How bad does a community college Engineer Technician diploma look to empoyers?

[Raizy]

How bad does a community college "Engineer Technician" diploma look to empoyers?

I'm going for a 3-year "Fake" engineer program (Technology) labeled as an "Advanced Diploma" - whatever that means, and I was just wondering if I'll be kind of screwed over trying to land a job since employers would rather look for someone who has a Bachelors.

 

[skeptic2]

It depends upon what you want your diploma for. Do you want to be a technician or an engineer? Why do you call it a "Fake" engineer program? Why not call it what it is, an engineering technician program? There also are 3 year (@ 12 months per year = 4 academic years) engineering technician programs that give you a BSET or BEET instead of a diploma.

 

[Integral]

You will not be able to get an engineering job with a tech degree. However since they are usually paid on an hourly basis, due to shift differentials and overtime, techs frequently make more then the salaried engineers you would be working with.

 

[Raizy]

No, I'm not expecting to do engineering work. So far, what I've gathered is that I'll be working for an engineer "making their plans work", like repairing robot arms or something, or re-configuring things. I was just thinking that if an employer was browsing through the resumes, that they will probably get someone with a Bachelors in Engineering to do a technician's or technologist's work and completely ignore me.

Also I'm a bit confused about this diploma. The 2 years is labeled "Electro-Mechanical Engineering technician" and the 3-years is labeled "Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology". But you see, isn't there a bachelors in "Engineering Technology" available at universities which takes 4 years to complete as opposed to 3?

 

[skeptic2]

There's nothing wrong with that kind of work. It provides valuable assistance to engineers. I do think you'd be ahead with a BSET or BEET instead of a diploma. Unfortunately I think some engineers and managers do have the idea that it is a "fake" engineering degree, perhaps because some engineering technicians have tried to promote themselves as engineers. I've worked with some very fine engineering techs.

Most places where I've worked the engineers were expected to be their own technicians and build and test their own circuits. One place however had a team of technicians that I could use to build and test circuits. It was amazing how much more I was able to accomplish when all I had to worry about was what tests to perform and doing the statistical analysis on the results.

 

[Raizy]

I'll have to transfer to a university to get a bachelors then. Hopefully, I won't have to start from first year, if I do then forget about it. I'll be too much of a burden to my parents.

lol this is what happens if you were an ignorant teenager.

 

[Choppy]

Why would an employer looking for an engineering technician/technologist pass over someone qualified for the position? If someone with an engineering bachelors is applying for a technololgy position they are likely overqualified.

 

[Raizy]

I did a quick half-*** search on google about which colleges or universities in my area offer a Bachelors in Eng. Technology and it seems "Electromechanical" or Robotics Eng. Technology are rarely offered.

I'm kind of worried because on BLS.gov the job growth for this job is 3% (but maybe it's because there are only like about 1/5th of Robotic technicians compared to the other popular Eng. technology disciplines?? I don't know...). I will probably switch over to Electronics or Mechanical Eng. Tech after my first year unless I manage to find schools that offer a Bachelors of Technology in robotics.

I also heard (from this forum) about someone mentioning Mechanical Engineering is starting to become obsolete, can anyone elaborate on that?

 

[skeptic2]

Yes, that's probably true. You aren't going to find academic programs in every field. What you really should be looking for is a background that can easily be applied to your field and a personal academic history that shows you're up to the job.

From what little I know of mechanical engineering I know that it's far from becoming obsolete.

 

[Raizy]

Hmm I made a kinda big choice. I'm going to decline my offer and go to an adult education center to get my 4U courses. It'll take another 8 or so months I think to get all the 6 4U courses required by the university.