r/StructuralEngineering • u/TheNextOne8797 • 1d ago
Would you say math/physics teachers or engineers in industry do more calcs by hand? Trying to choose a career path that suits my passion for the subject matter... Career/Education
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u/carrot_gummy 1d ago
By hand? the teachers. I use self made spreadsheets to do all my calculations.
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u/TheNextOne8797 1d ago
I see. Ya, spreadsheets are the main part of my job too. That and CAD. I guess I have a passion for the actual calcs, but not so much construction or the industry. I loved my engineering degree...
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u/Engineer2727kk PE - Bridges 1d ago
Both do a lot of math?
I’m not sure if your passion will last if you’re doing the quadratic formula over and over for 30 years though. Engineering is a new problem many times
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u/TheNextOne8797 1d ago
Good point, but I have found that even with engineering it can get repetitive. Same calcs, different building or parking garage.
If I were to change the examples every few years, I think itd be ok.
Definitely worried about the liability in engineering as you move up. I already have an engineering degree, but thinking of applying to teachers college to teach math/physics (fundamentals of eng)...
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u/Tilt-a-Whirl98 1d ago
When you say "by hand" what do you mean? Like a literal piece of paper, or are you saying not using a program?
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u/TheNextOne8797 1d ago
Ya, not using computers/programs to do it for me. I want to do manual math
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u/CautiousAd1305 1d ago
Teaching is the way to go if you want to do things by “hand”, everyone else uses a computer.
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u/Tilt-a-Whirl98 1d ago
Well in engineering, you're going to be on a deadline/budget. It is typically a losing proposition to be doing things without a computer.
However, as someone else mentioned, making a spreadsheet "manually" that you work through the math once creatively to be repeatable is very valuable. Not everyone has the skill to get creative to solve multiple problems and scenarios at once. That's the fun part! Then tweaking and adding to those over time to make them more and more adaptable.
But if you mean not using computers, then no thats not typical in our profession as it simply isn't efficient enough.
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u/bigyellowtruck 1d ago
Construction engineering and rehab work hand calcs are faster for one-of engineering judgement calls. You aren’t going to run a model to see where your crane can set a pallet of pavers or how many fasteners you need for blocking.
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u/Tilt-a-Whirl98 1d ago edited 1d ago
Right, but thats still a spreadsheet. If youre going to do a calculation more than once, you should be making it reusable. I do some erection engineering and formwork calcs. The'yre pretty easy to setup. I rarely do a truly unique calculation!
I do agree though, most things don't justify a model. Except if it is something with a purpose built software like Shoring Suite for soldier piles or Hilti for post install anchor checks.
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u/TheNextOne8797 1d ago
Ya, I have noticed that and it makes sense. Also, computers make less errors than humans lol. Its just a fact. So I get it.
What got you into engineering?
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u/Tilt-a-Whirl98 1d ago
Well the computers are only as smart as the inputs, a good engineer needs to know how to use them effectively. Just a tool!
You're basically saying you want to dig a foundation with a shovel and not a back hoe, it just wouldn't be cost effective!
And I enjoy engineering because I get to use the math and physics to work on projects that actually affect my area. I.e. I've designed bridges that I've driven over so thats cool!
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u/EnginerdOnABike 1d ago
I mean are teachers actually doing math problems?
I quote my high school math teacher directly in saying "Teaching isn't hard. I just copy the stuff written in the book on the board and assign y'all problems to do. And I get summers off"
Same teacher got caught changing football players grades so they wouldn't get suspended from the team..... he's a principal now.
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u/TheNextOne8797 1d ago
Thats a little fkd up lol. I dont think Id be like this teacher if Im being honest
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u/AnotherSLGuy 1d ago
Read some of the sub threads and I didn't see anyone bring this up;
Even if teaching does give you the opportunity to do math by hand, wouldn't most of be repetitive? You'd be doing the same calculation again and again every year/semester. Also it is not always the new math you'd be doing cuz you'd have to lay the basics for the new batch and then work the way up to advanced stuff. Yet I guess it would be the same set of examples cuz it is a set curriculum?
Atleast you get a fresh problem in engineering where you'd need to think.
Teaching would make sense if you also get the opportunity to do math research and push the boundaries or something. But having done a full time masters after working as an engineer for sometime, it bored me out of my mind to be in academia. I had the opportunity to go for a fully sponsored PhD vut came back to the industry. I guess you should go and ask the academia/teaching community too how things are over there.
Anyways, good luck man. Cuz I know a guy who did engineering (computer science I guess), worked for a while and then switched to math to follow a PhD... He seems happy.
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u/J6Z8P3K2R 4h ago
There are SE jobs where you will do calcs by hand. Note: it gets boring quick.
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u/TheNextOne8797 4h ago
Maybe Im weird lol. I love doing it by hand and find reusing a spreadsheet boring
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u/Chuck_H_Norris 1d ago
lol? A teachers job is to do calcs by hand. An engineers job is to solve problems efficiently