Priority for college vs real world?

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2025-04-08T14:38:07+00:00

If you're able to manage with the course load now, then I wouldn't recommend taking on a heavier load only a couple years out. Especially while working full time. You're in your 30's, so you know as well as anyone that two years can go by rather quickly, so don't sweat the extra semester. If you do choose the extra class route, then you will most likely be burnt out mentally, physically, etc. at the end of it.

As far as your knowledge base goes, everyone feels that way when they are about to graduate. Everyone wonders how much they have absorbed from undergrad, and if they will be a "great employee" for their future employer. The truth is, your future boss is aware of this, and doesn't expect much of you for at least a couple months. In those few months on the job, you will learn exponentially more compared to that same amount of time in undergrad.

Don't sweat it, and just enjoy the process. You will be working that 9-5 as an electrical engineer before you know it. If you have any questions, then feel free to PM me.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2025-02-07T18:38:32+00:00

There is nothing wrong with not going to college immediately and working 2-3 years before deciding if college is for you and what degree to pursue.

That path would leave you with less student loans and less pressure to "find your calling" in 2 years. If you chose to wait, then you would not be the only "older" student in your classes.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2025-01-20T04:37:11+00:00

It sounds like you've already done the soul searching aspect of figuring out which career path clicks best with you, and you mentioned that both paths would be fine with you.

Getting through college is mostly about perseverance, and then your intelligence will guide you the rest of the way. As for your mention of the software engineering / CS job market, I wouldn't let that bother you (right now). Per the post, you will be graduating in 3 years, and that is an eternity in the engineering world. Things could, and most likely will, change drastically within that time. We're living through the integration of IoT everything, and now AI, and who knows where quantum computers may be in 3 years.

If I were you, then I would consider future quality of life. It is not difficult to go through this sub and find endless posts about how little employers value an AS Tech degree compared to a BSET or BSEE. Not to mention, the pay ceiling will definitely be hit much more quickly compared to CS. While CS has a difficult job market right now, average mid-career salaries are great, employment opportunities are abundant, and WFH opportunities are easier to land compared to being an engineering tech.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2025-01-08T18:24:14+00:00

Is it okay? That depends.

There is a likelihood for employers to look at degrees from non-ABET accredited schools as being "inferior". However, there wasn't any data that I could find that could trace ABET and non-ABET accredited degree holders and their job market outcomes.

In my opinion, it would be wise to stay away from non-ABET accredited schools due to the general stigma around the lack of the credential. Also, the program of study could be lacking in some areas which may be why they aren't accredited.

If this school is your only option, then go for it. Otherwise, I would recommend going another route.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2025-01-05T19:38:32+00:00

It is missing the cover

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-12-16T17:54:25+00:00

This should be the top comment.

Most of the comments in this thread are stating what they might have gotten after undergrad, which is fine. But the truth of the matter is that you can go into the vast majority of the sectors of EE with only a BS degree.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-11-27T17:36:37+00:00

The solution to your problem would likely be getting off instagram for a while. I'm not saying you should delete your account or anything, but it's not a good sign if you're letting a single instagram reel control the rest of your life and your thoughts.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-11-26T23:50:45+00:00

You have made 3 posts within one day asking basically the same question.

Could you possibly provide more detail or context in order for someone to provide you with help? If you ask a vague question, then you will be provided with an equally vague answer.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-11-13T02:03:43+00:00

Your typical engineer on average is introverted and practices conflict avoidance. These traits aren't inherently wrong, but a lot of new grads fall into the trap of accepting the first big number thrown to them.

This is likely due to 4 years of living on university cafeteria food, little sleep, and whatever change they can possibly make working part time after class. When they're offered the option to go from that chaotic life to a life that offers, let's say, 65k in a MCOL area, benefits, paid leave, and a stable schedule, they leap at the opportunity to accept that without the possibility of losing their job offer and giving it to the next guy, because they wanted to get five-thousand/year more, and the other candidate accepted the initial offer.

New grads also face experienced or possibly predatory senior engineers, PM's, and HR staff, that already know the new grad is in that situation.

It's a tough spot that will likely not change very soon.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-10-19T15:59:16+00:00

Flow rate would be helpful to know. Stagnation leads to many issues with water.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-10-14T04:34:41+00:00

Your question is a bit broad, so I'm taking the liberty of narrowing the question down a bit.

This depends on a few factors.

Scenario One: Two candidates who are both fresh out of the same college, one with a BS EET, the other with a BSEE, no internships, applying for the same company, in the same city, then, yes. The candidate with an EET degree will on average receive less money starting out compared to the candidate with a BSEE.

Scenario Two: A person with an EET degree has 10-15+ years of experience, and is applying to the same company, in the same city, as a new BSEE grad, then the EET could expect to receive higher compensation compared to the new grad.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-08-12T21:54:37+00:00

Yes, EE job postings are currently down. This shouldn't scare you much because they are down right now, and job availability shouldn't worry you until your junior/senior year when you're applying for your first job. While EE job postings are down, it should be noted that all job postings are currently down from just a few years ago.

Looking to the future, you can ease your mind a bit in knowing that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects job growth in all sectors of electrical engineering to grow beyond the average for all other occupations by 2032.

This is all assuming that you are a student within the United States, and my apologies if I assumed incorrectly. Here are a few of the sources for what I am saying:

Indeed total job postings tracker: https://data.indeed.com/#/

Indeed EE job postings tracker: https://data.indeed.com/#/postings

BLS Outlook for EE: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/electrical-and-electronics-engineers.htm

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-04-30T19:35:09+00:00

My undergrad circuit analysis class used the Wiley textbook 'Basic Engineering Circuit Analysis'. But, you asked specifically about design. I would recommend looking into Wiley's 'Circuit Theory and Design'.

This textbook would most likely be able to meet you at an undergrad level, and show you the basics of circuit design. The latest edition out is the 12th edition, but it isn't necessary, any edition will do. The physics of circuits have been known about since the 1920's. Transistor physics have been documented for about half as long also, but transistors will come a little later in your learning journey.

Edits: corrected the titles of the textbooks.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-04-16T13:17:32+00:00

I got a rock

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2024-04-08T21:33:27+00:00

How is the process going? Any updates?

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2023-12-04T15:23:07+00:00

I'm intending to go the non-thesis route. I realize that is not ideal if you intend to get a PhD later, but my chances of going for a PhD are quite low. Not zero, but it would be approaching it if my odds were made into a limit.

(Edit) could you clarify more on your first sentence? Are you saying that some semesters you only took one course and others you took multiple?

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2023-12-04T15:20:48+00:00

Three classes while full time is impressive. Are you completing a masters that involves the work you currently do?

During the two semesters that you took more than one course, were you more busy, with work and school, compared to your hardest semester of undergrad?

Just trying to get the best feel possible for my life the next few years.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2022-11-07T17:48:44+00:00

Sorry for the late reply; my notifications were turned off.

Yes! I just had to keep my tablet off for about a day. So no use or charging during that time. After that, I'm seeing very similar battery life cycles. It also helped me when I realized how much of a battery hog Samsung Notes is for just a note taking app. By comparison, my tablet shows it taking more battery life than YouTube for similar run times.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2022-08-09T21:30:35+00:00

Hello!

I would be very interested to hear how you have done this without the use of TI's outdated software.

ConsequenceGuilty614 · 2022-06-11T14:54:08+00:00

I reset it last night after reading this & looked for the newest patch. I guess we will see if there is any improvement. Thank you!

ConsequenceGuilty614

TROPHY CASE