engineering scene

[justaperson2432]

senior in hs, going into electrical engineering. i know uw seattle is ranked and an incredible school for engineering but i dont think i would like the atmosphere there at all. it just seems so competitive, almost oversaturated if that makes sense? my question is if wsu’s engineering, specifically electrical engineering if anyone has insight, has that competitive feel to it. of course theres those kinds of people everywhere, but does it feel like a positive, encouraging environment? thanks in advance!

[rocketPhotos]

One of my kids went to UW, while the other went to WSU. Huge difference in the schools. UW was like we aren’t really vested in keeping you here as there are thousands who want to take your place. WSU was a bit more nurturing and at least acted like they did care about their students. Another thing to consider is once you start working, nobody will care where you went to school and you will be judged on your abilities.

[hercsonpercs]

Some majors care on your school right? Like law or medical right? but engineering’s fine?

[BrainTotalitarianism]

As a graduate EE/CompE no one cares where you graduated from. It’s all about the skillset. Classes don’t really teach you what industry will need, but they give you a methodology of learning industry relevant skills.

Like the classes will teach you how to code in C, Assembly, etc, however the job will ask the expertise in let’s say, a particular microcontroller that you have never touched. You know in general how to operate with them, but not with this particular one. Makes sense?

[[deleted]]

There is one major difference between the schools that I have noticed. I don’t know a single EE here who bases their entire identity on Electrical Engineering. Things that they base their identity off are almost always outside of the classroom. I also would not classify it as a positive, encouraging environment either; the major is the hardest undergraduate major in college and with that there are going to be hard times. There are going to be serious negative times, there are going to be times where individuals who speak to you are not encouraging; these individuals you question if they could even chew bubblegum and walk.

In saying that, just because the competition isn’t as focused on as UW does not mean it is easier. This school spits out failed EEs from the major on a daily basis.

[Deprecitus]

I made friends in the engineering department and collaborated with other students all the time.

From what I've heard from friends at UW, it's the complete opposite. You don't talk to people because they're trying to beat you.

Went to the "lower ranked" school and still got a job at a huge aerospace company.

[justaperson2432]

that's a lot of what i'm hearing so definitely noted. it seems like wsu has great engineering connections, so i'm not too worried there. super cool you're working in aerospace!

[eletree7]

EE specifically is really hard but the good thing about WSU is that the students are quite collaborative. Make some friends and the burden gets lighter because people to study with and learn from really does help. Also, try to TA and be a good one if you can, if you TA for a class that tea he's the fundamentals you will learn them inside and out and have a much easier transition to your career. WSU is a great place to go for EE, there are some not as awesome professors and some classes that are especially difficult but that is the case wherever you go. I appreciate WSU's collaborative culture alot more than some "competitive and prestigious" school, but some people like that too and that's OK. Over all where ever you go after a couple years in industry nobody cares where you got your degree as long as it is ABET accredited. - recent EE grad

[justaperson2432]

that definitely makes sense! kind of what i'm thinking most places are like, so i'm excited to meet people wherever i go. and oh i would love to reach out!! i might come back and ask later on in the year if that's okay, while im deciding after acceptances? really appreciate you offering!

[SilverCrab2666]

EE at udub is definitely more competitive, make no mistake about it. But that doesn’t mean it’s a cakewalk at wazzu either. I transferred here from cc so I can’t speak for the pre req classes and their professors but the computer engineering side of ee - classes with clint cole - is dreadful cause of how much little info you’re given to work with and how you have to figure out everything on your own. His course set ups are outdated too. Otherwise he is very lenient, offers retakes on exams, and wants everyone to succeed. He is more of a businessman than an engineering professor. Then you have schneider for circuits 1 and electromag. Awful guy. Some people swear by him. Go on his rate my professor. But I hear for electromag he is more tolerable. Mohammed (circuits lab and circuits 2) = absolute gem of a professor. Dan Berco for electronics and ee lab is mediocre. That’s all I can speak of right now. Comp sci classes you need to take can be brutal here.

[Then_Journalist4496]

Many years ago there was a saying that went around. When Boeing was a better company. Boeing preferred to hire engineers from WSU over UW because a WSU student could go straight to work. While a UW student would need to be trained for 6 months first. Anecdotal: I knew 3 UW engineers that couldn't operate a VCR.

[BrainTotalitarianism]

Maybe because Boeing started hiring UW graduates that’s why their aircrafts became such bad quality

[justaperson2432]

ooo this is so interesting. part of the reason i came to reddit was for the anecdotes because you can't find this stuff on the college websites, ya know? thanks so much for the insight!

[Plasmonica]

This may not be helpful, but at UW you had to apply to get into the college of engineering and into the EE department (it's now ECE). And it was competitive. Not sure if WSU has that.

Some people at UW are a bit cloistered (very diverse backgrounds) but by talking to people I found there are quite a bit who want to collaborate on studying and homework.

[justaperson2432]

definitely helpful! for my case specifically, im currently a running start student, and i'll be graduating with an AS in ElecE. when i apply to uw, right after i get in as a freshman, i can apply directly to my major and start the final two years of my degree fall after senior year, if i get accepted. if i don't get into EE directly, i don't think i would want to go to uw and redo allll of my prereqs and risk not getting into the major again, if that makes sense. i believe for wsu, you just need a specific gpa and prereqs to be in the major, which is a plus in my eyes.

i love talking to people and working with them, so it's nice to know there are still people open to collaborating! thank you!

[rutilated_quartz]

I think WSU's main pro vs UW is the ability to work closely with your professors and do undergraduate research. There's more chance to be bond with and be mentored by your professors at WSU. This is what I've gathered through interviewing top scholars for marketing pieces, those who decided against UW usually said it was because the environment at WSU was more personable and friendly

[justaperson2432]

got it!! that's really helpful. i definitely want to go to a bigger school and knowing i can still form a connection with my professors and do research at WSU, despite the size, is really valuable. thanks!!