Is it worth it to take the SE exam?

[NJmike PE]

holy crap

that's the last time i use my ipad. That took me like 15 minutes to type and sounds like ****. lol

 

[StandardPractice]

i am i  florida and i was debating really hard on whether i should take it. 

for me, it would be absolutely ZERO benefit. literally zero. i do not work for a firm nor plan to. i remember i actually studied for it when i took my civil structural exam like six years ago. i was probably ready then and had the time to study (was unemployed). 

i think im sticking with just my civil PE and masters degree in structural. I call myself a structural engineer because of my graduate degree. you cant reaaly compare a two day exam that takes 300hrs of study (8 weeks) to a degree which takes two years (it actually took me only a single year).

also just got my PE electrical this october, thank goodness. that one helps much more than the SE (for me at least)

also, at this time. i wouldnt be able to study for this for another two years or so. 

working on obtaining various contractor licenses. thats where the money is

The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future. It's an exam that will at minimum further your general structural engineering knowledge. Also, I would say it is worth more than a MSE when it comes to comparing the practical application of each accomplishment. A MSE doesn't legally qualify you to stamp structural drawings, but passing a PE and/or SE does.

 

[Phatso86]

grammar nazis?

 

[Phatso86]

The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future. It's an exam that will at minimum further your general structural engineering knowledge. Also, I would say it is worth more than a MSE when it comes to comparing the practical application of each accomplishment. A MSE doesn't legally qualify you to stamp structural drawings, but passing a PE and/or SE does.

i don't need the SE title to stamp structural drawings. I've been doing this for years now.

shouldn't confuse people with misinformation

 

[matt267 PE]

shouldn't confuse people with misinformation

What misinformation are you talking about?

 

[Phatso86]

What misinformation are you talking about?

" The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future "

unless he meant that the knowledge gained never has zero benefit, which would technically not be relevant 

 

[kevo_55]

opcorn:

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

i don't need the SE title to stamp structural drawings. I've been doing this for years now.

shouldn't confuse people with misinformation

 but passing a PE and/or SE does.

Emphasis mine.

 

[Phatso86]

Emphasis mine.

" " The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future " "

read that text again. this quote "  but passing a PE and/or SE does. " renders the former completely meaningless

 

[matt267 PE]

" The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future "

unless he meant that the knowledge gained never has zero benefit, which would technically not be relevant 

But if someone isn't practicing SE and doesn't see themselves practicing in the future, what good would the SE do for them?

A MSE doesn't allow anyone to stamp plans. And having a PE doesn't make you qualified to stamp drawings either.

Almost anyone can study for a test and pass an exam. But it takes proper education and experience to understand the theory to make one ethically qualified to stamp plans. 

 

[matt267 PE]

" " The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future " "

read that text again. this quote "  but passing a PE and/or SE does. " renders the former completely meaningless

Dude you suck at using your ipad. You should get an Android.

 

[StandardPractice]

" The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future "

unless he meant that the knowledge gained never has zero benefit, which would technically not be relevant 

Phatso86, please don't take my post personal. Purpose of my statement is to hopefully persuade yourself or another individual who may stroll across this thread to see the value in the SE exam if they are a practicing engineer. Is the SE exam necessary? No. Does it qualify you over another with a PhD or MSE to perform work around the country? By law yes, but by knowledge not necessarily.

It is an exam that has proven time and again to produce better engineers whether they pass the exam or not. And that's the end goal. For our profession to advance in knowledge for the benefit of public safety. As the profession progresses, hopefully how we assess our skills as engineers will as well and who knows a better method to test knowledge may be proposed.

 

[Ken PE 3.1]

12 minutes ago, Phatso86 said: " The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future "
unless he meant that the knowledge gained never has zero benefit, which would technically not be relevant 

But if someone isn't practicing SE and doesn't see themselves practicing in the future, what good would the SE do for them?A MSE doesn't allow anyone to stamp plans. And having a PE doesn't make you qualified to stamp drawings either.

Almost anyone can study for a test and pass an exam. But it takes proper education and experience to understand the theory to make one ethically qualified to stamp plans. 

Not according to some around here.

 

[smahurin]

The SE title, if obtained, never has ZERO benefit unless you don't see yourself practicing structural engineering in near future. It's an exam that will at minimum further your general structural engineering knowledge. Also, I would say it is worth more than a MSE when it comes to comparing the practical application of each accomplishment. A MSE doesn't legally qualify you to stamp structural drawings, but passing a PE and/or SE does.

If by MSE, you mean a master's in structural engineering, I guess I completely disagree. I think the PE/SE are valuable from a marketability standpoint... and because as you pointed out they mean you can take legal responsibility for a design and therefore be sued for your designs.  Which certainly has value.  My masters, however, gave me a far greater understanding of the mechanics, behavior and rationale behind why many code provisions exist.  That's not to discourage people from getting a PE or an SE... but of the 3 I value my masters far far more than either license.  And it's not even close.  But everyone will have their own emphasis and value system.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

If by MSE, you mean a master's in structural engineering, I guess I completely disagree. I think the PE/SE are valuable from a marketability standpoint... and because as you pointed out they mean you can take legal responsibility for a design and therefore be sued for your designs.  Which certainly has value.  My masters, however, gave me a far greater understanding of the mechanics, behavior and rationale behind why many code provisions exist.  That's not to discourage people from getting a PE or an SE... but of the 3 I value my masters far far more than either license.  And it's not even close.  But everyone will have their own emphasis and value system.

Interesting, it's hard to find someone who have taken all three (PE, SE, MSE) and have a balanced opinion on the merits. Makes me wonder if I should consider getting a MSE before I get too much older...

 

[Seppe]

Just so we're clear, Phatso doesn't think the SE is of any value, and his only interest in the topic beyond said fact is that he is still kinda sorta intrigued to see if he could pass it.

So, let's move on.

Yes, I believe the SE is a valuable credential.  Without a doubt, the hard work put in as part of the SE licensure process increases a structural engineer's knowledge base and comprehension level.

As we sit here going into 2017, if you're forty or younger and your primary engineering discipline is structural, you'd be best-served to pursue your SE.  The credential itself is not going away, nor should it.  The ever-evolving and increasingly-complex field of structural engineering demands it. 

 

[Phatso86]

Just so we're clear, Phatso doesn't think the SE is of any value, and his only interest in the topic beyond said fact is that he is still kinda sorta intrigued to see if he could pass it.

So, let's move on.

Yes, I believe the SE is a valuable credential.  Without a doubt, the hard work put in as part of the SE licensure process increases a structural engineer's knowledge base and comprehension level.

As we sit here going into 2017, if you're forty or younger and your primary engineering discipline is structural, you'd be best-served to pursue your SE.  The credential itself is not going away, nor should it.  The ever-evolving and increasingly-complex field of structural engineering demands it. 

it's not my opinion that the Florida engineering board itself places no value on one's passing of the SE exam. Or as an employee described it, "meaningless."

I suppose a lot of people here are simply not comprehending English sentences.

 

[matt267 PE]

I suppose a lot of people here are simply not comprehending English sentences.

Part of that is your fault for creating sentences that sound like they fell out of a douche. 

But we'll blame that darn ipad.

 

[NJmike PE]

I suppose a lot of people here are simply not comprehending English sentences.

Dude, get over yourself. NO ONE gives a flying **** that you think you are some kind of superman because you passed the PE exam of a discipline other than that which you commonly practice engineering under. It's an exam based upon minimal competency and you were able to pass it with less then a normal amount of preparation. And with this bullshit about comprehension and grammar- you should chill out a bit. This is an engineering forum.  You don't need to constantly combat others here and if you continue to feel the need for it, then you'll probably be escorted out the door.Try to chill out a bit.

 

[smahurin]

Interesting, it's hard to find someone who have taken all three (PE, SE, MSE) and have a balanced opinion on the merits. Makes me wonder if I should consider getting a MSE before I get too much older...

I'd definitely encourage all structural engineers to do that.  I also realize everyone is at a different places in their lives.

I know there are countless structural engineers who are successful with just a bachelors, but I can honestly say I wouldn't be one of them. Me and a coworker (also with his masters) were discussing this the other day.  There are so many things that we deal with daily in our job that don't fit neatly and cleanly into some code provision.  I think my masters gave me the theoretical knowledge and understanding of the mechanics so I can figure out why code provisions exist and what their intent is.  Hopefully, because of this I'm able to more effectively figure out how to tackle the out-of-the-box issues that seem to arise far more often than you think.  I just feel i'd be hopelessly lost without the background it has provided me.  I'm not sure I'm necessarily competent, but I hope/think it makes me less incompetent!

I sound like an advertisement...