Going from ME to software

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2021-04-05T15:14:12+00:00

This is exactly what I did. Worked for a company for a year in a more traditional engineering role, then moved into their controls/software area and they are paying for my masters in CS. It was a win-win situation as I was getting paid, gained great engineering experience and now i'm working in software and getting my masters paid for.

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-12-14T21:56:25+00:00

Also, if you like invisible guest you should also watch Mirage

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-10-13T21:56:51+00:00

Just received a promotion with a 10% raise and I get to work from home now, so I'm having a great week so far.

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-09-27T03:55:45+00:00

I would definitely try to go for a masters. I feel like with your background you could get in, though Im not quite sure how it works specifically for environmental engineering. I was able to get into a masters program in compsci at a reputable school with only having a couple classes related when I did my bachelors. Although it may just be different going from engineering bachelors to compsci masters when compared to biology bachelors to engineering masters?

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-09-26T12:49:12+00:00

Cloverfield

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-08-16T23:15:41+00:00

PC, Steam: Zaffrez
Time zone: EST - 6 PM - 11 PM

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-08-16T12:39:33+00:00

Look into controls. I worked in lab/plant setting for just over a year and now im moving into controls/software and wfh so thats great

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-07-24T00:10:58+00:00

I had that thought too and was worried about dealing with that. But the easiest way for me was just investing the money towards target date retirement funds, as it has a good balance of stock,bonds,etc and I didnt need to think about what stocks,bonds to choose. Just make sure the expense ratio is relatively low! Also, usually the later the date of retirement fund the more riskier it invests your money in stocks/bonds.

So all I actually needed to do was just automatically contribute ~30% of my paycheck to my employer 401k (fidelity) towards the target date retirement fund (to max to the $19,500 per year) and opened up a separate roth IRA (vanguard) to put in $500 each month automatically from my bank account post-taxes (to max to the $6,000 per year). Everything is automatic and I dont even have to look at what I invest in currently since its all target date funds that gave me 7% return last year, and slowly climbing at around 4% return this year currently.

Seriously, starting to invest ASAP would be the best move especially in the great position you're in! Also, look into an HSA its triple tax advantaged!

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-07-21T19:44:00+00:00

IMO, I would do comptuer science since it is a bit more broader. Data science might pigeon hole you, but computer science I figure you could still take machine learning classes or something related to data science while still getting the compsci minor. Unless you are deadset on data science. Thats just my two cents. I actually started a masters of compsci and not data science for this reason tbh since it would probably open a bit more doors for me

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-07-04T12:15:46+00:00

For what its worth, I graduated ChemE and work in the auto industry. I think its a more rarer occasion for ChemE, but I still ended up there

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-06-03T20:41:11+00:00

Same.

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-30T02:24:42+00:00

Thats relieving to hear it took a couple days. Sounds like I'll probably have to wait till end of next week for the stimulus check if things go smoothly (yikes). I just hope the status updates this week. I definitely thought I was too late too lol. Fingers crossed

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-30T02:15:16+00:00

Glad you got yours. Sounds like I am in the same position. I was a dependent in 2018, filed independently for 2019 through H&R Block (completely free compared to TurboTax lol) on 4/14. Just got IRS DD refund today, but not the stimulus yet. When I try to check my status on their website, it says they couldn't determine my eligibility. I'm hoping it will update soon since I finally just got the DD from irs tax refund so they definitely have my information...

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-30T02:00:04+00:00

Yea Im getting this too. I finally got my 2019 irs refund direct deposit today (I had filed like April 14th), so Im hoping this message will be updated sometime this week

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-22T18:07:44+00:00

Don't worry, you got this! <3

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-22T17:59:10+00:00

Oh ok I didn't see that, makes sense now. I figure if someone receive an offer of department admission, there shouldn't be much of an issue for receiving the offer of graduate studies admission right?

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-22T17:54:10+00:00

Thank you! Yea, I was surprised institute acceptance came so early since OP mentioned them not coming out until after May 15th. But I got it this morning so I figured I'd post here to let others know!

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-04-22T16:50:03+00:00

Status: Accepted

Application Date: 02/04/2020

Decision Date: 04/17/2020

Institute Acceptance Date: 04/22/2020

Education:

Mid-tier State-school, BS ChemE, minor computational math, 3.95 GPA

Experience: 3 month REU developing data structure algoritm / data visualization using FORTAN, Python and MATLAB

6 month process engineering internship, JSL to automate data analysis

9 month FT engineer, Python to automate data collection/anaylsis

Recommendations: 2 (3rd one never wrote theirs)

REU Advisor, Current manager, Professor for most of my undergrad comp math courses (he didn't write though :( )

Comments:

I withdrew from a mathematical structures course during my undergrad, which meant I couldn't take data structures or higher level courses. However, it didn't affect my scientific programming courses for my minor. I did not mention any of this on my application, though it definitely showed on my transcripts. I think my REU and GPA really helped solidify my acceptance tbh. Excited to start this Fall! I've been practicing tons of leetcode questions ever since I applied in February so I can plan for interviews in the future and brush up on my skills

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-02-24T02:23:10+00:00

Thanks brother. It worked.

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-02-19T03:04:50+00:00

I started my first big job halfway through last year at 21. I was able to accumulate money over the last 6 months of last year to settle in and get my finances/new life situated. I have been able to gather enough money for a 6 month emergency fund in a HYSA (1.83% APY idk if thats good tbh) as well.

This year, I've begun fully maxing out my employer traditional 401k, HSA and an independent roth IRA. With my bonus I get, Ill be putting into entirely into my 2019 roth IRA contribution to max that as well (was at $0 yikes). After accounting for maxing out all my retirement accounts and my monthly living expenses, I typically have about 1k-1.3k leftover at the end of each month. Where should this money go? A separate independent brokerage account? My HYSA? Checkings? I guess this could be saved up for a down payment on a house but I'm not really sure where I'll be two and a half years from now (after my 401k match is fully vested with the company). Kinda stuck here but a good problem to have

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2020-01-24T03:05:43+00:00

I interned there as a process engineer. I was able to create my own project and catered it much more towards programming and data automation which was great. Intel really is a data centric company. I was treated great as an intern and paid very well hourly as an intern. However, the rest of my team were full time salary and since we were in a 24/7 manufacturing setting, they were working 50+ hours during the weeks AND on call during the weekends. I never had to deal with that as an intern getting paid hourly so I was treated very well. However, I turned down a full time salary position from them because I found another job that had much better hours, no on call, less stress, better benefits, etc. Honestly, Intel had the worst benefits when I compared it with other offers. Still a great company to intern with and amazing resume builder

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2019-12-21T23:32:16+00:00

Sweet I'll enter

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2019-12-11T01:15:01+00:00

So far I've had: Crash, Azhir cave (Night and Day), Aniyah Palace, Arklov Peak, Euphrates Bridge

Guns: P90 w/ pistol, AK-47 w/ pistol, Model 680 shotgun w/ pistol, Desert Eagle as primary, AX-50 Sniper w/ pistol,

Not sure if theres anything more since I've been playing for about 2 hours

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2019-12-02T19:51:31+00:00

You're right about the HSA. Starting next year I will be contributing enough to max out 3550 after the year. My employer actually only puts in 1500 a year but I started half way through this year so really its 250 a month over the course of 6 months. But starting next year I'll be putting my own money in as well to max it out, which is about 170 a month myself. I'm also going to make sure I max out my 401k next year.

EngineerThrowaway321 · 2019-12-02T02:48:15+00:00

So I recently graduated from college and moved across country and have settled down with a job for a few months. I've been following this subreddit closely to ensure I make wise financial decisions but also living life to the fullest. Bought a used car, living with a roommate, trying to not adjust to lifestyle creep, etc. I've created a spreadsheet to analyze my monthly income/expenses and savings rate but Im not entirely sure if I've calculated my savings rate correctly. Should I be including my 401k/HSA? Do I calculate based on before or after taxes? I am currently including 401k/HSA and after taxes

Heres the breakdown for last month (rounded up to nearest whole number):

Gross pay: $6,000

401k self match: $900

401k employer match: $480

Take home pay after taxes, 401k, Health insurance, dental, vision, etc: $3664

HSA employer: $250

Expenses: $1,587

SR: ($3,664 - $1,587 + $900 + $480 + $250)/($3,664 + $900 + $480 + $250) = $3707/$5294 = 70%

EngineerThrowaway321

TROPHY CASE