FE with Engineering Technology Degree

[trchambe]

Hello,

I recently graduated from Purdue University with a degree in electrical engineering technology. I was fortunate enough to find a job, and my employer wants me to get my PE. I've been approved for the April 2010 FE exam in Indiana.

My question concerns taking the general or the electrical portion of the exam in the afternoon. I've been told that the general portion is the best way to go. My thought is that as my degree is in engineering technology rather than engineering, I don't have the background in many courses (advanced mathematics, thermodynamics, fluds, etc) that a degreed engineer does. I may be better off taking the electrical portion.

Has anyone out there been in a similar situation, or have any advice?

 

[Japher]

I would check with the state licensing board to make sure you are qualified to get a PE first. If so I would look at local universities for prep courses.

 

[rday]

Since the state board approved him to sit for the FE; I assume there is a path to licensure.

I think you may be better served taking the electrical afternoon portion. The afternoon portion does cover some stuff you will not have seen.

 

[xnuke]

As of the October 2008 cycle, you got to choose at the test location. The afternoon booklet contained the general exam (now called Other Disciplines) along with all of the specialty exams, so I looked at the problems for both the general and electrical to see which I preferred (I chose electrical). It's probably still set up like that.

After reviewing the ECET typical program at your school, I'm guessing you'll prefer the electrical. As you said, the general has some fluids, thermo, materials, biology, etc., topic areas that you might find difficult since it doesn't look like your program required them.

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.

 

[Lion06]

I would take the electrical afternoon. If you didn't take thermo, and the other stuff, don't mess with it.

 

[trchambe]

Thanks for the advice. I have another question. I understand that the afternoon general exam covers the same material as the morning exam, but is far more detailed. Is the afternoon discipline-specific portion (specifically electrical, of course) of a more general or detailed format? That is, are there many 'quick-calculation' questions, or a few detailed design questions?

 

[Lion06]

I took the civil afternoon exam, and there were many questions, none of which were very in-depth. It was a little disappointing actually. I have to imagine the electrical would be a similar format.

 

[shamsdebout]

I am in a similar boat, I have the same degree, I fortunately passed the October FE exam. I would recommend doing the electrical afternoon exam. My strategy was to do well on that portion as I ended up having to guess on all the mechanical questions which were quite alot.
The electrical covers quite alot of topics, refer to the test outline from NCEES for the afternoon exam, they actually do have all of that on their. If you can remember your controls that would be good, signal and systems, communication topics (sampling, modulation). All the best.

 

[grimmy65]

From my own experiences I can say it’s better to take the discipline specific if you are post grad.

The fall after graduating with an MET degree I took the general and failed. Afterwards, I heard that the general exam was designed for students who were taking the test as a junior before having any upper level coursework or post grad experience. After picking up the pieces, the following fall I studied for the discipline specific and passed. I got the fat PPI book for the general and found it helpful but the discipline specific book was extremely useful.

Go for it, find a review course at a local university, study your a$$ off and pass. It’s the best feeling to get that letter in the mail.

 

[photoengineer]

Here my funny little story about the FE exam. I am a MET undergrad and took the exam senior year of college. I was burned out of engineering at the time and everytime I sat down to study I decided that I couldn't because there was too much material. My girlfriend at the time kept mentioning it, and I said well I don't think it makes a big difference whether I pass or not.

So I took the exam in the fall and forgot about it. Then when I got the letter months later - I passed! It was a big surprise. My then-girlfriend (now wife) simply said "I always knew you were smart!"

Cedar Bluff Engineering

http://cedarbluffengineering.webs.com

 

[HSNIC]

I am not an expert on Electrical Engineering Technology, but I will tell you how Technology degrees work with the State board in New Jersey.

You need 6 yrs of experience to apply for Professional Licensure.

I think you will be on par with an Engineer who has 4 years experience by that time in Indiana. Take the electrical in the afternoon. You'll know the ins and outs by that time. Believe in yourself.

Does your employer offer to pay for college courses? Take some here and there non-matriculated to get close to an engineering degree.

 

[stanford94]

i have an met degree from purdue and getting the eit then pe were definitely worth it.

 

[trchambe]

Thanks for the help. I never really considered becoming a PE until I got out of school. I found a job for a consulting firm, and my employer really wants me to try for licensure. I believe I'll take the afternoon electrical. I've got four months to study, so I expect I'll be okay. Thanks again

 

[Lion06]

I don't know others' experience with review courses, but I signed up for one - went to two classes and scrapped it. It was a waste of money, time, and energy.

Buy the reference manual they allow you to have in the exam and get very familiar with it. There will be questions that you won't even understand (I had a couple about traffic engineering and other subjects I didn't study in school), but if you know where to look for the formulas it could be just plug and chug.

It's worthwhile to get the Lundburge (Not sure if I spelled that right) review manual. It will at least give you an idea of what types of questions to expect. This will give you a little more confidence in at least knowing the types of questions - one less unknown.

 

[stanford94]

i think it's lindberg and yes i used it too. worth it.