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pk89_90
Should I study engineering? Work like a dog, get lower salaries than business grads? View All
Hi. I have a decision to make about my college life. My interests and passions draw me to engineering (civil, in particular) and in googling for engineering I came across this forum.

I am wondering whether to go to business school or engineering. Business school = less work during univ days, and often better paying jobs out of school, especially 5 years down the line and after. Engineering classes are a beast and I don't want to work in factories.

Can the engineers share some info here about post-grad careers in engineering? Google search fr that stuff leads to sites like monster.com but I'm looking for a discussion of realities in the market today.

Thanks for any pointers!


15 years ago - 3 months left to answer. - 5 responses - Report Abuse
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phil
I think that an MBA after B.Tech would get you a good salary........

15 years ago

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Azmira
First thing, what would like you do for your future. If compare engineering and business, engineering are tougher than business during study or work if i'm not mistake.

From my opinion and situation in my country, job opportunity in engineering are more compare to the business study.

Engineer not only working at factory, there other working environment for an engineer such as designer, procurement, site, etc.


15 years ago

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King
CENews just released their salary survey for the year. It is a viable free resource for Civil Engineering Salaries. Be sure to look at region as that makes a difference where you expect to work.

Current starting salary in the midwest can be around $45,000 five years out and licensed current value should be near or over $60,000.

Compare it to business...
There are fewer fish in the engineering pool if you get my meaning. I am pretty sure though, that business grads unless MBA are continuously chasing the engineer's salary.

In Today's World...
Should you choose to go to Civil Engineering School, plan to stay for the M.S. It is much easier to get immediately after the B.S. and the next gen of engineers will need it as the old gen is trying to screw it up for you by requiring it for licensure.

They didn't need it, why now? The answer...dumb excuses by those in charge. But that is life and know that going in. The positive, the M.S. counts as 1 year experience toward the


15 years ago

Source: CENews
Salary Survey


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powertothemax
Alright, here is some data.

Working as a petroleum engineer in northern canada.

All values in US dollars.

Starting Salary is $49,180, however with bonuses make $58,000.
Second full year make $70,000
Third full year make $83,000
Fourth year and there on forward increase salary by about $3000 per year.

Is it worth it. Possibly. Is there lots of work in becoming an engineer. Possibly. What I have come to realize is that 85% of engineering jobs you do not need to be an engineer. You need to understand basic mathematics, be moderately intelligent and get on the job training.

I feel like a petroleum engineer gets a justifiable pay. Most other engineering disciplines get about $10,000 or more less than what I stated.

The biggest problem I have with a petroleum engineer is you have to live in the least desirable locations known to man with not many chances that you will go anywhere better. For instance if you are a petroleum engineer in Canada you will probably initially be stationed in such "desirable" locations like Grande Prairie, Cold Lake, Lloydminster, Fort McMurray and then when you finally hit the top you get to go to Calgary, heaven on earth for oilfield engineers, this signifies you have made it. It is a decent city if you like waiting in traffic for hours on end and enjoy paying alot for a house.

My comparison to the US. If you are a petro engin you get to live in either Oklahoma, Texas or Louisiana. No where else, so you better enjoy those spots


15 years ago

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jonburke29
I think you answered your own question when you said your "interests and passions draw you to engineering (civil, in particular)." If your passion isn't behind your work, you'll find whatever you're job is to be tedious and monotonous at best. A friend of mine gave me a good source of salaries you can look at to plan your future, but make sure to evaluate things other than just a salary alone.

14 years ago

Source: Engineer Salary


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