I had my 13 yr. old grandson on a couple jobs with me last summer. Now at school he has to start thinking about what direction to go with his classes and is considering something in the electric field. He's whip smart (where'd he get that !!) and could do the math and other work required for engineering, so my question is; what's the future look like for employment opps. and income?
? for the EE's.
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bphgravity
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Re: ? for the EE's.
Considering the number of persons that are expected to retire in the next 5 to 15 years in the US, any position in the techincal fields look outstanding.
One issue in the future will be the necessity or lack there of for 4 and 5 year college programs. The way technology changes today and with the advancement of home computer and internet systems, getting a college degree may be obsolete. There will always be a place for the university system, however technical education starting as early as middle school is the most likely future.
Considering the number of persons that are expected to retire in the next 5 to 15 years in the US, any position in the techincal fields look outstanding.
One issue in the future will be the necessity or lack there of for 4 and 5 year college programs. The way technology changes today and with the advancement of home computer and internet systems, getting a college degree may be obsolete. There will always be a place for the university system, however technical education starting as early as middle school is the most likely future.
Re: ? for the EE's.
I think the outlook is very good. Some engineering jobs may move overseas along with the manufacturing jobs and factories that are moving overseas. However, I am sure engineering won't b e hit as hard as labor.
Also, there is a trend toward outsourcing some engineering work to smaller consulting firms (and even to some overseas consulting firms). The pay and benefits aren't quite as good at most of these consulting firms, but it still beats frying hamburgers by a landslide.
I am all for the 4 year bachelors degree over any type of technical degree (no offense Bryan). I have both, and never got very far with just the technical degree. (But that may also have something to do with the relatively rural area I live in). I do like what Bryan said about starting a technical education in middle school, but I would suggest going to a 4 year university after school.
The only thing I think might be better than an engineering degree would probably be medical school. So he might consider that if he is really ambitious.
Steve
I think the outlook is very good. Some engineering jobs may move overseas along with the manufacturing jobs and factories that are moving overseas. However, I am sure engineering won't b e hit as hard as labor.
Also, there is a trend toward outsourcing some engineering work to smaller consulting firms (and even to some overseas consulting firms). The pay and benefits aren't quite as good at most of these consulting firms, but it still beats frying hamburgers by a landslide.
I am all for the 4 year bachelors degree over any type of technical degree (no offense Bryan). I have both, and never got very far with just the technical degree. (But that may also have something to do with the relatively rural area I live in). I do like what Bryan said about starting a technical education in middle school, but I would suggest going to a 4 year university after school.
The only thing I think might be better than an engineering degree would probably be medical school. So he might consider that if he is really ambitious.
Steve
Re: ? for the EE's.
It depends what feild he is intrested in. My office will lose most of it's EE's in the next few years. I work in the utility buisness things are not as bad in the Hi-Tec sector. But most utilities will lose 50-75 % of their workforce in the next 15 years.
He will be looking for job in 10-12 years I would think that it's not a bad plan. It would also be harder to outsource some jobs then others. The same problem is occuring in other trades Electricans and linemen to name a few. I think the future is good for all these trades.
This sounds like how I started down the road to engneering. My first summer job was with my local power company as a groundman. Then I got an iternship with another power company. Then my job with a power company.(I had several offers)
Overall the outlook is very good but as many of you know engneering is not an easy road first you have to fill your mind with pure theory for 4 years. Then for the next 5-10 years you have to learn to fully apply that theory, learn the codes that apply, ect(I'm only about a year into the learing code stuff). Not easy but i think it's worth the effort.
It depends what feild he is intrested in. My office will lose most of it's EE's in the next few years. I work in the utility buisness things are not as bad in the Hi-Tec sector. But most utilities will lose 50-75 % of their workforce in the next 15 years.
He will be looking for job in 10-12 years I would think that it's not a bad plan. It would also be harder to outsource some jobs then others. The same problem is occuring in other trades Electricans and linemen to name a few. I think the future is good for all these trades.
This sounds like how I started down the road to engneering. My first summer job was with my local power company as a groundman. Then I got an iternship with another power company. Then my job with a power company.(I had several offers)
Overall the outlook is very good but as many of you know engneering is not an easy road first you have to fill your mind with pure theory for 4 years. Then for the next 5-10 years you have to learn to fully apply that theory, learn the codes that apply, ect(I'm only about a year into the learing code stuff). Not easy but i think it's worth the effort.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
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- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: ? for the EE's.
I don't believe a college degree will ever be obsolete, expecially in any engineering field. A person who is "whip smart" in math and science will do well in an engineering program.
I don't believe a college degree will ever be obsolete, expecially in any engineering field. A person who is "whip smart" in math and science will do well in an engineering program.
Re: ? for the EE's.
Mr Rader
I agree with the other posts. There are several major engineering areas. Some of these areas include Electrical, Mechanical, Computer and Civil. My university, Auburn University, has just added the first program in Wireless Engineering. Many universities have an
"Open House" each year. Students get to view each department. You grandson is young but you may want to take him on a visit to the university that is near you. I am sure that you have read about how other countries are producing more engineering grads than the US. There is some concern that the US may lose its leadership role in the worlds scientific area.
The engineering programs are about math and physics and math. If he is interested in these ares then he should do fine.
Mr Rader
I agree with the other posts. There are several major engineering areas. Some of these areas include Electrical, Mechanical, Computer and Civil. My university, Auburn University, has just added the first program in Wireless Engineering. Many universities have an
"Open House" each year. Students get to view each department. You grandson is young but you may want to take him on a visit to the university that is near you. I am sure that you have read about how other countries are producing more engineering grads than the US. There is some concern that the US may lose its leadership role in the worlds scientific area.
The engineering programs are about math and physics and math. If he is interested in these ares then he should do fine.
bphgravity
Senior Member
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- Florida
Re: ? for the EE's.
Someone told me once, "Electrical engineers make weapons, Civil engineers make targets." I always liked that one.
That's what the horse-less carriage maker said!
Someone told me once, "Electrical engineers make weapons, Civil engineers make targets." I always liked that one.
Re: ? for the EE's.
He was confused - Mechanical Engineers make weapons - EE's make fire control systems so the ME's weapons hit the CE's targets.Originally posted by bphgravity:
That's what the horse-less carriage maker said!
Someone told me once, "Electrical engineers make weapons, Civil engineers make targets." I always liked that one.
B
bthielen
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Re: ? for the EE's.
I won't go so far as to say that college will be obsolete but I will say that it will not be obsolete by the time this 13-year old reaches college age. Technology is moving fast but it isn't moving that fast.
I would question the wisdom of pushing children toward thinking about careers at 13 years of age. Statistically, college students change their major field of study an average of 5 times during their 4-year college careers. It would be interesting to know what percentage of those that do obtain a degree actually follow their career choice.
At 13 years old, I would be inclined to think the child deserves to be exposed to many experiences so he can make a more educated choice when the time is right.
Bob
I won't go so far as to say that college will be obsolete but I will say that it will not be obsolete by the time this 13-year old reaches college age. Technology is moving fast but it isn't moving that fast.
I would question the wisdom of pushing children toward thinking about careers at 13 years of age. Statistically, college students change their major field of study an average of 5 times during their 4-year college careers. It would be interesting to know what percentage of those that do obtain a degree actually follow their career choice.
At 13 years old, I would be inclined to think the child deserves to be exposed to many experiences so he can make a more educated choice when the time is right.
Bob
ron
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- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
Re: ? for the EE's.
I think it is great to have some perspective/direction early on. It helps with self esteem.
Although something that they envision today, may be different when he's older (I would have played for the Yankees and worked for NYPD or NYFD)
I think it is great to have some perspective/direction early on. It helps with self esteem.
Although something that they envision today, may be different when he's older (I would have played for the Yankees and worked for NYPD or NYFD)
Re: ? for the EE's.
I am not an EE. I am the kid, who quit college and went into the trade. My advice is, that what ever the child chooses make sure that he/she gets a well rounded education.
Too many engineers leave school with degrees, and are clueless as to what happens in the field.
One of the GC's that I used to work for made all of its engineers spend two days a week in the field for thier first five years of employment. They used to send the engineers to come work with the subs. Free labor for me, invaluable experience for them.
That was a General. Electric engineering firms should do the same. Seeing something on a walk through is not the same as doing it.
Some schools are better than others, and rather than deciding on a career for your child, decide on a school that will give the child a well rounded education.
I am not an EE. I am the kid, who quit college and went into the trade. My advice is, that what ever the child chooses make sure that he/she gets a well rounded education.
Too many engineers leave school with degrees, and are clueless as to what happens in the field.
One of the GC's that I used to work for made all of its engineers spend two days a week in the field for thier first five years of employment. They used to send the engineers to come work with the subs. Free labor for me, invaluable experience for them.
That was a General. Electric engineering firms should do the same. Seeing something on a walk through is not the same as doing it.
Some schools are better than others, and rather than deciding on a career for your child, decide on a school that will give the child a well rounded education.
Re: ? for the EE's.
A child doesn't need to be encouraged to plan a career at 13, but if math, science or engineering might be of interest you should consider the impact of class choices before it becomes too late. School planning (at least around here) is a lot more complicated than it was when I was coming up.
Mike
I basically agree with both those statements. However, [there's always a however] decisions made at 13, or even younger, can affect a child's ability to pursue a career choice later. If your child shows aptitude and interest in math and science I think it's important to encourage him or her to take math and science electives when they are available and to understand the various "tracks" through middle and high school. In this area (Northern Virginia) many of the advanced high school classes that greatly influence college admissions officers or greatly benefit a science or engineering major later, have prerequisites that must have been taken fairly early.
A child doesn't need to be encouraged to plan a career at 13, but if math, science or engineering might be of interest you should consider the impact of class choices before it becomes too late. School planning (at least around here) is a lot more complicated than it was when I was coming up.
Mike
Re: ? for the EE's.
From my experience, students who start college in engineering stay in engineering. If they change their major, it is usually to a different type of engineering. (Chemical to electrical, or to mechanical, or electrical to computer.....)
Steve
My guess is that those people changing majors 5 times are the ones who waited until they finished high school before they started thinking about what they wanted to do.
From my experience, students who start college in engineering stay in engineering. If they change their major, it is usually to a different type of engineering. (Chemical to electrical, or to mechanical, or electrical to computer.....)
Steve
ron
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- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
Re: ? for the EE's.
Steve,
Your point is interesting.
[ February 01, 2006, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: ron ]
Steve,
Your point is interesting.
I had a very different experience. Approximately 2/3 of the engineering majors that started Freshman year with me, changed out of engineering totally. They went to Geology, Math, Biology, dropped out, etc.
[ February 01, 2006, 09:17 PM: Message edited by: ron ]
rick hart
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- Dallas Texas
Re: ? for the EE's.
At 13, I believe it is more important to learn the discipline to do a job- such as making good grades for no other reason than to make good grades- than it is to decide where you want to be when you are old enough to register for the draft.
This kid is smart, he will likely become bored easily if he is not challenged by his current education.
Keeping them challenged and in school is the key for a kid to make the right decisions all of their lives, including what to be the rest of their lives.
Whatever the kid decides to do later in life is their decision. They will work harder to make that decision work than they will if the decision is someone else's.
At 13, I believe it is more important to learn the discipline to do a job- such as making good grades for no other reason than to make good grades- than it is to decide where you want to be when you are old enough to register for the draft.
This kid is smart, he will likely become bored easily if he is not challenged by his current education.
Keeping them challenged and in school is the key for a kid to make the right decisions all of their lives, including what to be the rest of their lives.
Whatever the kid decides to do later in life is their decision. They will work harder to make that decision work than they will if the decision is someone else's.
Re: ? for the EE's.
Ron:
Now that you remind me, the freshman year was kind of a "weed-out" year. But I guess the people I remember most made it through their first year and stayed in engineering.
Again, I would guess that the ones who dropped out of engineering choose engineering as their major at the last minute.
Steve
Ron:
Now that you remind me, the freshman year was kind of a "weed-out" year. But I guess the people I remember most made it through their first year and stayed in engineering.
Again, I would guess that the ones who dropped out of engineering choose engineering as their major at the last minute.
Steve
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: ? for the EE's.
I knew I was going into EE when I was still in HS. I never had any thoughts about switching.
But I had two roommates in my sophomore year who were both pre-med students. Both were "weeded" out of that major by a killer biology and chemistry class combination. One went into psychology, worked for a while in a clinic, then tended bar (I thought that was a reasonable transition), and finally went back to school for an EE degree. He is presently into computer stuff. They other friend wound up as a lawyer.
I knew I was going into EE when I was still in HS. I never had any thoughts about switching.
But I had two roommates in my sophomore year who were both pre-med students. Both were "weeded" out of that major by a killer biology and chemistry class combination. One went into psychology, worked for a while in a clinic, then tended bar (I thought that was a reasonable transition), and finally went back to school for an EE degree. He is presently into computer stuff. They other friend wound up as a lawyer.
Re: ? for the EE's.
The "weed-out" course was probably Organic Chemistry - a major killer of medical ambitions.
Both of my room mates stayed in major and profession - 38 years later one's still a Chemist, the others still a CE.
Well, at least one turned out ok. Too bad they other one is a lawyer.
The "weed-out" course was probably Organic Chemistry - a major killer of medical ambitions.
Both of my room mates stayed in major and profession - 38 years later one's still a Chemist, the others still a CE.
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