Questions to eng's in general

[azn_dan]

Hey guys,

I am currently going into my last year of chemical engineering at Mac. I am doing the 4 year program which is just straight chem eng and I had a few questions for the engineers:

1) Do you think that its worth getting an MBA directly after school? Or would you say work a few years and then maybe come back for the MBA/ maybe even a Masters?

2) Is it a priority for you engineers to become certified as a P.Eng? Do we get paid more for being certified? Bottom line is it worth it?

3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate?

Last but not least:

4) I have been thinking alot about it lately, but if you could, is there anywhere else in the world you would rather work? I.e. The states or U.K.? I kinda of hate ontario, though there is the free health care system, but i just feel that engineers can be underpaid here? Or it seems that engineers in the states have so much more potential earnings.

Anyways thanks for reading and hopefully answering. I really appreciate any insight given. Thanks.

[B0000rt]

1) IMO, an MBA without experience is pretty much worthless also, besides, you CAN NOT go for your MBA right after your Bachelors. You MUST take two years off from school with either work or 'life experience' as they call it, before going for your MBA! Do your research man!

2) P.Eng. As a Computer Engineer, for me it's pretty much worthless for my field. Chem, Civil, Mech and the more 'concrete' types of Engineering, possibly. If you're going to be writing papers and approving mechanical drawings etc., P.Eng. is useful. Don't worry about that for now, you need to build up experience to get your P.Eng. anyways..

3) No clue.

4) My suggestion is to apply early. Don't wait until you graduate in April to start applying for jobs, apply before that, this way you won't be bogged down during finals and your final year project! Even if you have even a little wanting, for work in the US or overseas, apply for it, you can always reject it in the future..

Earnings are also based on the type of industry you work for too.... Generally in terms of a straight up Bachelors, I believe we Engineers get paid well for our type of degree. I mean find a Bachelors of Arts student who is making as much as an Engineer straight out of school (You might go and knock their workload but those papers they write are nothing to sneeze at)

[canabiz]

Greetings to my fellow engineers

Dan: What's your intention when you want to get an MBA ? Are you planning to get into the management side eventually ? Don't forget you will be fresh out of school so even if you got an MBA but if you have nothing else to show for, it won't count much

I am also in the same boat as B0000rt, i am a Computer Engineer and while it would be nice to have a P. Eng (at the very least, I can sign passports for my friends), it is not an absolute must-have for me. I am working for the Fed and depending on the department that you work, a P.Eng. can definitely come in handy

I don't know your personal situation but I wouldn't want to work away from home. There is a rather long thread in the Personal Finance section titled *How much do you make and what do you do*, i suggest you look at it for some more insights. Sometimes, it's not the money that makes you happy, it's the little things like being able to spend time with your loved ones on a regular basis, having BBQs and watching the games with the boys on the weekends...I doubt if you could do that when you work overseas, it's just different Dan.

Best of luck in your future endeavours!

[azn_dan]

1) IMO, an MBA without experience is pretty much worthless also, besides, you CAN NOT go for your MBA right after your Bachelors. You MUST take two years off from school with either work or 'life experience' as they call it, before going for your MBA! Do your research man!

Haha i am so noob. Thanks for your insights guys.

[B0000rt]

Haha i am so noob. Thanks for your insights guys.

http://mba.schulich.yorku.ca/ssb-ext...on+information

Work Experience

* Two years of relevant full-time work or life experience post degree. Two years of relevant work experience following graduation required from applicants with a three year undergraduate degree.

http://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/mba/admission.htm

#
# Two years of full-time work experience

http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/mba/admissions/workexp.htm

The average full-time work experience for the incoming class is approximately five years and we generally recommend that applicants have two years of work experience. The MBA class consists of students with a wide range of work and life experiences.

Special Admissions: Less Than Two Years Work Experience

Classes are made up of students with a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We will consider candidates with less than two years work experience who demonstrate exemplary leadership and academic accomplishments.

http://www.degroote.mcmaster.ca/pros...uirements.aspx

A typical registrant will have a minimum of one year work experience for our full-time and part-time programs. This work experience is varied. The School is interested in not only the type of work but also the quality of that work and the full scope of your professional and personal activities.

http://business.queensu.ca/mba_progr...on_process.php

2. While most candidates possess a minimum of two year’s work experience, we will consider applications from exceptional candidates with less than two year’s experience. Co-op placements and post-doctoral fellowships are also given consideration.

Check out what the people at Ivey say.. Lol average of 5 years of work experience

[BadDrafter]

3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate?

You won't find any trouble finding work. As for a work environment, you won’t have any trouble either. Engineers are very kind and nice to each other, there is camaraderie. It’s a club if you will, and I’m not in it. You won't find any of the condescending and pejoratives that I mentioned in my thread. Engineer’s venom and smugness is reserved for subordinates (drafters, technicians, secretaries) not their peers.

As for the city of Calgary, if you love money you will love Calgary. If you love camping/skiing then Calgary is good as well. Other then that the city has no soul. Then again I had a bad experience in this city so my views might be tainted.

[Sylvestre]

1) Do you think that its worth getting an MBA directly after school? Or would you say work a few years and then maybe come back for the MBA/ maybe even a Masters?

Echo everyone's sentiment. Don't waste time & money until it can benefit you most (i.e. you have experience - and not just engineering experience, but business and management experience).

2) Is it a priority for you engineers to become certified as a P.Eng? Do we get paid more for being certified? Bottom line is it worth it?

As a chem, almost certainly! But really, it'll depend on the job you enter. And yes, there are significantly more jobs open to you with the P.Eng. Take a look at any job board to see the postings that require a p.eng

3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate?

This isn't definitive but quite a few friends (in chem. eng) went out west are are making good money (mind you, cost of living is equally expensive so rate of savings is equiv. to here).
Chem is a pretty consistent field so you won't have issues, but look early.

Last but not least:

4) I have been thinking alot about it lately, but if you could, is there anywhere else in the world you would rather work? I.e. The states or U.K.? I kinda of hate ontario, though there is the free health care system, but i just feel that engineers can be underpaid here? Or it seems that engineers in the states have so much more potential earnings.

Grass is always greener...

[zoob]

Off topic: Next year try to make it out to the CSChE conference. It's a blast every time

[jandumm]

hey thought i'd pipe in and add my 2 cents as well

1) Do you think that its worth getting an MBA directly after school? Or would you say work a few years and then maybe come back for the MBA/ maybe even a Masters?

- i agree with everyone else and wait a few years....you'll figure out what stream u want to go into and maybe the company will contribute some coin


2) Is it a priority for you engineers to become certified as a P.Eng? Do we get paid more for being certified? Bottom line is it worth it?

- i've got an Eng. Phys. degree working in the elec/comp industry....I don't really need it and it doesn't add more to the paycheque...if i had continued on in the nuclear industry, i would've gotten it much sooner.....but I will be writing the exam for the following reasons: 1. possible auto insurance discounts with TD Meloche Monnexe..supposedly PEngs get wicked deals...2. i was real excited to sign passports but with the new changes it doesn't mean much anymore .....3. it'll make my mom real happy



3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate?

sorry, don't know too much about alberta/calgary job market but i do have some friends who went out to fort mcmurray to make some wicked dough....5 years ago when i was 23 i would've done it to pay down the student loans and stuff.....sooo for a new young fresh grad, why not? i'd apply and see what happens


Last but not least:

4) I have been thinking alot about it lately, but if you could, is there anywhere else in the world you would rather work? I.e. The states or U.K.? I kinda of hate ontario, though there is the free health care system, but i just feel that engineers can be underpaid here? Or it seems that engineers in the states have so much more potential earnings.


- ehn, i like Canada, i wouldn't mind going out to B.C. or even living in Europe for a couple of years for work. I have a personal bias against the U.S. so I don't want to go there - you can make big $$$ if u go to states like Kansas, Iowa, etc where the cost of living is low and the demand for engineers is high. But i've got a friend (also Eng. Phys) working in California in the comp/elec industry making $125,000 - sounds like a lot, but when a 2 bedroom bungalow costs $550,000, really puts things into perspective.

[fl4wless]

1) IMO, an MBA without experience is pretty much worthless also, besides, you CAN NOT go for your MBA right after your Bachelors. You MUST take two years off from school with either work or 'life experience' as they call it, before going for your MBA! Do your research man!

2) P.Eng. As a Computer Engineer, for me it's pretty much worthless for my field. Chem, Civil, Mech and the more 'concrete' types of Engineering, possibly. If you're going to be writing papers and approving mechanical drawings etc., P.Eng. is useful. Don't worry about that for now, you need to build up experience to get your P.Eng. anyways..

3) No clue.

4) My suggestion is to apply early. Don't wait until you graduate in April to start applying for jobs, apply before that, this way you won't be bogged down during finals and your final year project! Even if you have even a little wanting, for work in the US or overseas, apply for it, you can always reject it in the future..

Earnings are also based on the type of industry you work for too.... Generally in terms of a straight up Bachelors, I believe we Engineers get paid well for our type of degree. I mean find a Bachelors of Arts student who is making as much as an Engineer straight out of school (You might go and knock their workload but those papers they write are nothing to sneeze at)

1) While i do agree with you about an MBA being useless without any work experience, you are very wrong about the min 2 years work experience. There are a fair amount of schools that offer an MBA program to students with little to no work experience...you just need to do you research! I remember when i was considering doing this there were several international 15-24 month programs (mind you they were expensive), but many with 0 to 1 years work experience. You did need your Gmat though... Off the top of my head... UofA has a combined MBA/M.Engg program that doesnt have work experience requirements.

2) I agree with the above poster, as a software engineer...its pretty much useless to me. But in another 15 months ill take the necessary steps to get it, as it cant hurt to obtain. But for other disciplines, i think its quite important.

3) I think the market for engineers is still pretty hot in calgary. I have a couple friends (Chem Engg grads) working there...one is working for Brenntag...im not sure of her actual salary, but its quite competitive and everyone at that company gets there own company vehicle (its a taxable benefit, but replaced every 100k, and you can use it as much as you want for personal use, free gas, insurance, etc).
The other is working at Atco making >60k after a years work experience.

4) Certainly the US. The UK you would likely make more but alot of that money you wouldnt see due to the cost of living. It doesnt hurt to apply to see your options!

[Bazooka Joe]

Hey guys,

I am currently going into my last year of chemical engineering at Mac. I am doing the 4 year program which is just straight chem eng and I had a few questions for the engineers:

1) Do you think that its worth getting an MBA directly after school? Or would you say work a few years and then maybe come back for the MBA/ maybe even a Masters? .

Nope, costs too much and most fields don't require it. Experience when you're young will be worth much more to you in the long run.

2) Is it a priority for you engineers to become certified as a P.Eng? Do we get paid more for being certified? Bottom line is it worth it? .

Yes, yes and yes.

3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate? .

It really depends. There's a LOT of work out there, but it's really transient and people know that. It takes a good while to get established. If you're looking for long term, Calgary would be allright. If you're looking for short term IMO you've missed the boat and any extra you'll make in wages will just go towards housing.

Last but not least:

4) I have been thinking alot about it lately, but if you could, is there anywhere else in the world you would rather work? I.e. The states or U.K.? I kinda of hate ontario, though there is the free health care system, but i just feel that engineers can be underpaid here? Or it seems that engineers in the states have so much more potential earnings. .

Sure you can make more in the US, it depends if you want to go there. Perhaps try a contract position if that's what you've got in mind, it'd give you a better idea. As a student I worked co-op all over the world. After graduation though I wanted to settle down a bit and be close to family. This is a very personal thing though, so do whatever feels right for you.

[pitz]

2) Is it a priority for you engineers to become certified as a P.Eng? Do we get paid more for being certified? Bottom line is it worth it?

No engineering firm or O&G firm worth its salt would employ you without insisting that you work towards your P.Eng., especially in the ChemEng field.

Basically, there's nothing extra required job-wise to becoming a P.Eng. You go to work, do your job, write the Professional Practice Exam, file a few reports, and a few years later, you have your P.Eng. status.

3) I was reading up on BadDrafter's thread and noticed some people saying the job market in calgary is rough? I was wondering what were you opinions about calgary in general and would you consider going to alberta as a good choice for a chemical engineer graduate?

ChemE, Mechanical Engineering, and of course, the geology related fields have virtually no unemployment in Calgary. Electrical/Computer Engineering is quite a different story.

[tombyman]

you might want to consider going into patent law as well after a few years of engineering experience. They pay very well and are in demand like crazy right now plus the work hours are reasonable.

engineering + law = big bucks if you become a patent lawyer.

[buy.A.gift]

McMaster's MBA doesn't require working exp

[azn_dan]

you might want to consider going into patent law as well after a few years of engineering experience. They pay very well and are in demand like crazy right now plus the work hours are reasonable.

engineering + law = big bucks if you become a patent lawyer.

Yea i heard about this from a friend last summer. He told me to think about it and that Intellectual property is good money. I really dont know to much about universities and law, but what would be the top 3 off your head in ontario that you would suggest? I think i am going to look into that alittle further though. Thanks for all your comments guys, I really appreciate it.