Pursuing Electrical/Electronics Engineering: How to Go About It

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the educational path towards becoming an electrical/electronics engineer, including considerations of degree choices, the relevance of community college programs, and concerns about job security in the field. Participants explore various options for academic preparation and the implications of different degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to switch from an Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) program to a degree in Electrical Engineering (EE), citing a fascination with electrical theory and a need for a secure career.
  • Another participant suggests that it may be beneficial to pursue an associate's degree in physics before transferring to a university for EE, emphasizing the importance of completing math and physics courses.
  • Concerns are raised about job security after graduation, with one participant expressing fear of unemployment despite interest in an EET degree.
  • Some participants note that good technicians can earn competitive salaries and that a degree is not strictly necessary for entry-level positions, which may alleviate some concerns about job security.
  • Worries about the difficulty of coursework, particularly in mathematics, are mentioned, with one participant questioning their ability to handle the academic demands of an EE degree.
  • Encouragement is offered to focus on skill development rather than economic fears, suggesting that proficiency in one's field can lead to job security.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the best educational path, with some advocating for a switch to EE while others support staying in the EET program. Concerns about job security and academic challenges are shared, but no consensus is reached on the optimal approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for foundational knowledge in mathematics, particularly algebra, and the potential for varying transferability of credits between programs. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the current job market and its impact on career choices.

Kent317
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I am deciding what educational path to take. My end goal is to become an electrical/electronics engineer. I am good with my hands but need to work very hard on academics.
I dropped out of high school my senior year(2012) for no good reason, I was not in the best state of mind then. (I earned my GED the same year). But after picking up electronics as a hobby I have become fascinated with it. At first i thought I would be an electrical engineer technician, but I'm wanting a secure career and want to branch out into different fields and an EE degree seems like the best option. The Theory part is also very interesting also.

I am enrolled at my community college for EE technology, but classes don't start until 1/11/16. I have time to switch majors, so would an associates in science be better to have, and then transfer to a university for engineering? Even if the credits don't transfer I still need to re learn everything, especially algebra but I'm confident I can do it. I like physics and studying electrical theory makes me wish I can fully understand the equations I'm looking at. Is it going to be worth my time and money? Should I just stick with the EET program? Any feedback would be helpful, thanks.
 
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From what you described, I think you should definitely switch major to something like EE. If there is no EE degree at your community college, then perhaps study something like physics first. It doesn't matter which degree exactly you do in CC though, as long as you get far in math courses and physics courses. But definitely go for Electrical Engineering.
 
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Kent317 said:
I am deciding what educational path to take. My end goal is to become an electrical/electronics engineer. I am good with my hands but need to work very hard on academics.
I dropped out of high school my senior year(2012) for no good reason, I was not in the best state of mind then. (I earned my GED the same year). But after picking up electronics as a hobby I have become fascinated with it. At first i thought I would be an electrical engineer technician, but I'm wanting a secure career and want to branch out into different fields and an EE degree seems like the best option. The Theory part is also very interesting also.

I am enrolled at my community college for EE technology, but classes don't start until 1/11/16. I have time to switch majors, so would an associates in science be better to have, and then transfer to a university for engineering? Even if the credits don't transfer I still need to re learn everything, especially algebra but I'm confident I can do it. I like physics and studying electrical theory makes me wish I can fully understand the equations I'm looking at. Is it going to be worth my time and money? Should I just stick with the EET program? Any feedback would be helpful, thanks.

Yes, like Micromass says, you can just get an associates of physics at CC then transfer. That way, you'll have the majority of the lower division work for EE done already, and probably just need intro to design classes at uni.

Electronics technicians, engineering technicians, or EET's, are all various names of the same job that assists engineers in design work, field work, and maintenance. Good technicians don't need to worry about not having a secure career. You could even earn more than many green EE's at companies, so don't let that dissuade you if that's something you really want to do - or find EE curriculum to abstract and not hands on enough for your tastes. A degree isn't needed technically, but is a good way to find entry level positions with no prior work experience.
 
The main thing that worries me is the current state, and future of our economy. I would like an EET degree, but I'm just afraid I'll be unemployed after I graduate. Reading many forums reassuring this doesn't help either.
Also the coursework for EE worries me, I have to pretty much start from the ground up in intermediate algebra and who knows I might not be able to handle it later on. Maybe I could find an employer to pay for my bsee, I just need to stop overthinking it.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
 
Kent317 said:
The main thing that worries me is the current state, and future of our economy. I would like an EET degree, but I'm just afraid I'll be unemployed after I graduate. Reading many forums reassuring this doesn't help either.
Also the coursework for EE worries me, I have to pretty much start from the ground up in intermediate algebra and who knows I might not be able to handle it later on. Maybe I could find an employer to pay for my bsee, I just need to stop overthinking it.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Everyone starts somewhere. Don't let the "economy" scare you, if you become good at what you do, whatever that is, you'll never worry about having a job.
 

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