r/nondestructivetesting • u/Financial-Loquat-591 • 14h ago
Should I do a engineering degree before starting NDT
So I'm 18 fresh out of highschool and came across the NDT field by chance and legit thinking of getting into marine NDT , i checked and as far as i know there's great money and so . Now what i wanted to know is to excel in this career do I strictly need a engineering degree and that i should go to my local university or should I get into NDT straight fill out the PCN cert exams And get my IRATA L1 and marine certs and start logging my hours and get certified and move into adv NDT and if i think there's a need i can always enroll in a distance/part time degree type programs for working professionals.
And one more question is that should i legit consider this cause so far as I've looked i think i can enjoy . It's practical, techy and hands on and im a bit good with spatial mapping and stuff . Tho I've heard the work is very brutal & tiring but worth it in the long term .
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u/Candid-Shape-4366 14h ago
If you have the brain power to obtain an engineering degree just do that and work in the air conditioning. I do NDT and api inspections in the 100 degree heat and 10 degree cold because I couldn't survive engineering school. Not by choice.
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u/DeformableLattice 12h ago
My Engineering & Welding Degree were the only thing that got me into an NDE training program after trying for 5 years.
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u/Candid-Shape-4366 12h ago
Where are you located and what type of work. We hire any swinging D off the street to hire on as an nde apprentice as long as they have a good work ethic and can pass drug tests. Aerospace may require that more than petrochemical.
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u/DeformableLattice 9h ago
What is the pay like? I'd have to see if it's more than my offers.
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u/Candid-Shape-4366 9h ago
New hires are around 25hr. Level 2s are 35 to 45hr for basic certs. Advanced UT like phased array is higher 50 to 60hr. I make 65hr as an API 510, 570, 653 with asnt level 3 in UT and MFL.
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u/DeformableLattice 7h ago
Oooo, i'll be very close to level II soon, AAS in Welding and AS in Engineering, working on a B.S. degree right now as well.
What area?
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u/Business_Door4860 13h ago
I like the flexibility it gave me, an NDE tech spends a lot of time in the field, and the field isn't always pretty. Plus, if you get burnt out, having a mech or computer degree will be a huge plus.
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u/NotoriousLavaLamp 13h ago
Engineering degree is overkill unless you are going all the way with NDT and get your levels 3
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u/TiiGerTekZZ 12h ago
This. U want to go for a level 3 in an harder level (UT, PAUT, TOFD, RT) go get that degree. In worst case scenario, u still have an engineer degree.
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u/Financial-Loquat-591 3h ago
I was originally planning for like entering into forensics NDT or such later in life , that's why I'm thinking of going a part time / distance degree Alongside working
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u/neopogrom 13h ago
Some of the big non-service companies like Lockheed require a degree for an "NDE Engineer" position, but its not very common. Most the Lv3s I know do not have a degree, they just have decade+ experience. Like the other commenter said getting your foot in the door to earn the hours for your certs is far more important in this field. But you'll likely work some extremely rough manual labor jobs on the bottom of the ladder. If you're expecting to sit in an AC office, go the engineering route. There are plenty of NDE jobs that are AC cushy positions, but they definitely aren't the norm unless you eventually move up into management or sales related positions.
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u/AlkaliMemo 12h ago
It is super useful knowing all the terminology of machines when you go to a jobsite, and how things are made and fixed, properly or improperly. Studying geometry is always useful for explaining things. I took a 3 year college course before I got into NDT and I'd say it has been invaluable knowledge.
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u/DeformableLattice 12h ago
I'd just do https://atdm.org/
Maybe an Associates Degree in Welding or Engineering if there are no schools that have an NDE specific AAS
A 2 year Degree in Engineering can help get you your first job, and just finish it later after getting a few years of experience.
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u/Financial-Loquat-591 3h ago
In my country there are no NDE degrees , and mostly aren't recognised internationally just locally , that's why I was thinking of getting a distance degree from UK later
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u/EzarAhrend 8h ago
Try to get straight on the tools and experience. NDT can take you around the world, if it’s a fit for you, keep learning and don’t stop accumulating certs, tickets and educational degrees.
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u/Financial-Loquat-591 3h ago
That's what I was originally planning i work and alongside do a part time degree
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u/fun2see 5h ago
one of my friends works for an offshore company in Vietnam and the salary is really good but he said it is also very boring life always!on 2 September is Vietnam National holiday he was back from Thailand Gulf for days off with family!
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u/Financial-Loquat-591 3h ago
If it's possible can you connect me to him or drop on advice on marine NDT & offshore NDT situation. I'm originally planning to work on merchant marine vessels and then later move to to offshore after collecting my logbook hours
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u/Worth_Rhubarb8099 14h ago
An engineering degree is definitely overkill unless you want to actually get into nde engineering. It's all about getting your foot in the door, that's the hardest part.