Engineering Major

[SawnEagle]

I am currently a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. I am currently a freshman, but a bit older due to serving in the Army (OEF X) before attending, so I am more mature and a better time manager than most of my classmates. I am currently looking at electrical engineering, systems engineering, or engineering management. I understand that this is a leadership institution and I will most likely end up in a management position in the civilian sector after I do my years in the Army as an officer. I feel like if I did electrical engineering, it'd go to waste because I would not ever specifically use the degree (after 5 years of not using it in the Army). Engineering management B.S. is offered here, which I feel may be more applicable and sensible for me to choose due to the likely-hood of me becoming a manager, rather than a technical worker. I am not sure what to expect with systems engineering in the civilian sector as well. I feel like it may be the better of the two degrees (in my situation of becoming a manager) because I will be classified as an engineer, but will also have a lot of vital skills to become an effective manager (efficiency, processes, etc).

USMA has a great engineering program at $0 cost, so I really want to take advantage of what this institution offers.

Are there any suggestions or insight on these majors pertaining to my situation (graduate > 5 years Active Army officer > civilian sector (probably managerial position))?

Thank you.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Your technical skills might get rusty, but they don't really disappear.
The problem is that you'll have a big headstart toward management when you get out of the Army, and your technical skills will still be entry-level-ish, so the difference in salaries offered will be huge, at least a factor of 2, probably much more. The choice will be a no-brainer for your spouse.

For reference, Systems Engineering is sort of like Electrical Engineering, but at a higher level, e.g. strategic vs. tactical. The few real Systems Engineers whom I have known got involved in projects at a pretty early stage, mostly for the purpose of dividing up a major project into manageable chunks, and defining as soon as possible what the interfaces between the chunks would look like, and then modeling and predicting the system's performance, starting with models of the chunks and working upward, while the technical engineers started with models of the chunks and worked downward. Your Army experience would give you a big headstart into Systems Engineering, because you'll meet and interact with a lot of SEs, and the military sees the benefit of using them. Most of the private sector doesn't understand SE, and is not willing to pay for it up front.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[tygerdawg]

I like to say the real value in surviving a BS Engineering program (besides learning some subjects in a specific field) is that it re-arranges one's brain. It forces the student to think analytically and solve problems in a rigorous manner unlike any other curriculum. Engineering work experience teaches one to understand the balance and compromises in delivering an acceptable engineering solution that is constrained by schedule deadlines and budget criteria. In the past I've been "managed" or "led" by folks without in-the-trenches engineering experience and it usually did not go well. There are aspects of herding that tempermental and fussy group of cats called engineers that just won't be understood unless one suffers through it themselves at some point.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[kylesito]

I would second Tygerdawg. The real value of an engineering degree isn't the technical skills you learn...you learn those on the job anyway. The value is in training you to think critically and think like an engineer...something that will only be enhanced by your time in the military.

I don't think it matters personally. A technical degree, like EE, might be more beneficial than Managment only because it shows you are capable of the technical side of things and have the background to 'speak the language'. I personally might look at a managment degree and kind of shrug because that doesn't really tell me much about your aptitude and technical skills...I know you are a good manager and leader from your time in the military. So, its still a good degree, but your military experience is going to eclipse that anyway.

I tried very hard to get into the military academies and was dropped for a hearing problem. Congratulations on your acceptance and I am thankfull for your willingness to serve.

PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi

 

[ash060]

I would recommend going after either the EE or SE instead of management for the reasons that kylesito mentioned. You will learn the management skills from being an officer in the Army, but good engineering managers also have capable technical skills as well. Part of being a good manager is providing useful input on technical problems.

Also, consider becoming a licensed engineer no matter what route you take. The only thing it can do is make you more valuable in the private sector.

Also, my thanks for serving, you effort is appreciated.

 

[msquared48]

I would have to second MikeHalloran.

I was a Civil engineering graduate with two years grad school time when I went active '72 for four years. Never did a lick of engineering, but did get management experience. However, that time does not count as professional time toward your PE. Bottom line was I could not count any time in the military as "engineering" time, even though I was in the Corps of Engineers. Spent 85% of my time in a combat engineering MOS. the rest in a construction battalion. Bummer...

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[SawnEagle]

Thank you for all of your responses. They definitely helped me understand the transition from military to civilian sector and what employers may be looking for.

I will shift my focuses primarily toward EE most likely then.

 

[MintJulep]

Agree, go for the technical degree.

"Management" = "Command", and you will get training in that at the Academy no matter what degree you choose.

If possible, add some business classes as electives.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

I think I'd go for the EE degree. The Army will MAKE sure you get the managment skills!!!! On their time!!