Trying to get back to Engineering - Diploma? [Archive]

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rilhouse

Jul 8th, 2007, 05:12 PM

I graduated with a engineering degree a few years ago in Systems/Computer & like many of my classmates could not find a "real engineering" job. I found a job in IT (again, like many of my classmates).

I would really like to find a job in engineering but I face the same problems now as I would when I graduated (unless times have changed?) which is no real engineering experience. Ideally I would like to find a job in robotics or control systems, but I would consider other areas as well.

I was thinking that it might be a good idea to take a post-degree diploma to try and obtain more hands on skills (ideally with co-op). Good idea? Can anyone recommend any programs?

I know theres lots of engineers on RFD so I'd welcome your advice. :D

B0000rt

Jul 8th, 2007, 05:37 PM

What's wrong with IT? There are plenty of IT-related developer job type jobs that pay really well..

rilhouse

Jul 8th, 2007, 05:49 PM

What's wrong with IT? There are plenty of IT-related developer job type jobs that pay really well..

Nothing is wrong with IT (the work or the pay). I just don't find it satisfying.

RSX-S

Jul 8th, 2007, 10:23 PM

I just graduate with a Comp Eng degree this spring and I also find myself in the IT field. As mentioned, the pay is not bad, but real engineering jobs pay even better.

If you want a real engineering job, move to the states. Lots of opportunity there. I am planning on doing that next spring.

B0000rt

Jul 9th, 2007, 03:09 PM

RSX-S

Jul 9th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Really? I've been told otherwise. REAL Engineers don't work for loads of cash... no?

Since both OP and myself majored in Comp/Systems. I was talking about the high-tech engineers such as in semiconductors/electonic industry. Compare to IT, these engineering positions have higher salary. We are not really discussing the traditional engineers such as Civil/Environmantal/Manufacturing ect..

B0000rt

Jul 9th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Since both OP and myself majored in Comp/Systems. I was talking about the high-tech engineers such as in semiconductors/electonic industry. Compare to IT, these engineering positions have higher salary. We are not really discussing the traditional engineers such as Civil/Environmantal/Manufacturing ect..

I guess the line between an IT developer and Software developer are blurred, but I know of J2EE guys that get paid crazy amounts!

dark169

Jul 9th, 2007, 05:46 PM

how about looking at doing a masters in your field or even jump over to mechatronics.

Depending on your school and profs you work with you end up dealing / working with some great company insiders.

rilhouse

Jul 9th, 2007, 06:40 PM

llAPll

Jul 11th, 2007, 01:31 AM

out of curiousity:

1. which university did u get ur eng degree from?
2. what is ur current IT position and if u dun mind, which company?
3. what is ur approx. salary?

rilhouse

Jul 11th, 2007, 05:48 PM

out of curiousity:

1. which university did u get ur eng degree from?
2. what is ur current IT position and if u dun mind, which company?
3. what is ur approx. salary?

i don't see how answering any of those questions will help. well, nothing really helpful has come out of this thread, so the search continues!

Impossibles

Jul 11th, 2007, 05:59 PM

The technology diploma programs are great. However, I'm not really sure how much you'll learn from them. (I did a mech eng tech diploma 5 years ago)

What I would suggest is taking a night class or two in the field you're interested in. You will meet some people within the industry, and you'll gain access to the school's job bank, which will give you a ton of leads for employment.

coolspot

Jul 11th, 2007, 07:02 PM

well, i'm more interested in trying to get some hands on experience & thought maybe there were some college programs out there? i don't really want to pursue a masters, since it will lead only to more academic experience.

i did take a mechatronics course & it was definitely one of the more enjoyable courses.

There was a paper recently which said that a post-graduate diploma does little in raising ones salary.

On the other hand, a degree will provide a lot more.

Basically in terms of the effect on one's income:

Degree > High school Diploma
Diploma > High School Diploma
Post Graduate Degree > Degree
Diploma + Degree > Diploma
BUT
Degree + Diploma (notice the order - degree first) does not necessary mean an increase in salary...
It basically stated that a post graduate diploma does little in raising one's salary:

The Role of Credentials in the Canadian Labour Market
(Canadian Journal of Economics)
Ana M. Ferrer and W. Craig Riddell
Department of Economics
University of British Columbia
May 2002

http://www2.arts.ubc.ca/cresp/riddell1.pdf

llAPll

Jul 14th, 2007, 04:10 AM

i don't see how answering any of those questions will help. well, nothing really helpful has come out of this thread, so the search continues!

never said i could help, if u read my post, the first 3 words were "out of curiousity"...

the definition of a "real" engineering job is very vague and differs from person to person. i dun think there is a post-degree "diploma" out there that would really help u on ur road to a "real" engineering job if u graduated already w/ a respectable comp eng degree. what makes me curious is how come u didn't have/do co-op in ur program or didn't work any summer internships, etc. where u were able to get at least some "real" engineering work experience. Companies like AMD may consider candidates w/o experience in ASIC design and verification if u can show enough knowledge and experience through your academics on both ur resume and interview (given u have taken courses in that area). Similarly, IBM hire tons of S/W engineers and i believe with a comp eng degree, u definitely have sufficient knowledge and background to land those types of jobs.