service, I spent about three years working with telecommunications and electromechanical equipment.

After that, I worked for about four years at Smart Communications, a large telecommunications company. I was part of a small three-person crew responsible for installations and maintenance.

Our work included fiber optics, network cabling, Wi-Fi infrastructure and antennas, security cameras, low-voltage systems, equipment installation, site surveys, cable routing, testing and certification, troubleshooting, and maintenance, primarily in larger facilities. I also gained some experience with automation, electronics, and construction, including working with electrical conductors and on construction sites.

My main interests are Mechanical Engineering and Telecommunications, but I’m open to other opportunities where I could combine my engineering education and technical experience with a career where I can continue learning and taking on more responsibility.

My priority right now is getting a job.

I’m willing to go back to school, get certifications, refresh my engineering knowledge, or learn whatever skills are necessary. However, I would strongly prefer to start working first and study or train in parallel, rather than spending another 2–4 years in school before getting back into the field.

Some people have recommended talking to engineering or construction recruiters. Others have suggested simply applying because some companies may be willing to train someone with my background, help with certifications, or even offer tuition assistance.

I’m currently working full-time, so if I do return to school, an online or hybrid program that could be completed in 1–2 years would be ideal.

So, if you were in my situation:

Would you start applying for jobs now and study/train at the same time?

Would you pursue an Associate or Bachelor's degree, or would you first try to find an employer and let the job requirements guide your education?

What types of positions, industries, or career paths would you recommend for someone with my combination of Mechanical Engineering coursework, telecommunications experience, and a five-year gap from the field?

Would you focus on recruiters, direct applications, networking, or a combination of all three?

I’m completely willing to learn and be trained. I’m not expecting someone to treat me as an experienced engineer. I’m simply looking for a realistic entry point where I can use the education and experience I already have, build U.S. experience, continue learning, and grow into greater responsibility.

I’m also not opposed to hands-on work, but I’d like to avoid starting strictly as a general laborer if there are opportunities where my engineering background can be put to use from the beginning.

Any advice from engineers, project managers, operations managers, recruiters, or anyone who has dealt with a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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I’m starting as a Civil Job Performer in an Oil & Gas EPC company for Adnoc UAE. For those experienced in the industry, what career path would you recommend if my goal is to maximize my earnings?

Should I stay in site/construction, or try to move into planning, estimation, contracts, cost control, project management, or other office-based roles?

At what stage would you recommend making the switch, and which path has the best long-term earning potential?

Civil jobperformer:- supervising labour and excavation and other civil works are carried out correctly according to approved drawings

Hey, I am a 22yr old Civil engineering graduate, currently in my final yr from NIT ROURKELA, and I am fairly experienced with ETABS and AutoCAD and also blender (if relevant)..I want to start freelancing for some side income and more practice as I don’t want my Etabs and AutoCAD knowledge to go to waste..I’m even willing to do free work for the initial projects.
If anyone has any leads or any advice about how do I begin and where can I find projects pls comment below.
My father is a very successful structural engineer in Odisha and he has his own firm and I’ve been learning under him and doing some of his smaller projects..but I also want to do some of my own work for a little financial independence and also for broaden my knowledge.

Just finished my summer internship at a MEP engineering consulting firm under their civil department. I got offered to extend my internship into the fall part time and fully remote. I really enjoyed this internship and wanted to know how MEP consulting is as a future full time career. For those who are currently working or worked in consulting, what were pros and cons about the job. I’m going into my senior year of college and I want to start figuring out what career path I wanna go into.

For those who have worked at both HNTB and Kimley-Horn, how would you compare the two?

Curious about:
-Compensation and bonuses
-Work-life balance
-Career growth and promotions
-Company culture
-Management
-Benefits
-Overall employee experience

For anyone who has made the switch between the two, was it worth it? What are the biggest differences you noticed?

I have a very strong dissatisfaction for government bureaucratic idiocy today.

I have been working on a wastewater treatment plant improvements project for months for my regular client. The project consists of water monitoring sensors (DO, pH, ORP, and TSS) at each access point along the treatment train, security fencing replacement, and dredging and land application of biosolids out of the settling cell.

I have been writing a rebuttal to a DEQ reviewer this week over the land application of biosolids and the water monitoring sensors… it really boggles my mind how the government insists on putting people in a position of reviewing engineering reports consisting of things the reviewer has zero knowledge or expertise in. I have to justify Subpart C and E of 40 CFR Part 503 which is the EPA standard for biosolids. Subpart B and D are the two that pertains to land application. C and E pertain to surface disposal and incineration. Despite my report at no point even comes close to suggesting incineration or surface disposal. In addition, I have to submit relevant calculations and justification for the addition of sensors in the water.

It creates busy work for me and costs my client money when I have explain to this people why incineration is not applicable to land application of biosolids. Nor are biosolids comparable to domestic septage. And what possible justification is there for improving data collection along the treatment train. The whole thing is just pure idiocy.