Need some advice

OB · Post by OB » Sun Apr 01, 2007 5:41 am

Hey all, I have some questions that I hope some of you might be able to answer. As many of you know, im currently attending UTI to get my automotive education. I'll be done with school before the end of this year, and I want to continue my education and open more doors for my future. I was thinking of getting a degree in mechanical engineering, computer engineering, or something similar. I want to take it to the next level and make a solid career. Ive already invested a lot of time and money into this education and I'd like to see it through while I have the chance.

So here are my questions:

1) what is the best way to go about getting an engineering degree?

2) what classes will I need to take to pursue a career as an automotive engineer (or any type of engineer)?

3) What are my job choices like once I finish all this schooling, and what is the demand for educated individuals in the engineering field?

I'm looking into online classes that offer various degrees and certificates, but im not 100% sure what im looking for and what I need to do to make this happen. Anyone who might have some experience or info to help me please let me know. I wanna start getting the ball rollin early so I can figure our finances and everything. Thanks very much in advance.

boostinss · Post by **boostinss** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:26 am

if you go to this website www.MSOE.edu (Milwaukee School of Engineering) there are pages of pages of what classes need to be taken for different types of engineers and gives you a year plan for it.

i dont konw if that was what your looking for

glasswars · Post by **glasswars** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:28 am

Well first, how many years of school are you looking to get an engineering degree? Results will vary depending on the type of engineering. Automotive you could most likely go to one of those trade schools that gives out specific degrees for automotive. For more complicated forms of engineering, you could be looking at 4+ years of school. You will most definitely be needing math and science classes. Trigonometrey, physics, etc.

The demand for engineering is endless and is still growing along with medical assistants. There is currently a huge lack of automotive technicians, and other types of engineers. Engineers for building skyscrapers, oil rigs, etc.

I would go to your adviser at your school, or your teacher and ask them what you can do about going about getting into engineering.

I don't know too much on engineer schooling, I'm becoming a psychologist, just tryin' to help. Good luck bro.

FTWNeon · Post by **FTWNeon** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:35 am

Grambo would be a good guy to talk to, I believe he is an engineer of some sorts

Frizbe · Post by **Frizbe** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:40 am

I am going to school for Software Engineering, but am changing schools because I thought one of those "Online- Quick Graduation" schools would be better for me. It wasn't, this school sucks, the best advice I can give you is to look into the schools narrow your choices down, call the schools and see if you can get tours and such, but also see if you can talk to some current students to see what they like and what they don't about the school. I really wish I had.

zerocoolok · Post by **zerocoolok** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:00 pm

Your best bet would be to go to a state university. It would cost waaaaay less than going to lets say MIT or RIT plus its easier to get scholarships to go there. Just check out the websites for the schools in your state and see which has the best program for you.

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:52 pm

Call up any local university and ask about their engineering program - such schools like (I thought you were in Bay area right now???) San Fran State Univ, San Jose State Univ, and Cal State Univ at Sac have good engineering programs (just did a google), call them up and set up an appointment to talk to them and find out what they offer, how to get started, etc etc etc... you could probably even meet with the head of the dept, not just the registrar (that is what I would do) - go to the schools website and look up the engineering dept and find the head and call their secretary.

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:15 pm

OB wrote: 1) what is the best way to go about getting an engineering degree?

2) what classes will I need to take to pursue a career as an automotive engineer (or any type of engineer)?

3) What are my job choices like once I finish all this schooling, and what is the demand for educated individuals in the engineering field?

1) Go to an actual school. The online type stuff is typically not very good. Plus, an employer may look down at online degrees, in my experience. The more accreditations a school haves the better. Make sure to check the specific departmental accreditations too (which are way more imporant than the schools general accreditations ). Cali does have some good schools.

2) Despite what some may say, a strong background in math is not necessary. I feel the a strong understanding of physics is MUCH more important. Otherwise you will primarily have math, science, and engineering specific (statics, dynamics, ect..) classes.

3) There are a few job choices. It really depends on the field that you're interested in. Of course, a degree wil never hurt your ability to get a job. Graduate school (masters degree) also never hurts.

Lastly, prepare to sacrafice some.The more difficult the degree, the more sacrafices you will have to make.

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:48 pm

^^^ Man I don't know where you're going to school, but a strong math brackground is absolutely necessarry, it's the foundation of everything. If you're struggling in the math you're going to hate it badly and probably won't be very sucessful.

Being a graduate Mechanical Engineering Technologist and currently sucking bad at working on and Engineering degree I can say this:

1.) Go to a physical school with a solid reputation, and learn from a real teacher. Online stuff is crap.

2.) Classes before or classes during the program?

If you're looking at becoming an Engineering Techologist in College you're going to need to be able to handle trig and algebra, if you're looking into university you'll need trig, algebra, and calculus. The calculus gets pretty heavy duty at times.

Once you're in you'll be doing some heavy duty math damn near every semester, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid statics and fluid dynamics, statics and dynamics, stress analysis, 3D modeling, plus filler electives and general stuff like some computer programing.

3.) The college I attended, in the last 10 years or so the hire rate of Engineering Technitians and Technologists has ranged between 90%-98% after grad. They work in all sorts of fields. Most work for automotive suppliers or mafuactueres of some sort. The maufacturing jobs can vary from aerospace, to automation, to the chocolate factory. I work for an interesting little division of a construction equipment manufacturer.

If you get your degree/ring you're set to work damn near anywhere you want.

The degree is a LOT of work, and a LOT of money. Be prepared to spend at least 4-5 years doing it depending on the program.

SteelBlue · Post by **SteelBlue** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:43 pm

So here are my questions:

1) what is the best way to go about getting an engineering degree?

First determine what kind of engineering you want to go for, then decide how far you want to take it. Do you want to be done in 2 years (associates) or 4 (bachelors) or do you want to take it even further?

I wouldn't bother with the online classes. Unless you are REALLY motivated they are a pain in the ass to do. Engineering is very technical and math based so you would basically have to teach yourself. If you have a motivation or time management problem it is really easy to put it off versus sitting in a class every day and having someone show/explain things in person. Also as someone else said.. online colleges aren't worth as much to most employers since you don't really gain all the hands on experience or practical knowledge from the instructors.

2) what classes will I need to take to pursue a career as an automotive engineer (or any type of engineer)?

Each program is different but you may get lucky and have some UTI credits transfer. Depending on the school you choose (and their accreditation) you MAY be able to get some UTI credits transfered towards a degree. That would help a lot towards lessening the required amount of credits for the degree. No promises there though. The tech school I went to wouldn't accept certain trade schools (like WyoTech where my husband is, and probably UTI) because of the different accreditation but you may get lucky there.

I'd have your transcripts evaluated and then sit down and talk with one of the professors or an advisor; they should be able to give you a basic curriculum map. Heck, even just getting the school catalog (which should have current degree requirements) would be a big help.

3) What are my job choices like once I finish all this schooling, and what is the demand for educated individuals in the engineering field?

Talk to the admissions counselor, professors in the program and even the career services departments. Admissions is going to tell you all about the high placement percentage but what is really important is what the professors have to say. They have the practical experience and can give you all the dirty details. Heck, I'd even hit up the school's myspace page and talk to some of the students there.

jbizzy · Post by **jbizzy** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:27 pm

I'm currently attending Arizona State University and plan to get my B.S.E. in eletrical engineering. You take some pretty intense science and math class, like calc 1,2,3, diff. equations, thermodynamics, university physics 1 and 2, university chem 1-2. I think classes like that are pretty standard no matter what field of engineering you go into. But after those are completed you take classes more specific to your field. Getting started really isnt all that difficult but youll quickly find out if you have enough motivation to follow through with it. IMO You really have to study for these classes and skipping class=failing grade. Im actually about to do a 6 hour cram session for my physics test tomorrow haha

OB · Post by OB » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:10 am

Many of you said that taking online courses isnt a good idea, but the college I was looking at last night said that the diploma doesnt even say anything about the degree being earned online. They say that online students get the exact same credentials as regular students. I cant afford to move again just to start over at another school, and it seems like they understood that and made sure to mention that taking the classes online wouldnt hurt my later in the eyes of an employer.

Im good with math but I havent takin anything beyond algebra/geometry in high school. We use lots of math in school now (compression math, electrical calculations etc) so im staying polished and its something that i enjoy doing.

So what are the pre req's to become a mechanical engineer (automotive engineer to be more specific)?

rOniN · Post by **rOniN** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:45 am

If an employer finds out that you don't have hands on work or any lab work they will overlook you for most jobs. Being an engineer is not just about knowledge but it's also about actual design and hands on work, although in the real world most engineers don't do hands on. So if you are just taking online courses you will lack practical experience and they will look down on you. Employers want to know if you can put your knowledge to work.

My roommate is a biomedical engineer and he spends countless hours on campus and in his room studying. It is a lot of hard work to become an engineer since you are competing against the world for jobs. Places like India and China produce more engineers and in some cases better ones. Since they are doing this engineering school is very tough. The better the school the better the job offers are.

jbizzy · Post by **jbizzy** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:55 am

I dont know much about online courses or online degrees, so i cant really give you any specifics about them. I've talked to many advisors and engineering majors and not once have they ever mentioned online courses or anything about them. So im gonna guess its either really tough to take these classes online or may not even be possible to obtain a crediable degree online. Any way you do it is gonna be a ton of work. Pre req's are going to vary from college to college so best bet is to research it over the internet.

2GN.ORG

Need some advice

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