Technician to Engineer 3

[Panther140]

Hello folks,

I've been an engineering tech for about one year now. I have been looking inward and realizing that I want to become more involved with engineering. I work in a test lab and I have enjoyed it, but I want more. The work I am doing has been composed of repetitive tasks in the past few months, and I am starving for a creative outlet at work. I was working toward an associate degree when I was hired into this job, and I think I am going to have to continue formal education.

I am thinking of a few paths right now:
-Finish AAS in electromechanical technology
-Finish AAS in mechanical design technology
-Go to community college and get an associates with an emphasis in engineering (this sets me up to finish BSME)

What do you recommend I do and why? I am looking for other perspectives, but my goal is to work with ideas and remain within this same engine manufacturer. I have considered job shadowing

 

[IRstuff]

The last one, without a doubt. If you even think you want to be a design engineer, the minimum acceptable degree is usually a BS. Given that life generally becomes messier as you get older -- wife, kids, etc., getting it done now will be infinitely easier than doing something else, and then realizing 10 yrs from now that you should get a BS.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
faq731-376 forum1529

 

[TheTick]

Lots of shop-bound blowhards like to bloviate about "things you can't learn in school". Going to school doesn't stop you from learning those things.

To start with, the BS degree (ABET accredited!) gives you credentials and credibility to get the job you want. Additionally, there's lots of important stuff to learn in class that you won't get from job-shadowing. There's plenty of engineers out there who brag about not using what they learned in school. They're typically on the left end of the bell curve.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Our county 'community college' has become a full 'college', whatever that means, since our son graduated with an associates degree of some kind. ... and went on to get a bachelor's degree in history at the state college, as part of some hybrid scholarship that he was awarded.

(
He went on to become a successful lawyer.
We should have seen it coming; since he could talk,
that kid would rather argue than eat.
)

I was surprised to learn the the CC actually had two career tracks within; the kids who were going on to a four year college took distinct and more difficult courses along the way.

Make sure that you and the CC are on the same wavelength about your plans, but yes, do get the associates degree that leads into a baccalaureate program, whatever they call it.

Do inquire if your employer will provide a little financial help for you; in days of yore, that was pretty much customary; now, nothing is.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Panther140]

I'm really leaning toward the associate degree that leads to engineering degree, but I am curious as to how employable that degree would make me, and for what kind of work. Technician/analyst? I know that I can't be titled as an engineer without a BS at my company.


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

 

[IRstuff]

What's acceptable and doable at your company might not travel well, i.e., what you get at your company may be completely unavailable at another company for your AAS. I interviewed one rather sad gentleman with an AA degree who wanted an engineering job, and he carried with him a stack of certificates and awards to "demonstrate" his bonafides, but to no avail. Of course, the fact that he had trouble calculating what a 15% increase from his current salary had something to do with it as well. I'd hate to see you regret your decision later on in life and career. You don't really want to be deciding to go for a BS with wife and baby on the way as distractions or workload.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
faq731-376 forum1529

 

[jpankask]

In all likelihood, the associates degree that leads to a BS engineering degree probably won't make you a whole lot more employable than you are now...but it will put you THAT much closer to getting your BS degree, which will make you much more employable, as an engineer. Most companies are going to require a BS degree in engineering to hire you as an engineer. Most of those companies are going to require that your degree be ABET accredited. There are companies here and there, mostly small companies, who will hire you with the associates degree, and they might even give you a title as an engineer...but your mobility to other engineering jobs will be limited.

Definitely check with your company about tuition assistance, many large companies still offer it, as long as it's towards a degree that will benefit the company. But the longer you wait to finish that BS degree, the harder it will get as life moves in other directions. It is very difficult to work full time, study part time and spend time with your family, especially when you start having kids. Good luck.

 

[TheTick]

If you subscribe to Stalin and view education as something that is thrust upon you, then you may as well stay in the technician trenches. You have already failed as an engineer.

If you have an independent mind and take ownership of knowledge as it comes to you, then welcome aboard.

 

[Panther140]

"If you subscribe to Stalin and view education as something that is thrust upon you, then you may as well stay in the technician trenches. You have already failed as an engineer.

If you have an independent mind and take ownership of knowledge as it comes to you, then welcome aboard. "

I hate Stalin and socialism in general, that quote is meant to be food for thought regarding formal education establishments rather than a statement for or against education in general. I don't view education as something that is thrust upon me. I view education as something to chase non stop whether or not you are enrolled at a formal education institution. I also think that it is important to recognize the demonstrated potential for abuse, propaganda, and lies to come through the channels under the guise of public education. Formal education without self education and self-reliance turns you into a useful idiot. We don't have high demand for people who know things but cannot think. We have computers with databases for that now.

Back on subject of this thread



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

 

[controlsdude]

I went this same route, AS from community college (CC) then to 4 year university. What the CC did for me was my need for smaller classrooms and more help to get me up to speed for the 4 year university. I would make sure that your CC program can transfer to the university. I know there was additional classes in the CC to get a direct transfer of a two year AS to the university that I noticed in my program. ABET and board of regents agreements are helpful to get your AS in good standing with the university.

I always got the feeling that the first two years at a university was a weeding out process versus more helpful teachers at the AS CC level. Also, your balance of studying versus work life is a conflict that is always there. It was more better to me when I had enough saved up and just went back full time for the university degree. Night classes were really challenging due to how far apart each class built on the other, so having to review a class you had maybe a year or so ago was part of the challenge to make it thru those courses.

Good luck!

 

[IRstuff]

My roommate once took a calculus class at the local CC and the instructor gave not only the problems, but also the answers to the final. I'm sure that's not completely common, as my sons have taken CC classes without that sort of shenanigan.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
faq731-376 forum1529

 

[Panther140]

I'd like to talk to my boss and get his input. I'm at a good company and Id like to stay here.

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

 

[Panther140]

"IRstuff (Aerospace) 15 Jun 16 14:48

My roommate once took a calculus class at the local CC and the instructor gave not only the problems, but also the answers to the final. I'm sure that's not completely common, as my sons have taken CC classes without that sort of shenanigan. "

I took calc at a community college and that is NOT what happened!! Your roommate was lucky as long as he also learned enough to not be deficient.

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

 

[IRstuff]

Nope, she was probably the smartest at math of the girlfriends I had; she eventually became a pharmacist.

TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
faq731-376 forum1529

 

[tdstructural]

At my CC an associate degree did not make you ready for your junior year at the university. The AS degree required courses that were not needed for a BS degree and lacked some that are required. Sit down with your CC advisor and make sure they understand your long term goals so you don't end up wasting time and money.

 

[KENAT]

I'll ditto what others say about making sure what you do at CC aligns with getting your full bachelors if that's even a moderate likelihood.

My son's CC advisor messed him up royally. Not so much that he didn't take all the classes he needed to transfer but they loaded him up with extras he didn't need - he ended up with like 3 AS degrees or something and could have got a 4th with one extra class.

This sounds fine, until you discover that the state system in CA apparently only gives the in state (or something like that) price for enough units to get your bachelors. As he had extra units from CC he'll be paying a higher rate for his last few classes at his university.

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http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[Panther140]

That is a good point. I was looking at the course requirements for the AAS with an emphasis in engineering-- It is basically a cookie cutter associates with some extra math. I think one class pertained to engineering. Id be better off taking University transfer credits at a tech college while getting an AAS in something that matters.

"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've confirmed that the tech school I was going to has classes that will transfer directly to a state university engineering program. I'd be able to complete calc 1-3 (I already have completed calc 1 and general physics). I already did a lot of my Gen eds such as psychology, English, anthropology etc. Sadly, a lot of my current tech school credits will not transfer to a 4 year program because they are specialized to technician's tasks. Honestly a lot of the stuff I learned in tech school would've been better off as OTJ.

The best plan I can think of right now is in the following sequence:

- Transfer my current credits into an individualized studies program at the tech school
- Take calc 2, calc 3, and any other classes that will transfer to a state university
- Reach the credit level needed to graduate individualized studies AAS program (Goal is to have a degree for the mean time)
- Work toward promotion to analyst
- Go to engineering school part time
- Get as many credits as possible part time
- Go full time when I can securely do so and finish the degree.




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

 

[SPDL310]

You may be better off not graduating. I had to go back for a second bachelors to get my engineering degree, and there was less financial aid available due to the previous degree. I can't guarantee that will be the case with your situation, but it is worth a check with the financial aid department at the state school you are thinking about transferring to.

 

[Panther140]

I know what you're saying SPDL310. I'll look into it, but I am probably ineligible for a lot of help regardless. I'm too young to get the "non traditional student" benefits, and my income disqualifies me regardless. My best bet is dipping into savings and having my company help pay for it.

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