Structural Engineering outlooks?

<p>A lot of threads here are discussing about chemical, mechanical, electrical and even petroleum engineering. I want to bring up the field of Structural Engineering. Is it still looking good? I'm planning to transfer to UCSD's Structural Engineering program but for some strange reason, I rarely find any topics on it (not just on forums but also outside the internet). Am I making a good decision? Should I just go for civil? I really love UCSD's program but is SE the way to go for an undergraduate? Thanks!</p>

<p>UCSD:</a> Structural Engineering</p>

<p>Structural engineering is still looking good, and probably will for a long time. It's a pretty stable field because there's always dilapidated buildings being demoed and new buildings being put up. When we learn how to put up structures that can last a few centuries without it being outdated, then you should be worried. </p>

<p>There's at least one person on this forum who goes to UCSD for structural engineering. I forget what his name is though. You could try to search for structural engineering topics.</p>

<p>There's nothing really wrong with going for structural engineering instead of civil IMO. If this is what you're interested in, then go for it. The only thing you might be missing out on is some geotech courses.</p>

<p>Structural Engineering will also make you employable in the aerospace and automotive industries, since they rely heavily on structural mechanics and finite-element methods.</p>

<p>rogracer, is that true for people with only a bachelors? Or only for people with a MS in structural engineering?</p>

<p>FEM and mechanics are almost exclusively taught in grad school; you'd need a masters to switch out to aero and auto and whatnot. A masters is a good investment with structural engineering. There's just not enough time to cover everything a structural engineer should know with undergrad.</p>

<p>And yes, it's still a really good field to be in.</p>

<p>A lot of structural is now being down overseas and emailed back to the states where a PE signs the work.</p>

<p>I've heard of shop drawings being done that way sometimes, but not the actual design. I wouldn't say that it's a lot though. As you said, you still need the PE, but you also need structural engineers to be on construction sites doing inspections, determining field fixes, etc.</p>

<p>EDIT: Don't forget that we also get work for projects overseas, so it's not a one-way street.</p>

<p>
[quote]
A lot of structural is now being down overseas and emailed back to the states where a PE signs the work.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is completely ridiculous. Maybe some of it is, but the amount that is done overseas is, by no stretch of the imagination, "a lot".</p>

<p>You are right Ken and aibarr...for aerospace analytical work (and likely automotive), a masters (or higher) would be required, so an undergrad terminal degree in structural engineering would not be optimal.</p>

<p>I would add, however, that advanced degrees are expected in aerospace regardless if you ever plan on getting into the really interesting parts of the industry.</p>

<p>This is completely ridiculous. Maybe some of it is, but the amount that is done overseas is, by no stretch of the imagination, "a lot". </p>

<p>I'll agree with you, as soon as you can tell me how many is "a lot"!</p>

<p>I've never seen structural engineering designs outsourced-- even the tiniest, piddliest, simplest little designs, and I'm in the field. I won't rule out that they wouldn't be <em>able</em> to be outsourced, but seeing as how I've never seen it done, I really, really, really don't believe that "a lot" are outsourced.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I've seen a LOT of imported work. I've personally worked on projects in Mexico and the Bahamas. My new company is currently scouting out places overseas to bring work <em>in</em> to our branch offices in the States. Outsourcing really isn't a problem in structural engineering... unless you're a structural engineer in Mexico or the Bahamas, I guess, in which case I'm <em>totally</em> sorry I took your work away from you.</p>

<p>Look... I think it's been said many times again and again...
Such as here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/560582-kinda-worried-about-outsourcing-2.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/560582-kinda-worried-about-outsourcing-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Don't worry about jobs being outsourced overseas. The US is having a problem with anti-intellectualism in the culture, and we're not refining enough engineers and scientists. Something is bound to happen, but it's in by no mean a lot...</p>

<p>If you are scared that LOTS of structural will be outsourced, which I don't think will happen, you can always go to CM later on during your career.</p>

<p>OTOH, I'm more scared of CivE field being too saturated, although some people here believe otherwise, and this is a whole different discussion I don't wanna bring up.</p>

<p>Structural IS outsourced.</p>

<p>And as engineers you should realize that "a lot" has litte quantitative meaning.</p>

<p>Tell your boss you need a lot of steel for your next building and see what happens.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Tell your boss you need a lot of steel for your next building and see what happens.

[/quote]

Steel fabrication is not steel design.</p>

<p>Also, where are you getting your information that structural design is outsourced? Like I said before, I know some firms here and there that outsource shop drawings and detailing, but not so much structural design. What are you talking about specifically?</p>

<p>
[quote]

And as engineers you should realize that "a lot" has litte quantitative meaning.

[/quote]

Then why are you using those words? What did you mean by "a lot" in your post?</p>

<p>me_eng, you should be the one defining what "a lot" is, since you were the first one who brought it up as quoted below:

[quote]

A lot of structural is now being down overseas and emailed back to the states where a PE signs the work.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Also, as ken said, from your experience, please give specific examples of structural design process you say are being outsourced "a lot". </p>

<p>I have yet to hear your side of the arguments.</p>

<p>Just <em>did</em> tell my boss I needed a lot of steel for my next building. It would seem that I still am employed, as I am sitting at my desk typing this.</p>

<p>Physics does not change just because you do the work overseas, my friend. It still requires the same amount of steel to hold a structure up these days.</p>

<p>(In fact, with our last submittal, the steel rebar takeoffs were $6M UNDER BUDGET, so I think we're doing far better than less skilled engineers overseas would do. American structural firms are pretty much the most efficient and experienced in the world, which is why we're doing all the big projects in Dubai, etc.)</p>

<p>Specific examples, please.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Like I said before, I know some firms here and there that outsource shop drawings and detailing, but not so much structural design.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>(Lord, I would <em>love</em> to oursource shop drawings and detailing... ugh. What a pain.)</p>

<p>Really?!!! You dont use numbers, you just say you need a lot of steel? Now either your lying or ,,,,,,, well you know.</p>

<p>Try seaching the journals, they are free.</p>

<p>I gave specific quantities to my bosses. You, however, didn't give specific quantities <em>anywhere</em>. You're arguing semantics when we're asking you to provide specific examples.</p>

<p>I've searched the journals. I own the journals. I have subscriptions to probably upwards of ten journals. If you can't back up what you're saying when you're called on it, then stop posting and confusing the issue with things that it's rapidly becoming apparent that you don't know about.</p>

<p>me_eng, you have yet to make an even semi-convincing argument. And just so we're clear, are we talking about structural design drawings? Shop drawings? Or detailing? </p>

<p>What journals are you referring to? If you've seen this somewhere, you can at least say where instead of just telling us to "try searching the journals." Be specific. Also, which journals are free? Most are subscription-based, with some here and there that are free.</p>