Re: Questions for engineers?
Tough to generalize, but here goes anyway. Chemical Engineers typically command the highest salaries right out of college. Plan on a 4-5 year course of studies and don't plan on working part time at the same time, nor taking any summer vacations. After graduation, start working right away while you work on an MBA at the same time.
EEs are close in demand and the salaries are close as well. Concentrate on energy and ecology and you won't have trouble finding a job.
I just hired one last year right out of college and he started at 80K. If he does well and advances a bit he'll be over 6 figures in 10 years.
A friend's son was absolutely brilliant and he excelled at everything he did. Of course, he had no life either. Never saw him without a book in his face. Got his ChemE and a MSBSChe a year later. Worked for a major Chicago consulting firm and brought in quite a lot of business because he worked so hard. After 5 years on the job he decided to quit and take a year off to travel around the world. They enticed him to stay with a 7 figure bonus and doubled his salary. Yes, that's right - a million dollar bonus!
Yeah, there is money there, but you have to dedicate yourself to it and you have to be real goooood.
The other side of the story.......another friend started as a cashier at Home Depot at minimum wage. She was a go-getter as well and worked her way up. After 8 or 9 years she took over as store manager and now makes 125k, all while sitting in the back room and micromanaging her subordinates.
Its all what floats your boat. After 42 years as a Chem E, from junior engineer to Engineering Department Manager, I would do it all over again, but right now all I can think about is retirement and floating my boat.....LOL.
