whydoicare

I wouldn't switch majors at this point, the time and possibly the debt will just pile up. But you can find ways of leveraging your analytical skills, as evidenced by an engineering degree, into some related field. Lots of graduates face this very problem, and many succeed. If you have some aptitude for computer science or accounting, load up on electives the last year, and maybe get enough for a minor. Some things to consider:

1 - engineering analysis software companies
2 - technical writing
3 - teaching (may need a certificate)
4 - law school, to move into a technically related field like patents
5 - technical sales, any field not just civil or construction

Some of those won't make sense, they will depend on your specific interests and abilities. Good luck.

GLOBALTRAVELER

You can always try to enter the software industry doing things like being an systems analyst (non-programming) or do some "systems administration" type of work (Unix/Linix, Virtual Servers, etc) while you are not doing C.E. work. You will need more expertise in order to do more software development work like knowing Java, C++ and O.O. methods.

MaineLonghorn

Enginox, aibarr is right. My husband and I do design single-family residences, but not that frequently. They tend to be huge mansions located right on the Maine coast. There are a good number of wealthy people who can still afford to build big houses.

We have always tried to diversify. We can design structures that are used for commercial, industrial, and residential purposes. When one area slows down, another one tends to get busier. We have found a good niche to be helping out larger firms that get overwhelmed when they are awarded a big project and don't have the manpower to complete it. An engineer at a large firm just last week told me they expect to get a couple of big projects shortly, but management doesn't want to start hiring permanent employees yet, so there's a good chance they'll call us to help. Firms up here know that we're willing to work weekends, pull all-nighters - whatever it takes to get the job done. I also do AutoCAD drafting for other companies and I do a damn good job. It doesn't pay as well as enginering, but it helps pay the bills when things are slow.

We have to educate some of our clients that a two-person firm can put out a lot of work. After all, a team of only 12 structural engineers was responsible for the design of the new Burj Dubai Tower and the surrounding complex of buildings. Only 6 engineers worked on the tower itself, which is over half a mile tall.

NegativeSlope, as I mentioned before, the economy sucked when we got out of grad school, also. If you work hard, you'll get hired. If you keep a pessimistic attitude, you're going to have a hard time succeeding. If you're really so miserable about your prospects, switch to another field (and no, I'm not knowledgeable enough to make recommendations about which field to choose).

I really think this thread has run its course, so can we talk about ice cream? It's my favorite time of year in Maine - all the ice cream stands are open for the summer. Gifford's and Beal's are my favorites. I miss Blue Bell badly, though. I'll be in Austin in 9 days, though, so I will have some then.

dabeastro

I will agree that land development is dead. That eliminated a large number of civil engineering jobs. However, stating that civil engineering is dead is silly. Take a look at water or the environmental side. Don't dig the dirty side of engineering? Consider graduate school to change up your direction. At most schools, a civil degree prepares you for entrance into almost any field with the addition of only a few more classes. I myself am thinking law school after I have a few years on my PE. I know very few civils versed in water resources/hydraulics that can not find work.....

CS? Electrical? Mechanical? Those fields are more likely to be crippled. English is not required and they can be out sourced like crazy. Only engineering field I would rather be in is chemical.

aibarr

(Mwa ha ha, I've created a monster...)

I've recently discovered the Ben & Jerry's personal cups of ice cream, with the little spoons in the lid. They're adorable.

MaineLonghorn

Oh, my, aibarr, those sound dangerous! Does that mean the pint size is "dead"? Will there be a much lower demand for it in the future??

aibarr

No, as long as there are bad days in this world, there will be a demand for pints of ice cream.

rsala004

2 days would probably be fine to learn PHP and actually start w/e project was in mind..
(obviously assuming you are a programmer , and maybe have experience with scripting languages?)

boneh3ad

I just tried some Black Tea Vanilla frozen yogurt the other day. Yes, it is frozen yogurt and not ice cream, but I think it can be safely lumped into the same conversation. It was veeeeeery good.

aibarr

Black tea vanilla?? Ooh... Is it mass-produced? That sounds fantastic.

boneh3ad

I got it at a Red Mango. It is a chain, albeit a somewhat limited one. Google Maps tells me there is one right next to Rice now, and I believe you are familiar with that area (hehe). The thing is, they change out their flavors a lot so there is no way to tell when each one will be there that I am aware of other than the few staples like cocoa and vanilla. The good news is you could pretty much try something new each time you go there.

sumzup

If you are an experienced programmer, a new environment isn't as big of a deal as it sounds. You are utilizing the same basic skills in different ways.

W.R.T. ice cream: I am extremely disappointed that Samoas Ice Cream is a seasonal thing. I thought it might be different from the Girl Scout Cookies season for some reason, but I was wrong. Sad panda is sad.

aibarr

Both ice cream *and* Girl Scout Cookies freeze well. Also, if you wrap Girl Scout Cookies in foil before you stick them in the freezer, you're more likely to forget about them and think they're vegetables.

I'll definitely have to try Red Mango...

sumzup

So you're saying that, months later, I can unwrap the FORGOTTEN FOIL and be rewarded with Samoas?

I like your thinking. Alas, it's too late to implement such a solution now. Next year.

aibarr

That is indeed what I'm saying. It's a delicious freezer surprise.