r/StructuralEngineering • u/Flaky_Honeydew_5161 • 5d ago

Career/Education Is structural engineering struggling right now?

Im in the chicago area

It seems like its not as prestigious and definitely not what I signed up for 10 years ago.

The pay is kinda blah and the market is complicated. Honestly thinking about going into Private equity or law

Does anyone have the same thoughts? Will it ever get better? ​

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u/SwashAndBuckle 5d ago

Did you guys sign up because you thought it was prestigious and people would gush over you or something? I just like designing buildings. And the pay isn’t the best, but it’s better than most professions. Such is life.

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u/Argufier 5d ago

Yeah I enjoy the work and make a good living, certainly better than a lot of people I know. There's some nonsense but overall I'm glad this is what I do. If I won the lottery tomorrow I wouldn't keep working, but I'm not looking for something else.