Hello, I’m planning to switch careers to the civil engineering field and am aiming to be a professional engineer (Civil). I was hoping to get some advice from people in the industry as I’m in a dilemma as to which organisation to join.
For context, I’m bonded to the Government and am currently working in a policy role after having graduated with a PEB-recognised civil engineering degree 2 years ago. Throughout the course of my current job, I realised that my passion is in civil engineering design and analysis and hence, I intend to return to the civil engineering field. As I don't intend to break my bond, I can only look for jobs within the Civil Service and have been offered roles in the engineering teams at LTA and JTC and I'm still quite undecided on which agency to join.
Both jobs offer in-house design experience: The LTA job involves the detailed design of an MRT station while the JTC job involves the design of infrastructure (roads, sewers and drains). Both jobs also require me to review design submissions from the consultants for other non-in-house design projects.
I’m currently leaning towards JTC because (I) there is a possibility of private sector attachment for 6 months to work on a building project - not confirmed (II) the organisation culture is less hierarchical (based on what I’ve heard), (III) there are more in house design projects available, although the design involved is less technical compared to MRT stations.
However, I’m concerned that the design of drains, sewers and roads would not be sufficient experience for me to qualify as a Professional Engineer (PEs), which is the aim of my career switch. Hence, I was hoping to get some advice from people in the industry/Civil PEs on:
a. Is it possible to become a PE(Civil) solely based on experience in designing sewers, drains and roads?
b. Would design review be considered as relevant experience for PE(Civil)? Understand that there could be some difference in the relevance of design review (in terms of PE experience) for LTA and JTC because LTA is a regulator while JTC is a developer and hence JTC's design review would generally not be regulatory in nature?
c. Any other thoughts on which agency I should join if I intend to be a PE(Civil)?
Thank you very much in advance!
