Deciding on a courses for my Master's

[jcp7857]

Well I thought I would introduce myself with a question. Well my name is Jesse and I graduated with my BSME and BSEE in Dec of '09 and I am starting my MSEE in a month. I am currently working at one of big three automakers and working in the engine control module (EE core hardware) group.

I like what I am doing, but it is not where I want to spend the rest of my career. I feel there is more technical work at a supplier and that seems to be what I enjoy. My previous job was my co-op throughout school and it was an ME job, so I have no experience at a supplier doing EE work.

Well I guess my goal is to never be a manager and get as far as I can as a technical engineer, then get a PhD in research and become a prof! So that being said I feel that my next job I would dream of working at a company that works Defense contracts. So my questions include what are the best courses to further my career in the direction of technical engineering and toward working working for the government?

My thoughts thus far are courses in Power Electronics, Micro Controls, and Mechatronics. I feel these will keep me with a broad spectrum of experience and keep me moving forward. Some of the courses include:
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Microcomputer-based Control Systems
Embedded System Verification and Validation
Automotive Mechatronics
Power Electronics

Let me know if this makes sense and please feel free to advise me, I am new to the Engineering field and need some guidance/opinions! Thanks

Jesse

 

[IRstuff]

You should choose wisely, and choose courses that you think you will enjoy and will enjoy doing for the long haul. Being passionate about something will help keep the knowledge you learn fresh and at the fore.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[ScottyUK]

You're young at the moment and maybe haven't been exposed to the boom-bust cycles which hit defence every decade or so, and the less severe but still cyclic manufacturing industry. They ain't fun, not during the bust cycle anyway. Have you ever thought about working in the utilities?

The water industry uses a lot of automation as well as some medium-heavy plant, power generation uses a lot of everything, transmission & distribution has a fairly wide range too. The jobs are relatively secure, typically well paid, and are fairly immune to being offshored to China. A further positive for someone entering the job market is that all these sectors are facing recruitment problems. Look at a power course which deals with electrical machines or protection - you have a pretty broad base to build on and a more specialised higher degree would open a lot of doors. How is your maths ability?


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[dpc]

If you know you want to eventually get a PhD and teach, I'd just keep on going to school and get on with it.

If you can speak and write English reasonably well, there will be plenty of engineering graduate programs in the US that would be happy to have you.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Yeah, very few PhDs/Professors I worked with had practical experience... didn't seem to stop them from getting teaching jobs

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[PetroSynergy]

^ agreed. Many of my professors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels spoke "Engrish".

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Petro,

Having English as a second language wasn't the issue... it was, as I said, a lack of field experience. During my brief teaching "career" while working on my MS, I was head and shoulders above a surprising number of others who already had an MS or a PhD... I spent time working in the field before getting there, they stayed in the classroom, only switching the direction in which they stared after their degrees were finished.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[zappedagain]

Your class choices are very good for job opportunities in the Tier 1 suppliers. Power is huge with the hybrids coming on-line. Micros are used all over the place; I suggest you get an micro evaluation board or two and start playing around. Mechatronics is all the buzz...

Your ME background will make you very valuable for 'out of the box' thinking in the EE department. EMC can benefit from your experience here to, as it can be pretty amazing the difference a bend here or a gap there can make in emissions issues.

John D