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Same. I'm a software engineer who's been going down the metal fab/welder pathway for the last 1.5 years. It's highly rewarding, but also the overhead continues

Same. I'm a software engineer who's been going down the metal fab/welder pathway for the last 1.5 years. It's highly rewarding, but also the overhead continues to grow and grow. Probably because the scale continues to grow as well. I need to be happy making small physical things instead of huge physical things... http://www.breefield.com/projects/prodigal-swan http://www.breefield.com/projects/prodigal-swan I've also looked into the timeline involved in becoming a PE. Not only do you have to take 6 years of school but you have to work under a PE for 2 years to become one. The pay doesn't seem to justify that much training (considering my anecdotal interest in the field). Call me new-school, but I continue to enjoy working on systems that can't kill or maim people.

eel 10y ago
I've wondered if I could shortcut the school requirement on the basis of already having an ABET-accredited computer engineering undergrad. My state does not seem to distinguish the type of engineering education required to be a PE. I would think that a computer PE is not quite the same as a civil/structural PE though. As for welding, certifications and or even training seems to be very expensive. E.g., a single one-semester (4 credits) welding class at the local community college is $847. I'm tempted to buy some welding equipment from Harbor Freight and just try to learn from YouTube videos (which is basically what I did to teach myself car repair).