Electrical Engineering vs Electrical Engineering Technology degree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the differences between Electrical Engineering (EE) and Electrical Engineering Technology (ET) degrees, including their respective roles, educational pathways, and potential career outcomes. Participants explore the implications of choosing one degree over the other, particularly in relation to online learning and practical lab work.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over the differences between EE and ET degrees, noting discrepancies in information from various college websites.
  • Another participant suggests that EEs are primarily involved in design work, while ETs typically support EEs by testing their designs, drawing analogies to roles in healthcare and mechanics.
  • It is mentioned that there is a significant difference in salary between EEs and ETs, although specific figures are not provided.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing views on the roles and responsibilities associated with EE and ET degrees, indicating that there is no consensus on the implications of choosing one degree over the other.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the roles of EEs and ETs may depend on specific job markets or industries, and the discussion does not resolve the nuances of educational pathways or career outcomes.

KillJoy3
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What is the difference between the two different degrees, I have only been able to find a few different college websites where they describe the differences but the two different websites had different information on them.

I really want to get into engineering and if I do regular engineering I will have to wait 4 years until I get out of service to attend college full-time but if I do engineering technology I can take it online and just go to the local college to do labs.

Both programs are ABET

Thoughts?
 
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Vast oversimplification, but EE's design things. ET's typically work for the EE's and often end up testing the EE's designs.

Think doctor vs. nurse.

Think mechanic vs mechanical engineer.

Think assembling a computer vs. designing the circuits on the graphics card and motherboard.

A good ET can know a lot and bad engineer can know very little. But that's the gist of it.
 
Antiphon said:
Vast oversimplification, but EE's design things. ET's typically work for the EE's and often end up testing the EE's designs.

Think doctor vs. nurse.

Think mechanic vs mechanical engineer.

Think assembling a computer vs. designing the circuits on the graphics card and motherboard.

A good ET can know a lot and bad engineer can know very little. But that's the gist of it.

Essentially, yes.

Big difference in salary, too.
 
Thanks for the information.
 

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