How would I become an engineer?

Hi Luke,

The list of steps you provided is actually pretty accurate. I would just add a few more details. Please see below:

1. Earn a bachelor's degree in engineering from a school accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

Yes, earning a bachelor's degree is the first step. When in college I would also recommend seeking out internships or co-ops during the summer to gain real world experience. An internship/co-op is a valuable experience to determine if you would actually enjoy that type of engineering in real life. School is great, but real world experience is important because it is very different from the classroom. The experience also helps with getting a job after you graduate.

Job shadowing and "Introduction to Engineering" courses in college can also help you narrow down the field of engineering you are looking to go into. If you are undecided I highly recommend seeking out the career center at your school to make sure that you are working towards the correct degree for the job you have in mind.

1. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.

Yes, depending on what type of engineering you have decided to pursue. For example, as an environmental engineer it is important to take and pass the FE exam if you would like to eventually get your professional engineering license (PE) and move up within the ranks of a company. However, if you are a construction project management civil engineer the FE exam and subsequent PE license aren't as important. It might help a little but it isn't a requirement within the industry (to my knowledge). The same is true for other engineering majors.

1. Complete at least four years of engineering experience.

In order to obtain your professional engineering license (PE) you must complete 3-4 years (varies by state and schooling) of work under another professional engineer. Once that experience is complete you create a portfolio showcasing your work, send in paperwork, take the professional engineer exam, pass, and earn your PE license. With a PE license you can for example stamp (quite literally with a rubber stamp) and sign AutoCAD design drawings. Meaning that you have approved the design and are held liable if there is a flaw.

Good luck! :)

Luke:

Just to expand a bit on the first Commenter, the early-career goal of most Engineers is to obtain a Professional Engineering License. This license is given by the state in which you reside. You need 3-4 years of professional engineering work experience doing work supervised by licensed engineers who will vouch for you. You need to pass an 8-hour test in your chosen Field: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc. Some states, such as California, have an additional 1-2 hour specialty test unique to that state. As stated above, when you get your license you may then place your engineering stamp on engineering drawings and reports which legally certifies them as being prepared by a competent engineer. But there are also some additional advantages to having a PE license. This establishes you in the Engineering Profession with your professional peers. A PE license is usually a requirement for professional advancement in the Field. A license also qualifies you to start your own engineering firm, if you should so desire. A PE license must be renewed, for a fee, every two to four years.

Note that your license is good only to practice engineering the in the state for which you are licensed. If you want to practice engineering in another state (or you move to another state for a new engineering job), you must get a license for that particular state. Thus it is common for an engineer to possess more than one PE license. The process for obtaining the second (and third or fourth) PE license is generally quite simple, involving an application to the new state.

Pete Sturtevant, PE