u/AwayLiftoff

I’m looking for some career advice. I’m based in the US and originally got my BS in Mechanical Engineering. My ultimate goal was always Industrial Design, but I couldn't afford ID school at the time, and there weren't any programs near me. I figured ME was a solid backup that would at least teach me the CAD skills needed for product development.

After graduating, I worked as a Design Engineer for two years and absolutely loved it. However, I had to move and currently work as a building inspector, which has nothing to do with design. I’m trying to get back on track and have two main questions:

1. Is a PE license worth it? Given that my heart is in Industrial Design/Product Design, does having a Professional Engineer license actually help, or is it a waste of time for this specific path?
2. What should I focus on next? If a PE isn't the move, what masters programs, certifications, or specific courses would you recommend to help an ME bridge the gap into ID?

Thank you

I’m looking for some career advice. I’m based in the US and originally got my BS in Mechanical Engineering. My ultimate goal was always Industrial Design, but I couldn't afford ID school at the time, and there weren't any programs near me. I figured ME was a solid backup that would at least teach me the CAD skills needed for product development.

After graduating, I worked as a Design Engineer for two years and absolutely loved it. However, I had to move and currently work as a building inspector—which has nothing to do with design. I’m trying to get back on track and have two main questions:

1. Is a PE license worth it? Given that my heart is in Industrial Design/Product Design, does having a Professional Engineer license actually help, or is it a waste of time for this specific path?
2. What should I focus on next? If a PE isn't the move, what masters programs, certifications, or specific courses would you recommend to help an ME bridge the gap into ID?

Thank you!