Some helpful advice please 1

[avionicstech]

I was hoping to get some advice to get me on the right path to a degree in electrical engineering. I am prior military, and worked F-16 avionics systems for five years. Systems included Radios, RADAR, GPS, IFF, TACAN, Digital Flight Controls and others. I want to finish an Engineering Degree that would allow me to be a part of the design and development of new or imrproved avionics systems. What I'm not sure of is exactly what major or field I need to pursue. Should I go electrical, electronic, or computer? Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[IRstuff]

Depends on what part of the avionics you're talking about. Electrical is supposed to be concerned with mostly power systems. Electronic is circuit and system design. Computer is primarily software.

TTFN

 

[avionicstech]

Thanks

Circiut and system design is definately along the lines of what I'm interested in. I haven't had much luck in finding information about this career field. Most of the stuff I see is job posts which usually require a BS in electrical engineering. I currently work in an aircraft manufacturing plant, but most of the engineers working there are all structural guys. I guess I'm just trying to find some contacts who work in the field to point me in the right direction. I am planning on transfering to a university soon, and I want to have a clear objective before doing so

 

[itsmoked]

avionicstech; You want an engineering degree in "electronics" with lots of "controls" lobbed in there.

With an EE degree in your paw and your nice background, getting a job in avionics would be a shoe-in.

 

[kontiki99]

If you want to do design work or research plan on getting a masters or better.

There's certainly a place for circuit design and controls, there's also RF and microwave topics for antenna and radar design.

I'm a BSEE and I handle avionics at the system level.

There's plenty of challenge in hardware or software.

I did instrumentation in flight test for a while. Circuits, DSP and a knowledge of sensors was valuable there.

I tell everyone not to set low goals, go for as much achievement as you can stand, and let the environment level your climb off. In the end you have a greater sense of accomplishment.

 

[z633]

itsmoked, I have never seen an ABET accreted degree in "electronics engineering", only "electrical engineering". I have seen non-ABET electronic engineering degrees, but would not want one.

 

[itsmoked]

Hi z633;

1) In 30 years of engineering work and hiring... I have never heard of ABET. Nor did the dozen companies I ever worked with ever ask or mention it. So I don't put much weight on worrying about it, especially if you don't go to a two or three year "institute".

2) Furthermore once you're employed once, it becomes almost immaterial 'where' you even went.

3) I did go look at the ABET site. It seems like a worthy thing! It also seems like every college and university I looked at was ABET'd. This may be why no employers seem to care since it might be assumed.

4) I also looked at several different institutes and the first had an Electronic Engineering Degree. The next a UC had Electrical Engineering [Electronics] degree.

 

[Noway2]

Based on personal experience, I would say that the reputation of the school is a lot more important than any piece of TP that an institute such as ABET hands out.

When I started with my 2nd employer (I am presently on my 3rd) I was told that had I not been going to graduate school at the instutuion I was attending that I wouldn't have gotten the job because they have learned that it is best to not hire school as its graduates just weren't that good. When I started at the university that I got my undergrad from, they were highly rated and accredited in their EE program and ABET accreted. So much for their high rating and accreditation - didn't do me a bit of good.

 

[IRstuff]

ABET is like the ratings the city gives to each restaurant. All it means is that they minimum standards of operations and cleanliness.

The quality of the professors and students is another matter altogether. Otherwise, why would one pay $40K/yr to go to Stanford, or even slightly less to go to UC Berkeley, when one could spend a significantly lower amount to go to Cal State Fullerton?

A big question is whether your current employer has a tuition reimbursement program. That could allow you to go to a very reputable school with little out-of-pocket expense.

TTFN

 

[Noway2]

I have a co-worker / friend who is using tuition re-imbursment to get an MBA from a presitgeous insitute ($60K education). Because of the dollars involved, the tuition re-imbursment is declared on his W2 as taxable income and he is still paying $20K just in taxes on the re-imbursement.

 

[itsmoked]

Noway2; I've heard about this... There is some way to avoid this [before] it happens.. It is something rather subtle if I remember correctly. Something like you have to pay for the books or you can't pay for the books. I don't remember but it's too bad this was missed by your buddy.

 

[buzzp]

The schools will call the degrees differently, at least in the states. The best thing to do is to look at their curriculum which goes with the degree. My degree is in Electrical Engineering. I had only the basic required power courses. My electives were concentrated on communications and controls. I have worked mostly in the design world with a recent change to the power world. I do like design much better though.
I would suggest a degree in electrical engineering (or electronics, don't much matter if the curriculum is right) with an emphasis on controls. Also, I would take as much programming as you can as well. EE's with some programming skills are easy to find in the design world but finding one with strong programming skills is a little bit harder.
Good luck!

 

[wuqn]

you should go electronic.

 

[kontiki99]

I recomend you review job postings for the types of job you may want.

If you look at US Government engineering job postings, I bet every one will mention ABET acreditation.

I bet most university research job postings in the US recognize ABET acreditation too.

If you look at PE liscensing requirements in the US, almost all of the states give preference to ABET acreditation.

If there is any possibility you could someday wish to expand your formal education, I'd say go with an ABET acredited school.

I believe there are two components to playing the carrier game well: develop real engineering knowledge and a good set of credentials.

Schools are certainly a business. They advertise they are the doorway to carriers in the XYZ fields.

They tend to only admit the smartest students. Entrance exams are IQ tests. Smart people are generally more sucessful. Schools claim it was their their training that led alumni to sucessful carriers.

On the flip side, be realistic.

I know engineers that felt they could ignore the reality of how modern business select people for jobs and promotions. Those engineers are some of the most bitter people I know. They have great skills and are pased over time and again.