Engineering Technology Degrees..........

[mustangmike6996]

Doesn't add up in my head to start with a bachelors, get and associates, get into a job you like that pays for schooling, work for them and let them pay for you to go to school while making money and get your bachelors which opens doors for further ladder rung changes.

I started school at University of Northwestern Ohio in the Automotive Repair AAS program, they didn't offer a 4 year path so I transferred to FSU and completed my AAS and started my bachelors, got out of school for family reasons, worked as an ASE master tech at a dealership level, joined the USMC and did 5 years as an Avionics Tech, Electronic Countermeasures/ Circuit card component diag/repair, QA supervisor and Collateral Duty Inspector.

I have no doubt in my mind that I would start pretty much any position and excel with minimal supervision. My company is not paying for my degree, my GI bill from my active duty service is. I don't want to choose the wrong degree path if a company wont recognize it for hiring purposes. If that is what you were referring to.

Where is this no degree 100k position? Are any open?



02GTVert, how do you like Baker? I have heard mixed things from them and mostly negative unless you start and finish your degree there.

 

[CruisnCobra]

I went to Ferris for Auto Engineering Technology. If I could go back to my 18 year old self, I would get a BSME from another school since Ferris doesn't offer non-"technology" degrees. Loved the experience there, but now being out in the workforce and looking for jobs a lot of companies won't even look at engineering technology degrees even if the job description fits perfectly. It all depends on the company and what your long term career goals are. If you want to do any engineering (even as a test engineer) at the Big Three you will need a non-technology degree or be able to talk yourself in through connections. Not sure if OEM's other than domestics are like this though. I looked into going back for a BSME but it is pretty much another 100% complete bachelors because no classes really transfer. I am strongly considering a masters in Engineering Management from LTU but am still hesitant that that degree is kind of a "second tier" similar to my AET degree.

In the end, it pretty much boils down to what you want.

 

[igotaneed4speed]

do not be afraid to apply for positions that state a bachelors degree is required or preferred...

[url]http://corporate.ford.com/careers?&ccode=US




[/URL]

I started school at University of Northwestern Ohio in the Automotive Repair AAS program, they didn't offer a 4 year path so I transferred to FSU and completed my AAS and started my bachelors, got out of school for family reasons, worked as an ASE master tech at a dealership level, joined the USMC and did 5 years as an Avionics Tech, Electronic Countermeasures/ Circuit card component diag/repair, QA supervisor and Collateral Duty Inspector.

I have no doubt in my mind that I would start pretty much any position and excel with minimal supervision. My company is not paying for my degree, my GI bill from my active duty service is. I don't want to choose the wrong degree path if a company wont recognize it for hiring purposes. If that is what you were referring to.

Where is this no degree 100k position? Are any open?



02GTVert, how do you like Baker? I have heard mixed things from them and mostly negative unless you start and finish your degree there.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Ive got a VERY solid resume and have been applying to 4 yr degree positions routinely since 2004. RARELY do I catch a break. Usually I get a "positions filled internally" or something to that extent.

 

[Scooter70]

do not be afraid to apply for positions that state a bachelors degree is required or preferred...

[url]http://corporate.ford.com/careers?&ccode=US

[/URL]

That might work for small companies but most won't even look at your resume if the posting says that it requires a BSME and you don't have one. My manager has specifically stated that's how he is operating.

That's just how it is. It might just be a piece of paper to you but it's a piece of paper that will open certain doors that are otherwise closed if you don't have it.

 

[igotaneed4speed]

That might work for small companies but most won't even look at your resume if the posting says that it requires a BSME and you don't have one. My manager has specifically stated that's how he is operating.

That's just how it is. It might just be a piece of paper to you but it's a piece of paper that will open certain doors that are otherwise closed if you don't have it.

Well I only have an associates degree and I got hired over a ton of people with bachelors degrees and people applying internally....

 

[02GTVert]

02GTVert, how do you like Baker? I have heard mixed things from them and mostly negative unless you start and finish your degree there.

I'm doing the online program since my schedule can be all over the place. I'm on an accelerated program, so my "semesters" are only 6 weeks long. I am only taking 2 classes at a time, and earn 8 credits per 6 week session.

It's still pretty early, so I don't really have anything negative to say. I have taken online classes through Davenport, and let me say their academic advisors are absolute shit. Garbage. Never got a call back after multiple attempts, then they registered me for classes and I didn't know, so I rushed to withdraw since I didn't have any books or anything. Long story short, they sent my unpaid tuition to collections. Davenport can suck a fat dick.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Ouch!

Ive done the 6 week course gig, its not too bad but can be overwhelming since it is crammed. The nice part is that you are only learning 2 subjects so you can focus more. The bad part is, if you aren't getting it and fail, you are set back for 6 more weeks.

I checked with Baker and there aren't any programs that really interest me.

I am continuing to work with Wayne State to see how far along in the Eng. Tech BS degree Id be.

I found out today that FSU's BS in Automotive Management will have me 78 credit hours away from graduation. That's everything including internship time and some gen-ed courses

I am meeting with FSU about the Bachelors in Applied Science for Industrial Technology and Management. The advisor just informed me that FSU has over 50 pages of transcripts on file for me.

All 3 of these degree programs are offered at MCC thru the University Center. WSU and the FSU BAS are MCC South Campus which is ok with me.

Either way, I am steering away from OU's BSME due to not wanting to commit to 4-5 more years of school for the 138 cr hrs Id need there.

 

[Pwraddr]

Ive got a VERY solid resume and have been applying to 4 yr degree positions routinely since 2004. RARELY do I catch a break. Usually I get a "positions filled internally" or something to that extent.

Send me your resume. I'll send you a PM with email addy.

 

[SVTSINR]

When I got out of the military I sat with a counselor at Lawrence tech for a BSME. They laid out a plan and because my math was behind it was going to take 6 years. I said screw that I need money now and went for the associate in CAD. Fast forward 17 years, I have an associate, BS in eng. tech from CMU and an MPD from UDM but all 2nd tier from the BSME. I've been told by my management I will never be an "engineering" supervisor or tech specialist.

Igotaneed4speed might make 100K with an associate but if something happens could he make the same elsewhere? Maybe. If an engineer lost his job with a BSME can he make the same money elsewhere? Most likely.

You have one shot to use the GI bill, use it wisely but do what's best for your family.

On another note, my friend with an associate in CAD just got direct offers from Ford and GM so the business is growing again.

 

[95 Z/28 LT1]

I think most are that way......

Not all of them are. May need to get away from the automotive sector though, which may require leaving Michigan.

I've got a mfg egr tech degree from WMU and it's given me much more flexibility in my career path. I've worked as an engineering manager, program manager, quality engineer, onsite tech support, and somehow I ended up wanting to do sales/account management and my technical background/egr tech gives me a huge edge in working with internal/external customers. Egr tech degree'd people are needed in this world just as much as ME's, IE's, etc.

Good example here. I firmly believe that it is much more about how hard you want to work, how resourceful you are and how well you can build relationships. The degree will get you in the door, after that it is up to you.

A engineering degree in my mind has no weight anymore to pull a higher salary. They're are several very smart Mechanical Engineers that work in my build, your typical semi fresh out of school book smart people.. They've all been hired as IE's, they pay is crap prob 50k-60k, work a ton of hours etc...

Then there's several of the skilled set guys like myself, mechanical back ground, ability to think on your feet and know how to manage a crew of guys to get shit done, none of us have bachelors degrees, hell I think I'm of the few who have a associates and we all make well over 100k...

Doesn't add up in my head to start with a bachelors, get and associates, get into a job you like that pays for schooling, work for them and let them pay for you to go to school while making money and get your bachelors which opens doors for further ladder rung changes.

While this may work, it depends on the employer. First step is to get in the door. So many people want to work for the big 3, they can set the bar wherever they want. How many years have you been at this place?

That might work for small companies but most won't even look at your resume if the posting says that it requires a BSME and you don't have one. My manager has specifically stated that's how he is operating.

That's just how it is. It might just be a piece of paper to you but it's a piece of paper that will open certain doors that are otherwise closed if you don't have it.

While I agree with this, again it depends on the company. Coming back to the original topic, an engineering technology degree can have people who may not exceed at calculus 3, but are able to better communicate, critically think, lead people and do more than be an engineer. If a person wants to be an engineer though and doesn't have the pure engineering degree, it may take connections to get in the door.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I am fine with excelling at a job once I have been trained or once I have been hired. At every job/career I have been in, I have been the go-to tech or supervisor. The foot in the door is the hardest part, as mentioned above, also being the first step.... This is where my issue lies. Id honestly much rather work with the engineers in a more technical and physical aspect as opposed to a theory and design behind a desk aspect.

Obviously, I'd prefer to be at one of the manufacturers but a tier 1 supplier wouldn't be out of the question. I would like to start somewhere that I can make a long-term position.

 

[OMG ITS BEAN]

I work for a large automotive engineering firm in Plymouth. The largest privately owned one in the world. We have a few guys that had associates in automotive type degrees and continued on to get their engineering technology degrees. I think Eastern does a 3 and 1 program for this. These guys have gotten promotions to positions that are kind of like a hands on engineering jobs. Some calibration work, some wrenching. Things like that. On the other hand, these guys had already been working for the company for a few years at least. I don't know of anyone they have hired off the street with a tech. degree for this type of work.

It also seems like a majority of the new mechanical and electrical engineers hired have their masters degree. It's a tough call. Obviously the BSME is going to take you longer but 10 years from now you wont be fucked over on promotions and management positions because you don't have a "real" engineering degree.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I work for a large automotive engineering firm in Plymouth. The largest privately owned one in the world. We have a few guys that had associates in automotive type degrees and continued on to get their engineering technology degrees. I think Eastern does a 3 and 1 program for this. These guys have gotten promotions to positions that are kind of like a hands on engineering jobs. Some calibration work, some wrenching. Things like that. On the other hand, these guys had already been working for the company for a few years at least. I don't know of anyone they have hired off the street with a tech. degree for this type of work.

It also seems like a majority of the new mechanical and electrical engineers hired have their masters degree. It's a tough call. Obviously the BSME is going to take you longer but 10 years from now you wont be fucked over on promotions and management positions because you don't have a "real" engineering degree.

I understand that. The way I see it now, if I can speed through a Eng Tech degree to get me in the field I want and put me in a better hiring position faster I wouldn't be in too bad of a position. If I can get in a company that lets me do what you described, I wouldn't be opposed to "continuing" on to a BSME part time while doing related work.

If I were to do the BSME now, I would not finish it during my GI bill period, what does that mean for me? That means that I am still in the same position I am in now but further along and most likely still in the same job due to not having a Bachelors degree. So either way, Id have to pay out of pocket to complete the BSME.

Doing the math, Id need to take 15 cr hrs a semester all year round to complete the BSME through OU within my GI bill period. With 50 hr work weeks there is no way I can handle that work load, even though I work at the CTC which is right across the street from OU.

Do any of the Eng Tech degree employees have a management degree as well? As stated above, I am pretty close to graduating the BS in management. I could also do the BS in eng tech and complete my BS in management (still less credit hours together than what Id have to do for the BSME). Im not sure if those 2 degrees would put me in a better spot to not get f'd over. Of course, this is mostly hypothetical as far as hiring goes anyway.

 

[Droptoplt1ta]

Interesting to hear about Baker... I am going to have to take a look into that. I work for GM and just need any type of accredited Bachelors to get hired in.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Interesting to hear about Baker... I am going to have to take a look into that. I work for GM and just need any type of accredited Bachelors to get hired in.

Do you work as a contractor at GM and are trying to direct hire or are you looking to advance in your department?

 

[4 cam tbird]

I know a guy at GM with an engineering technology degree that has serious trouble getting jobs he wanted that his experience at GM made him perfectly qualified for and even the best candidate for some of them. Way too much focus on what degree you have out in the business world.

 

[Droptoplt1ta]

Do you work as a contractor at GM and are trying to direct hire or are you looking to advance in your department?

Yes I have been contract at GM for 2 1/2 years now at the Tech Center. My boss has told me they will hire me direct when I get a Bachelors.

 

[igotaneed4speed]

Not all of them are. May need to get away from the automotive sector though, which may require leaving Michigan.



Good example here. I firmly believe that it is much more about how hard you want to work, how resourceful you are and how well you can build relationships. The degree will get you in the door, after that it is up to you.



While this may work, it depends on the employer. First step is to get in the door. So many people want to work for the big 3, they can set the bar wherever they want. How many years have you been at this place?



While I agree with this, again it depends on the company. Coming back to the original topic, an engineering technology degree can have people who may not exceed at calculus 3, but are able to better communicate, critically think, lead people and do more than be an engineer. If a person wants to be an engineer though and doesn't have the pure engineering degree, it may take connections to get in the door.

Year and a half.

 

[grr456]

When I graduated the average starting pay was around $56,000 for someone with the WMU MFG EGR Tech degree. Knowing what I know now, that number was low and I think $65,000 - 75,000 is a solid number for the entry level pay. You can make more money usually by going to a smaller company as they will pay more to try to keep you (if you are any good).

Being in the engineering buisness my entire life, (LTU Grad - mid 70's - slide rule era) having worked at GM and my daughter is just starting there now with a degree from Kettering/GMI and those numbers are a bit on the high side, even for smaller companies. Smaller companies don't pay what they used to. My daughter received multiple offers and GM was by far the best in both pay and benefits.

Not sure where the numbers come from, but even the company I currently work for won't even come close to the 65K for recent FULL Egineering grads (not tech's). Our company is global and has more than 150,000 employees all over the world...

Just my .02...Gary