Engineering Application: Contractual/Freelance Work

[Slimjimjohnso]

I am currently in school getting ready to start on the electrical engineering program. I decided on this major for quite a few reasons. One of them being the obvious technical skills I would learn as well as application to my interests in everyday life. Another reason is the challenge, I wasn't any good with math to begin with and I figured that if I could learn to master this elusive beast called mathematics I could do anything.

Now I hear a lot about engineers having to work in large groups of people. I am ok with this for the most part, but I suppose that I had a different idea in mind. When I'm done with school I'm not really sure what Ill be doing. I would like to use my skills for repair or freelance engineering (if it exists) instead of working for a large corporation or in an environment where I have to work closely with lots of others.

I apologize for my disjointed post and obvious lack of direction. I suppose I will boil this down into points in question form. Really I only have the one right now but I'm sure if you guys are willing I will have more later.

-Can an engineer be hired on a contractual/freelance basis? If so what kinds of things is he expected to do (electrical/computer engineer) and what sort of pay might he receive?

 

[fasterthanjoao]

Science and engineering are highly collaborative fields. You'll need to be sociable and willing to work with others to get by. In engineering, you'll have skills in a specific area, but likely not enough to handle a project on your own. Engineers of different types, along with individuals having other kinds of skills, all combine for the realisation of a project.

I'm not sure what directly concerns you, but contractual or freelance work of any type always requires a great network of contacts. A lot of people will build these networks when they work for larger companies.

I have had friends that have worked as electrical engineers in a 'lone' type position within a larger organisation. An example is of a friend that worked in a hospital repairing and replacing components in medical equipment. He did this job essentially on his own. It depends what sort of thing you want to be doing day-to-day.

 

[Slimjimjohnso]

What type of experiences have you had while working in groups? I assume once you get to a professional level things are different. But in my experience (school and retail management) I have always had trouble working within groups. People act immature don't take responsibility for their own work and I find it obnoxious. I can obviously deal I just worry about stuff like this. Another one of my motivations for doing anything school related what so ever is to not work in retail or a similar environment ever again.

I suppose I don't really have a point, I just wanted to talk to some engineers about engineering. Sometimes questions like these pop into my head. :)

 

[Astronuc]

What type of experiences have you had while working in groups? I assume once you get to a professional level things are different. But in my experience (school and retail management) I have always had trouble working within groups. People act immature don't take responsibility for their own work and I find it obnoxious. I can obviously deal I just worry about stuff like this. Another one of my motivations for doing anything school related what so ever is to not work in retail or a similar environment ever again.

I suppose I don't really have a point, I just wanted to talk to some engineers about engineering. Sometimes questions like these pop into my head. :)

Well, by the time one works through an undergraduate degree (BS) in EE, and probably a Master's (MS), one will find that most colleagues are pretty responsible. Immature people tend to wash out pretty early.

-Can an engineer be hired on a contractual/freelance basis? If so what kinds of things is he expected to do (electrical/computer engineer) and what sort of pay might he receive?

Engineers can work as contractors, often through an agency, or as self-employed individuals. Pay depends on the particular specialty, skill and experience.

If one is serious about EE, then look into the IEEE - www.ieee.org, which is the largest international society in EE.

 

[Slimjimjohnso]

Is there a lot more jobs available for Engineers with a Masters than with a Bachelors? I read somewhere that the pay was like 10,000 higher starting wages for a masters, but engineering work can be done with a bachelors.

Thank you for the link btw.

 

[Astronuc]

Is there a lot more jobs available for Engineers with a Masters than with a Bachelors? I read somewhere that the pay was like 10,000 higher starting wages for a masters, but engineering work can be done with a bachelors.

Thank you for the link btw.

One can certainly work as an engineer with just a bachelor degree, and then gain experience on the job. Essentially a bachelor's degree covers the basics. The Master's degree involves supervised research and usually one does a thesis. For a PhD, one does independent (original) research which contributes to the field or extends the state-of-the-art.

The starting salary for MS is about $10K (give or take) greater than for a BS.

Browse IEEE's site for the various areas of specialty, as well as ideas on research and job opportunities.