<p>Any advice regarding this? I am really not sure if this is something I am expected to take or not. I took a full time position as a manufacturing engineer at a fairly large company, if that helps at all. What types of people take this exam? Or, what would be a reason to take it? Thanks for any advice.</p>
<p>Are you an ME or an IE? From what I have seen IE’s don’t usually go that route (PE) so much but ME’s do much more. I have an EE friend that was a manufacturing engineer/manager for a large semiconductor company and he went for 6sigma cert instead of the EIT/PE path. He got his SS black belt and now consults for a major healthcare company.</p>
<p>I’m an ME.</p>
<p>Take the exam. 4-5 years from now you may find yourself needing a PE license. Having the FE makes that process possible.</p>
<p>Yeah, if I was an ME I would take the exam while it is fresh.</p>
<p>My son is a senior ME and took the exam in October and passed it. It was a big fight to get him to take it, I don’t need it, blah, blah, blah. I work in the legal field with expert witnesses, and believe me, a PE goes a long way, and as stated above, it is necessary to do the FE before the PE. It’s also a good idea to take it while you’re in school. The ASME or SWE may even offer review sessions. SWE offered review sessions at son’s school. What does it hurt to take it? A day lost and a few bucks? It’s not like you have to go a whole extra semester to take it. Down here in the south, by the way, most PEs have civil engineering backgrounds, so mechanical was rare to take the FE, but you never know, it could help you get a job over another guy, and to me, that’s worth it right there, the way competition and the economy is nowadays.</p>
<p>Alright, from the feedback I am getting here and other places it seems i might as well take it. </p>
<p>How difficult is the exam? I looked on the official website and the pass rate is like 80%. I wish I would have just taken it last semester when I was part time. </p>
<p>ASME doesn’t hold review sessions here, but the honors civil engineering society does. It is $40 for 8 two hour sessions. I’m not sure how necessary it is, but I might as well sign up.</p>
<p>If you have time, might not be a bad idea. I had an interview last week and the man said that PE get 1+ year of experience from it. He commented he had used his PE abilities once…and framed it.</p>
<p>Maybe you’ll need it, maybe you will not.</p>
<p>My son passed the FE in October, but he received a card in the mail this week, sent to our house, his permanent address, advertising to save $300 for a FE/PE review course. Now, I am thankful son has the FE under his belt, and paid whatever the campus club charged for reviews. I would hate for him to be between jobs, trying to pad his resume by taking this test in hopes of getting a job, and having to come up with whatever these review courses charge, while trying to pay his rent while he’s unemployed. I know college age kids don’t think that far ahead, but as an adult that’s been through their fair share of layoffs in the family, I would really advise you to take it now not only while it’s fresh in your mind, but while the review sessions are so inexpensive. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have had a pretty good time with finding employment so far. Hopefully that continues. But I get what you are saying</p>