Beginning my engineering path

[Kent317]

First things first my end goal is to become an Electrical/Electronics Engineer.

I've been out of school for a while now(2012), and I need to go to a community college first. Would getting an A.A.S in Electrical engineering technology be a good major to choose before going to a university? It will teach me the math and physics I need so I can be prepared for calculus.

Or would it be wiser to just get an associate of science degree and hopefully some of the humanities/English credits will transfer and just take as many math and science courses I can.
I am self teaching from a pretty nice electrical theory/application book I picked up and am just stressing over these decisions. Class at the CC starts 1/11/16, and am already signed up for the EET course. I can always switch majors, I just would appreciate some feedback. Thanks

 

[nickelkid]

Everyone has different paths, as for mine (mechanical) I earned an AAS then obtained an Applications Engineering position then my employer paid for me to finish my BS. It was nice not to have any loans and I obtained a wealth of experience along the way. It took a few years to get it done, I was 27 when my BS was complete.

 

[IRstuff]

I would suggest making sure that classes you take are directly applicable and transferable to your final destination and degree.

" It will teach me the math and physics I need so I can be prepared for calculus. "

This is a puzzling statement. Generally, you need calculus to do physics, not the other way around. There are physics classes that are purely algebra-based, but they don't lend anything to calculus. My son is currently taking AP Physics 1 (algebra-based) and AP Calculus BC. Trigonometry and Algebra 2 are essentials for calculus, and you need to have mastered those to do calculus well.

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[xnuke]

Engineering technology classes do not typically transfer to engineering degree programs. Check with your community college to see if they have an engineering prep or engineering transfer program.

xnuke
"Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life." Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged.
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[tstructural]

Definitely start with the community college (CC) to see which classes transfer to the University. If you already know the University you will be attending check with them also. Most CCs already know which classes the local University will accept but you should verify - let's face it the only person interesting in saving you time and $$ is you - not the schools.

You will most likely be required to take a calculus based physics series of classes so don't waste your time and money on any other type of physics classes. Most CCs offer both types of physics classes and if the person you are talking with at the CC doesn't know the difference - find someone else to talk with.

I agree with xnuke's statement above. Most technology or even Associate degree programs are not fully (and maybe even zero) transferable. I wasted almost a year and a half of CC classes before I figured that out. Please don't make the same mistake I did.

Best of luck!! It's a lot of work but I love my engineering career.

 

[Kent317]

Thanks for the replies. When school starts I will figure something out with my advisor.

 

[Lomarandil]

I second talking to both your CC and University early on.

Also, many states (CO is one) are writing legislation requiring Universities to accept certain classes from state CCs. May be worth checking into as well.

 

[davefitz]

get the math out of the way as soon as practical- that part of the brain ages the fastest,so the sooner that part of the required coursework is completed the better.

"Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

 

[Panther140]

"This is a puzzling statement. Generally, you need calculus to do physics, not the other way around. There are physics classes that are purely algebra-based, but they don't lend anything to calculus. My son is currently taking AP Physics 1 (algebra-based) and AP Calculus BC. Trigonometry and Algebra 2 are essentials for calculus, and you need to have mastered those to do calculus well."

Everything you mentioned is available at every tech school in my area and transfers directly to all state universities.

"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin

 

[Panther140]

I don't know if his program will require them, but they are options if their schools are set up like ours are. If he does it right, he could prepare himself well for transferring.


"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin