<p>So currently I'm top of my Civil engineering class after 2 years at an accredited University. My thoughts are; if I don't necessarily have a passion for civil engineering, but am good at analytic thinking/math, why stay in civil when I can make more in other fields? Why not switch to something like petroleum or chemical and at least make money? </p>
<p>Thanks for any feedback!</p>
<p>If you’re top of you class in civil, you should be in a similar standing at another engineering type(not necessarily the very top,though. But that’s okay). If you don’t like civil, why do it? Find another engineering field that you enjoy. You’ll probably still be good at it.</p>
<p>Thanks. What about working in the oil industry as a civil? Is that likely graduating from a new England school?</p>
<p>"…if I don’t necessarily have a passion for civil engineering, but am good at analytic thinking/math, why stay in civil when I can make more in other fields? Why not switch to something like petroleum or chemical and at least make money?"</p>
<p>Because you like civil and having a passion for any job is pretty unlikely anyway? Because you’d rather live in any city in the world and sit in the air conditioning than work in a dreary chemical plant, a TX oilfield or on a flimsy scaffold in the middle of the Bering Sea?</p>
<p>If you want to pursue a different career, lord knows I’m not interested in civil. And as someone whose life aspirations mostly revolve around throwback jerseys, I certainly wouldn’t call anyone shallow for going after the money. But those two careers in particular seem really unappealing to me and seem to have the least flexible lifestyle options. </p>
<p>If they appeal to you, great. If they don’t, I’m skeptical about the money differences anyway. </p>
<p>Good luck looking for a new major. I try to do it at least once every semester.</p>
<p>Edit: I don’t know why that came out snarky. I wasn’t trying to be negative, I just like hyperbole and dislike oil. Not politically or environmentally, I just find it gross and don’t like it on me.</p>
<p>Stick with civil. The grass is always greener on the other side until you dig deeper.
I might have given different advice during the early years of the recession, but not now. Just stick with it; passion is a concept suitable only for small children.</p>
<p>Why did you start off in civil engineering in the first place?</p>
<p>Petroleum is where you wanted to be before the Frac craze. I think the next fortunes will be made in civil engineering by those who can match business and repairing the country’s infrastructure.</p>
<p>Great advice, I just get pessimistic as I read about civil, but I originally got into it because I enjoy math, data analysis, and architecture. Seemed the most feasible at the time… Honestly petroleum just sounds appealing, obviously, because of the salary. Civil just scares me as far as job outlook/advancement/salary</p>
<p>Petroleum is dirty work with almost no choice of location (you work where the oil is, or at the refinery, etc) and the salary decreases as people rush after the “highest engineering salary” that it advertises. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s true. Like I said, it’s difficult to pursue a career in something knowing a) you can make a lot more in something else, and b) it’s not at all something you “love”.</p>
<p>If you like CE then you should do it. Otherwise change it. A lot of people go back to school because they don’t like the job that they got… Money is not the only thing that matters</p>
<p>I will say this…</p>
<p>Yes, I added a CS concentration to my Math major for increased employment opportunities, but it was more having steady opportunities than the money.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend switching just for the money. I think you would end up regretting it in the end. If you don’t have a passion, then switching might be worth it, but switch to something you’d be interested in.</p>
<p>Research chemical and petroleum first. They get paid more for a reason, a lot of times the jobs suck. Being in a chemical plant or out in the field can be rough.</p>
<p>As far as civil problems, it’s gotten a lot better. I chose structural as an emphasis and I’m glad I did. I am currently interning for an oil and gas engineering company, making good money as a structural engineer.</p>
<p>Thanks chaoswithinthed. I’m thinking about going the structural route too, but not just for the jobs. I actually am looking forward to taking steel/concrete, and getting into some more in depth structural analysis. What exactly are you doing with O & G if you don’t mind me asking?</p>
<p>Steel and Concrete are both great courses. I really enjoyed both of them. TIP: COMPANIES LOOK AT THESE COURSES FIRST, DO WELL IN THEM. A “C” OR WORSE IN THESE LOOKS REALLY BAD.</p>
<p>I’m in the offshore structural engineering department of my company. So any sort of offshore platform or vessel (FPSO, Spar, TLP, Semi etc) we design the topsides and hulls. It’s pretty cool. You get good exposure to high profile projects of large oil companies while doing very technical work (which I enjoy). Some of the work I do includes finite element analysis of skids for lifting and in place conditions and a lot of steel design. </p>
<p>Google search offshore structural engineer and a lot of openings come up. It’s a hot field and it’s only getting bigger. KBR, Fluor, Wood Group Mustang, Worley Parsons are some good places to check out.</p>
<p>Another bonus, it pays really well. I’m making between 50,000 and 60,000 a year as an intern, which is better than a lot of my friends who graduated and took full time offers with civil.</p>
<p>That does sound pretty sweet actually. I’m currently helping do data analysis for offshore wind turbines, but have yet to do any structural analysis or design. Did you just get a civil degree, or do you need a MS in structural to get into that field?</p>
<p>I just graduated this past May with a degree in Civil Engineering with a “Structural Emphasis”. I am going back to school (Texas A&M) to get my Masters of Engineering. It’s a non research based masters. From what I can tell, offshore structural position like Masters students. I see job postings a lot that don’t require one, but say it’s preferred. The company I work for hired me as an intern because I said I was going for my Masters. This is the trend in most structural openings across the industry is that a masters if necessary to do structural design or analysis right out of college.</p>
<p>Nice ok good to know, thanks appreciate it. Good luck with your masters</p>