Posted: 3/23/2017 7:11:45 PM EDT
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TL;DR question in last line or two
I've had other threads on here with engineering questions before and given it's GD it was actually pretty helpful so here I go again. I'm a junior in MechE right now but not always loving the classes. I'm finding i'm more interested in how things work but not always the theoretical why the work, if that makes sense. As a result it's hard to stay motivated in some of my classes and I see my grades slipping. I've always been a hands on guy and have plenty of hands on experience in lots of areas and much prefer that to a desk job which I've had also. I'm just worried I'll graduate and find out I hate what I do. I'd rather be happy than be worried about making 6 figures. At my school they have a different campus and programs for those going into the technician side but if I switch I'd be set back a year, the campus isn't close anymore and as an old guy going back to school (mid 30's) I just want to be done. Do most schools have different programs for eng. tech's? I think that's what's throwing me off. Or do engineers graduate and then go into which field they prefer? I guess my main question is, if I graduate and then realize I don't enjoy it, can I transition to be a eng. tech or will I be overqualified and get ignored? Will I not have the right background of knowledge? I've tried to talk to many advisors at school about this and can't seem to get any clear answers but maybe I'm talking to the wrong people. ETA: updated to clarify |
| Most of the Techs I work with went to ITT or DeVry. It's a very different job than engineering and I can't say I honestly know of any reputable universities that have programs for both. I can tell you that I know a lot of people with engineering degrees (outside of my company where we're all engineers) and a vast majority of them do other things. A BS in Engineering will open many doors. A...degree?...certification?...to be a Tech wont. |
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Most of the Techs I work with went to ITT or DeVry. It's a very different job than engineering and I can't say I honestly know of any reputable universities that have programs for both. I can tell you that I know a lot of people with engineering degrees (outside of my company where we're all engineers) and a vast majority of them do other things. A BS in Engineering will open many doors. A...degree?...certification?...to be a Tech wont. Edit: BTW, I'm not saying being an Eng. Tech is a bad job or trying to bash it at all. Although I'm sure there will be some that come in who will. From the tech's, where did you get your degree and did you go through a different program than the standard BS degree? |
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I am a technician, because you honer roll student with an engineering degree couldn't design it right the first time. And I make a damn fine dime fixing engineers fuck ups.
Really stick it out and get your BS. Don't come out and think your entire engineer though. |
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I am a technician, because you honer roll student with an engineering degree couldn't design it right the first time. And I make a damn fine dime fixing engineers fuck ups. Really stick it out and get your BS. Don't come out and think your entire engineer though. |
| I have a BEE from Georgia Tech. Junior year in all the engineering fields suck. I would guess you are taking your core Thermodynamics right now. It sucks as much as my junior year Electromagnetic Theory did. Gut it out and get your degree. That will open doors for you. I had ideas at your age on what I wanted. Things change as the economy changes. Good luck |
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I am a technician, because you honer roll student with an engineering degree couldn't design it right the first time. And I make a damn fine dime fixing engineers fuck ups. Really stick it out and get your BS. Don't come out and think your entire engineer though. 
Enginer ar dum. |
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Junior year is always tough but don't be a pussy and fall back on the tech degree, get the B.S. Eng. degree. You'll have WAY more options down the road. Again, stick it out. |
| Don't quit. Junior year is the worst. Next year you should have some good products to look forward to. With an engineering degree you can do everything in engineering Tech can do but you can't do it other way around. You can always get specialized training later. More than likely will never use much of the theory stuff you learn College, but it helps to have the background. |
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Do you want to be an actual engineer or a tech? 
I think I'd prefer a tech but I have no problem getting the standard BS degree if it will allow me to step into both once I graduate. So far I can't find an answer to that. |
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I have a BEE from Georgia Tech. Junior year in all the engineering fields suck. I would guess you are taking your core Thermodynamics right now. It sucks as much as my junior year Electromagnetic Theory did. Gut it out and get your degree. That will open doors for you. I had ideas at your age on what I wanted. Things change as the economy changes. Good luck 
I worked in commercial refrigeration for a long time so that class sorta interests me actually. System Dynamics and Controls along with Solid Mechanics I just can't find the motivation to study at all. |
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I'm at ASU. I'm talking about the polytechnic campus. They are still BS degrees but they are called Mechanical Engineering Technology, not just ME, EE, etc. I was going to go there because the classes are more hands on until I found out it's not a standard engineering degree (or so people say) but so far I can't find anyone who can do a good job of really explaining the differences to me. The class maps aren't the same so I have to believe the degree is somehow different. I just don't want to screw myself out of opportunities by not getting the standard ME degree if I could just "step down" later provided I don't like what I do. Edit: BTW, I'm not saying being an Eng. Tech is a bad job or trying to bash it at all. Although I'm sure there will be some that come in who will. From the tech's, where did you get your degree and did you go through a different program than the standard BS degree? Quoted:
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Most of the Techs I work with went to ITT or DeVry. It's a very different job than engineering and I can't say I honestly know of any reputable universities that have programs for both. I can tell you that I know a lot of people with engineering degrees (outside of my company where we're all engineers) and a vast majority of them do other things. A BS in Engineering will open many doors. A...degree?...certification?...to be a Tech wont. Edit: BTW, I'm not saying being an Eng. Tech is a bad job or trying to bash it at all. Although I'm sure there will be some that come in who will. From the tech's, where did you get your degree and did you go through a different program than the standard BS degree? Algebra/trig based equations vs calc Calc II is top math vs Diff EQ Hands on courses vs theoretical labs, less about how it works and more about how to work with it. Can I design a strain gauge? No, but I can apply one in the right spot to get useful data. IME, the METs are field guys and the ME's are office guys. No, I won't be designing wing spars for a next gen fighter, but I do have a company truck and a 3 state service area. Some will say that an MET isn't a real engineer, I agree, I don't have my PE...but I wouldn't have it even if I was an ME so moot point. I'm a field guy, through and through, so an easier program that still meets my end goal was a no-brainer. Oklahoma State, 2009 |
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It's hard for a reason.
Don't quit. six figures is going to look real nice in a few years -- it may not seem like you need it today, but twenty years down the road when you can actually retire it's going to be nice to be able to do things that are facilitated by having enough money saved up. |
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What makes you think you'd be "overqualified" to be a tech just because you have a bs in mechanical engineering? A degree and theoretical knowledge of stuff doesn't mean you can actually DO stuff with your hands. You likely won't be considered for an engineering tech roll because you lack experience and knowledge that matters for that position, rather than you are overqualified for it.
A good engineering tech is invaluable. A BS in mech. eng. does not make you a good engineering tech. |
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Sucks it up and put all your energy into achieving your Engineerin degree. Drop the girlfriend, shelf the beer (for now).
I've been exactly where you are 20+ years ago. Surround yourself with other nerds who know how to study and get shit done. If you start at a sucky engineering job after graduation, find a new employer because there's plenty of good engineering jobs out there that pay well. After 20 years of Engineering salary, you'll be sitting in a big house, driving a big truck, taking vacations in the Caribbean, watching your 401K retirement fund grow big, and be out shooting your AR on the weekends, eating and drinking in style while your old Millenia snowflake freinds are still living in the parents basements. |
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Engrish Quoted:
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I am a technician, because you honer roll student with an engineering degree couldn't design it right the first time. And I make a damn fine dime fixing engineers fuck ups. Really stick it out and get your BS. Don't come out and think your entire engineer though. OP don't ever turn into one of those guys |
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I would say stick it out and then do whatever job you want. We had electrical engineers go and be industrial electricians after they found they did not like the engineering part.
You will find out that knowing the why something works will help a great deal. I went thru the same thing as you, but in the electrical field. When I got done and wanted to trouble shoot something, a lot of times knowing the whys and wherefores helped me to find the more complex problems that were not as easily solved otherwise.. |
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What makes you think you'd be "overqualified" to be a tech just because you have a bs in mechanical engineering? A degree and theoretical knowledge of stuff doesn't mean you can actually DO stuff with your hands. You likely won't be considered for an engineering tech roll because you lack experience and knowledge that matters for that position, rather than you are overqualified for it. A good engineering tech is invaluable. A BS in mech. eng. does not make you a good engineering tech. If I start out as a junior tech which generally come in with no experience, will I still be overlooked because I don't have the right educational background or are the skills learned on the job as with most jobs? |
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TL;DR question in last line or two I've had other threads on here with engineering questions before and given it's GD it was actually pretty helpful so here I go again. I'm a junior in MechE right now but not always loving the classes. I'm finding i'm more interested in how things work but not always the theoretical why the work, if that makes sense. As a result it's hard to stay motivated in some of my classes and I see my grades slipping. I've always been a hands on guy and have plenty of hands on experience in lots of areas and much prefer that to a desk job which I've had also. I'm just worried I'll graduate and find out I hate what I do. I'd rather be happy than be worried about making 6 figures. At my school they have a different campus and programs for those going into the technician side but if I switch I'd be set back a year, the campus isn't close anymore and as an old guy going back to school (mid 30's) I just want to be done. Do most schools have different programs for eng. tech's? I think that's what's throwing me off. Or do engineers graduate and then go into which field they prefer? I guess my main question is, if I graduate and then realize I don't enjoy it, can I transition to be a eng. tech or will I be overqualified and get ignored? Will I not have the right background of knowledge? I've tried to talk to many advisors at school about this and can't seem to get any clear answers but maybe I'm talking to the wrong people. I don't know how it works exactly in the US, but up here we have Technicians, Techologists & Engineers. I am a Materials Engineering Technologist. When Engineers graduate they become an EIT (Engineer in Training) after 3-4 years they can become a Professional Engineer (P. Engineer). An Engineering Technologist can become a Professional Technologist after 4-5 years or so. I graduated in '03 and was going to go back to do the necessary schooling to become an engineer but got a great job. I get to do the fun hands on stuff while making quite a bit more $$ than the engineers at work. That's obviously not how it works everywhere though. I would say do whatever you feel is best. Education is always a good thing unless it's in a retarded field like gender studies. |
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Stick it out brother...
Yeah, it sucks hard at times (especially if you go for your MS, lol). I still think about how much school sucked (well, that and mostly the Navy), but a day doesn't go by that I don't thank my younger self for powering through it. The financial freedom and experience I have now are far beyond what I'd ever think I'd have. Good luck! |
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I don't know how it works exactly in the US, but up here we have Technicians, Techologists & Engineers. I am a Materials Engineering Technologist. When Engineers graduate they become an EIT (Engineer in Training) after 3-4 years they can become a Professional Engineer (P. Engineer). An Engineering Technologist can become a Professional Technologist after 4-5 years or so. I graduated in '03 and was going to go back to do the necessary schooling to become an engineer but got a great job. I get to do the fun hands on stuff while making quite a bit more $ than the engineers at work. That's obviously not how it works everywhere though. I would say do whatever you feel is best. Education is always a good thing unless it's in a retarded field like gender studies. No set schedule, free truck, P-Card, pick and choose the projects I want, jeans and a polo dresscode, and we don't have to follow a lot of the rules the office guys do. I have an excellent job. 
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Stick it out.
No one says you HAVE to get an actual engineering job straight out of college - or even a job that has anything to do with your major, for that matter (I know a VP of Sales with a BS in Computer Science - he hasn't slinged a line of code since the late 80's, when he graduated). But if you decide that hey - maybe you DO kind of like doing something that requires a no-shit engineering degree, you at least have the option. You're almost there, brother. Stick it out. Buckle down. If you want to be more of a technician than an engineer someday...fine. Up to you. But it'll be your choice, instead of something you have to live with. |
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You can get a tech job with your engineering degree if that's what you want. If you decide later you don't like it you can move on.
You can also change disciplines if you like. One of the best software engineers I know has a BSME. Remember it's hard because if it wasn't, anyone could do it. You got this far don't take the easy out now. |
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It's not that it's tough (although it is obviously), it's that I don't find the stuff all that interesting and it's killing my motivation to study and excel. Is this a pretty typical thing to not enjoy school at all? Sometimes I feel like it's just me. |
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Engineer vs technician is totally different. I am an engineer. I don't treat our technicians poorly and they can do a lot of things I cannot. I do treat them extremely well. That said, there is an entire world open to you as an engineer that wouldn't be as a technician. Also, a technician would never be a manager of an engineer, it's always the other way around.
Also, school is nothing like the workforce. |
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Biggest differences I remember- Algebra/trig based equations vs calc Calc II is top math vs Diff EQ Hands on courses vs theoretical labs, less about how it works and more about how to work with it. Can I design a strain gauge? No, but I can apply one in the right spot to get useful data. IME, the METs are field guys and the ME's are office guys. No, I won't be designing wing spars for a next gen fighter, but I do have a company truck and a 3 state service area. Some will say that an MET isn't a real engineer, I agree, I don't have my PE...but I wouldn't have it even if I was an ME so moot point. I'm a field guy, through and through, so an easier program that still meets my end goal was a no-brainer. Oklahoma State, 2009 I'm hoping I can land an internship somewhere before I graduate to get a better idea. |
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A graduate with an engineering technology degree is a technologist not a technician ( four year vs two year degrees).
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I don't know how it works exactly in the US, but up here we have Technicians, Techologists & Engineers. I am a Materials Engineering Technologist. When Engineers graduate they become an EIT (Engineer in Training) after 3-4 years they can become a Professional Engineer (P. Engineer). An Engineering Technologist can become a Professional Technologist after 4-5 years or so. I graduated in '03 and was going to go back to do the necessary schooling to become an engineer but got a great job. I get to do the fun hands on stuff while making quite a bit more $ than the engineers at work. That's obviously not how it works everywhere though. I would say do whatever you feel is best. Education is always a good thing unless it's in a retarded field like gender studies. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_technologist |
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I am a technician, because you honer roll student with an engineering degree couldn't design it right the first time. And I make a damn fine dime fixing engineers fuck ups. Really stick it out and get your BS. Don't come out and think your entire engineer though. |
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A graduate with an engineering technology degree is a technologist not a technician ( four year vs two year degrees). Everything is the same in the US except that nobody knows what a technologist is (most use the title engineer) and there is no professional technologist. Instead, a technologist can become a professional engineer in most places. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_technologist |
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Tough it out. The BS has much more power on the resume and better income potential. Because you have a BS doesn't mean you can't be hands on. I have a BS and designed almost 400 light assembly fixtures and built about 85% of them myself. In addition to other stuff like figuring out machine and process improvements. Plant layout, safety, materials handling, and whatever else got thrown over the fence. I'm not saying that to brag, but to point out that being hands on meant that I could get things done now instead of having to wait for plant maintenance, outside machine shop work, or whatever. Built my reputation in the company on it. "The guy who gets stuff done."
Get the BS now. I started with an ASME in '76. Didn't go back to school until 1988. Took seven years part-time to finish the BS. It sucked. Get the BS now. Best of luck to you. |
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Junior year is always tough but don't be a pussy and fall back on the tech degree, get the B.S. Eng. degree. You'll have WAY more options down the road. Again, stick it out. Suck it up and get your engineering degree. It will be worth it in the end. |
| You can still do hands on with your ME degree. I left the design group and went into manufacturing because I was tired of the desk. I was setting at a desk and was offered a liason job for 6 months while we did a carrier overhaul so I started looking for something different. 17 years now and no regrets. |
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Get your BSME. Take the Fundamentals test and pass it. Work as a field engineer or construction engineer on site. Travel the country. Make PE contacts. After 4 years, apply to take the PE Exam in whatever state you're in and pass it.
Field work and problem solving on site translates to more experience than you ever thought. Meet the craft guys, work with them for solutions, ask questions. They are a wealth of knowledge. Find the most grizzled, rough looking some bitch on site and shadow them. They've seen and done more than any other 2 combined. Learn. |
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Field work and problem solving on site translates to more experience than you ever thought. Meet the craft guys, work with them for solutions, ask questions. They are a wealth of knowledge. Find the most grizzled, rough looking some bitch on site and shadow them. They've seen and done more than any other 2 combined. Learn. |