EE vs. EET

th3jester

Electrical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering Technology......

I am tired of the discrimination! I am just speaking in general of colleges, universities, and engineers.

EE needs to realize that EET is just as capable as they are. They may even be more capable.

Current example.....
Myself, received the Student of the Year Award in EET. My senior design won 1st place out of the entire College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The Technology Department beat all the other "real" engineering departments. We get payed the same salaries and similar job titles so why is EET considered a lower degree in the academic field?

I just tried to enroll in the EE grad program and I am required to take an extra 10 courses just to start it!

Real world example. Bradley (in Illinois) use to let their EET directly enroll in their EE grad program. The EET's were out-preforming the EE's. The EE's complained. So Bradley started to require the EET's to take extra courses. Within a few years Bradley's entire EET program went south.

Ok...sorry...I'm done ranting. Don't underestimate EET students!

Peter KG6LSE

Amen ..

EET here ...
I get flak at times too . But I know I am darn good at what I do ....

http://forums.parallax.com/entry.php?181-observations-of-a-student

post edit '

On top of this . just because you decided on a a 2Y degree DOES NOT make you second rate trash..

Peter

stamptrol

I have both designations and have had no difficulty with one being "looked down" at. In actual fact, my training as EET has been recognized many times over the years as the "extra" in my EE abilities.

Each program is made to produce a different kind of worker.

The biggest difference is that in many jurisdictions the practice of professional engineering is a regulated profession whereas EET (or any other technology) is not.

Also, in the states, only about 20% of engineering grads actually go on to get professional status, so there is often a large percentage of EE's and EET's doing what looks like the other's work.

th3jester

Did you start as EET or EE?

I've been told by several professionals that a EET has to do a lot more to jump over to EE, yet the EE's can jump into EET without adding extra classes.

I wouldn't mind having both designations, yet I won't take twice the amount of schooling.

I am currently looking at other Universities that actually offer EET grad programs or make it a direct transfer to EE.

Theory vs. Application. Having both is the best.

Jessica Uelmen

@th3jester - I'm an EET (Computer Systems specialization) myself, and actually just started my master's in EE at California State University, Sacramento this semester. Fortunately, there were no additional courses I needed to take.

When I was getting set to graduate & going on my first interviews, I found my degree was all in how I marketed it. Intel had never even heard of it, so fortunately I was able to talk it up without them having any preconceived notions. Actually, they were impressed that I was able to use an oscilloscope and logic analyzer right out of university, apparently most of their EE applicants they end up teaching on the job.

I actually make the switch to the EET program from CE, and chose it because they advertised hands on learning. I don't regret my decision, but I agree that I have to sometimes work a little harder to have some people take the degree seriously.

Fortunately, after graduation your degree title doesn't matter as much, and your career becomes based on what you've accomplished at your previous jobs.

I know it's frustrating now, but academia always tends to be more 'stodgy'. Once you enter the workforce I'm sure your accomplishments will get you far.

th3jester

Thank you for the encouragements.

I have ultimately decided to do whatever it takes to get what I want, which is a Master and/or PhD title.

I have recently accepted a position as a Controls Engineer. My position is to replace outside integrators/automation experts.

Shawn Lowe

Jessica Uelmen wrote: »

@ Actually, they were impressed that I was able to use an oscilloscope and logic analyzer right out of university, apparently most of their EE applicants they end up teaching on the job.

Most of the way through my EET degree, but this statement is one of the reasons why I havent finished. An EE not knowing how to use an oscope or logic analyzer? Do I really want one of these guys to be my boss. Book smarts is good but Ive seen alot of engineers waste time and money trying to fix a non issue

schill

It's not at all unusual to encounter things like this. Lots of people get pigeon-holed by their degree to some extent. It made it next to impossible for me to coop (when I tried) while I was in school because there were very few openings at the time for my specific degree.

But this happens with plenty of other things as well. People will write you off because you prefer a particular programming language, processor, etc. But plenty of other people won't. You just have to find the right people.

HollyMinkowski

Shawn Lowe wrote: »

An EE not knowing how to use an oscope or logic analyzer? Do I really want one of these guys to be my boss

I can't believe this!
How could someone graduate with an EE and not be able to use a scope???

I know virtually nothing about electronics but even I use a scope.
I mainly use it for simple stuff like monitoring power supply quality
and looking at the output of pins on uC's.
I use cheap scopes because I seem to be able to kill them quickly :-)

stamptrol

@th3jester
I did my EET first (industrial electronics tech - 2 year program) then worked at the power utility for 5 years.

Applied to university, got some credit for the tech program and continued to finish the degree 3.5 years later.

Overall, a good decision. Always seem to be more doors to knock on with the EE degree.

Cheers,

davejames

HollyMinkowski wrote: »

I can't believe this!
How could someone graduate with an EE and not be able to use a scope???

I don't know the "how", but it's extremely common.

I've taught ATE classes for 14+ years and the students who have the most difficulty in using a scope in the labs are the ones "fresh out" of an EE program.

And don't even think about asking them to solder something!

Now, ask them something about programming or device physics? Then the knowledge shows.

erco

Sounds like not a lot has changed since I graduated from VA Tech in 1982. I'm an ME who always dabbled in electronics as a hobby since my early ham radio days. I built all kinds of electronic thingies. My college girlfriend was an EE. She was cute, leggy, and had good grades and a scholarship, but she had no practical experience whatsoever. She couldn't flash an LED with a 555 timer; she couldn't solder her way out of a paper bag.

In many cases, newly-graduated engineers lack hands-on experience (whether electrical or mechanical) and are not particularly useful to an employer until they receive job-specific training. God bless the employers for having patience!