<p>I’m a newly admitted grad student for the M.S. Civil Engineering department, for the Structural Engineering program.</p>
<p>However, I’m interested in switching into the Atmospheres/Energy program. Does anyone know how this can be done, and if it is even possible?</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch</p>
<p>I likehow targeted this question is…=). Yes, it’s easy. All you need is a change of concentration form. Talk to your advisor and the department secretary on your first day or so.</p>
<p>heh thanks for the response.</p>
<p>hmmm i just emailed i believe the “chair” of the A/E program, and he said they have to review my application again to see if they think i have a legitimate passion for A/E or something…and if not, for me to write another statement of purpose. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>do you know anything about this, Blah2009?</p>
<p>and btw, I dont even know who my advisor is! am i supposed to already know? is there a way to find out?</p>
<p>damn…that kind of sucks. I know personally several people who switched from structural engineering to construction management, without any difficulty whatsoever. Obviously the two fields couldn’t be more different, so I dont know why A/E should be any more trouble. You won’t know your advisor until the first day, unfortunately. You might be able to email Sandra Davis, the secretary and ask her. Who signed your admissions letter? I can check to see if they’re still around.</p>
<p>oh interesting, i was actually thinking the CEM program seems cool too, haha. but i would imagine its harder to get into that… hmm</p>
<p>To be honest, one of the reasons why i want to switch from structural to something else (and i know this is a bad reason) is cause the structural program will take me 2-3 years to complete because i have none of the pre-reqs (im currently a B.S. mechanical engineer) and due to scheduling issues.</p>
<p>ok good - atleast i know that im not supposed to already know my adviser – i was getting worried.</p>
<p>My admission letter was signed by some Renaldo B. dude i think, i kinda forget =</p>
<p>thanks so much for your help by the way, you’ve answered a good amount of questions that I’ve been worried about.</p>
<p>based on financial considerations, that’s probably a good idea. In terms of rigor and respect within the department, it goes like this:</p>
<p>Structural Engineering (hardest, with a lot of analysis and quantitative/math techniques and theorems. Particularly if you go into finite elements and nonlinear structural analysis or dynamics)</p>
<p>DCI (combines construction and design)</p>
<p>CEM (lots of management and construction optimization, little to no analysis.)</p>
<p>CEM is the easiest of the three to get into. Do CEM for sure, if you are unsure</p>
<p>I am also a newly admitted grad student for the EES program I believe. I’ve been checking Axess lately but they haven’t released any dates when to register or what classes to take? Were you there for the orientation back in March? </p>
<p>I was also thinking about switching into the A/E program too. EES has a lot prereq’s as well but I had a BS in Civil Eng which makes it easier except for those Org Chem and Microbiology classes. That’s why I’m thinking about switching as well.</p>
<p>Also, what do most Stanford grads do after with an MS degree in Civil or Env Eng? What companies are good to work for in this field? I worked for AECOM before and now working at the City of Los Angeles. </p>
<p>Thanks for the input guys.</p>
<p>You’ll get an email and an electronic pdf packet soon from Sandra Davis, the departmental secretary. I worked for AECOM (DMJM Harris Specifically, as an intern) before also. Usually, Stanford civil grads go into engineering firms or consulting. The economy is tough, so coming out of Stanford these days does not mean as much as it used to. Additionally, most people are paying for their degree (unless you are on a fellowship, and if you are, don’t flaunt it, as most do not have one). try to be frugal as Palo Alto is ridiculously expensive. Several of my classmates had a hell of a time finding jobs this past year, and many still do not have jobs. Also, make sure you do well at Stanford (I know, easier said than done). You’ll be in classes with some people that will simply awe you (or you may awe others…;)). All companies asked for my transcript for an internship this summer. if you do relatively well, you should be fine come job hunting time. </p>
<p>To grdschoolhopeful, you’re referring to Ronaldo Borja. He’s a chill professor. Definitely email him your questions in advance, if you still have any.</p>
<p>What is the typical salary of a person who has an EIT/FE license and also a MS degree from Stanford? Specifically in CA or NY with 2-3 yrs of experience. </p>
<p>@Blah, it’s hard giving up a 68k salary to go back to school. I hope when I get out, I would make the same salary or if not more. I used to work for EarthTech now AECOM out of the Long Beach office, it was miserable there. Working for DMJM is another story, I heard you guys have projects up the wahzoo. </p>
<p>Also, does the dept help out with finding jobs? Or do you have to actively search for them yourself? Is it also competitive with other students who may be seeking jobs as well? What companies come up for on campus interviews? Any input will be appreciated! =)</p>
<p>I personally didnt enjoy working at DMJM too much, even though I had work. The company (now AECOM) is doing well however. Its unfortunate but you probably shouldnt expect a significant salary bump coming out of Stanford. Typical salaries within the various civil disciplines will vary. As a Masters degree structural engineer coming out of Stanford (everyone has their EIT, and a few of my classmates had their PE also), you can expect to make about 50-60k for structural design. This is assuming the economy is good and firms are hiring. Even then, firms will ask for your transcript and give technical interviews to make sure you know your stuff (the best advice I can give you before starting class is to actually learn the material in stuff you are passionate about. Dont just learn how to do problems). I heard similar salary quotes from friends in other civil disciplines. I do however have several Ph.D. friends who graduated recently and were offered positions in risk analysis consulting jobs with salaries in the 120k range. If you enjoyed your old job, do think about going back if you can. Youd probably be in line to receive a raise of some sort after getting a Masters degree. Unfortunately, the department does not help much with finding jobs, save for an annual job fair that involves companies from NorCal. Things are not all doom and gloom though. I along with some of my other classmates had some options this summer, and we all landed pretty sweet internships. I was also just offered a 70k job after graduation to do structural mechanics analysis and probabilistic modeling. I will have to decide between accepting the job or continuing on for my ph.d. at Stanford this coming year. Just make sure you do well, and youll have plenty of options. And do make sure to study what you are passionate about at Stanford. Dont trudge through structural engineering, DCI, or A/E if you dont enjoy it. Youll have time to explore in the beginning. Make sure to switch to whatever you do like.</p>
<p>@BLAH2009, I was thinking about switching into MS&E program. I know that Business Consulting may pay a lil bit higher than the usual 50-60k as a Civil or Env Eng. I mean finance has always been something I always wanted to do, in fact I do more cost analysis than actual engineering nowadays. It seems like every project that I’m assigned to, they want me to do everything from project finance to efficiency calcs to ensure that we’re profiting from the job.
I already spoke to the MS&E dept however they only take 40% who apply within the eng dept. Kinda grim I would say. What do you think? I also looked at the career website, apparently almost all MS&E students went onto various consultant companies, ibanking, and hedge fund firms. </p>
<p>I hope this doesn’t give too many ideas to other incoming Stanford grad students. =)</p>
<p>Blah2009 – hey sorry I havent responded much lately – I’ve actually been spending all this time researching the CEM program. At first, I was really attracted to CEM because I looked at it, and it was clear that it was almost all business-y type topics, and little to no actual engineering. To be honest, that kind of attracted me! haha, only because after 4 years of mechanical engineering at ucla, i feel pretty sick of engineering. But maybe its because i was doing something i didnt enjoy, (and thats why im trying out civil, since i definitely know I like buildings/bridges)</p>
<p>But then after awhile, there were a lot of things that I read about CEM that i didnt like, such. BLS (bureau of labor statistics) said that a construction manager can be on call for 24hrs/day. and also they are expected to travel a lot. And apparently they are out on the field alot, potentially getting their hands dirty, and not enjoying the comfort of the office. eugh. <em>sigh</em> guess I’ll have to start looking at other options. I’m gonna start looking at the DCI program, as you mentioned Blah2009. I think right now my main goals are which program will be the easiest (and therefore have the least analytical coursework) and also that I can complete within a year. (since im a BSME, i have certain pre-reqs that i need to complete for my current program, structural engineering, which will delay my graduation).</p>
<p>holycowbanana – you bring up a really good idea! I too have always been interested in business/finance – in fact I took a 3 course series at my underground that went over economics, finance, and entrepreneurship for engineers. this might be an interesting career direction, but it would also be a huge decision since i would pretty much be getting myself stuck in the business industry if i dont end up liking it. Hmmm so it’s possible to transfer from the civil department to the MS&E dept? I imagine theres alot of hassle/paperwork involved? Do we have to re-apply basically? If we re-apply, then what do we do, class-wise during the re-application phase?</p>
<p>I wonder what other programs i could try transferring to… haha</p>
<p>errr “underground” ----> should be “undergrad”, lol</p>
<p>sorry, no can do. you gotta do your own homework buddy. </p>
<p>during the re-app phase, you lose out on a qrt while taking eng courses cuz it takes up to a qrt for them to process it.</p>
<p>hey blah so are you done with MS and continuing to PhD?</p>
<p>i am quite interested in the DCI program. my main focus is of cuz structural as i LOVE design but come to think about it getting to know about construction would be very helpful too to my career. what’s your take on that?</p>
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<p>Typically you’re not on call 24 hours a day for a regular building project (if it happens, then it’s usually an emergency). And being on call here isn’t the same as being on call for a doctor.</p>
<p>I have not traveled at all for my job and most of the people in my company don’t either. Some companies do have their employees travelling a lot or living away from home though. These are typically the ones that work on major infrastructure projects, which are not as common as buildings (which is what I work on).</p>
<p>Some of us are in the field a lot and do get our hands dirty sometimes. There are also some who almost never leave their cubicle. I wouldn’t go into construction management if you didn’t like the former though.</p>
<p>hey ken285, i was wondering if you could enlighten me more on CEM? </p>
<p>so what exactly is “being on call” entail then?</p>
<p>if i graduate as a M.S. Civil Eng from stanford from their CEM program, and at some point in my career decide i dont want to do CM stuff — is it still possible to go into other fields of Civil Engineering, such as structural eng/design for companies? or am i pretty much stuck doing CM stuff for the rest of my career, assuming i dont go to school for another degree in something else?</p>
<p>also - whats the usual pay for an entry level CM job? </p>
<p>thanks so much for the advice/info</p>
<p>Graduating with a CEM degree from stanford will not allow you to do structural design in the future. all the big structural engineering firms out there expect a master’s degree in structural engineering. You definitely wouldn’t have room to take the requisite analysis, dynamics, mechanics, and design courses, unless you stayed for a year after your degree. I do know some people who obtained a CEM masters degree and a structural engineering masters degree after 2 years. If you want more flexibility, look into DCI at Stanford, which tries to combine the two fields. Civil in general does not pay too well (starting out), unless you get a Ph.D. and do risk analysis consulting. If you’re good at the analysis and probabilistic side of things however, there’s lots of money to be had. Don’t pick a concentration based solely on starting pay however. You’ll make more money in the long run through promotions by choosing a concentration you enjoy and will excel at. If you choose a concentration with the highest starting pay, and end up doing poorly at Stafnrod, you won’t get hired.</p>
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<p>I dislike the term “on call” (BLS’s term, not mine’s) and would prefer not to use it at all. If you’re in the office, the hours are typical office hours (8-5ish). If you’re in the field, the hours can vary more. My official hours are 7-4, though I usually get on site before 6:30 and am there until 5. If your local municipality does not prohibit it, you may end up working during the night if your project demands it. </p>
<p>Getting a MS with a concentration in construction engineering and management is not equivalent to that of a concentration in structural engineering. However, I wouldn’t say that prohibits you from entering structural engineering altogether since there are some who do work in that field with just a BS. I’ve seen some engineers go into construction management later in their career, but I have not seen construction managers go into engineering.</p>
<p>Here is something someone else posted on a different forum that sums up CM vs. design pretty well: </p>
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<p>Ken brings up a good point that should be clarified. You can indeed go into structural engineering and design with just a BS in Civil with a structural focus. However, your options will be limited as these companies typically want internship design experience. Additionally, without a Masters in Structural Engineering, no high end firms will hire you for structural engineering analysis or design. These include the likes of SOM, MKA, Degenkolb, SGH, ARUP, LERA, Buro Happold, Walter P. Moore, etc. etc… One exception is KPFF (but it’s not that reputable).</p>