Decent job with just bachelor & PhD but no industrial experience?

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A final year BEng Civil Engineering undergraduate is considering a fully funded PhD in Computational Engineering but is concerned about job prospects outside academia due to a lack of industrial experience. Entry-level civil engineering positions may be challenging to secure without internships, while opportunities in finance or banking could be viable for those with advanced computational skills. A PhD in engineering is viewed favorably in the financial sector, especially for roles requiring complex problem-solving abilities. However, the lucrative salaries in finance may tempt a shift away from traditional engineering roles. Ultimately, the candidate can still pursue civil engineering with their qualifications, but should weigh the financial benefits of other industries.
ilustrius
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As a final year BEng Civil Engineering undergraduate, I currently hold an offer to do a fully funded PhD in Computational Engineering. I should be 23 by time I finish this. Should I opt to not remain in Academia, and with virtually no industrial experience, what sort of decent paid work could I be looking at?

I've thought about a career in finance or banking, but would I still be able to become a Civil Engineer?
 
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You'd be looking at entry-level Civil Engineering jobs, obviously. With no experience (not even an internship?) the field will not be tilted in your favor.

I've thought about a career in finance or banking, but would I still be able to become a Civil Engineer?
No offense, but the odds of a financial or banking institution hiring a Bachelor's graduate in engineering are exceedingly low... unless you're looking to be a teller.
 
fss said:
You'd be looking at entry-level Civil Engineering jobs, obviously. With no experience (not even an internship?) the field will not be tilted in your favor.


No offense, but the odds of a financial or banking institution hiring a Bachelor's graduate in engineering are exceedingly low... unless you're looking to be a teller.

Perhaps in the US. Not in the UK. Engineering graduates are highly sought after in the financial industry. My concern is whether a PhD Engineering is equally or better regarded.
 
fss said:
No offense, but the odds of a financial or banking institution hiring a Bachelor's graduate in engineering are exceedingly low... unless you're looking to be a teller.

If the candidate has a Ph.D. in engineering and a lot of computational experience, it's not particularly difficult to get a job in finance.
 
ilustrius said:
My concern is whether a PhD Engineering is equally or better regarded.

If you do something computationally complicated then yes.
 
ilustrius said:
As a final year BEng Civil Engineering undergraduate, I currently hold an offer to do a fully funded PhD in Computational Engineering. I should be 23 by time I finish this. Should I opt to not remain in Academia, and with virtually no industrial experience, what sort of decent paid work could I be looking at?

You should be looking at something that requires the advanced knowledge and skills that you gain from your PhD.

I've thought about a career in finance or banking, but would I still be able to become a Civil Engineer?

Of course you can still become an engineer with a BEng in civil engineering and a PhD in computational engineering. But when you see the pay-packets from finance and banking you may be persuaded to change your mind.
 

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