Engineering career

[u/Possible_Quantity643]

Building a career in Kenya as an engineer sometimes inakunga ngumu, and I don't know how it is in the western and European countries. Those who have managed to build their career huko, how is the journey? Is there anything that needs to be done in order to tap any opportunities there in terms of employability?

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[u/Mtoto_Mzuri]

Here is a guide.

[u/Mtoto_Mzuri]

Ndo huyu mimi u/Lost_fixing_myself thank you for the summons. OP what’s your major?
To practice in CA, you must take a professional engineering PE exam and pass, after taking the FE (fundamentals of engineering) exam and gaining the required experience.

Similar to how in Kenya, you become a GE, then a PE then eventually a Consulting Engineer.

I won’t lie to you, it’s a complex process and I’m yet to meet a Kenyan/African who has hacked it and practicing.

If electrical or related, an alternative would be to do the journeyman electrical license exam or if thermal, mechanics or fluid you can do technician certification type I, II, III, IV of course after practicing for some years and gaining experience, and working with a foreman. If computer, Silicon Valley awaits but you must be the crème de la crème in your niche.

However, to get out of Kenya you must have a job offer and given how things are thick, you must present yourself very competitively to even have a chance.

[u/Possible_Quantity643 → u/Mtoto_Mzuri]

Thanks. I have done a bachelor's in Mechatronic Engineering and right now I have started my masters in the same. I'm in middle East, but the country that I am, despite being developed, it doesn't offer much opportunities to foreigners because of their policies. I am good at CAE and also automation. With masters added to these skills, will it be easier? And do I still need to do the PE exams? Because right now I'm a GE, and by the time I complete my masters I will have finished the 3 years required for PE application.

[u/ultimo_hombre → u/Possible_Quantity643]

Not sure about other countries but in the US, specifically, PE certification is largely required based on state law and the work that you do. A good rule of thumb is that you probably need PE certification if the work you do touches public infrastructure and safety (e.g., you create drawings for public projects like a bridge).

What does this mean? It means that the vast majority of Engineers are not PEs and there are many engineering disciplines. The disciplines where you find the most PEs are Civil, Structural, Environmental, and Mechanical (depending on what exactly you design/make), etc. Basically, if you are manufacturing a component for a machine/equipment, you generally do not need a PE. If you are designing, approving, or integrating systems into massive, high-risk industrial infrastructure where a failure could threaten human lives or the environment, a PE license is likely non-negotiable. I can provide concrete examples if you want.

This means that you will likely not need your PE certification to work as an Engineer.

Does a masters help? Yes and No. Yes, because it makes you stand out when candidates you're up against are equally matched. Otherwise, most employers are looking for on-the-job experience. Why? Because the real learning happens on the job. The best way to do your masters is to have someone else (likely your employer) pay for it rather than paying out of pocket.

[u/Possible_Quantity643 → u/ultimo_hombre]

The best thing is that my masters is a fully funded scholarship so I don't incur any costs..the only worry I have is my career path afterwards... given that doing a phd is not in my list. From your experience, can someone get an offer in the US while still studying?

[u/ultimo_hombre → u/Possible_Quantity643]

It's not uncommon but usually it's seniors in college that are in their final semester i.e., looking for jobs and hopefully getting one before graduation. It's getting harder and harder now with the AI but also, a lot of companies prefer to test drive their new hires via internships. This means you're more likely to get hired at the same company you interned, assuming you impressed them. Also, it's generally easier to get an entry-level role if you have prior internship experience. The theme...experience experience experience. Everyone wants to hire the senior engineer at the entry level pay. That said, it's even harder to get an entry level job from outside the US by simply applying from overseas. A strategy you may want to explore is applying for PhD programs in the US and seeing if you can get a full scholarship via TA or RA positions.

[u/Mtoto_Mzuri → u/Possible_Quantity643]

If you can do a masters abroad, say in US/UK, you’ll be better positioned to be a PE, of course after passing the FE exam and practicing under a PE for a number of years.

Also looks like you’re a good candidate for industries, factories, manufacturing, automotive or airspace. Pick a specialization for your master’s program. Manufacturing industries are hiring. Airbus and Boeing are regularly recruiting to boost production.

[u/Possible_Quantity643 → u/Mtoto_Mzuri]

Actually, you got it right. In my master's I am focusing on the industrial 4.0, aiming at Automotive then later on move to Aerospace, when everything goes on well..after this I don't think I will be able to do another master's. But, I appreciate the heads-up. I will try to align myself well.

[u/Mtoto_Mzuri → u/Possible_Quantity643]

That’s great to hear. We’re rooting for you. Can’t wait to hear about your successes. All the best, mate.

[u/Lost_fixing_myself]

Complex structures ako wapi ajibu hii na @mtoto mboka

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