Strictly Electronic or Mechatronics engineering degree? HELP PLEASE!!! 1

[spacecadet2142]

hello guys.

i have just recently retired from the navy, and im about to start school. my job in the navy was pay and personnel (not too much advanced tech) but ever since i was a kid i have been in love with technology. but to get to the point, i have my GI bill and i can choose any program i want, but im kind of torn right now. i definitely want to do electronic engineering or mechatronics[concentration] both are bachelors degrees. im really close to picking the mechatronics program. but i wanted to get the insight of some vets in the craft. first off i know ill like both programs, but i really want to know the smart choice here. income is a very important factor along with availability in the job market and traveling opportunities. im a young single guy and i would really love to work in Norway or the middle east. Here for honesty and brutal knowledge guys, any help guiding me to my ultimate decision would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

An electrical engineering degree will open up a lot more doors for you, so my suggestion would be go that route and choose as many elective classes in the mechatronics area as possible.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[spacecadet2142]

i really appreciate that bit of info. thats actually a huge help.

 

[FreddyNurk]

I agree with MacGyverS2000. I graduated with a microelectronics degree, don't work in anywhere near that area, rather in electrical engineering (small scale power generation).

Electrical Engineering (to a certain extent mechanical also) provides a better opportunity in the base areas of industry, certainly where I'm located the electronics degree is largely a waste of time.

Theres no doubt at all that mechanical understanding of plant is beneficial in carrying out electrical engineering, but a mechatronics degree is not a well understood thing in a lot of industries. I have no idea of the success in registration of mechatronics engineers, but am somewhat sceptical as to its widespread acceptance.

That said, theres nothing wrong with semiconductor level aspects, its just not necessarily the best career path for certain areas.

 

[IRstuff]

I think that EE, particularly those areas where system design is involved is a great start for a number of different careers. Like other, I started as EE, thinking I'd be designing ICs upon graduation; I did do time at Fairchild, working on micros. Nonetheless, I'm doing systems engineering, and in part, my EE systems background helps in being able to "see" the "big picture."

However, I would recommend not to get too hung up on the specific major, since you can probably take the desirable mechatronics courses as an EE. I think that you're already ahead of the game, to some degree. There are other majors that wind up as systems engineers, since there really isn't a highly developed job market for physics or math majors.

Remember that you'll do better at something you really like, compared to something that you don't like that'll supposedly pay off in the distant future.

TTFN

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