Broke and in need of an education
Broke and in need of an education
(OP)
I created the last post on transferring to a non ABET school, and realize to be a respected engineer I must graduate from an ABET institution. Now my concern is where to go and how to pay for it. I could return to Manhattan College, and end up 70,000$ in debt after graduating (I'm already in debt 35 k for freshmen and sophmore year), or go to UMASS and only be in debt around 50 k.(BTW 100% of education cost is on my shoulders, no one else, and I'm only twenty) My question is, does it really matter to employers where I have a degree from? I am hoping to get into Green Building Engineering and become LEED AP as soon as possible. How much weight is put on your undergraduate degree? College just doesn't seem to justify it's own cost to me.





RE: Broke and in need of an education
You do need a degree to get started the right way. A few gifted folks can tell you the stories as to how they did well without a degree, but those would be exceptions. Even those would have done even better, had they had the degrees.
Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com
RE: Broke and in need of an education
Tobalcane
"If you avoid failure, you also avoid success."
RE: Broke and in need of an education
RE: Broke and in need of an education
Hg
p.s. Student loans are pretty cheap money. I'm a fan.
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RE: Broke and in need of an education
As The Tick pointed out UW and others have great programs that are not that expensive. If you have residency in NY, the state universities have good engineering programs that are affordable and you can work while you go to school. I know that's difficult...been there, but it beats the hell out of being in debt when you start your career.
Good luck.
RE: Broke and in need of an education
And there's no shortage of cheese and beer in Madison either. However, I think the breweries are spaced farther apart in Madison, so it's more difficult to do a tri-fecta and get 3 brewery tours in one day.
-- MechEng2005
RE: Broke and in need of an education
With that out of the way, let me provide you with a game plan. Get a B.S. in Architectural Engineering (see link). Personally I went to Cal Poly, SLO and it has one of the best ARCHE schools in the country. However, there are others, but I don't see New York or Mass. on the list of states.
Therefore, move to a state that has a ARCHE program with a feeder Junior College. One you arrive in your new college town, use a phone book and call around to find a civil engineering and architecture firm that could use some drafting help. Start working and saving money, while you establish residency. If you don't have drafting skills (computer, etc.) take a couple of course at the JC and then hit the pavement.
Once you have residency apply to the university. Continue working and going to school...find the work/school balance that works for you. Its that simple, yet that difficult. FYI: It should take about 3 to 5 years depending on your current educational background.
Gook Luck & Best Wishes!
RE: Broke and in need of an education
RE: Broke and in need of an education
RE: Broke and in need of an education
Quite a funny if cynical piece of negotiation.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Broke and in need of an education
I used to be a bit embarrassed about it, because everyone I work with has a graduate degree from a big name universitie, but I've proven that my technical abilities take a back seat to none of them and it really doesn't bother me anymore.
I bet their student loans are huge, too.
RE: Broke and in need of an education
Alternatively, join the air national guard (I don't think they get deployed much). They offer several different tuition assistance programs, and you'll also probably be eligible for the Montgomery GI bill.