Discussion Thread

Hi All,

I am a civil engineering major at Oregon State University and am about to graduate in December. I am a non-traditional student who has experience in the construction industry as a union laborer. I have had two internships with a electrical utility consulting firm (one with substations and one with transmission line design) and my current internship is with a concrete construction firm. At my first two internships, I really did not like the aspect of being in a cubicle all day every day. I thought that construction would be the answer to this but last quarter, I took geotechnical engineering 2 (focused on Mohr's circle, slope stability, bearing capacity, and designing retaining walls) and Temporary Construction Structures which focused on formwork design for half of the class and designing different types of retaining walls in different soil types and really fell in love with the geotech aspect of it.

Because I took these classes so late, it was not on my radar to seek out a geotechnical engineering internship. My question is this: Do you think it will be possible to get in with a geotech firm with my undergrad (with the possibility of working towards my masters part time (nights, weekends, etc.) or should I be heavily considering a master's degree as soon as my undergrad ends to ensure I am able to get into this field? If you think it's possible to get in with an undergrad only, please provide some companies who I can look to apply to. I plan to take the FE exam late September/ early October. Going after a master's right after could be quite difficult as I am a self-supporting student. 

Sorry for the long winded question and thank you in advance.

Best, 

------------------------------
Joseph Greenwood S.M.ASCE
Corvallis OR
(773)410-7180
------------------------------

I would talk to Geo Tech firms in your area. Most need field people, and you could work on your Master's degree while working.

------------------------------
Stacey Morris P.E., M.ASCE
ETI Corporation
West Memphis AR
(901) 758-0400
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 01:07
From: Joseph Greenwood
Subject: Getting into the geotech world

Hi All,

I am a civil engineering major at Oregon State University and am about to graduate in December. I am a non-traditional student who has experience in the construction industry as a union laborer. I have had two internships with a electrical utility consulting firm (one with substations and one with transmission line design) and my current internship is with a concrete construction firm. At my first two internships, I really did not like the aspect of being in a cubicle all day every day. I thought that construction would be the answer to this but last quarter, I took geotechnical engineering 2 (focused on Mohr's circle, slope stability, bearing capacity, and designing retaining walls) and Temporary Construction Structures which focused on formwork design for half of the class and designing different types of retaining walls in different soil types and really fell in love with the geotech aspect of it.

Because I took these classes so late, it was not on my radar to seek out a geotechnical engineering internship. My question is this: Do you think it will be possible to get in with a geotech firm with my undergrad (with the possibility of working towards my masters part time (nights, weekends, etc.) or should I be heavily considering a master's degree as soon as my undergrad ends to ensure I am able to get into this field? If you think it's possible to get in with an undergrad only, please provide some companies who I can look to apply to. I plan to take the FE exam late September/ early October. Going after a master's right after could be quite difficult as I am a self-supporting student.

Sorry for the long winded question and thank you in advance.

Best,

------------------------------
Joseph Greenwood S.M.ASCE
Corvallis OR
(773)410-7180
------------------------------

Geotechnical firms are always looking for new engineers. Coming out as an undergraduate, you may be starting in a laboratory or working with drilling crews, which would give you a better "practical" experience to go with the theoretical design work from a graduate program. It can definitely be done. 

As mentioned by others, I would reach out to local firms regarding hiring. The ASCE GI May be a useful resource for firm names as well. If you have contacts with other engineering disciplines, they may also be able to direct you to relevant geotechnical firms.

------------------------------
Joseph M. Rozmiarek, P. E., M.ASCE
Principal Engineer
Roseville, MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-13-2019 09:58
From: Stacey Morris
Subject: Getting into the geotech world

I would talk to Geo Tech firms in your area. Most need field people, and you could work on your Master's degree while working.

------------------------------
Stacey Morris P.E., M.ASCE
ETI Corporation
West Memphis AR
(901) 758-0400

Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 01:07
From: Joseph Greenwood
Subject: Getting into the geotech world

Hi All,

I am a civil engineering major at Oregon State University and am about to graduate in December. I am a non-traditional student who has experience in the construction industry as a union laborer. I have had two internships with a electrical utility consulting firm (one with substations and one with transmission line design) and my current internship is with a concrete construction firm. At my first two internships, I really did not like the aspect of being in a cubicle all day every day. I thought that construction would be the answer to this but last quarter, I took geotechnical engineering 2 (focused on Mohr's circle, slope stability, bearing capacity, and designing retaining walls) and Temporary Construction Structures which focused on formwork design for half of the class and designing different types of retaining walls in different soil types and really fell in love with the geotech aspect of it.

Because I took these classes so late, it was not on my radar to seek out a geotechnical engineering internship. My question is this: Do you think it will be possible to get in with a geotech firm with my undergrad (with the possibility of working towards my masters part time (nights, weekends, etc.) or should I be heavily considering a master's degree as soon as my undergrad ends to ensure I am able to get into this field? If you think it's possible to get in with an undergrad only, please provide some companies who I can look to apply to. I plan to take the FE exam late September/ early October. Going after a master's right after could be quite difficult as I am a self-supporting student.

Sorry for the long winded question and thank you in advance.

Best,

------------------------------
Joseph Greenwood S.M.ASCE
Corvallis OR
(773)410-7180
------------------------------

A great way to go forward would be working full time for a geotechnical firm. Firms hire based on interest, and if you think that is a good fit for you then go for it. You can aim for a part time master's while you work. A lot of firms also offer tuition remission (partial) while working full time. This way you would learn the theory and have a hands on simultaneously. 

You can also go for a full time geotechnical engineering master's as I did. That route could be a little more research oriented if you want it to be (thesis vs non-thesis master's). As long as you have the aim to get master's, you have quite a lot of options and all ways eventually lead to similar career paths in the professional world.

------------------------------
Aditya Deshmukh EIT, A.M.ASCE
Staff Geotechnical Professional
Lansdale PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 01:07
From: Joseph Greenwood
Subject: Getting into the geotech world

Hi All,

I am a civil engineering major at Oregon State University and am about to graduate in December. I am a non-traditional student who has experience in the construction industry as a union laborer. I have had two internships with a electrical utility consulting firm (one with substations and one with transmission line design) and my current internship is with a concrete construction firm. At my first two internships, I really did not like the aspect of being in a cubicle all day every day. I thought that construction would be the answer to this but last quarter, I took geotechnical engineering 2 (focused on Mohr's circle, slope stability, bearing capacity, and designing retaining walls) and Temporary Construction Structures which focused on formwork design for half of the class and designing different types of retaining walls in different soil types and really fell in love with the geotech aspect of it.

Because I took these classes so late, it was not on my radar to seek out a geotechnical engineering internship. My question is this: Do you think it will be possible to get in with a geotech firm with my undergrad (with the possibility of working towards my masters part time (nights, weekends, etc.) or should I be heavily considering a master's degree as soon as my undergrad ends to ensure I am able to get into this field? If you think it's possible to get in with an undergrad only, please provide some companies who I can look to apply to. I plan to take the FE exam late September/ early October. Going after a master's right after could be quite difficult as I am a self-supporting student.

Sorry for the long winded question and thank you in advance.

Best,

------------------------------
Joseph Greenwood S.M.ASCE
Corvallis OR
(773)410-7180
------------------------------

Hi Joseph,

I had an internship in geotechnical construction as a student. My assignments were around post-tensioned earth retaining walls for freeway expansions. I think the geotechnical construction path may be a good starting path for you since it's a mix of site work and design coordination with the geotechnical designers.

Best regards,

------------------------------
Paul Lee P.E., M.ASCE
Civil Engineering Associate
Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2019 01:07
From: Joseph Greenwood
Subject: Getting into the geotech world

Hi All,

I am a civil engineering major at Oregon State University and am about to graduate in December. I am a non-traditional student who has experience in the construction industry as a union laborer. I have had two internships with a electrical utility consulting firm (one with substations and one with transmission line design) and my current internship is with a concrete construction firm. At my first two internships, I really did not like the aspect of being in a cubicle all day every day. I thought that construction would be the answer to this but last quarter, I took geotechnical engineering 2 (focused on Mohr's circle, slope stability, bearing capacity, and designing retaining walls) and Temporary Construction Structures which focused on formwork design for half of the class and designing different types of retaining walls in different soil types and really fell in love with the geotech aspect of it.

Because I took these classes so late, it was not on my radar to seek out a geotechnical engineering internship. My question is this: Do you think it will be possible to get in with a geotech firm with my undergrad (with the possibility of working towards my masters part time (nights, weekends, etc.) or should I be heavily considering a master's degree as soon as my undergrad ends to ensure I am able to get into this field? If you think it's possible to get in with an undergrad only, please provide some companies who I can look to apply to. I plan to take the FE exam late September/ early October. Going after a master's right after could be quite difficult as I am a self-supporting student.

Sorry for the long winded question and thank you in advance.

Best,

------------------------------
Joseph Greenwood S.M.ASCE
Corvallis OR
(773)410-7180
------------------------------