R&D Jobs for EE Majors - No PhD Req'd, No Automotive

[kdinser]

I'm starting my final year as an EE major (undergrad) and I've been thinking lately about the kind of job I'm going to be looking for after graduation. The more I think about it, the more I think that R&D is where I would eventually want to end up. Management isn't for me, I could do it if forced into it, but I wouldn't enjoy it, so I really wouldn't be looking to head up a R&D team, just work on one.

I'm not concerned with where I start off and I don't really care if it takes me 5 to 10 years to get where I want to go, just as long as I can keep making progress towards that goal.

I'm sure I could get a masters in EE if I needed to, but I think a PhD in EE might be beyond my innate mathematical abilities. From what I hear, by the time you’re done with your PhD in EE, you are almost ready to qualify for a masters in mathematics. For example, I understood the concepts taught to me in multivariable calculus, gradients, double and triple integrals, space curves, ect... They made perfect sense conceptually, but actually doing the problems without making stupid mistakes was completely beyond my ability. I always knew my answer was wrong, I just couldn't find the mistake(s) in the time allowed for the test.

So, my question is, what kind of entry level job or path should I be keeping my eye out for if I want to get into R&D without getting a PhD?

BTW, I would like to stay as far away from the automotive industry as possible. I'm not opposed to moving or spending half a dozen years traveling 80% to 90% of my time if needed.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[interested_learner]

For engineering, a masters is fine for most R&D jobs. Unlike science, a Phd is not really necessary (but it doesn't hurt!).

Be careful in what your first job is. It will tend to pigeon hole you.

The important thing now is make sure you do real well in your classes and have a good track record. We tend to look at those kind of things when picking out people for research positions.