Professional Engineering (PE) License?
I'm an engineer considering making the switch to consulting...before I get my MBA, would getting my Professional Engineering (PE) license greatly help my profile during recruiting?
I'm thinking it won't hurt but it would take a some time to prepare for and pass the exam. I don't want to do engineering long term, and if getting my PE license doesn't help that much in adding prestige to my profile, I don't think it's worth it.
Thoughts? Do you or your fellow consultants have a PE license? Thanks.
think about your options. Would you ever want to go back into engineering? or do the consulting thing and then go start your own engineering consulting firm? If you can seriously answer no now, then see below.
What type of consulting work do you want to do? Engineering-related work, obviously.
Management consulting: would you maintain your PE license? If not, I personally wouldn't. Your engineering degree alone will suffice. You'll still be the math geek who is looked upon to run numbers and break apart complex systems.
B-School: I doubt anyone will care. Unless you're applying to Sloan...then maybe someone in admissions will give half a rats ass (if you're lucky) that you have your PE in addition to your engineering degree.
Think of all the effort you put into engineering to get this far, why not get the title now while you can as its unlikely you will go back into technical engineering in future so the option will be closed to you. You never know what it will be useful for in your future, what if your start-up needs a bit more technical credibility to get funding "oh hello redraider5, PE. let me get my cheque book".
Wanted to throw in my own $0.02. I'm about half way towards my PE license having passed the national and 1 out of 2 state exams. (I can technically be a PE in other states). I can speak for the MBA, that having your license will let adcom know you can handle the quant part of an MBA. Most adcoms know what the PE requires.
If you're just starting off your PE, I would say it isn't worth it. I'm talking about the money, I didn't put too much time into studying. But if you've already invested some time and money into it, just do it. For me, I want to design and build things on the side as a hobby, not a job. So I would prefer to keep my PE. Good luck if you're taking it in April.
Cum magnam qui delectus tempora ipsa. Ea aut laborum consectetur et. Ut asperiores odit et nisi porro.
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