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

[Strlegal]

I graduated with a 4yr Automotive Management/Technical degree from an ABET college in 95. I was interested in research and developement. I was recruited from school to work for a contract company at GM. At the time, the contract company was owned by GM. But shortly after I started, the company became independent. Due to this, advancement options were limited, and set time commitments to complete before seeking alternative positions. Around 98/99 I went to an Engineering job fair, and learned how little recruiters entertained ET degrees. I considered going back to school to get something in engineering, and was advised similar info, that I would basically be starting all over, and I was not up to working full time and school.

in 03 I finally obtained a direct hire position, and led to better positions from there. Then in 09 I was hit by the economy and my department was layed off. Luckily, due to the hard times, I was able to find a crappy contract position within 2 months that lasted 2.5yrs. When that ended jobs were becoming more available, and I because more selective. What I found, It was almost impossible to get an interview for a direct hire position without an actual Engineering degree, and any more, a lot of companies are requesting Masters Degrees, with x-amount of experience for basically entry level positions at entry level pay.

However, I can say, I had contract companies blowing up my email wanting to submit me for all sorts of positions. So, I guess the degree helped a little. And yes, I held out and finally did get hired on direct with a tier 1 supplier, going on 2yrs now.

But to sum it up, If I could do it over again, knowing what I know now, I would definitely go for a engineering degree.

Mike

 

[SVTSINR]

I'm curious to see what people are doing with their ET degree. CAD, work on the floor, test engineer, design and release, gopher? I thought you were supposed to find an occupation you like and then get the education to get the job.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I'm curious to see what people are doing with their ET degree. CAD, work on the floor, test engineer, design and release, gopher? I thought you were supposed to find an occupation you like and then get the education to get the job.

That seems to be how it used to work but as stated in the post above. Many companies require MANY years experience and a masters to get in. Heck a BSME with 2 years experience still qualifies for "entry level" in that case lol

 

[Baldie]

I have a ET degree from Lawrence Tech, worked for a contract company throughout college, now have an engineering position at an OEM, direct hire.

 

[SVTSINR]

That seems to be how it used to work but as stated in the post above. Many companies require MANY years experience and a masters to get in. Heck a BSME with 2 years experience still qualifies for "entry level" in that case lol

Well, the point of my post was for you to see the different type of fields using the same degree since I have ET degree from CMU and a direct hire at a OEM as a DNR. I have a cousin making $300K with the same degree but he's a sales VP at a spring company. I'm mean really springs?

You can get hired fresh from school with a BSME at an OEM but with a ET and Masters it's going to take knowing some people and working your ass off.

Someone once told me "do you want to be the head of the dog or the tail?" Don't settle for less than competitive wages at a Tier supplier, shoot for the OEM. Well, unless your into engineering boxes or something.

 

[mustangmike6996]

I was at work today and got on the topic of degrees..... I figured I'd revisit this thread.


I was researching 100% online ABET accredited universities and found that Arizona State University is one of the only online universities. Does anyone have any insight or have heard about this?

(I ended up getting direct hired at an OEM so I am not job hunting after I potentially, finish my BSEE. I just would like to complete the entire program for a check in the box with a life goal)

 

[Overboost]

I was at work today and got on the topic of degrees..... I figured I'd revisit this thread.


I was researching 100% online ABET accredited universities and found that Arizona State University is one of the only online universities. Does anyone have any insight or have heard about this?

(I ended up getting direct hired at an OEM so I am not job hunting after I potentially, finish my BSEE. I just would like to complete the entire program for a check in the box with a life goal)

As a BSEE student in his last semester, I'm shocked how they can provide a curriculum that's 100% online and still meet the ABET accreditation. Many of my EE classes had labs attached to them, and there's a great deal of practical application that goes along with them. Also, how does their capstone/senior design course function?

 

[CamaroKid91Z]

For people who went to UNOH looking to continue their education.... I am currently enrolled at HFCC and all of my credits transferred in one form of another except for my math classes. So plan on either testing out of them or starting at Math 76/80 (I graduated with the Associates in High Performance in 2006). Also HFCC and UMICH passed something awhile back stating that all HFCC credits transfer into their BSEE/BSME programs. Except don't waste your time with English 132 is it not required English 135 is. I am in my 3rd semester so I still have a ways to go before I transfer, but HFCC credits are cheaper.

 

[95 Z/28 LT1]

I remember this thread from a while back and it's interesting to read again. My thoughts earlier in the thread haven't changed.

I especially find it interesting to read again some of the opinions about ET degrees and where/how far they will take you.

I see at least two comments that say ET degrees will become a limitation later on - at what point specifically is that? Looks like SVTSINR's cousin did/does pretty well pulling in 300K/yr. At what point is any BSE a limitation?

 

[CruisnCobra]

I remember this thread from a while back and it's interesting to read again. My thoughts earlier in the thread haven't changed.

I especially find it interesting to read again some of the opinions about ET degrees and where/how far they will take you.

I see at least two comments that say ET degrees will become a limitation later on - at what point specifically is that? Looks like SVTSINR's cousin did/does pretty well pulling in 300K/yr. At what point is any BSE a limitation?

I was probably one of the ones who said something about ET degrees being limiting. IMO they are not really limiting, but just make it harder to get into/ advance up in certain areas or companies. No one really needs any degree to do anything, it just really really helps. It all depends on what your own personal goals are.

 

[Birdie2000]

I notice a lot of guys with ET degrees mentioning getting plenty of contract work but not getting direct hire. For the uninitiated, what are the advantages/disadvantages to becoming a direct hire vs. the contract work?

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[mustangmike6996]

I was a contract worker at Roush and got direct hired as a Technologist (no 4 year degree completed, but in the process)

For me to continue on my current career path an ET degree is very fitting but the BSEE is much more universal. Since I already am with a company I never plan to leave it really makes little difference on following either/or degree.

As stated in many posts here, it does take a lot to get direct hired into an OEM but it is doable. I was at the right place at the right time when I was chosen. If I was an outsider applying for the current position, Im not even sure I would have been looked at without and ET (minimum) or BSEE degree.

 

[Birdie2000]

But what is the benefit to becoming direct hire? Is it just job security or is pay/hours significantly better for the same work?

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[dave89iroc]

But what is the benefit to becoming direct hire? Is it just job security or is pay/hours significantly better for the same work?

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benefits, job security,, and career advancement(best possibility of advancement in a contract position is usually direct hire....)

 

[CruisnCobra]

But what is the benefit to becoming direct hire? Is it just job security or is pay/hours significantly better for the same work?

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Generally benefits (health insurance, 401K, etc.) are way better as direct hire. I think the hourly pay/ salary/ whatever is somewhat better as contract than direct hire due to worst benefits/ lower job security. (At least it was with my old job when I had an unofficial direct hire offer right before a direct hire hiring freeze was placed). Some contract jobs are for a certain time period like 12 month contract or until a certain project is completed. Job security is better with direct hire as contract workers will be the first to go in a lay off period.

 

[RyeLou]

My degrees aren't in engineering, but I went through this. My pay went up significantly when I went from contract to direct hire. I worked at the contract company for about 2.5 years and ended up getting hired in directly to the exact position I had been doing. I've been here for 10 months now. In my case, literally everything is better (pay, benefits, etc.) and I had a pretty good deal before I came over. My case was somewhat unique in that I knew a lot of information I probably shouldn't or at least wouldn't have known otherwise, which gave me some advantages when I was getting hired in with what I was asking for.

I'm not sure how other companies are but in my space at GM, contract work is a perfectly good career. On the business side there's still a large majority that is outsourced.

 

[adidasvette16]

For people who went to UNOH looking to continue their education.... I am currently enrolled at HFCC and all of my credits transferred in one form of another except for my math classes. So plan on either testing out of them or starting at Math 76/80 (I graduated with the Associates in High Performance in 2006). Also HFCC and UMICH passed something awhile back stating that all HFCC credits transfer into their BSEE/BSME programs. Except don't waste your time with English 132 is it not required English 135 is. I am in my 3rd semester so I still have a ways to go before I transfer, but HFCC credits are cheaper.

So with all of your transfer credits, how long is your program? And how long before you transfer to UMICH? Just curious as I would be in the same boat.