I guess im training to become a structural engineer, after finishing my degree i got a graduate position with a medium-small local consultancy. We do a lot of design work on housing extensions, property development and small scale insdustrial works.
At uni i did a 4 year honours course in civil engineering which covers a wide range of engineering, surveying, geotechnical and management studies. Dont think for once it will be an easy ride, its a full time course so expect at the most 9-5 lecturers 5days a week. I found design and surveying easily my favoured categories as i was quite comfortable with maths to begin with. The management studies really put me of as its not quite my thing. Since starting my graduate position ive learnt about 20x more than i did at uni which can be abit embarrassing but all the engineers say the same that uni only gives you the tools to become an engineer.
Being a structural engineer you can be involved with the aspects of design (number crunching, analysis and investigation). Analysis for quickness and completeness is usually done on computer programs but crap in = crap out so you gotta be aware of what you're pluggin in.
On steel structures such as warehouses like B&Q they can be designed as portal frames which you have to carefully take into consideration the wind from all various accounts ie speed, direction distance from shore and altitude and from there design the frame and bracing.
From an investigation side you can be called out to a site to look at trial pits and get an estimation of the ground you would be building on. Alternatively you can be asked to look at an existing property and do a survey which can be come complicated with previous works to the building or the age of it.
Being a structural engineer does have its downsides, theres days in the summer you can be indoors all day but the flip side of the coin during the winter. Also be prepared for last minute design changes by architects or clients which can be infuriating since they then want them done by yesterday.
Overall it is a good career starting salarys for a graduate from 19,000 to 22,000 and can come with perks like company car. When you become chartered (ICE, IStructE) thats when you earn the better salary but comes with more responsibilties.
