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1361 Career Guide

Marine Corps

1361: Engineer Assistant

Career transition guide for Marine Corps Engineer Assistant (1361)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 1361 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Civil Engineering Technician

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Proficiency in specific civil engineering software (e.g., Civil 3D)Familiarity with local building codes and regulations

Drafter (CAD)

$60K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized CAD software training (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit)Understanding of industry-specific drafting standards (e.g., architectural, mechanical)

Surveying Technician

$55K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Survey Technician (CST) certificationExperience with advanced surveying equipment (e.g., GPS, LiDAR)

Construction Estimator

$75K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Cost estimating software proficiency (e.g., Bluebeam, RSMeans)Knowledge of construction materials and methodsProject management principles

Geospatial Technician

$62K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificationRemote sensing data analysisDatabase management

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 1361 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

As an Engineer Assistant, you use surveying instruments and CAD software to create detailed models of construction sites and proposed structures, accounting for various factors like terrain, materials, and load-bearing requirements.

This ability to visualize and create comprehensive models translates to a civilian setting where you can design and optimize systems in fields like logistics, finance, or software development.

Resource Optimization

You're trained to compute bills of materials and earthwork volumes, ensuring efficient use of resources in construction projects, minimizing waste and maximizing cost-effectiveness.

This skill in resource management allows you to thrive in roles where you can analyze data, identify inefficiencies, and implement strategies to optimize resource allocation, saving time and money.

Procedural Compliance

Your role demands strict adherence to established surveying and drafting procedures to ensure accuracy and safety in construction projects.

Your dedication to following procedures makes you invaluable in any industry requiring meticulous documentation and adherence to regulations, such as healthcare or legal services.

Situational Awareness

Establishing control traverses and conducting radial surveys requires constant awareness of your surroundings and the spatial relationships between different points on a construction site.

This heightened awareness gives you the ability to quickly assess situations, identify potential problems, and make informed decisions in dynamic environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Analyst

SOC 13-1081.00

You've been trained to plan and execute layouts, which directly translates to optimizing supply chains and warehouse operations. Your knack for spatial reasoning makes you perfect for improving efficiency in the movement and storage of goods.

Cost Estimator

SOC 13-1051.00

Your experience in calculating bills of materials and earthwork volumes equips you to accurately predict project costs in construction or manufacturing. You bring a detail-oriented approach to managing budgets.

Urban and Regional Planner

SOC 19-3051.00

You've developed a strong understanding of spatial relationships and project layouts that will allow you to help communities decide how their land is used.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Engineer Equipment Instruction, Fort Leonard Wood, MO

520 training hours13 weeksUp to 6 semester hours in surveying and drafting.

Topics Covered

  • •Construction Surveying Principles
  • •Total Station Operation and Data Collection
  • •Control Traverse Establishment
  • •Radial Survey Techniques
  • •Data Adjustment and Error Analysis
  • •Basic Drafting Techniques
  • •Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) Fundamentals
  • •Architectural, Civil, and Mechanical Drawing Creation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)60% covered

Project management principles, contract administration, risk management, and legal aspects of construction.

AutoCAD Certified User75% covered

Advanced AutoCAD features, customization, and industry-specific workflows might require additional study.

Certified Survey Technician (CST) - Level I80% covered

Review specific state and local surveying laws, regulations, and ethical considerations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)LEED Green AssociateOSHA 30-Hour Construction

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Total Station Survey InstrumentsTrimble or Leica Robotic Total Stations
Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) SoftwareAutoCAD, Revit, or Civil 3D
MIMMS (Marine Corps Integrated Maintenance Management System)Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software like IBM Maximo or SAP EAM
Optical LevelAutomatic Level or Digital Level
Global Positioning System (GPS) ReceiversTrimble GPS Receivers, RTK GPS Systems
Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project)Asana, Trello, or Jira for project tracking and task management

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