<p>Bioeng--all good questions....let me give you my background so you know my perspective....I'm a leader at an environmental engineering & science consulting firm with many engineers, biologists (including fisheries biologists), chemists, geologists, constructors & more. Like you, I had an interest in the sciences as well as engineering (& business)....I have undergrad in geology from an LAC & MSE in "Management of Technology"....part engineering oriented, part MBA.</p>
<p>First, is it necessary to get a masters in bio to practice bio?.....well of course it depends on the job, but in my experience, biology, and perhaps chemistry, have the highest academic training expectations of any of the fields I work with. Most biologists that want to advance in their technical area get a masters at least, and PhDs are a common goal. Thats more or less the expectation within and outside my industry. Doesn't mean you couldn't do well without one, & I know plenty of biologists who have been successful in their consulting careers without advanced degrees......but I know more with masters or PhDs.....you get the picture. Engineering and geology are not the same way....except if one gets into a more specialized technical area.</p>
<p>Second, benefits of prof licensure, or getting a PE? In my world, if you want to practice engineering, you must get a PE, period. I work with folks who have engineering degrees that don't practice hard core design engineering, and thats fine. But if you want to be the primary author of designs & specs, you must seal them with your PE stamp. One can't lead such an effort if they are not properly credentialed, and other engineers may be reluctant to follow. Therefore the management path may limit a non-PE'd engineer. Plus, the PE is an imporatnt credential to our clients, so if an engineer does not have a PE, thats a ding in the marketing area. This is most important for Civil eng's, who design facilities & infrastructure that may have public "civil" safety concerns. This also applies to electricals that are doing design work. Chem E's need them less, as many Chem E's work in the plant and are not signing & sealing official documents & plans. Do yourself a favor & no matter what, take the fundamentals exam in the spring of your senior year as an engineering undergrad, even if you think you won't need a PE (you'll sit for the PE after 4 or 5 years of experience, but you need to pass the more theoretical fundamentals exam first). The know-how needed to pass the fundamentals test is very quickly lost after you leave school. Also, even if you don't think you'll need the PE in whatever field you are targeting, get your PE anyway. Guaranteed you'll contemplate more than once in your working career a change in field, and having a PE gives you much more flexibility.</p>
<p>Last question, not sure what to say about small business opportunties....plenty in all shapes and sizes. Can you be more specific? </p>
<p>By the way, you are my dream hire.......someone with a undergrad/grad mix of 2 out of these 3: science, engineering, business (latter must be graduate). Its more usual to see science undergrad followed by engineering grad degree, but that route is tougher in the grad years due to making up engineering core requirements before getting into the meat of the masters program.</p>
<p>Concluding, my advice is:
1. get your masters
2. get your PE
3. stick with your eclectic plan, as it will pay off in the long run and be attractive to some employers, and provide you with plenty of potential for a variety of experiences.</p>
<p>Feel free to ask more questions.....I actually tour local college engineering programs with a professional society on these issues, so your interest is near & dear.......PC</p>