5 answers
Magezi
Student
Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
1
Question
Asked
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I've been doing my CE course here in Uganda but the pay doesn't look nice am looking at possibly advancing in a specific field to perhaps get better pay if at all any what would you recommend ?
Am currently in my last year of civil engineering
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5 answers
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
88
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hello Magezi, I do not know the employment opportunities where you are, but I would suggest you (first) complete your studies in CE and receive your diploma or certification. You are so close to crossing the finish line. Meanwhile, figure out what the better opportunities are available, and see what CE courses already apply in that field, AND/OR determine what courses you might need to receive a "minor" in another area of expertise. Many of your CE skills may transfer to other jobs readily - I assume that you have had some courses in project management, financial analysis and the like, as well as the "hard" engineering topics. Talk with your instructors. They may be able to suggest other areas where you could perform well Talk to the people in this new area, if there is one at your institution. You might need another semester or term to meet the requirements of a different degree. Be flexible when pursuing a job.
If you start looking for employment right away - be flexible. Look for companies that offer opportunities in this new field. They might even offer some on-the-job training. Your degree can open doors for you, but you must choose which door to walk through. Good luck Magezi!
If you start looking for employment right away - be flexible. Look for companies that offer opportunities in this new field. They might even offer some on-the-job training. Your degree can open doors for you, but you must choose which door to walk through. Good luck Magezi!
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Magezi
Dwight Lind
Consulting Civil Engineer
4
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Dwight’s Answer
I am a Professional (Civil) Engineer. After school I worked at a consulting Civil Engineering firm. The projects varied and I got a lot of Experience. Civil Engineering can work at more different projects than any other field of Engineering. After 4 years I got my Professional license and left that firm to be a partner in a new firm. I then had the chance to only work on projects that challenged me. Another four years and I started a new firm as a sole owner. I stayed that way until the work was more than I could handle and picked another PE to help. That lasted for 8 more years. Then I was back to a sole owner been that for the last 35 years. . I always tried to hire young students as part time help while they went to school. The thing I stressed when they were graduating, was to find a job that would challenge them and make you want to come to work each day. Instead most went for interviews, and most chose a job based on salary. within 2 to 3 years they changed jobs. And again they based their next job on Money. Guess what? They finally got the point. Get a job you can't wait to get to work in the morning. Then they were happy. Money is important but not as satisfying as what you do. As a owner of a consulting firm, you make the highest salary, and get to choose what you do. Best of both worlds. Plan classes to get informed as to how to operate a firm, like accounting, personnel management. That way you get to do work you enjoy doing and become your own boss.
Thank you for giving me advice.
Magezi
Diya Dwarakanath
Science & Engineering Writer, ex-Sr R&D Engineer
11
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Diya’s Answer
Hi Magezi,
Dennis makes many great points!
I agree - you’re almost there - finish your degree.
Entry level pay starts low even for engineers.
Here in the US, there is a “principal engineer” license that many civil engineers are required to get. I don’t know if that exists in Uganda? Are there professional societies for civil engineering ? You could ask a member who might be a practicing civil engineer about such certifications or licenses. It is a long process in the US, but it eventually helps with employment chances and pay.
Perhaps older students from your major will be the most helpful - you can ask them what is a reasonable pay after you graduate? They may have advice for you.
Computer science or Cybersecurity are also good areas to take additional classes in. You can learn online on your own through boot camps like Code Academy etc. and work remotely from Uganda.
Dennis makes many great points!
I agree - you’re almost there - finish your degree.
Entry level pay starts low even for engineers.
Here in the US, there is a “principal engineer” license that many civil engineers are required to get. I don’t know if that exists in Uganda? Are there professional societies for civil engineering ? You could ask a member who might be a practicing civil engineer about such certifications or licenses. It is a long process in the US, but it eventually helps with employment chances and pay.
Perhaps older students from your major will be the most helpful - you can ask them what is a reasonable pay after you graduate? They may have advice for you.
Computer science or Cybersecurity are also good areas to take additional classes in. You can learn online on your own through boot camps like Code Academy etc. and work remotely from Uganda.
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Magezi
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Good Day, Magezi !
I would say that you are doing the right thing by taking the civil engineer courses for your degree. The important thing is to not make any predictions, second guess your field of work or jump ahead of things. Each step is an important push towards a rewarding engineering career.
Since you have emphasized that your country may not be offering good pay, but you haven't mentioned what that would be, perhaps you could consider relocating. That would be a very large step and a major change so you do not want to decide in haste before you get your degree. It can be intimidating to read about salaries in articles that generalize in statistic form. When you read the statistics, you think those are the answers but in reality, it is the companies that hold the answer to what they are offering in the way of salaries. Each company offers something different. You may have to adjust your financial output for a while until you find a job that has the high pay as you would define it. I know it's important to get an idea of what type of income you can expect, but with that being a discouraging factor, it will become a barrier and you deserve to move forward, not backward.
I would suggest looking at the jobs that are being offered by specific companies for various engineering jobs in Uganda. A job comes with a salary offered by a company. It may be fruitless to establish your own salary and try to match it up with what is being offered. One day you will look back on this concern and wonder why you were ever concerned about it. I have provided the link below to the listing of jobs at Uganda Job.
Another thing you can try is to make some phone calls to the employers and speak with their Human Resources departments. Ask what the salaries are, unless you have done this already and that's how you come to your conclusion. You have invested a lot in your degree already and salary for the future should not be something to hold you back.
Best wishes to you !
https://www.ugandajob.com/job-civil-engineer JOBS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS IN UGANDA
I would say that you are doing the right thing by taking the civil engineer courses for your degree. The important thing is to not make any predictions, second guess your field of work or jump ahead of things. Each step is an important push towards a rewarding engineering career.
Since you have emphasized that your country may not be offering good pay, but you haven't mentioned what that would be, perhaps you could consider relocating. That would be a very large step and a major change so you do not want to decide in haste before you get your degree. It can be intimidating to read about salaries in articles that generalize in statistic form. When you read the statistics, you think those are the answers but in reality, it is the companies that hold the answer to what they are offering in the way of salaries. Each company offers something different. You may have to adjust your financial output for a while until you find a job that has the high pay as you would define it. I know it's important to get an idea of what type of income you can expect, but with that being a discouraging factor, it will become a barrier and you deserve to move forward, not backward.
I would suggest looking at the jobs that are being offered by specific companies for various engineering jobs in Uganda. A job comes with a salary offered by a company. It may be fruitless to establish your own salary and try to match it up with what is being offered. One day you will look back on this concern and wonder why you were ever concerned about it. I have provided the link below to the listing of jobs at Uganda Job.
Another thing you can try is to make some phone calls to the employers and speak with their Human Resources departments. Ask what the salaries are, unless you have done this already and that's how you come to your conclusion. You have invested a lot in your degree already and salary for the future should not be something to hold you back.
Best wishes to you !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Afifa Khan
Business Content writer / pharmacy student
12
Answers
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
Afifa’s Answer
You may start learning Cyber security it's surprisingly in demand and promises handsome pay . Udemy is a great courses website where you can learn programming and cyber security .
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Magezi