A question to Electrical Engineers

[CyberSoda]

Thanks a million!

 

[ranger]

Does someone who has a BSEET and is a PE, still regarded in the way as you stated, chroot?

 

[chroot]

It depends on the specific field, ranger. If you want a design position, you need theoretical training, and a BSEET is not going to cut it. Also, no one really cares about the PE cert for design work -- at least not for microelectronics or communications, the fields I work in.

Other areas, like power systems design, etc., may provide excellent opportunities for BSEET/PE people, but I don't have any experience in those areas.

- Warren

 

[Number2Pencil]

At worst, they're viewed as glorified associate's degrees for people who want to be engineers, but aren't good with math.
- Warren

Can you elaborate on this?

I know that at one technical college where I live(not mentioning names), they have an 4 year EE program that focuses on the theoretical more than the application (not having to take many labs, and not having to take the labs at specific times). and at another technical college, they have a 4 year EET program that focuses a lot more on the application (every non-elective class requires a passing lab in addition to passing the class). This is the way they were described to me. And I know both require the same amount of math classes. Maybe most 2 year EET schools aren't like this, but if anything, I'd think the labs would provide for more mathematical practice.

 

[chroot]

Labs don't provide mathematical practice.. they're.. labs. They provide hands-on experience with oscilloscopes, soldering, wiring up circuits, etc. The amount of math you're going to do in an undergrad EE lab is essentially nil.

Theory classes -- and their homework assignments -- are what provide mathematical practice.

And if you look at the UCF curricula listed here, you'll see that the EET is missing a handful of math classes that I would consider critical for a person working at the level of a BSEE.

- Warren

 

[Number2Pencil]

Well it's true that an EET will at best be getting coffee for an EE, but I think some EET schools are closer than others on learning what EEs learn. There's also a tad more involved than soldering, oscilloscopes, and hooking up circuits in the lab (design, yes digital, analog, and massive projects). And the salaries are getting closer as well in large cities.

So while it's true that the stereotype exists, let's not snub our technologist buddies, they're helpful at times (especially when you need coffee)

 

[russ_watters]

The truth is that very few (if any) BSEE degrees are broken down into specialties like the ones you listed.

Ehh, a lot of engineering programs are, but the thing is that it is really meaningless. Out of 30-40 engineering courses, you may get 2 or 3 electives that can count for a concentration (that's the way it was for MEs at Drexel, anyway). And what is the point of that? In reality, people coming out of such programs with different concentrations aren't any different.

 

[russ_watters]

Does someone who has a BSEET and is a PE, still regarded in the way as you stated, chroot?

For engineers in general, the PE is important for stamping drawings for things like permits, so it is pretty job specific. If you have a job where that is important, the PE is everything. If you have a job where you don't ever use it, the PE is completely worthless.

 

[EvLer]

what is PE? sorry never heard of this acronym...

 

[russ_watters]

Professional Engineer. It is a government (state) certification.