the engineering field

[Lao Tzu]

who all is in this? what branch (medical, industrial, manufacturing, etc). Is it the type of job you would recommend to someone.

because this field offers room for advancement i might look into it a few years down the road (right now i'm just working on my associates degree in an unrelated field).

If i went into it, i'd probably go into medical or biomedical. I like medicine & healthcare. But i think the money is in petroleum engineering.

Also, can a person get an associates degree in engineering that can be converted into a bachelors? i know you can get an associates to become an engineers technician, but i don't think those degress transfer into a B.S. degree, you'd have to start from the bottom. I'd like to test the field first.

 

[jesus 2]

stay...away...from....engineering...

of course, that is just my opinion...just 'cause i hate it already, and i've yet to get to the field. oh well.


j to da 2

 

[Lao Tzu]

i know beastboy is in it and he hates it. and i know ginnjuice is in it but i don't know how he feels. I doubt his personality is comporable to mine so i have no idea if his likes would coincide with mine anyway.



What field are you in.

 

[grlpwrd]

Here's my novel ...My hubby was an aerospace/mechanical engineer at Boeing for 11 years. He got sick of the bureaucracy and layoffs were cyclical. He started with $29,500 straight out of college with a BSME and his highest before he left was about $45,000. To me it seems his job stability was based on the economy and how well or bad the supply/demand was for air travel. It sucked.

He started contracting (as compared to being salaried) since 1998. His commanding salary is from $35 an hour and up depending on the job. I have noticed throughout the years you get paid better if you keep up with the technology for your field and if you are diversified in your job skills. For example, he's technically degreed in mechanical engineering yet he has experience and skills in computers, aerospace, and automotive engineering. I can't speak for everyone, but if you're diversified it will keep you employed because you can hop into different segments and industries. Of course, I'm talking more if you go contracting/"jobshopping," but either way you are susceptible to mergers, layoffs, and downsizing anyway - salaried or by contract.

From what I've noticed IT jobs, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering are where it's at. If you are going into engineering at least pick up a specialized computer skill like in CATIA, Unigraphics, Cadam, or Pro /E. I don't like the field because it's unpredictable, but if you are experienced and know what you are doing you get compensated well for it.

Forgot to add..I keep up with the industry, but I don't know everything..my viewpoint is as a wife who is married to someone who loves what he does. Hope any of this helps.

 

[HumorMe]

Nordstrom

My brother-in-law got his bachelor's and master's degree in ceramic engineering from Clemson U. Right out of graduate school he started with Corning at $50,000/year. He worked his way to senior engineer while still in his 20's. He transfered to Concorde, NC when they opened up a new plant there. Corning, at one time, was expamding very fast and his area of expertise was fiber optics. Corning has since shit that plant down because the demand has fallen drastically. He saw it coming many months ahead of time and within the past two months left Corning and got a job with Cree in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area. He is very lucky to have found that job but he was smart enough to see it coming and had time to prepare.

He really enjoys his field. Of course, he is very smart guy and that field is very interesting. Clemson U. has the finest engineering program in the nation or at least they use to. They still might! I think that field is still young and still developing, so that might be something to consider.

I wish you luck in whatever you choose.

 

[EricDraven]

well im still trying to get it, and it sucks!!!!, but im too deep into it to do anything else.

ed

 

[flex123]

MIT is a good school for it thats all I know.

 

[beastboy]

I wouldn't say I hate it...but it has its moments just like any other job. Before and while I went to college I had many "phsyical" type jobs, and swore I was going to have a cushy desk job some day. I also thought engineers got some repsect as well (boy was I wrong). I decided to go into Industrial Engineering for it's diversity....it is a mix of mechanical, manufacturing, a tad od electrical, and design engineering.....I though this would keep me from being pigeon-toed into a specific area of industry, but my foolish ass went and got a job with a special machine builder. This in turn has somewhat pigeon-toed me, but in doing so it has enabled be to keep my job during this tough time, while my buddies working at the Big 3 are getting layed off every 3 months. Engineers make decent mony right out of college...at 21 I was making over 50K and now 4 years later I am the Senior Engineer, and making decent money (still feel under-paid).

I'm just rambling...if you want more info, PM me.

BTW, grlpwr is correct in what she said in many areas. Up here in Michigan (Motor City), there are tons of Engineering jobs...(usually). Contract work does pay very well, but I find job security important in the regards of not having to look for a new position every year or whatver each contract length is.

One last thing....definately learn some design software (AutoCAD for sure...easy to use)...and another parametric software like grlpwr said: UG, Catia, Pro/E, SolidWorks, Inventor, and there are others, but those are the main ones.

 

[toga22]

Come August I will find out...

The company I work for has put me through school to gain my degree in manufacturing engineering. Right now I am a production manager for a manufacturing plant; and the knowledge I have gained in school thus far has helped me tremendously in my current position.

I have been offered a job in the engineering department, if I choose to accept it, upon graduation. Like beastboy said, they offer engineers 60k right out of school.

What I have noticed the past 4 years, is that when things are running smooth, the engineers within my company are everyones hero, but when things start to run rough their glory quickly fades, and if the situation is not dealt with quickly, it is not long before their heads hit the "chopping block" and they are replaced.

Best of luck to you!!

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

Nord,

We use engineers a lot. (I do litigation management as my day job).

There are different levels of recognition in the field - we deal usually with PE's.

The guys who make the really big bucks are the ones with very advanced knowledge in speicific areas: for example PhD's in electrical engineering. (We have a few guys we retain who bill $300/hr). Of course, these guys are also valuable because they are able to provide testimony at trial. (and bill up to $500/hr for it)

For teh guy just starting out obviously these numbers are not achievable. If engineering is not a field you'll get rich in. Comfortable, probably. If you love learning, though, you'll probably love this field.

Last thing: Dilbert is an engineer.

 

[beastboy]

Nord,


For teh guy just starting out obviously these numbers are not achievable. If engineering is not a field you'll get rich in. Comfortable, probably. If you love learning, though, you'll probably love this field.

Yep....that is why you start a side business...

 

[Ffactor]

I am a Chemical Engineer and the Technical Director of my company. Pay is good, enjoy the work atmosphere, no complaints. As far as I know there is no AA degree in engineering. I am assuming we are talking about 4 a 4 year degree here. There are mechanics and electricians out there who consider themselves to be mechanical and electrical engineers.