Pr. Eng - is it worth it?

Archer

Archer

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Title says it all methinks. Is it worth my while to get registered as a so called professional engineer (elec or mech fields)? What are the pros/cons? My personal experience is that the people who are registered are dumb as bricks so I've stayed away from it, dont want to be associated with that.
 
As far as I know, quite worth it. I don't have any experience (no work for engineers in CT ;)) but from what I'm told, big responsibility (you're responsible if the design is flawed) but also big pay. A lot of people don't want to do it just because of that responsibility AFAIK.
 
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It's becoming more and more mandatory to be registered as a Pr. Eng. I had to have registered before I could get appointed as a system engineer at my work. If you do it properly with a decent mentor, it is very worthwhile.
 
alt146 said:
It's becoming more and more mandatory to be registered as a Pr. Eng. I had to have registered before I could get appointed as a system engineer at my work. If you do it properly with a decent mentor, it is very worthwhile.
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Why is that? I thought one would only need it if they were to do consulting work. Too much time & money to do it 'just for the CV'.
 
UnUnOctium said:
Why is that? I thought one would only need it if they were to do consulting work. Too much time & money to do it 'just for the CV'.
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The government want to make it mandatory. I work for a big organisation and 2 years ago there was a big drive to get registered but it's died down and everyone has forgotten.
 
If you plan to remain an engineer, then its a must have. If not, then rather use the time to acquaint yourself with the stuff they didnt teach you at varsity and that will take you where you want to be...like if you are interested in investment banking then do a CFA or something or project mgt then do a MSc in project mgt, consulting then an MBA, etc
 
Worth it. Just coz you get it doesn't mean you'll become dumb as a brick. ha ha you would have to start out that way. And for the effort vs. (possible) reward, definitely worth it. I'm registered as a candidate. Company promotes it and pays for it.
 
Hmmm. Will take another look at it next year then. Just dont want to spend money on something every month if there is no pay off from it.
 
R13... said:
The government want to make it mandatory. I work for a big organisation and 2 years ago there was a big drive to get registered but it's died down and everyone has forgotten.
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I remember that but it was just another way too optimistic endeavour used as an excuse for money to disappear (such as the recently proposed banning of porn).

Also, Kompete, ey? You say that even the guys that work developing circuits, doing layouts, ICs etc all need to get Pr. Eng eventually?!

Also, just for the record, we're talking professional, not candidate?
 
UnUnOctium said:
I remember that but it was just another way too optimistic endeavour used as an excuse for money to disappear (such as the recently proposed banning of porn).

Also, Kompete, ey? You say that even the guys that work developing circuits, doing layouts, ICs etc all need to get Pr. Eng eventually?!

Also, just for the record, we're talking professional, not candidate?
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Pr. Eng. forces you to keep up your continuing engineering education and people in design should definitely get it. Maintenance guys obviously have more value getting their GCC instead and if you're making a bee line for management then stick to MBA and the like.
 
UnUnOctium said:
Also, Kompete, ey? You say that even the guys that work developing circuits, doing layouts, ICs etc all need to get Pr. Eng eventually?!
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Not sure about light current, but definitely for mechanical, heavy current, civil eng, etc. Its useful to have - since legally you can take on greater responsibility (and hopefully more pay). Also dont understimate the statement it makes to put it on your business card - however as I also said if you're not planning to be an engineer for long you might consider redirecting your efforts elsewhere
 
Well I'm more on the electrical side of things, automotive industry. Guess it will work for me since designing cars and such does involve the lives of other lesser beings (ie non engineers ;) :p). And you have to keep paying after you're registered correct?
 
Not too clued up about this, but to me it looks like a no-brainer. Unless I missed something you've already done most the grunt work so why stop now?

Kompete said:
if you are interested in investment banking then do a CFA or something or project mgt then do a MSc in project mgt, consulting then an MBA, etc
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I don't see a CFA being particularly useful to someone with an engineering background. Project Mgmt on the other hand sounds spot on.
 
Project management :sick: Did it for a year and its not for me, at least not in the construction industry. I'll rather do arb management courses and sit at middle management where I still get to do some real engineering. Top management is not my thing.
 
R13... said:
Pr. Eng. forces you to keep up your continuing engineering education and people in design should definitely get it.
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Getting registered as a Professional Engineer/Technologist/Technician forces you to do various tasks over a certain period. You get exposure to different aspects of your specific engineering field.
 
HavocXphere said:
Not too clued up about this, but to me it looks like a no-brainer. Unless I missed something you've already done most the grunt work so why stop now?


I don't see a CFA being particularly useful to someone with an engineering background. Project Mgmt on the other hand sounds spot on.
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you didnt read the post properly?..."If you plan to remain an engineer, then its a must have. If not, then rather use the time to acquaint yourself with the stuff they didnt teach you at varsity and that will take you where you want to be... like if you are interested in investment banking then do a CFA or something or project mgt then do a MSc in project mgt, consulting then an MBA, etc "
 
To qualify for a Pr Eng, you have to show that you can apply yourself to solving engineering problems, that you have been expanding your knowledge of your field and have been taking on more responsibility and more complex projects. So it is stuff that you should be doing anyway if you want to be a good engineer.

Fees are yearly and are R850, so it is not that expensive.

Our company is trying to up the standard of the people working here, having people who are working towards their Pr Eng helps with that.
 
R850 is not too bad, for some reason I thought it was way more than that
 
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