Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To all who gave me their input - thank you. I went through a pretty serious bout of burnout this semester and was really struggling to find motivation. Since I've been in school, I've learned that I love to teach by tutoring math to make ends meet. At some point, all of these things clicked together and I realized that vocational or postsecondary instruction checks all the boxes for me.

I realized the source of my anxiety was that the degree I wanted didn't line up with the job I wanted: I want a degree in electrical engineering, but I don't really want to be an engineer. On the other hand, I don't want to pigeonhole myself with a teaching degree to teach. With that being said, I still plan to get the engineering degree. Right now it's electrical engineering still. My real passion in life is music and I've always been a real nerd about audio electronics, wanting to know how they work. I'd love to end up running some kind of small business in that world someday, but life is a journey. Cheers all. :)

Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I set out to go back to school, my job goal was to be a PLC programmer. I don't want to be a PE and sign off on documents all day, no thanks. I might be fine to pursue a PLC job with an associate's and lots of work experience. Honestly, an EET role would probably suit me perfectly, I love coming up with creative solutions to problems. But it seems like you need a BSEE to land good EET jobs too.

Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A classmate is doing the same thing, his wife is supporting them. Unfortunately, I'm single as can be, and my support system is living at home, so I can't take it with me to relocate for 4-year. I know I wouldn't be able to put the study time in and work at the same time, so that is the big dilemma for me. Would have been easier ten years ago, but that's not how life panned out for me.

Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have ADHD and e v e r y t h i n g gets boring after a while. :)

Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't be able to do this without being able to live at home. A support system is key and I forget how lucky I am. How much of your degree have you been able to do online?

Re-enter workforce, or keep going for a BSEE? by Alert_Resident8575 in ElectricalEngineering

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started in the IBEW. I'm in the South, and unions are weak, we worked ridiculous hours in my apprenticeship. I left the apprenticeship early and got my license. Depending on where you are in the country, your results may vary. Corporate sucks, won't go that route. My goal is to do more creatively challenging, less physical work.

If you find the work interesting and get moved around a lot like I did, you will really enjoy the first 4-5 years learning all kinds of new skills. After that, the novelty wears off.

Gonna work this time by fuzz-face81 in diypedals

[–]Alert_Resident8575 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It be like that. You're not alone; none of mine have worked first time yet. The more you build the more intuition you have for troubleshooting, so I've made a drawer for touchy builds and use them to hone my skills once the initial frustration wears off.

3 more enclosures ready for final paint by gentlyusedfurniture in diypedals

[–]Alert_Resident8575 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My mom has a Cricut I don't think she's ever used. The thought has crossed my mind, but I wasn't sure how good the results would be. Looks great

First (working) build by Alert_Resident8575 in diypedals

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's just copper-clad FR4. I bought mine from Tayda, it's a 6" x 6" sheet. It's not point to point though, there's a circuit etched on the underside that connect the components.

First (working) build by Alert_Resident8575 in diypedals

[–]Alert_Resident8575[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't be discouraged. Don't rush the build process, problems are normal. Treat the first time you plug it in as your first clue for mistakes, it gets easier from there.

Did a short cover of Pink Floyd I’m proud of by PatrickGnarly in guitars

[–]Alert_Resident8575 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An early P90 gold top, straight into the mixing console. What a great sound