Age is just a number - The reality of going back to school at 30

[@blazeforever0317]

Thanks for the video! Your content is always relatable!

[@RandyLy]

Thanks for watching!

[@welmoepics]

The State needs to widen the pay gap between Range C (non-licensed) and D (licensed) engineers to incentivize the PE. As it stands right now it’s a 6% difference. I also wish there was an environmental PE in CA instead of the 3 headed Civil monster. Next closest would be the chemical PE but it’s still a lot of work.

[@subashbose2775]

What do u mean by 3 headed civil monster. And CA as in California??

[@welmoepics]

@@subashbose2775 Yes, California. The Civil PE here consists of general, surveying, and seismic portions. 3 separate exams and only when you pass all 3 are you a licensed PE.

[@RandyLy]

I agree. I was contemplating if jumping from Range C to D was even worth getting the PE license since the difference wasn't that much. Also yes, I wish there wasn't three exams. It's going to be a long journey of studying this year.

[@subashbose2775]

@@welmoepics oh this was helpful thankyou.

[@5leepyHead]

Another benefit of the PE when working for the State is that it allows you to apply for promotions. The courses you take get reimbursed once you pass everything, so it's basically a free education!

[@ReedHarris-lv4hg]

I am trying to decide between Berkeley MEng in environmental engineering and a MS from Northeastern also in environmental engineering. I am coming from Environmental Science undergrad so I don't have as technical of a background. What would you recommend for me?

[@rippymcriprip]

Sounds like you’re taking a PE exam review course. I took EET for Civil WRE exam and I passed it in October 2021. It’s a great class. Good luck. It then took the board nearly a year to approve my application because of deficiencies. Then life happened and I’m studying for seismic now. Seismic is just as much effort and work as the 8 hour tbh. I have no structural or surveying background either. Just a BS in environmental engineering. I really think the whole process is unnecessarily brutal. How are we supposed to have a life when we’re working studying non stop? The whole profession should send us all to a month long bootcamp or provide paid training/studying time during work hours.

[@RandyLy]

I am taking EET also for the Civil WRE exam. I'm about halfway through the course and Professor Nazrul is an amazing teacher. I don't have any experience in seismic or surveying either, so I'm prepared to take prep courses on those subjects as well. I'm sure I'll fail one of them throughout my journey.

[@alyssalawrence7187]

I currently work in the water/wastewater treatment field and I’ve been trying to decide which PE exam to take - the Civil WRE or environmental. After checking the EET website it seems the WRE and environmental course is combined. I have a BS in environmental so I’d have to learn quite a bit about things I didn’t learn in undergrad if I went with the Civil WRE. I guess what I’m trying to ask is, do both offer flexibility in types of jobs you can have?

[@RandyLy]

​@@alyssalawrence7187 Hi Alyssa, I live in California and according to the NCEES website, the PE Environmental isn't an option in California, so I had to go for the next closest thing which was Civil WRE. I just took the Civli WRE exam last week and passed my first attempt with the EET prep course. I highly recommend them. I didn't have any background and it's been more than 5+ years since I was in college. I'm not exceptionally smart by any means, but I believe their teaching style is great for anyone and even beginners with no experience can pass. I think you are required to register for a field in which you are practicing. For example, it wouldn't make sense to take the mechanical PE if you are an environmental engineer. That would just make passing that exam even more difficult.

[@Rise_n_Radiate]

Thank you for the video 😊 Are sustainable engineering and environmental engineering the same? I mean, from studies in bachelor's programs to job responsibilities in both fields. Could you kindly create a video on this topic?

[@RandyLy]

My university did not offer "sustainable engineering," but I would think that it is very similar to environmental engineering. No employer will look for the exact college major when hiring and understand that universities will come up with majors with similarities.

[@Rise_n_Radiate]

@@RandyLy Okay. Thank you for answering my question 😊

[@jalego800]

Hi Randy, Thanks for your awesome videos, I love your channel! 👍 As a 35 years old Asian seeking to land a job in the US with electrical engineering background, do you consider that it would be very hard for me to enroll in a environmental engineering graduate program? (since most of the courses are very different from electrical engineering's) What about getting my first entry job after graduation? How much time do I need to get one after graduation based on your estimation? Any ideas or insights are highly welcomed, and I can't thank you enough!

[@RandyLy]

I agree. I think it will be difficult to transition into environmental engineering with your background because of how different electrical is from environmental. You might have to start over from scratch, with whatever that entails. Getting an entry level job with this current economy might be hard if you're competing with someone who already has work experience but got laid off from his previous employer. It took me a good 6 months during a good economy to get my foot in the door with this field. I would highly recommend you get your Engineer in training (EIT) certificate if you want to stand out amongst the crowd of other engineers who onlly have a Bachelors Degree.

[@jalego800]

@@RandyLy Thank you so much Randy! Your advice is really invaluable to me! Unlike others, I don't like to spend much time on the screen. How much time would you estimate spending in front of a laptop/PC screen as an environmental engineer on an 8-hour workday? I'm trying to figure out such roles with my EE background. Thanks again! 👍

[@Samu535]

what was your online environmental engineering course? I am thinking to take one. Can you please recommend good online course for this topic? Thanks.

[@RandyLy]

Im currently studying with EET USA. Im taking the Civil Engineer WRE on demand course for the exam after April (the new exam structure).

[@subashbose2775]

Can international students get a PE with a temporary visa??

[@RandyLy]

I don't think a Visa will affect whether you can get a PE. You just need to pass the PE Exam and submit the application after passing. I haven't looked at the application and what they ask for yet, so I could be wrong if you need to be a permanent US resident/US citizen.