Engineering question

[H23A1Lude]

I'm about to go to college but I'm tossed between Mechanical Engineer and Engineering Technologist. It anyone in here is either, can you tell me the ups and downs of the job? Thanks a lot.

[LeSabre97mint]

H23A

How are you in math and physics?(ME) Do you like hands on or being the one that designs what others will put together?(ME)

I would think that the ME would make more money.

Does this help?

Dan

[shorod]

I had a similar dilemma when I went to college. I wasn't sure if I should go in to Electrical Engineering or become and Electronics Technician. I went the route of Engineer and work with a lot of technicians. There's a significant difference in the roles between the two, so it will come down to what you want to do and if you want to do that long term.

The company I work at is really good about opportunities for advancement. A fair number of the engineers I work with started out as technicians and worked their way up to engineering roles and titles. They make fabulous engineers, but it does take awhile that route.

As an engineer fresh out of school, you won't likely get a lot of hands-on, you'll design things and the technicians will build them, test them (with Engineering input) and perform the repairs. If you are adament that you want the hands-on, then Engineering may not be the best route for you, especially since many companies have some pretty good continuing education benefits. You may be able to get your future employer to pay for your college as a technician if you later decide you want to pursue engineering.

-Rod

[H23A1Lude]

I'm okay with math. As for physics, I had a 98 last year in Pre-AP at the end of the year. I really like hands on and designing stuff, and I also like building things. So I'm really tossed. I know ME is way more math, so that's the only thing I'm unsure. How hard IS the math?

[KiwiBacon]

Just to add to the above.

If you're not sure you can handle the ME course (yes the stories are true, it's a hard slog) then do the technicians course and "trade up" later.

How much hands-on a ME gets depends on how much they want and where they work. I've had plenty, especially building and testing prototypes as well as all my own projects.

There still seems to be a shortage of ME's in every country I've heard about. If you're good you can almost name your price. But first you've got to prove that you are good.

[H23A1Lude]

Well I'm ready for the challenge, but I might do the "trade up" And I would like to do lots of hands-on and building/testing and my own projects.
I've just applied to Texas A&M because they have a really good engineering course, and it's In-State. Any other ideas for schools?

[jdmccright]

I'd say go for your BS while your young and the mind is still fresh and pliable. School is an investment in yourself that pays off down the road. The more you do now, the better position you will be in later on. Getting your hands dirty is one thing, but being able to UNDERSTAND what you are making is the key difference. I've never met an EE that didn't regret it, but plenty of techs end up getting stuck. Yeah, most companies have tuition reimbursement, but contrary to belief, opportunites aren't as common as you are led to believe since they'll be able to hire a fresh EE for less than to pay your hiked salary after five years AND education. The math ain't there. Reimbursement is offered to satisfy the employee, not the employer. You'll have much more opportunities as an EE.

I feel your pain, I've got a BS Met and MBA yet I still get my hands dirty because I choose to. Hope this helps!

[shorod]

Originally Posted by jdmccright

Yeah, most companies have tuition reimbursement, but contrary to belief, opportunites aren't as common as you are led to believe since they'll be able to hire a fresh EE for less than to pay your hiked salary after five years AND education.

That's too bad that that may be the norm. At the company I'm at (and have been since I graduated 9 years ago) they seem to value the experience and familiarity with the project/product over the need to train up a new hire. It's hard to get the same quality of work out of a new hire than from someone that is now redesigning a product that they have years of experience building and repairing. I must add though that the business I'm in focuses more on quality and reliability than they do cost savings during manufacture. I guess that's another variable in the career path decision: what type of industry do you want to work in?

The Company still hires plenty of new grads, but the management encourages technicians to go back to school to get an Engineering degree. I'm not going to say I'm in the minority as a hire fresh out of college, but I'd say probably 20-30% of the engineering staff are former technicians with a 2 year degree. That number is probably only 20-30% because many technicians lose the desire to continue their education after they've established themselves.

I certainly would agree that it's easier to continue on through 4 years (or slightly more) of schooling now rather than trying to go back to school, especially if you start a family after completing school and starting your professional career.

-Rod

[bobss396]

I got an AAS in Automotive Engineering when I was 21, an AAS in Mechanical Engineering at 46 and finally a BS in Manufacturing Engineering at 51. Nothing like taking Advanced Calculus 30 years after Cacl I.

I advocate doing a 4-year BS to anyone. If you want to stay in your area, you'd be best to see what the local colleges offer, as the idea is to supply educated people for local industries, at least that's how it used to work.

Go for the tough courses, they really aren't that bad once you get into them. I did my last 2 degrees totally in the evenings and still managed to get good study groups together.

Bob

[H23A1Lude]

I meant a BS in Engineering Technology, sorry. Got them mixed up.