Engineering degrees
Moderator: ericjon262
-
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm
- Location: Aiken, SC
Engineering degrees
I'm contemplating starting to work towards and engineering degree, I know some of you have actual engineering experience, do you have any advice? I think I would probably go for civil or mechanical engineering.
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
-
- Peer Mediator
- Posts: 15637
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:13 pm
- Location: In the darkness, where fear and knowing are one
- Contact:
Re: Engineering degrees
Getting a USEFUL degree is something that can dramatically improve your employability after leaving the service.
Electrical, electronics, and/or computer engineering are likely more broadly applicable disciplines going forward. The electronics market is growing much more rapidly than any markets for mechanically engineered products.
Software development has skyrocketed in prevalence, so computer science is another one with a good future in a growth industry.
My undergrad is in Physics and my MS is in Systems Engineering. I get to work on cool stuff in the aerospace industry, but in terms of size, the industry is niche and not a significant growth area.
Electrical, electronics, and/or computer engineering are likely more broadly applicable disciplines going forward. The electronics market is growing much more rapidly than any markets for mechanically engineered products.
Software development has skyrocketed in prevalence, so computer science is another one with a good future in a growth industry.
My undergrad is in Physics and my MS is in Systems Engineering. I get to work on cool stuff in the aerospace industry, but in terms of size, the industry is niche and not a significant growth area.
-
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:26 pm
Re: Engineering degrees
I work in Mechanical Engineering, with my BSME. I work at a dynamometer manufacturer, and have worked at a few other manufacturers of engine powered equipment.
Electrical Engineering is in high demand, with experience in programming PCB design, testing, and programming.
In my area, I never struggle to find opportunities for employment, however most manufacturers have more positions for mechanical engineers and design technicians. Even in Mechanical Engineering, if you can program a PLC or use Lab View, hell even design a simple DC circuit, you are ahead of the game. Wherever you find yourself drawn to, pursue it and find ways to excel. The engineering field has lots of opportunities in the manufacturing world and beyond to apply the knowledge learned in school.
If you want to pursue design work (what I do), find a small company that makes stuff you like and get in. Or stick it through in school to your masters if you want to do advanced design work at a large company.
Electrical Engineering is in high demand, with experience in programming PCB design, testing, and programming.
In my area, I never struggle to find opportunities for employment, however most manufacturers have more positions for mechanical engineers and design technicians. Even in Mechanical Engineering, if you can program a PLC or use Lab View, hell even design a simple DC circuit, you are ahead of the game. Wherever you find yourself drawn to, pursue it and find ways to excel. The engineering field has lots of opportunities in the manufacturing world and beyond to apply the knowledge learned in school.
If you want to pursue design work (what I do), find a small company that makes stuff you like and get in. Or stick it through in school to your masters if you want to do advanced design work at a large company.
car.
Re: Engineering degrees
Having a BS in Computer Science for just over 20 years has definitely kept me challenged and never without a well paying job.
Also, might want to look into a Mechatronics degree as well...sort of a fusion of electrical, mechanical, computer, systems, and software...
Also, might want to look into a Mechatronics degree as well...sort of a fusion of electrical, mechanical, computer, systems, and software...
-
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:26 pm
Re: Engineering degrees
This.
The biggest challenge is overcoming older HR personnel and managers who have little experience with what this relatively new field of study includes, and what a person whose mastered it is capable of.
car.
-
- Peer Mediator
- Posts: 15637
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:13 pm
- Location: In the darkness, where fear and knowing are one
- Contact:
Re: Engineering degrees
I think Series8217 has a similar degree (Cybernetics?). P8ntman442 has an electro-mechanical engineering degree, although he hasn't posted here in years.FieroWanaBe1 wrote: ↑Thu Dec 27, 2018 12:37 pmThis.
The biggest challenge is overcoming older HR personnel and managers who have little experience with what this relatively new field of study includes, and what a person whose mastered it is capable of.
Indy has an aerospace or mechanical engineering degree.
-
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm
- Location: Aiken, SC
Re: Engineering degrees
Thanks for the inputs, I think I would prefer to get a degree that is mechanical/structural in nature, mainly because it's something I think that I am already ok at. That being said, I like the idea of Mechatronics, I feel like I could do fairly well at it.
Where did you guys go to school? any thing in particular that you would look for in a school?
Where did you guys go to school? any thing in particular that you would look for in a school?
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
-
- Peer Mediator
- Posts: 15637
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:13 pm
- Location: In the darkness, where fear and knowing are one
- Contact:
Re: Engineering degrees
Are you considering a degree in association with a commissioning program? Coming out of school with no debt and a guaranteed job was quite nice in 2001, probably much more so now.
-
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm
- Location: Aiken, SC
Re: Engineering degrees
I'm not interested in staying in the navy without a commission, but I'm not interested in a degree for one either. I feel like current employment/training makes me very employable after the navy, but if I can use tuition assistance while I'm in, and work towards an engineering degree, it will only make my resume that much better.
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
-
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:26 pm
Re: Engineering degrees
You can always go reserves and continue school full time, this is the route I took. Good pay from multiple sources, TA, GI Bill (post 9-11), and Drill Pay. Plus you gain years in service for a retirement check that is pretty much guaranteed.
car.
-
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm
- Location: Aiken, SC
Re: Engineering degrees
I've definitely been considering the reserves, if nothing else it covers healthcare, which is a big plus nowadays.
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
-
- Peer Mediator
- Posts: 15637
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 11:13 pm
- Location: In the darkness, where fear and knowing are one
- Contact:
Re: Engineering degrees
I don't get it... you want a degree, but not for a commission?ericjon262 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 29, 2018 8:39 pm I'm not interested in staying in the navy without a commission, but I'm not interested in a degree for one either. I feel like current employment/training makes me very employable after the navy, but if I can use tuition assistance while I'm in, and work towards an engineering degree, it will only make my resume that much better.
-
- Posts: 2848
- Joined: Mon May 24, 2010 5:34 pm
- Location: Aiken, SC
Re: Engineering degrees
If I stay in the navy, then sure, but I'm not planning on staying in. I would like to utilize the opportunities available to me while in, to get a degree, which would make me more desirable than just my navy training.
"I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
-
- Posts: 427
- Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2007 11:26 pm
Re: Engineering degrees
Tricare-RS is miles better, and cheaper than any of the Obamacare compliant HDHPs or my employers have offered me.ericjon262 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 31, 2018 3:56 pm I've definitely been considering the reserves, if nothing else it covers healthcare, which is a big plus nowadays.
car.
Re: Engineering degrees
I have a BS in Aerospace Engineering. I get to work on a lot of pretty cool things inside the industry, but outside scope and applicability is somewhat limited. If you're interested in structures, I think an AE degree may give you the best understanding of that. As Will suggested, software and computer science is where the big growth will be. There is a serious amount of work that can be done in nearly any niche industry with that knowledge.
My further education is going to be invested in computer science/programming and materials science. Computer science for further personal and professional flexibility, and the materials since a large part of my job is materials research oriented.
For background, I work here:
https://www.niar.wichita.edu/researchla ... erview.asp
My further education is going to be invested in computer science/programming and materials science. Computer science for further personal and professional flexibility, and the materials since a large part of my job is materials research oriented.
For background, I work here:
https://www.niar.wichita.edu/researchla ... erview.asp
Indy DOHC Turbo SD4.....someday.
Oh, and f*ck the envelope. (RFT Insurgent)
Oh, and f*ck the envelope. (RFT Insurgent)
- Series8217
- 1988 Fiero Track Car
- Posts: 5985
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 9:47 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Engineering degrees
I have a degree in Cybernetics, which is basically applied math / biology / statistics / computer science / electrical engineering. I usually have a title of Systems Engineer but the actual work is a mix of software development, mechatronics, and systems engineering. I have a bit of a background in mechanical engineering from self study and learning on the job from colleagues.
With a broad engineering background plus some focus in at least one technical field, you'll be able to find employment anywhere. For example, if you get an ME degree, make sure to mix in some EE and software. If EE, add some of the other two. This helps you stand out, and you're more likely to succeed in creative problem solving where you can bring in tools from alternative and sometimes unconventional disciplines. The breadth also helps you communicate with your differently-disciplined teammates.
With a broad engineering background plus some focus in at least one technical field, you'll be able to find employment anywhere. For example, if you get an ME degree, make sure to mix in some EE and software. If EE, add some of the other two. This helps you stand out, and you're more likely to succeed in creative problem solving where you can bring in tools from alternative and sometimes unconventional disciplines. The breadth also helps you communicate with your differently-disciplined teammates.