<p>I'm in my last semester of civil engineering and I'm planning on continuing in the fall with a masters degree in hydraulic engineering/fluid mechanics (since I'll get either a TAship or RAship and get it paid for). As an undergrad who has spent the last 3 and a half years under a rock in the academic world, and who has next to no "real world" knowledge and experience, can anybody tell me what my options are besides civil engineering? It's not that I don't want to go into CivE, it's that I don't know what it will be like out there when I finish! I'd just like to have some options! I enjoy learning fluid mechanics and using the physics to model systems so I know I want to go to grad school for it (plus it's free). </p>
<p>Is it typical for a graduate with an MS in hydraulic engineering/fluid mechanics to do something outside the civil engineering discipline? Possibly something in mechanical or petroleum engineering? Or any engineering for that matter? I don't know too much about it, but it sounds like petroleum engineering involves fluid mechanics and whatnot, especially when fracking, so it would seem like a viable option. Plus they make bank, haha. Any help from engineers out there in various industries? Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, I might add that I plan on studying computational fluid dynamics more in depth than an average hydraulic engineering student might study it… CFD has a wide range of applications right? Like I said, I want to further my education without committing myself to one industry/one group of potential employers.</p>
<p>I guarantee you will be able to do work outside of civil with this masters. I feel like you would have a good shot at fluid mechanics related jobs that typical AE/MEs do and may have the chance to work in the petroleum industry if you do well. Also CFD is sick so learn it if you are interested. Good luck.</p>
<p>When you say you no real work experience. Does that mean you did no internships or Co-ops? Cause wouldn’t an employer be concerned about person having a masters and no internships or Co-ops?</p>
<p>Lydia, I had one internship last summer, which was just inspecting roads all day long… snore. It was for the county’s engineering department but that’s basically all I did. It barely even qualifies as an engineering internship, and unfortunately, has zero to do with my intended field of study at the postgraduate level. But, it is on the resume since I worked for the engineering department. I hope to get a more relevant internship this summer and to be a research assistant for a professor in my department.</p>