I currently have the opportunity to go back to school or get more technique training. I am looking at a engineering degree. this would take 4 plus years to finish and lots of $$$$$$. I am wanting to get into automation and controls. I think I know my answer but what would you guys do in my position. I'm just looking for your opinions of what YOU would do. Does anyone recommend any training classes for automation for Delta V, Wonderware, and Scada? I have minor allen bradley and Modicon programming skills, I have been in the E&I field for a little over 4 years. I am lacking automation experience. It's that obstacle thing of to get experience you need experience you know what came first the chicken or the egg? thanks guys.
degree or technique training????
- Thread starter khixxx
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brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
well, just decide where you want to work. i went to a university for 2.5 years pursuing an elec. engineering degree. after my last final of my 5th semester, i walked outside, got on my phone, and called for a job in the field. i couldn't stand the thought of being in an office most of the day, and growing up on a farm, just enjoyed working in the hot sun and being outside. about a year and a half ago, i got offered a job with a HUGE international company writing automation scripts and maintaining equipment. it sounded great. pay was good. i went to do a walkthrough with the engineer currently in that position and after spending only a half hour in a massive factory, thanked them for their time and left. i really wish i'd finished my degree just for the knowledge, but a part of me is glad i didn't spend the additional money it would've taken to finish. i figure i've got plenty of time to learn the rest of what i want to know. its a hard decision that only you can make. follow your instinct.
nvpowerdoc
Member
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
Get a four year degree! I've spent the last 18 years since receiving my degree mostly in the field working on everything imaginable - VFD's, PLC's MCC's, distribution system troubleshooting (Power Quality), etc. Many companies pay quite well for Field Service Engineers such as GE, Siemens, etc, and they all work in the field and they'll train you too - on the systems you want to work on! With your degree you can work towards achieving your P.E., which pays even better at most companies. I'm a licensed electrical contractor too - every little bit of experience helps - keeps you grounded with the other trades.
Twodollar
Member
- Location
- San Jose, CA
You certainly don't need a BSEE degree to understand PLCs or ladder logic, but that piece of paper opens many doors, especially if you are the ambitious sort. If you aspire to a management position a degree is vital. Currently working on my MSEE.
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Getting a college degree is great if you are looking for something to hang on your wall, however I personally doubt how much practical application you will learn about automation and controls from an engineering degree.
In all fairness, college is slow, college courses are out-of-date, and while you are likely to get a higher paying job with a degree, you will need the extra income to pay off all your college debt.
Automation and controls is a highly technical subject that changes practically overnight. I would suggest that before you take the plunge into a 4-yr program, look into a local technical school or even manufacturer based training program. For example, when I was in the automation industry, I received training from OMRON on design, installation, and maintenance of PLC's and other logic systems.
The turn over rate from class to application is immediate with these types of courses, whereas college will certainly give you the background and basics, but will not prepare for real world systems and applications.
If your heart is set on a college education, perhaps one of those technical colleges like ITT or DEVRY would be a better fit...
GOOD LUCK!
In all fairness, college is slow, college courses are out-of-date, and while you are likely to get a higher paying job with a degree, you will need the extra income to pay off all your college debt.
Automation and controls is a highly technical subject that changes practically overnight. I would suggest that before you take the plunge into a 4-yr program, look into a local technical school or even manufacturer based training program. For example, when I was in the automation industry, I received training from OMRON on design, installation, and maintenance of PLC's and other logic systems.
The turn over rate from class to application is immediate with these types of courses, whereas college will certainly give you the background and basics, but will not prepare for real world systems and applications.
If your heart is set on a college education, perhaps one of those technical colleges like ITT or DEVRY would be a better fit...
GOOD LUCK!
kingpb
Senior Member
- Location
- SE USA as far as you can go
- Occupation
- Engineer, Registered
Some of the best controls engineers I know are actually mechanical engineers. The reason, they understand the processes better. i also know quite a few that don't have degrees, and they are just as good. The limitation would be in longterm goals, i.e. management. Unfortunately, without a degree you will reach a ceiling.
I think Bryan has a good point with DeVry or ITT, as it would probably be much more suited to your desires. Besides controls engineers don't really need to be registered anyway, so I wouldn't let that be an issue.
I think Bryan has a good point with DeVry or ITT, as it would probably be much more suited to your desires. Besides controls engineers don't really need to be registered anyway, so I wouldn't let that be an issue.
FNCnca
Member
- Location
- Portola, CA / Reno, NV
I agree with DeVry or ITT for practical knowledge. If you want to be an engineer, then go get a degree.
That degree can help you get a long way up the ladder. Wish I had one, in this company I cannot be called an engineer because I do not have a degree, but the controls engineers come to me for help.
Got most of my training, on the job. I was fortunate, to get on with a company, that was willing, to teach me, the skills that I have today.
I do love designing, building, and commissioning machine controls. Programming advanced automation controllers is pretty fun too.
That degree can help you get a long way up the ladder. Wish I had one, in this company I cannot be called an engineer because I do not have a degree, but the controls engineers come to me for help.
Got most of my training, on the job. I was fortunate, to get on with a company, that was willing, to teach me, the skills that I have today.
I do love designing, building, and commissioning machine controls. Programming advanced automation controllers is pretty fun too.
mayanees
Senior Member
- Location
- Westminster, MD
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer and Master Electrician
Khixx,
Having been in your situation, I feel obligated to comment.
I'm a registered electrician and a registered engineer.
The electrician side of me likes the blue collar work, the feeling you get from a day-to-day accomplishment. The ability to go to work in jeans and a T-shirt.
The engineering side of me likes the white collar side of things, where it's zero degrees outside, and I'm doing electrical design on a computer in a 68degree office, and I'm working with my brain, not my back.
I think you have a few things to consider:
1) Your intellectual capacity. Engineering school takes dedication and the math-based brain to handle the absolute ridiculousness of the training - which will rock your world during the process. You'll get professors who will purposely develop tests that can't be passed, just to see how you respond to insurmountable challenges. You'll have at least 2 years of intellectual challenge that will prevent you from doing much of anything else (years 3 & 4)
2) Your current situation. You'll need funds to pay for the schooling, or at least loans. You'll be better suited to deal with it if you are solo, and more challenged if you're married, and even more so if you've got kids.
3) Your interests. Are you into math and sicence? Or are you more into working with your hands? I know plenty of skilled successful electricians who
make good money, are well suited to the work they do, and are happy at it.
And you can consider an alternate route to the PE license. If you get a technical training - you can work under a registered engineer, and depending on the state you're in, you can take the PE test after 12 years under a registered engineer - so you could be making money and still have the opportunity get the PE license down the road a few years. In my mind the PE license is nice because it's an easier job to grow old with.
Probably most important is "what type of work do you like to do"? because you'll be doing it for a long time.
Good Luck with whatever route you choose.
John M
Having been in your situation, I feel obligated to comment.
I'm a registered electrician and a registered engineer.
The electrician side of me likes the blue collar work, the feeling you get from a day-to-day accomplishment. The ability to go to work in jeans and a T-shirt.
The engineering side of me likes the white collar side of things, where it's zero degrees outside, and I'm doing electrical design on a computer in a 68degree office, and I'm working with my brain, not my back.
I think you have a few things to consider:
1) Your intellectual capacity. Engineering school takes dedication and the math-based brain to handle the absolute ridiculousness of the training - which will rock your world during the process. You'll get professors who will purposely develop tests that can't be passed, just to see how you respond to insurmountable challenges. You'll have at least 2 years of intellectual challenge that will prevent you from doing much of anything else (years 3 & 4)
2) Your current situation. You'll need funds to pay for the schooling, or at least loans. You'll be better suited to deal with it if you are solo, and more challenged if you're married, and even more so if you've got kids.
3) Your interests. Are you into math and sicence? Or are you more into working with your hands? I know plenty of skilled successful electricians who
make good money, are well suited to the work they do, and are happy at it.
And you can consider an alternate route to the PE license. If you get a technical training - you can work under a registered engineer, and depending on the state you're in, you can take the PE test after 12 years under a registered engineer - so you could be making money and still have the opportunity get the PE license down the road a few years. In my mind the PE license is nice because it's an easier job to grow old with.
Probably most important is "what type of work do you like to do"? because you'll be doing it for a long time.
Good Luck with whatever route you choose.
John M
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Electrician - but not by NC Law.
An Education
An Education
No one can take your education away from you, I wish I was more hungry
back in the day and completed a four year, but I?m happy that I got a two
year degree.
I?ve been told that my two year opened doors even in interviews.
Besides the pay that obtainable over your employment life verses no Degree
is stunning. Be selfish and treat yourself to a high education. :roll:
An Education
No one can take your education away from you, I wish I was more hungry
back in the day and completed a four year, but I?m happy that I got a two
year degree.
I?ve been told that my two year opened doors even in interviews.
Besides the pay that obtainable over your employment life verses no Degree
is stunning. Be selfish and treat yourself to a high education. :roll:
Thanks guys, I just got rejected for financial aid grants for the state. I have to much in my retirement and the bank. Go figure. I guess they rather get that money to the guys the mess around. I also got a lay off and the career center in PA told me they can't help me with any education sense I have a Associates degree. LOL great... With the cost of homes and the cost of tuition I'm going to focus on some costume training. I don't like the idea of being in a cubical. I like working with my hands but those 0 and 100 degree days are killers. I really like the automation and process management side. I just don't have that much experience. we'll see what happens.
Ken
Ken
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