Opinions welcomed on switching from construction to geotech discipline

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billyluv

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I was hoping to get some feedback from some of you about switching discipline from construction to geotech. I have 3 exam failures all of which are about 10 questions short of passing. I work in the field of railroad signal construction and rarely practice where calculations are necessary. To add to the difficulty I've been out of school for 25 years.

Although I have little trouble understanding the concepts and I'm thoroughly a seasoned field professional;I do struggle with the math. I also seem to be doing exceedingly better in the Geotech areas and I enjoy the subject more. I do hold General Contractors, plumbing and mechanical license in multiple States; which I passed each one on the 1st attempt.

I would welcome opinions from you engineers who have more knowledge of the test content. Does the Geotech have less math and do you think it wise to switch at this point?

Thanks in-advance for your help! I'm struggling.

 
Why are you taking the PE? Is it required, a goal, or job advancement. I ask because you said you are struggling with the math. If the PE is for advancement, the math is likley to increase.

You said you enjoy the geotech, that could be your answer right there. If you enjoy the subject than perhaps you need to switch depths.

How did you decide on construction? I suspect working on railroad crossing construction you may be familar with transportation depth, more than you think. You have sign package setups ( MUTCD), you have sight distance issues ( green book), overall crossing geometry.

Just a thought.

 
Why are you taking the PE? Is it required, a goal, or job advancement. I ask because you said you are struggling with the math. If the PE is for advancement, the math is likley to increase.

You said you enjoy the geotech, that could be your answer right there. If you enjoy the subject than perhaps you need to switch depths.

How did you decide on construction? I suspect working on railroad crossing construction you may be familar with transportation depth, more than you think. You have sign package setups ( MUTCD), you have sight distance issues ( green book), overall crossing geometry.

Just a thought.
@Predgw, thanks for the reply and thoughts. I'm taking the PE for personal goals and to simply separate myself from the masses. And most importantly trying to challenge myself to reach the next level. When you reach 50 it's gets a little routine.

 
What aspect of railroad crossings do you do?

Could see Electricla controls as a possibility.

I can't even begin to guess about the civil world. However, I get the feeling civil guys have it much much harder than other disciplines.

Seems every Civil examinee took a huge pile of books. No early leaves for that discipline either.

Do you need a civil exam pass to practice civil engineering in your state?

Railway can be just about anything. Civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer could find plenty they knew in rail technology.

 
What aspect of railroad crossings do you do?

Could see Electricla controls as a possibility.

I can't even begin to guess about the civil world. However, I get the feeling civil guys have it much much harder than other disciplines.

Seems every Civil examinee took a huge pile of books. No early leaves for that discipline either.

Do you need a civil exam pass to practice civil engineering in your state?

Railway can be just about anything. Civil, electrical, or mechanical engineer could find plenty they knew in rail technology.
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking civil was one of the easier disciplines. Do you think Civil would be harder than mechanical? thanks for the help.

 
If you are doing this for your own gain and for a challenge, then you should take the depth exam that interest you the most, period.

You want easy, then look at the outline for each depth and determine which one most applies to what you do and have experience with. I had a transportation depth question that was a look up equation in the MUTCD that I have done hundreds of times at work through the years. That is a way to make things easy for yourself

 
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