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What engineering discipline are you in?

Discussion in 'Jobs & Careers' started by frizbal, Apr 23, 2015.

?

What engineering degree did you achieve?

  1. Electrical

    14.0%
  2. Civil/Environmental

    14.3%
  3. Mechanical

    36.6%
  4. Chemical

    2.9%
  5. Industrial

    2.6%
  6. Aerospace

    5.7%
  7. Computer

    11.6%
  8. Petroleum

    1.0%
  9. Structural

    2.6%
  10. Other

    8.8%
  1. Nov 21, 2016 at 11:51 PM
    #321
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    Already got a degree or two but thinking about going back.


    Mechanical Engineers: What's the day to day like? I know that's a broad spectrum, but I've always had the itch to switch to an engineering career. My brain plagues me every day otherwise ha.

    Any jobs a guy can get to actually use your brain to solve problems and maybe even build/invent some ideas to solve problems? With or without the degree?
     
  2. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:00 AM
    #322
    frizbal

    frizbal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sean
    Tulsa, Oklahoma
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    The good thing about ME is it can take you all kinds of different places. I'm now in combustion, did some design and testing on incinerators and flares, now moved on out and am now over a small service department that deals with pipeline integrity and pipeline blowdowns with flares.
     
    BuzzardsGottaEat likes this.
  3. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:35 AM
    #323
    Naturalness

    Naturalness Well-Known Member

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    Materials Engineering. Cast vote as "Other".
    Working as a Quality Engineer for a... certain Japanese auto manufacturer (engineering side, not plant side - so don't blame me if your panel gap isn't perfect).
     
    Biscuits likes this.
  4. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:37 AM
    #324
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    That's what I'm seeing. I don't know if I should just keep my inquisitive mind on the hobby side of things or pursue it but I have the itch ha. Thanks for the feedback.
     
  5. Dec 20, 2016 at 4:28 PM
    #325
    45acp

    45acp Paint me back in Wyoming again...

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    Jonathan
    Boring, Wisconsin
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    More questions for you guys. Bachelor's or associate's degree (ME)? Is the pay, job availability, and job description similar, or is it worth going the extra mile with the bachelor's?

    I'm trying to determine the better route to take and/or weigh what few options I have. Again, I'm 'older' (32) with full custody of my son which has obligated me to live in Wisconsin for the time being so my parents can help watch him. My general education requirements are already completed.

    Option 1: Stay in Wisconsin for the time being near 'support', continue to work part-time on night shift at the hospital, and go to the local technical school full-time which has an ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering Technology associates degree. Move back West after finding a job in the field and perhaps continue the education.

    Option 2: Move back West (Utah or Wyoming) now, work at a county jail (prior experience in state corrections) while going to school part-time (amount of credits depending on what shift I'd be rotated on) towards a bachelor's.
     
  6. Dec 20, 2016 at 4:33 PM
    #326
    Biscuits

    Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

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    Get your bachelor's. Find a way to do it. Believe me, I understand. I'm 33 and finishing what's been a fifteen year odyssey at long last, and I have an average 60 hour a week (if not more) full time job and a family. It's sure as hell isn't easy, but keep the spirit and you can do it.

    You'll never regret earning your bachelor's. You'll always regret not getting it.
     
    Boerseun and jubei like this.
  7. Dec 20, 2016 at 4:40 PM
    #327
    45acp

    45acp Paint me back in Wyoming again...

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    Thanks. Do you think I should go straight for the BS, or get the MET and go from there? I talked to UW Milwaukee and they have a weird/annoying setup whereas they will only transfer the credits from the local tech school if I finish the entire program first. :rolleyes:
     
  8. Dec 20, 2016 at 5:39 PM
    #328
    Biscuits

    Biscuits Thorny Crown of Entropy

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    That is kind of strange about UW Milwaukee. They probably have some sort of sponsorship or reciprocal financial arrangement with your local technical school that precludes students from transferring prior to graduation.

    Well, I can't tell you what to do, but I hopefully I can give you some points to consider. I don't know what career field you want to enter, but I personally have never seen an engineering position that required anything less than a full bachelor's. I'd hate to see you expend effort and capital into an associate's degree that won't help you.

    That being said, if you can obtain a sustainable job with a MET that makes financial sense for you, then perhaps it would be better to earn your MET first. A lot of companies will offer at least partial academic financial support for employees who wish to further their education.

    If you haven't already, browse through the job postings for your desired career to learn what the minimum requirements are, and determine if a MET can get your foot in the door.

    A third idea is to look at the University of North Dakota's ABET-accredited online engineering programs. They're almost 100% online save two weeks in the summer where you stay in their dorms while you complete labs/practicals.

    I apologize if this wasn't much help to you. At our age, the roads left open to us are harder to travel but it isn't impossible. As long as you inspect every aspect of the options that are open to you, and are brutally honest with your assessments, you're heading in the right direction.
     
    45acp[QUOTED] and Naturalness like this.
  9. Dec 21, 2016 at 5:05 AM
    #329
    trdNick

    trdNick Odie

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  10. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:00 AM
    #330
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

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    Unexceptional
    And whatever you do NEVER forget to renew!
     
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  11. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:02 AM
    #331
    trdNick

    trdNick Odie

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    Such a relief haha

    I have heard horror stories from co-workers
     
  12. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:09 AM
    #332
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    is it that bad of a horror story?

    I almost forgot to renew mine :anonymous:
     
  13. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:12 AM
    #333
    trdNick

    trdNick Odie

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    I guess more of a hassle than anything. Extra fee, more paperwork, no re-test though haha
     
  14. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:14 AM
    #334
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    Holee Molee, there is more mechanicals in here that anyone else :eek:
     
  15. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:28 AM
    #335
    DaveInDenver

    DaveInDenver Not Actually in Denver

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    Unexceptional
    Colorado gives you a grace period of 60 days to renew but if you don't take care of it within that period it would become expired and have to pay a penalty to renew. If you continue to practice with an expired license it can be relatively minor (letter of concern) up to a disciplinary action (letter of admonition) if you continue to practice without it. If it's expired long enough you may not be able to petition for reinstatement and would have to apply to take the exam again. More of a PITA than anything.
     
  16. Dec 21, 2016 at 6:30 AM
    #336
    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    That PE was a pain. Nope.
     
  17. Dec 28, 2016 at 12:57 PM
    #337
    h.zack801

    h.zack801 Scumbag Extraordinaire

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    I'd like to re-test you in two years when Texas sends you the actual certificate.
     
  18. Feb 18, 2017 at 8:42 PM
    #338
    Snowtrooper17

    Snowtrooper17 Well-Known Member

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    BSEE with a minor in Electronic Arts (yah Photoshop!). I worked in the semiconductor industry for five years in manufacturing. Then jumped into the world of automotive safety realm, again in manufacturing, for two years as a process engineer. Then I jumped ship completely to escape cubicle land and took on service industry jobs (waiter, cook, ski instructor) for the last few years until now. Hope I can break back into technical work again. Starting to really miss it.
     
  19. Feb 24, 2017 at 2:43 PM
    #339
    nDub

    nDub Kan kun være malet af en gal mand

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    Environmental Engineer for work but my PE is Civil. CA doesn't offer an Environmental PE, go figure.

    For work I'm in drinking water quality for a large municipality in Northern California, mainly regulatory compliance.
     
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  20. Feb 24, 2017 at 3:40 PM
    #340
    h.zack801

    h.zack801 Scumbag Extraordinaire

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    Fill me in. I swear every time I hear "environmental engineer" or "working in regulatory compliance" I scratch my head because I have no idea what that entails. We have some guys who have those titles and descriptions at work but I never deal with them enough to stop and ask them. Lol
     
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