The Power of Professional Engineering License for Job Security
How can you make your career bulletproof? Can you make yourself indispensable in the job market? Instead of chasing jobs, is it possible to make jobs chase you?
The answer to these questions lies in a simple economic principle. The Supply-Demand curve. So let’s quickly revisit this simple but powerful fundamental concept.
Typically, the human mind starts thinking about job security when times are tough – Does that sound familiar? In times when the economy starts contracting, the demand for new recruits declines. This puts downward pressure on the salaries of employed workers. If things get worse, even the currently employed individuals start getting worried too.
This supply and demand curve works both ways though. If the employee possesses difficult-to-replace skills and credentials then the demand curve for that employee should remain stable. That’s because the employer recognizes the value that such an employee brings to the table.
This brings us to another fundamental concept that governs the marketplace. Job security is largely linked to the value being brought to the table. Although we should be striving to upgrade our skill set, knowledge base, and credentials regularly, it gets particularly important during downturns.
One such credential is a Professional Engineering license. In order to obtain a P.E. license, you have to meet a wide range of criteria which include education from accredited colleges, experience, references, and two multi-hour technical exams. But it’s these exact requirements that make this credential so valuable. Had it been easy, every engineering graduate would have it. Right?
P.E. license places you in an exclusive group of engineers that have met strict requirements outlined by state engineering boards. It grants you the privilege of sealing and stamping engineering designs that can be implemented – non-licensed engineers don’t have these privileges. Consequently, P.E.s also command higher salaries, job security, and career mobility among other benefits.
Are you an Electrical Engineer planning to become a P.E.?
Getting a PE license requires you to pass 2 exams.
Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.