Just wondering how many EE's there are out there trolling F150 Online. I'm in my first year of college starting on my way to a 4 year degree in Electrical Engineering. I have most all my generals out of the way from taking them my high school summers. So luckily for me my first 2 years of college are comprised of 3 classes a semester. My favorite class this semester is SolidWorks. Anyways, just wondering if any one had any tips or comments for me on my way (other than make good grades, i already got my share of that one )

 

Senior in Mechanical Engineering here. Electrical is really tough but you'll be fine if you focus on one thing: time management. I can't count all the times/afternoons where I wasted time with pointless things (TV, guitar hero, napping, etc). It is nice to relax once in a while and for some time each day.

Focus each class (ie-don't pop out the laptop), take notes, review them immediately after class, do all the assignments, study, study, study. There's a lot of work involved in Engineering majors. There will be times when your buddies in Sociology or PRTM or whatever will want you to go party every night and you can't. Don't put off studying for tests until the few nights before. All that jazz. It's repeated over and over but it's so true.

With all that said, don't be a nerd. College is going to be one of the best times (if not the best) of your life. Enjoy it and do as much random stuff as you can. Party it up, hit on the ladies, always have a DD. Have fun. It's the little things you'll remember the most. As an example.....we had a night where I broke a window on the 6th floor of our Freshman dorm room (long story) and I had to go to the emergency room. We had about ten people come with us to the hospital. The nurse wrote us all excuses for the next day so we didn't have to go to class. We stopped at Waffle House on the way back and didn't get back to the dorm until 6 that morning. Despite having my hand ripped open that is one of my best memories from college. We had a blast simply because it was such a random ordeal.

Take your time and enjoy it while you're there. I'm sure I'll think of a few more things to say but it's 2 in the morning. Good luck!

 

You will quickly find out if you can handle the electrical theory based upon what university you have. But labs are the most beneficial times you may have to learn things.

I am not exactly an EE, but I am an Electromechanical Engineer. I deal heavily on the electronics, digital logic, motors, etc. But if you can pass and get your degree you will be sailing high. EE's are still in demand especially if you are going into the power field.

 

Only taking three classes (isn't a full load = 5 classes?)for the first 2 years is going to give you a lot of free time. Might want to fill in the gap with a Minor. Maybe take some ME classes or learn a language. If you get used to that much free time, you may have a hard time adjust to the full load the final two years.

 

I'm no EE but my GF of 4 years is and I work around many others as well as ME's. I wonder what it is they teach you guys exactly because my girlfriend and most others around here can't so much as plug in electronics let alone design, trouble shoot etc. And just what is it with Engineers being so dang ****???? Do they not teach "speculation" to you guys?

DISCLAIMER: They are civil servants working for govt. Hey they make good money even when I tell them what they need to do. And not ALL are that bad just the majority.

Good luck, if you graduate with honors you have my upmost respect and are on a career i'm sure will be fulfilling and productive; if not visit USAJOBS and I'll reserve a desk for you.

Seriously though, based on my experience may I suggest if you are going to dedicate yourself to that much schooling and effort then do it right and not half **** it.

 

Haha I know what you mean. It varies considerably. I have an internship with a company down the road and work year-round for them so I don't have to fall behind a semester. My boss is a Manufacturing Engineer for them but his degree is in Electrical. It's said all the time but most people learn what they need to know on the job. The professors really stress to us not to just learn how to work certain problems, but to understand the concepts. There are so many branches in Engineering that it would be impossible to learn everything.

I understand where you're coming from, though, especially with common sense stuff. I know a few nerdy **** guys in my major but it's pretty rare. Most of the guys are pretty cool, but I'm guessing some of the guys you're working with are a generation ahead of us. I just feel lucky to be able to attend a top-25 public university.

 

The reason engineers are **** is because we are required to be. If an engineer designs and signs off on a bridge, and it later collapses, that engineer can be held personally liable. If, when researching the cause of the collapse the folks from the FHWA find out the engineer was "speculating" certain criteria, odds are that engineer will not only lose his license, but also be fined by the gov't, sued by the victims and even be sentenced to jail.

Some of the primary duties of the engineer are to safeguard life, health, and property, and to promote the public welfare. That's why to be a professional engineer you must not only complete an ABET accredited 4-year engineering college, but also complete 2 8-hour exams; one upon graduation, and another after obtaining a minimum of 4 years engineering related work experience. That's another reason engineers are ****, they've worked hard to get to achieve those licenses and don't want to risk them.


mblouir is also correct in stating that the vast majority of learning comes after graduation, once you get into the working world. I'm a mechanical engineering by schooling, but in my working life I design railroads, redesign existing railroad crossings to make them safer, and I supervise and conduct underwater structural inspections of piers, wharves, seawalls, etc. None of those things were specifically taught in any of my classes. But the method of problem solving that was taught in all my class is what allows me to take on these challenges.

I also agree with SafetyDaveG, don't get complacent by only taking 3 classes/semester for the next 2 years. The last 2 years of engineering is much more difficult than the first two, so you want to be prepared when that time comes. I picked up a minor in Graphic Comunications (basically CADD programs and drawings) and took a bunch of classes just for fun too (criminology, botany, archery, downhill skiing, etc).

Probably the most important suggestion I can offer is this: get a job while in school.

I'm not talking about tossing pies at pizza hut either. Get an internship, co-op, something that is engineering related. Most companies would rather hire someone with work experience over someone with a better GPA but no work experience. I'm proof of that. I graduated with something like a 2.45 GPA, but I also had 2 years work experience with the NC DOT's Rail Division. A private engineering consulting firm offered me a job shortly after I graduated based almost solely on my work experience (and a good interview).

Don't forget to have fun while you're in college, you'll never have the same kinds of opportunities as the ones you're about to experience. That's one of the reasons I stayed in school for 7 years, too much fun to leave!

- NCSU

 

Very well said.

 

Right now I'm taking the cad class, i plan on taking a few more and completing a small certificate that will hopefully look good on resumes. Right now i'm working 20 hour weeks, so on top of my crazy spread out class schedule i stay pretty much busy all through the day. 12 hour days at the college aren't the best, but some of that is getting paid lol. Also, i am set up with a 2 + 2 program. 2 years community college, 2 years university. I will be set up with core ee classes there and will be set up with a sort of internship my last two years of school with some company.

 

If you like 3-D modeling such as solidworks than an EE degree may not be your best fit

I'm a mechanical designer for the propulsion plant support on submarines and aircraft carriers and all I do is play in Pro/E all day. Pro Engineer > Solidworks

Took the classes in high school and learned the old school drafting skills and it's not hard to realize nothing is done by hand anymore. My workstation is compromised of dual 22" flat screen monitors and 8 gigs of RAM and the software out there can't even keep up with the designs we play with. You should see the trucks I come up with on my free time!

I have a bachelors in mechanical engineering technology for what its worth

 

I enjoy it but I will stick with EE. My dad is an EE working for General/Contential Tire and he does lots of CAD sketches. That's not all I'm worried about though, I just enjoy using the programs.

 

My dad was an electrical engineer for about 35+ years, but he has no idea how to turn on a computer, definitely old school and good thing he's retired

 

I wouldn't get sucked into CADD much otherwise, you will likely be put in a position that does a lot of it and then you will end up forgetting a lot of your electrical fundamentals.

 

I hope I get a job as an ME doing a lot of CAD work. It's probably different depending on the job but based on my internship experience, it makes the day go by so much faster.

I think if the OP enjoys it he should pursue it.