Technician to Engineer
Technician to Engineer
(OP)
Hello folks,
I've been an engineering tech for about one year now. I have been looking inward and realizing that I want to become more involved with engineering. I work in a test lab and I have enjoyed it, but I want more. The work I am doing has been composed of repetitive tasks in the past few months, and I am starving for a creative outlet at work. I was working toward an associate degree when I was hired into this job, and I think I am going to have to continue formal education.
I am thinking of a few paths right now:
-Finish AAS in electromechanical technology
-Finish AAS in mechanical design technology
-Go to community college and get an associates with an emphasis in engineering (this sets me up to finish BSME)
What do you recommend I do and why? I am looking for other perspectives, but my goal is to work with ideas and remain within this same engine manufacturer. I have considered job shadowing
I've been an engineering tech for about one year now. I have been looking inward and realizing that I want to become more involved with engineering. I work in a test lab and I have enjoyed it, but I want more. The work I am doing has been composed of repetitive tasks in the past few months, and I am starving for a creative outlet at work. I was working toward an associate degree when I was hired into this job, and I think I am going to have to continue formal education.
I am thinking of a few paths right now:
-Finish AAS in electromechanical technology
-Finish AAS in mechanical design technology
-Go to community college and get an associates with an emphasis in engineering (this sets me up to finish BSME)
What do you recommend I do and why? I am looking for other perspectives, but my goal is to work with ideas and remain within this same engine manufacturer. I have considered job shadowing





RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
To start with, the BS degree (ABET accredited!) gives you credentials and credibility to get the job you want. Additionally, there's lots of important stuff to learn in class that you won't get from job-shadowing. There's plenty of engineers out there who brag about not using what they learned in school. They're typically on the left end of the bell curve.
RE: Technician to Engineer
(
He went on to become a successful lawyer.
We should have seen it coming; since he could talk,
that kid would rather argue than eat.
)
I was surprised to learn the the CC actually had two career tracks within; the kids who were going on to a four year college took distinct and more difficult courses along the way.
Make sure that you and the CC are on the same wavelength about your plans, but yes, do get the associates degree that leads into a baccalaureate program, whatever they call it.
Do inquire if your employer will provide a little financial help for you; in days of yore, that was pretty much customary; now, nothing is.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
Definitely check with your company about tuition assistance, many large companies still offer it, as long as it's towards a degree that will benefit the company. But the longer you wait to finish that BS degree, the harder it will get as life moves in other directions. It is very difficult to work full time, study part time and spend time with your family, especially when you start having kids. Good luck.
RE: Technician to Engineer
If you have an independent mind and take ownership of knowledge as it comes to you, then welcome aboard.
RE: Technician to Engineer
If you have an independent mind and take ownership of knowledge as it comes to you, then welcome aboard. "
I hate Stalin and socialism in general, that quote is meant to be food for thought regarding formal education establishments rather than a statement for or against education in general. I don't view education as something that is thrust upon me. I view education as something to chase non stop whether or not you are enrolled at a formal education institution. I also think that it is important to recognize the demonstrated potential for abuse, propaganda, and lies to come through the channels under the guise of public education. Formal education without self education and self-reliance turns you into a useful idiot. We don't have high demand for people who know things but cannot think. We have computers with databases for that now.
Back on subject of this thread :)
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
I always got the feeling that the first two years at a university was a weeding out process versus more helpful teachers at the AS CC level. Also, your balance of studying versus work life is a conflict that is always there. It was more better to me when I had enough saved up and just went back full time for the university degree. Night classes were really challenging due to how far apart each class built on the other, so having to review a class you had maybe a year or so ago was part of the challenge to make it thru those courses.
Good luck!
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
My roommate once took a calculus class at the local CC and the instructor gave not only the problems, but also the answers to the final. I'm sure that's not completely common, as my sons have taken CC classes without that sort of shenanigan. "
I took calc at a community college and that is NOT what happened!! Your roommate was lucky as long as he also learned enough to not be deficient.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
RE: Technician to Engineer
My son's CC advisor messed him up royally. Not so much that he didn't take all the classes he needed to transfer but they loaded him up with extras he didn't need - he ended up with like 3 AS degrees or something and could have got a 4th with one extra class.
This sounds fine, until you discover that the state system in CA apparently only gives the in state (or something like that) price for enough units to get your bachelors. As he had extra units from CC he'll be paying a higher rate for his last few classes at his university.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
The best plan I can think of right now is in the following sequence:
- Transfer my current credits into an individualized studies program at the tech school
- Take calc 2, calc 3, and any other classes that will transfer to a state university
- Reach the credit level needed to graduate individualized studies AAS program (Goal is to have a degree for the mean time)
- Work toward promotion to analyst
- Go to engineering school part time
- Get as many credits as possible part time
- Go full time when I can securely do so and finish the degree.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
RE: Technician to Engineer
Then you can look at articulation agreements to find more details on how each class will roll into the general engineering program, and how it changes the process of going into the mechanical engineering program.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
I was in the same boat at you are now (albeit a few decades ago). At that time I had been working for a few years after receiving a (2-year) diploma of technology. I loved my job, but I knew that if I wanted to make it into a great career, I would need to go back to school and complete an engineering degree. I enrolled in a 2-year university program that was geared to take a technologist, such as myself in, and turn them into an engineer. I handed in my notice at work, and to my surprise, my employer offered a considerable financial incentive as long as I agreed to work for them after obtaining my engineering degree. I took them up on that offer, and have never looked back. It was the best decision I ever made, other than marrying my wife, who I met at university.
If you're young, as I believe you are, now is the time to do it, before marriage, mortgage and kids take over your life (these are nice problems to have).
Education is something that no one can ever take away from you - it's yours for life.
I told my daughter the same; she is now completing a doctorate in nursing.
Good luck to you!
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
I learned much too late that I should have signed up for the "Pre-Engineering" program that gives you the first two years of any BS Engineering program at the university. Things may have changed since then but all BS <insert specialty here> Engineering students in the State of Maryland public university system had to complete the same coursework in the first two years. This coursework was fully transferable from any state CC to any state university in the system. The great advantage I had at the CC was that the instructors there were EDUCATORS not RESEARCHERS. I learned the material much better because the instructors were better and I was deficient in some areas. At the university the attitude of some of the professors, at least in the junior year, was "sink or swim" and "I'll throw everything at you to weed you out of the curriculum". Some were callous about it too because it appeared that they resented having to "teach" classes rather than devote their full efforts to their research. Some of these guys were really crappy teachers.
On another subject, if you like to work with your hands while improving your chances of landing an engineering job, you can always get a BSMET or, say, a BSEET. Some companies will hire your as an engineer, if not as a new grad, but maybe later after you've spent some time in an engineering environment doing low-level engineering work. Some of the best EEs I've ever worked with gained years of experience as technicians before earning their BBEET's or BSEEs. My boss at one job held a BSMET and was a really sharp design engineer!
Good luck in your endeavors regardless of which path you choose!
Bruce
Tunalover
RE: Technician to Engineer
And yes, you're right to draw attention to advisement. Some advisors are effectively racketeers. You need to know exactly what you are getting into before you even go to a school. Your advisor doesn't care about you as much as you care about yourself, they do not bear the consequences if a wrong decision is made, and there is almost nothing holding them accountable. Most of them are good and want to help, but I'll never enroll in a course without certainty that it will provide what I need.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Technician to Engineer
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
Word to the wise... ignorance knows no bounds.
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Technician to Engineer
I wish you the best of luck!
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
It's good to hear you have some other options already open for you. I think you should go for an internship in a different area if mechanical engineering if you can, it might be fun!
RE: Technician to Engineer
My current plan is to finish all of the prerequisites (calc 1-3, physics, etc) that I can before going into the program full time. I may have to do a certain amount of those pre-engineering classes at the university campus that I want to attend, but I have other bridges to cross before I get to that point.
It would be cool to check out a different area of mechanical engineering. My heart is in engines and it always has been. First and foremost, I am an engines guy. That will always be my biggest credential :) I've learned a little about engineering through engines and working in the lab and I could do a lot with the knowledge and credentials of an engineer.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
This is not homework help at this point. I don't have class for another month yet. This is me wanting a source that can help me to look at equations as representations of concepts and ideas. I couldn't make real sense of calculus until I took physics, if that helps you understand my learning style. I limped through algebra by memorizing directions on how to solve equations and never got to take the time to understand what the equations were actually doing. My secret weapon will be understanding what the equations actually do, and being able to figure that out without relying 100% on having a good teacher.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
I know you mechies and electrical guys use calculus way more than we structurals. I've promptly forgot most of what I knew then.
RE: Technician to Engineer
That said, however, with the advent of computers, calculus is not typicall something that has to be crunched, as there are mounds of numerical tools like FEA for doing that work. That's particularly true as the complexity of the design increase over time. I doubt that many "thoroughly" understand all the math they use; it's neither necessary nor useful, unless you're doing fundamental mechanics, because most of what people design are derived from existing designs or concepts.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
I realize that I won't be breaking out those equations on a regular basis. I'm going to look into that book. Another way to look at the question I'm asking is along the lines of "I want to know what question that each equation answers. The equation is not a question in itself, to me. The equation itself is not the problem. It is a part of the process in finding the solution to the problem. If that is handled by a program, then I want to understand the equation like the writers of the program.
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
RE: Technician to Engineer
Practically speaking, the equations are the relationships between physical properties. From this view point, the question that an equation can provoke is how are the variables within this equation related? For me, this question is the gateway to thinking about the physcial phenomenon that is taking place.
Math is the language in which scientists/engineers describe reality(phenomena), so for me engineering equations describe some physical truth and I need to have a handle on that physical truth for the math to make sense. If you are focusing specifically on how calculus applies to engineering, then I would say this: Calculus is the study of change and a method on how to describe it. Therefore, engineers use calculus to describe how the variable of interest changes w.r.t. the manipulated variable.
The basics of calculus are the tools needed to perform the analyses that form the language and create dialouge. If your desire is to understand the development of these calculus concepts, then the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and a mathematician are the prescription.
I hope I said something of value to you in this post LOL
RE: Technician to Engineer
Yes I found that helpful. The idea that I bolded shows me that we have similar habits of the mind. I will research the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and try to take something valuable from what I can learn on the pursuit. I am not close to any mathematicians right now, but that suggestion makes me think about reconnecting with an old friend who is one. Thank you!
"Formal education is a weapon, whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed." ~ Joseph Stalin
RE: Technician to Engineer
RE: Technician to Engineer
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-075-adva...
http://civile.utcb.ro/cmat/cursrt/ma1e.pdf
https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en/books/TheCalculu...
The last site: https://www.forgottenbooks.com/en contains other books that are no longer under copyright, presumably.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers