- #1
alexwryt
- 4
- 0
I am graduating soon from a top university well known for its engineering program, with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Engineering Technology with an electrical concentration. When I was applying for jobs for co-op, I started out listing the name of the degree. Interviewers seemed confused, catching that my degree was called something different than the regular "bachelors of science in electrical engineering". They didn't know what that meant and would ask, so I'd tell them it is much like the regular degree, but more hands on as opposed to theoretical. While the BSEE is heavily research based, the BSET is better for industry because we are taught the current practices of the industry while they are taught theory with very little hands on lab experience. The explanation seemed to satisfy them and I ended up with a pretty decent coop.
But the experience just kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. I feel that the word technology in the degree kind of gives the impression that it is a technician degree like CHI Institute or Devry or something. In fact I paid the same amount for my degree as the EE students and learned much of the same material, just that instead of calculus 4 we stopped at calculus 2 and had a few ore business/management type courses and a little mechanical engineering dabbling that the regular EEs wouldn't have. My degree is ABET certified and in my state, engineering technology graduates are able to take the FE test for engineering licensure, which I plan to do in a few months.
So lately I stopped mentioning the exact name of my degree in my resume and simply stated that I have a bachelors in electrical engineering. If they ask about it further I am happy to explain what exactly my degree is and what school of the college I went to. I know that the job market is tough now and I just feel having the "technology" word there gives employers the wrong idea in their head that I have some fake engineering for dummies degree and my resume would be eliminated before I even get in the door.
My question is... is this an acceptable practice or is it wrong to do this? Do I have the wrong idea about the stigma against BSET degrees and is it better to list it by that title?
But the experience just kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. I feel that the word technology in the degree kind of gives the impression that it is a technician degree like CHI Institute or Devry or something. In fact I paid the same amount for my degree as the EE students and learned much of the same material, just that instead of calculus 4 we stopped at calculus 2 and had a few ore business/management type courses and a little mechanical engineering dabbling that the regular EEs wouldn't have. My degree is ABET certified and in my state, engineering technology graduates are able to take the FE test for engineering licensure, which I plan to do in a few months.
So lately I stopped mentioning the exact name of my degree in my resume and simply stated that I have a bachelors in electrical engineering. If they ask about it further I am happy to explain what exactly my degree is and what school of the college I went to. I know that the job market is tough now and I just feel having the "technology" word there gives employers the wrong idea in their head that I have some fake engineering for dummies degree and my resume would be eliminated before I even get in the door.
My question is... is this an acceptable practice or is it wrong to do this? Do I have the wrong idea about the stigma against BSET degrees and is it better to list it by that title?