Becoming an electrical engineer..?

[bitcoin]

Hello everyone, 

 

I am curious on anyone's thoughts on pursuing becoming an engineer, and more specifically an electrical engineer. Does anyone have any knowledge / experience, etc. on the different kinds of engineering, different skill sets for each, and so on.

Also, on my last year of high school and is it worth it to pay to go to university / college? Another thought was to become an electrician. I am very interested in engineering though (though I have yet to take the courses in physics, gr 12 math -- I am in a semester school).

 

All thoughts, criticisms, etc. are beyond appreciated ! 

 

Thanks

[MagnumPI]

I have some direct experience in this field. I work, primarily, in the oil industry as a "Systems Integrator"(add-ons to existing facilities) and "Electrical Designer"(schematics, control panel layouts, equipment layout, cable and conduit planning and routing). Electrician work is good, the hands on experience will help get you acquainted with equipment and fundamentals and whatnot. But generally speaking, FDR listeners are above that kind of work. There's money to be made, and it's not for just any absolute moron, but certainly a rung or two lower than engineering.

 

Another option along those lines is panel builder. Control panel wiring for whatever industry, reading more complex schematics. Exposure to different ares of electricity. Power is really limited, low ceiling stuff. Controls and software is the place to be.

Personally, I went the route of learning Autocad, then PLC and HMI/SCADA programming and design. A lot of engineers skip the design stuff or learning to use Autocad effectively. If you master it and all it offers along with excel and things like that, you can work towards project management. And I say Autocad because it's the most common, you might throw in some Pro/E, Solidworks, Visio... Just check the job listings for what software is being used in your area or expected field.

 

The degree is obviously an asset in society. But it's not necessary if you aren't into it. Just take a few courses at the community college or whatever offers the skills you need. Or if you're really serious, you can take these specialized PLC classes for Allen-Bradley, SIEMENS, etc. for usually $2500 or so a piece. Sometimes you can workout deals. On ebay they have simulators for a few hundred and come with the controller and some lights, motors to get you started. SIEMENS makes a basic PLC for like $150 as well.

Plenty of online resources if you go that route. This would apply to mining, oil, I've worked at a company that made conveyor and crushing/shredding systems for recycling centers and waste disposal, some HVAC, but that's going to be more software oriented, which means proper programming education. PLC is ladder logic, programming for people who don't really program. Amusement parks, small market but it's there. Water systems are big and they're all over. Waste water, water treatment municipal stuff. Best is to get on at a small engineering office that gets a lot of different kinds of contracts.
 

[villagewisdom]

Electrician work is good, the hands on experience will help get you acquainted with equipment and fundamentals and whatnot. But generally speaking, FDR listeners are above that kind of work. There's money to be made, and it's not for just any absolute moron, but certainly a rung or two lower than engineering.

 

 

 

Saying "FDR listeners are above that kind of work" is just wrong if you are referring to the average IQ of the audience. You may have a higher IQ. Ok. So you're smarter than average. So what? 

 

Saying something like "you are more likely to experience boredom and dissatisfaction with work that may require less mental capacity than you are capable of exercising" is how I would phrase it. 

 

No one is above or below any level of work. We simply make choices about how we will use our time and energy. And then other choices as needed. 

 

And if IQ is not what you were referring to, then what were you saying with that statement? I'd really like to know. Maybe you meant that he would be bored. 

 

I've even heard Stef talk about manual labor, trades and farming types of jobs in the same way, as if you can't be smart and work hard physically. As if the two are mutually exclusive. As if you can't do the work, learn some business smarts and start your own company with full knowledge of what it takes to do the work. As if working with your hands is somehow demeaning and denotes lack of intelligence. 

Hi Jake,

 

Why the change of direction in your career? It certainly is a challenging field and you are definitely up to the task. And there are lots of options for getting there.

 

I'm just curious. If you'd like to share via Skype, we can get together next week. I'm traveling today. 

[Brentb]

It depends on what you enjoy and what you find rewarding. If you like to build things and work with your hands, then electrician is probably the way to go. Engineering can be more challenging, but most engineering is not all that technically challenging, at least not after you've been doing if for a number of years. It's mostly just a matter of getting things organized and communicating to the right people. 

 

No matter which direction you go, keep exploring what interests you, and work your ass off as much as possible. Hard work allows you to maintain a standard of excellence for yourself so that when you do pick a direction or decide to change directions, you'll have the confidence that you can put in the hours and make it happen.

 

As far as the student loan debt question goes, that's tough. I don't think I would go to college if I was going to come out with 100K+ in debt. Apprenticing in a trade definitely has an advantage there. 

[kerou]

I'm an engineer, though I went into Civil-Environmental Engineering.

 

Engineering is a very rewarding field to go into. The course work can be very difficult and demanding. But it's a testament to your will if you are able to make it though.

The nice thing is that Engineering as a major is founded on logical reasoning and science. So you won't have to deal with the brain dead liberal dribble that comes out of professor's mouths after the first year of pre-reqs. Generally engineering professor tend to be very factual.

If you feel like you are up for the challenge, I highly recommend going into it.

 

But it is worthy to note, the success of an engineer is not based off of mathematical ability but rather rational logic, problem solving skills and creativity. Math is a part of it, but it’s not the whole pie.

 

As far as student loans, I started a small business while in college and used that LLC to pay my way through college debt free. Perhaps starting a small business would be a helpful strategy for you as well. There are plenty of books and resources available to get you started.

[bitcoin]

Hey thank you all for your support and interest !! 

 

Sorry I have not been able to respond, as much as I am genuinely interested in pursuing electrical engineering, I have found myself in a situation which will not make such a thing so easy... I only recently looked into the courses I need (from high school) in order to go into engineering, and it would require me to take 4 extra courses after I graduate ! Calc, 12 physics, chem 11 and chem 12 i believe. 

 

In any case , I am kind of at an obstacle, potentially, I could take those courses, though I have been desperately waiting out completing highschool when I will finally defoo incredible day-to-day abuse (i have defooed many times in the past but unfortunately and traumatically ended up back). While talking about it, I am not sure what high school will help me with, other than being free to pursue a decent job (becoming an electrician, etc. which would require the diploma)... I do run my own permaculture business, but I only charge 13/hr which is ok, but not going to get me into a great place. So my plan is to work and make as much money as possible while finishing high school and then become an electrician. If anyone has any thoughts on these plans, etc. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE share !

 

Your words are beyond valued and your care and compassion is truly acknowledged and appreciated! 

 

Jake

[TheFifthApe]

Well I appreciate you putting yourself out there like that on this forum.

I don’t know much about electrical engineering, but I have been to both High School and University and I know what it’s like being a senior… you just want to graduate and get out! So I say get your H.S. diploma, then enter a trade school or vocational school and continue following the necessary steps to become an Electrician. I think you already have it all figured out you just need someone to believe in you and encourage you along the way. You’ll meet new people there and hopefully by then you’ll have enough money saved up so that you can finally DeFoo.

As an Electrician, correct me if I’m wrong, you are your own business: you can do jobs for home owners (who, by word of mouth can get you more clients), and you can work for a company (your main salary). There is absolutely no shame in being an Electrician; I have done electrical work myself and I am skilled in home remodeling (i.e. interior designer/handyman). Listen to your instincts and do what makes you happy.

[zippert]

I am currently studying electrical engineering in the 7th semester at a german university, but the course is very similar to the standart american course.(we use american textbooks in many subcourses).

 

The content is very abstract. You are not trained to fulfil a specific task, but you aquire a toolbox and understanding. It is mainly math. Linear algebra(for electric circut analysing), vectoranalysis, differential equation ( both for electrodynamics)and beyond. The job opperunities are painted good and they are generally(in germany), but if you have bad luck with your chosen specialication and/or bad grades you still could not benefit from your degree when you apply for a job.

 

The best thing is, that you can use your knowledge for entrepreneurship. The content of the course provides you not just an understanding of electrics, but also a rudimentary understanding of engineering in general (mechanics for example has the exact same mathematical methods). I feel confident, that I could realise every physical possible idea that came up for me and I havent even graduated.

 

The downside is that it is very hard in the first semester. In the first 3 months I understood not a single word, not even what the lecture was about (the lecture was called "digital circuts" and was about how calculations can be made with transsistors). And I graduated High School (in german "gymnasium" with a B in math and physics.

 

Before I studied I spent 2 months working temporary, mostly manual labor(construction site, fabric and storage hall), my colleages and bosses there all said that they dont like their job. That and the fact, that I didn't like it too made it clear for me to persue that kind of career. But I would certainly first try out, maybe you do like it.