Civil Engineers And Their P.E?

Question

I am mostly interested in Civil Engineering. I am doing Navy ROTC and will most likely not use my major directly (Civil is the one exception, on application based). I have read that you can only advance int the private sector with getting your P.E. I think it might be more difficult to do this while entertaning a Navy Career. Is mechanical a better choice?

Answer 1

Depends what you want to do. Typically civils get the PE to approve documents without others approval. But to answer you question, it depends what you like. Mechanical is well rounded.

Answer 2

The PE certification in most states is constantly changing to become harder to get. The item most related to your question is experience. Some states require a minimum of five years on-the-job before you may apply, and I believe this number will be accepted by more states. For some, the years of experience will go higher.

The Navy is armed forces, and can do what they want: if the commander believes a cook has the correct answer about how to build a fortress, then the regiment at least gets three squares a day.

My spin is for you to do what you enjoy. A good AND motivated engineer is beyond value to the Navy.

Answer 3

You should not base your decision on this issue. Choose what interests you most.

If you work for a private company, having a PE license is not usually a requirement nor a great advantage. (I have a PE and worked in private industry for 37 years).

You can get your PE, don't worry about that. I'm not that bright, and I was able to get a PE in both ME and CE. I got my mechanical PE after I had been out of college 40 years.

Do what you love. Believe me, that is the key.