An Educational Roadmap to Your Career in Engineering
Because of the diverse activities involved in engineering, technology, and technician careers, no single approach will guarantee a successful career. Prospective employers look for a wide range of characteristics. In addition to a solid technical background, employers look for such qualities as integrity, ambition, drive, organizational ability, oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills. Employers also seek graduates interested in expanding their knowledge and taking on advanced assignments.
Preparing for Your Career While You're Still in High School
Preparation for a career as an engineer, technologist, or technician begins in high school or even earlier. It requires strong grounding in the fundamentals of mathematics and science, with particular emphasis on physics and chemistry. An effective written and oral command of language and a basic understanding of history, culture, and current events are necessary.
You can take one of three educational paths toward a career in the electrical, electronics, or computer engineering fields:
- An appropriate Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering degree (in electrical, electronics, or computer engineering), leading to employment as an engineer; or
- An appropriate Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology or Bachelor of Engineering Technology degree (in electrical, electronics, or computer technology), leading to employment as a technologist; or
- An appropriate Associates degree (in electrical, electronics, or computer technology), leading to employment as a technician.
Typical high school requirements for entrance into these programs are shown on the chart below. Keep in mind that each institution has its own admission standards. Therefore, these are general requirements.
A Typical High School Curriculum to Prepare for Your Career
Bachelors Degree Program in Electrical, Electronics, or Computer Engineering or in Computer Science:
* including trigonometry and precalculus
** including chemistry and physics
Bachelor's Degree Program in Engineering Technology
Associate's Degree Program in Engineering Technology
As you can see, the typical engineering program requires more mathematics and science in high school than does the Bachelors degree program in technology or the Associate's degree program for technicians. Mathematics, science, and English form an extremely important foundation for an engineering career.
Typical College Curriculum to Prepare for Your Career
Engineering Bachelor's Degree Programs
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Courses % time
Math 14
Physics & Chem. 13
Intro. Computing 5
Mechanics & Thermodynamics 5
Electromagnetic Fields 2
Logic Circuits & Lab 3
Computer Architecture & Switching 5
Circuits & Electronics & Labs 13
Energy Conversion 2
Linear Systems 2
Oral/Written Communications 5
Social Science/Humanities 13
Other electives* 18
*Electives may include additional technical courses in Semiconductor Device Construction, Advanced Topics in Computer Languages, Computer Architecture, Computer Construction, Communications, Microwaves, etc., depending on the interests and the size of the faculty. Topics in business and arts and sciences may also be included.
Computer Engineering
Courses % time
Math 14
Physics or Chem. 13
Intro. Computing 5
Computer Hardware & Microcomputers 7
Software Engineering 7
Lab & Design Work 9
Electrical engineering electives 9
Other technical electives 9
Oral/Written Communications 5
Social Science/Humanities 13
Other electives* 9
Engineering Technology Programs
Bachelor's Degree Program
Courses % time
Math 13
Physics & Labs 6
Digital Systems & Microcomputers 6
Intro. Programming 2
Advanced Programming 3
Circuits & Electronics & Labs 22
Computer Systems & Applications 5
Linear Systems 2
Communications 3
Control Systems 3
Oral/Written Communication 7
Social Science/Humanities 12
Technical electives 16
Associate's Degree Program
Courses % time
Math 6-19
Physics & Labs 6
Computer Programming 2
Digital Electronics & Microprocessors/
Microcomputers 3-6
Circuits, Networks, Electronic Devices 12-23
Linear Circuits & Systems 6-19
Machines, Control Systems, Robotics 2-7
Drawing/CAD/Fabrication Skills 2
Oral/Written Communications 5
Social Science/Humanities 5
Engineering courses require a high degree of analytical skill and the ability to handle abstract models of physical phenomena. In general, the more abstract or theoretical the course, the more condensed is the information, and the more broadly it can be applied when accompanied by fundamental concepts and common sense. Learning the theory of engineering allows you to create designs and to build models of systems. It also allows you to analyze the potential failure of systems that have already been constructed.
An electrical engineering program will usually include more mathematics and science than will technology and technician programs. The program may include electives in electronic design, communications, control and signal processing theory, solid state devices, integrated circuit design, radio wave and optical communications systems, and power generation and distribution. Mathematics courses will typically include calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, probability theory, and statistics.
The basic courses of computer engineering are almost identical to those for electrical and electronics engineering. The differences occur toward the end of the college program where the technical concentration is on computer architecture, switching theory, and computer design. You will probably find more electives in numerical methods, database design, operating systems, artificial intelligence, data communications, and voice communications.
Engineering technology programs emphasize both technical and practical proficiency. They are more likely to specialize in a particular discipline starting with the first year. They also include a laboratory experience with almost every technical course, and they usually include courses in computer-aided drafting (CAD), fabrication, software development, data acquisition, and report writing.
An electronics program may emphasize solid-state circuitry and communications, while an electrical program would offer more instruction in electrical machines, control systems, power systems, robotics, and automated manufacturing. Computer technology programs provide students with a stronger background in computer software and hardware, but still include basic circuits and electronics courses.
If you compare courses in engineering with similar courses in engineering technology, you'll find that engineering technology programs tend to be oriented to contemporary devices and systems and current technology. There is less emphasis on the underlying science and more on the here and now.
Work experience can help make educational activities more meaningful, and it often provides insight into the kind of work you will be doing after graduation. A number of universities offer co-op programs, which involve alternating education and work experience. These programs may take longer than the standard four years to complete, but many employers compensate for this with higher starting salaries. Summer jobs or internships in engineering offer alternatives to practical co-op experience and provide some of the same benefits.
Beyond a Bachelor's or Associate's Degree
Because technology is always changing, some applications and methods covered in school may not be useful or current five years later. Your education has only begun with the completion of a formal, full-time educational program. Engineering has been described as a "learning profession," and many engineers spend several hours a week in continuing education, formally or informally.
Additional education in a broad range of subjects other than engineering may be needed in order to meet professional challenges. Such studies might include economics, finance, law, management, and the sciences. Graduate study and other forms of continuing education are activities that engineers must anticipate.
A Bachelor of Science program constitutes the full-time formal education for most engineering graduates. However, many will continue studying for a Master's degree, and those whose interest is focused on research will pursue a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree.
A Masters degree program is necessary for most advanced design, development and research programs. It generally takes from one to two years of additional full-time effort. A doctoral program typically takes three to five years beyond the B.S. degree and is of primary importance to students who wish to teach or conduct research. Doctoral programs are designed to bring a student to the frontier of knowledge in a specialized discipline and extend that frontier. In a Ph.D. program, you are expected to contribute to advancing the field through a published dissertation.
Sometimes students from Bachelor's degree programs in engineering technology want to go on to graduate programs in engineering or engineering technology. You can transfer directly from a four-year program in engineering or technology into a Master's degree program in technology. However, if you wish to go on to a graduate program in engineering or computer science, you may have to take additional undergraduate courses as required by the individual college or university.
For many technicians, the Associate's degree program fulfills the need for a formal educational experience. However, career advancement and a personal desire for more education frequently draw technicians back to pursue a Bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology.
Technical knowledge, management skills, and professional relationships all play a role in determining how far one advances. Additionally, common sense, an ability to relate well with people, and an ability to recognize growing fields will help your career. Some of these skills may be developed by participating in professional societies.
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