I took a class at UCSD Extension all summer. I paid exorbitant dues. I beat myself up for two years over this. Now my efforts have come to triumphant fruition. I finally passed the fundamentals of engineering exam for chemical engineering in California. I am utterly amazed. My heart stopped once I got the email telling me my results are up.You know, despite this being the first time I actually completed the test, I have sat for it three times. That must tell you something about what an emotional struggle this was for me. I made it symbolize far too much. I made it symbolize my success in college. I don't want to get so far into my baggage about the failure of my self image in comparison to my peers/competition at UCSD, but passing this test became my Everest.
So then I take the test and I pass it. Now what? If I'm not mistaken here, nothing has changed. My capabilities, my salary, and my responsibilities are all the same. I am recalling now that one of my co-workers once mentioned that he passed this test, but there was no reason to take the PE so he never went for it. Now that I am thinking about it, there is no reason for me to go for it either.
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But surely, there must be some reason to go all the way.
Here are my responses to the best reasons I have found to go for the PE License.
1. The Challenge.
I love a good challenge. I wouldn't have run a marathon or gotten a Chemical Engineering degree if I didn't love a good challenge. They make me feel good. Pass or fail, I always feel good rising up to a challenge. Even if I fail on the way to a PE, I'll feel good for even trying.
2. The Prestige of Professionalism
As someone who suffers from imposter syndrome, I can say that this one is an important one for me. At the same time, I don't want to look like prestige means more to me than the actual engineering. Its a tough one. I want to be treated like a professional, but at the same time, I don't want to look like the way I look is the most important thing to me. Especially in my industry, many practicing engineers don't have engineering degrees. I am trying my best to be humble about my accomplishments and not resting on my laurels.
3. Money.
Important, no one could argue that. But I didn't become an engineer for the money, you know?
4. Really knowing what you are doing.
Okay, yes, so important to me. I want to know what I am doing. I feel bad when even after all that bank breaking education, I sometimes do not understand the fundamentals of what I am dealing with everyday. I want to really delve into the science and engineering of innovation. That is part of the reason I want to go for a masters degree as well.
5. You get a Stamp.
With a stamp, I could seem almost as important as a notary. That would be sweet.
Okay, so say I decide to do it. Whats next?
Step 1: is done. CHECKStep 2: once I put a $50 check in an envelope step 2 will be done.
Step 3. Now I just have to figure out 6 years of qualifying experience. My bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the accredited UCSD Jacobs school of engineering counts as four years of experience right off the back. I just have to dredge out two more years of SOLID engineering experience from my resume. That means two years where I wasn't doing preliminary engineering things like operating machinery or grant writing, things I find were incredibly instructive when being trained to be an engineer. This step will be difficult.
Step 4. This step will be difficult because I have to know 4 PE's to qualify my work. I know, to date, zero (0) PE's. I have to come up with a plan for this step because no matter what I do, I will be undermining the whole qualification intent of Professional Engineering Liscensure. I mean, the reason they ask for PE qualification is because they expect PEs to train other PEs. I am more than happy with my job and frankly don't feel like it is worth it to find another one just so I can train under a PE. So I have to get creative. My current plan is to use my network in person and on Linkedin to seek out Professional engineers in Chemical Engineering, perferably in the aerospace or optical thin film. Once I have some people in mind, I will make an old fashion portfolio with my engineering work, my white papers, and my calculations etc. This probably won't work because I do not do traditional chemical engineering. I have a feeling I will know whether or not this will work by the time I approach my first PE. I think that PE will be my college professor.
Step 5. I find that it will be so impossible to get through step 4 that I'll just have to cross taking the PE Examination if I get to.
BUT like I said, lets be real here. I dont need this certification to be the engineer I want to be. It just feels so good that I studied for a test and passed. That feeling of pure accomplishment is one of the greatest happinesses in my life, and frivolous as it may be, it was worth doing. I am sure obtaining a PE cert would feel just as satisfying.