FREE HVAC PE EXAM STUDY RESOURCES!

1: Raises and Promotions at Work

One of the most exciting aspects of what to expect after the PE exam is the impact that it will have on your career.  Many of you are likely to receive promotions and raises upon passing the exam.  If they are not imminent, you should certainly be thinking of having this conversation with your boss.  You becoming a licensed engineer directly benefits an engineering firm in a number of ways. You should be compensated for it.  In fact, many companies pay for the entire cost of obtaining your PE license, but not all companies do.  Earning your PE license is both a personal achievement and a firm achievement.  The costs of a study course, reference material, etc. should be partially reimbursed by, if not paid for entirely, by your firm.

If your company is not also offering a raise or promotion for such an accomplishment, you should seriously consider your future. It may be at another company which values this achievement.  I would update your Linkedin profile, start talking to recruiters and talk to your contacts within the industry about new job opportunities.  When your Linkedin profile indicates that you’re a professional engineer, recruiters will beat down your door looking for you.  Opportunities abound.  Trust me on that.

2: Reactions From Family and Friends

Your friends and family will be excited for you and supportive of your accomplishment.  If your family is like mine, anyone needing help with anything technical will come to you because you’re the “engineer of the family”.

If you followed my advice about managing your immediate family during the PE exam process, then you want to reward their sacrifice and cooperation with you by doing something special with them.  Go on a trip. Treat them to a day or weekend away. Spend some quality time together to make up for all those hours you had to spend away studying.

3: Responsibility of a Licensed Professional Engineer

“With great power comes great responsibility” – Uncle Ben after Peter Parker received his engineering license

One of the most important aspects of what to expect after the PE exam is understanding the power that it holds and the responsibility that comes along with it.  The license represents the trust that the state, and society in general, have placed in you.  They are trusting your competency, character, judgement and ethics to make decisions that benefit and protect the population.  Understanding this important fact and the legal ramifications that go along with it are critical and mandatory now that you are a professional engineer.  

Consult your state board’s website for details of the laws and rules in your state.  Get to know them intimately and follow them without exception.  Always keep in the back of your mind that whatever engineering task you are performing, that there are real people out there that are depending on you to do your job correctly.  

4: What to Expect After the PE Exam – Final Thoughts

Getting a glimpse into what to expect after the PE exam will motivate you to study and pass the test. It will also help make you aware of the responsibility that comes along with being a licensed professional engineer.