School of PE Blog

In today's competitive job market, new engineering graduates are faced with the ever-growing challenge of standing out from a pool of their peers. An effective method in which an engineer may significantly capture an employer’s attention is to obtain their professional licensure, but to do that, they must first pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. However, many aspiring engineers often wonder if employers pay special attention to which specific FE exam was taken and passed. The aim of this blog is to answer that very question and reveal the relevance of which FE exam(s) capture the eyes of potential employers.

Understanding the FE Exam:

Before we begin exploring the perspective of an employer, it is essential for you to understand the purpose and structure of the FE exam. To begin, the FE is administered and overseen by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), an American non-profit dedicated to advancing professional licensure for engineers and surveyors. It is designed for recent graduates and students and evaluates an engineer’s fundamental engineering knowledge across various disciplines.

Being an evaluation of the fundamentals of engineering, naturally, there are multiple FE exam specifications that an examinee may take: Chemical, Civil, Electrical & Computer, Environmental, Industrial & Systems, Mechanical, and Other Disciplines. While each discipline requires a base knowledge of engineering as a whole, they are also tested on the specifics of their field. You can learn more about the different FEs by exploring the available PDFs on Exam Specifications here.

Employer Perspective:

When it comes to which FE you should take, it is important to consider that while all exams cover the same overall fundamentals of engineering, employers are looking for applicants who have successfully passed the FE of their career specification. Although the primary objective of the FE exam is to demonstrate that an engineer has a solid grasp of the foundational principles, regardless of the chosen discipline, someone who has succeeded in obtaining their Engineer in Training (EIT) certification in Civil Engineering will not have the same background needed in a job looking for an electrical engineer.

It is true that employers prioritize the quality of the engineer; this is because they want to hire someone who not only understands engineering but is able to utilize their knowledge in tackling problems. However, there is a reason that engineering has different courses and degrees for different disciplines, with each having its own strengths and weaknesses that not everyone can fulfill at once. Although there are different specialized exams for various engineering fields, they all cover the core topics that all engineers need to know.

Factors Influencing Employer Perception:

Now that we know what the FE exam is, what FE exams are offered, and what employers generally consider, let us examine further factors that will influence which exam you should take for your future career.

1. Relevance to the Job

It is no surprise that employers are looking at applicants who are well acquainted with the specific discipline relating to the nature of the job or industry in which they operate. To solidify this concept, we will look at civil engineering; it is a requirement that civil engineers have obtained or are in the process of obtaining their EIT or professional licensure in order to be promoted. This is because civil projects must have people in management who are well-versed in their field, as they are also responsible for the many lives who will be using their projects.

A broad foundation established throughout all the FE exams does not equip every engineer to tackle the various challenges that different disciplines encounter in their specific work.

2. Specialized Positions

Continuing from the previous point, certain positions, particularly those in highly specialized fields such as aerospace engineering or biomedical engineering, require their candidates to have a more tailored skill set. In these cases, it is far more crucial to have relevant coursework or experience in that specific field.

Aerospace is a branch of mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering is branched off electrical engineering, meaning both are fields that require engineers to have a strong foundation in their own specifications and a strong knowledge base of their mother discipline. Engineering is an ever-evolving field of study, with new branches of discipline spawning whenever a major advancement in science occurs.

3. Personal Interests and Career Goals:

Prioritizing what future employers are looking for can only be done once you have taken into account where your own personal interests lie and where your career goals are. Some candidates may have a genuine passion for a specific discipline and aspire to pursue a career in a more specialized field. In such cases, taking the discipline-specific FE exam, which aligns with their career aspirations, can only be viewed positively by employers who value passion and dedication. Employers often appreciate candidates who demonstrate a clear focus and drive for their careers.

Conclusion

To answer the question posed at the beginning of the blog, yes, employers do care which FE exam you take. As stated in the name, each of the specialized exams requires that the examinees be well-versed in the fundamentals of engineering. Still, the many different fields of engineering require a greater focus on their specific fields. Employers do focus on a candidate’s ability to adapt and learn within their organizations, but they are also searching for candidates who satisfy the requirements of the designated industry.

Aspiring engineers should choose the FE exam that aligns with their interests and long-term career goals. By highlighting a solid foundation of engineering knowledge and demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow, candidates can present themselves as valuable assets to potential employers.

By understanding the employer's perspective and considering the factors that may influence their perception, engineering graduates can make informed decisions regarding their FE exam choice, positioning themselves for success in the competitive job market.

Are you preparing to take an FE exam? School of PE has helped thousands of students prepare for and pass their FE exams and get on the path to licensure. Learn more today about our #1-rated courses now!