How long does it typically take to be an engineer?

Question

i am doing a school project and i need to know this for a speech

Answer 1

Too long.  At least 5 years of balls to the wall, up your ***, most insanely hard courses taught by professors that know little english.  

Answer 2

You do not give us much to go on do you. An engineer, electrical, mechanical, design or manufacture. Wow that is a difficult question.However I will try to give a general answer.  I worked in electrical engineering for most of my life, looking back I would say in all honesty a few years in college and a lifetime in the real world. Engineering is a constantly evolving field. New technology, new methods of manufacture, and an engineer has to evolve with it. I reckon it took me fifty years to become a reasonably good engineer. Another fifty and I might just have been excellent if only it's evolution would slow down while I caught up. Hope I gave you something to think about.

Answer 3

It depends on the field of engineering. I have 9yrs experience as a mechanical engineer, too many years of college, but officially according to union hours. I am not even an engineer since I only have mostly classroom or insufficiant field-related experience. Appearently, if you wanted to be a specific type of engineer, make sure the work you are doing is related to the field you want or you won't get related hours and experience logged.

I was working on marine engines, but my college was for civil engineering, thus my field wasn't getting the credit I need to get past apprentice. While I should technically be near a journeyman by now.

Most fields are about 4-5 years of college plus logged hours in the field. My associates considr me an engineer since I can do most of the work blindfolded and still excede OSHA regulations, but according to the union I have been working in the wrong field to use any of my experience towards the field I went to college for. So heres a tip, make sure you know the field, and make sure you work in the related field so you get credited hours logged.