<p>So is a technician less likely to get outsourced than an EE?</p>
<p>“Everyone–I go to Wayne State University, BSEET program, we take calc 3 and diff eq, how the hell would you work with signal processing without diff eq? How would you analyze circuits? Whatever though, work hard and you will get what you want. I am a research assistant at my university. I also was just accepted into the MSCE program, I just have to take 8 classes to make up some differences”</p>
<p>From looking at the web site the EET-program at Wayne State use application of calc and diff eq…That is not the same thing engineers do. Application of calculus and calculus are not the same…One is a lot easier then the other.</p>
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<p>That’s the difference between EE and EET. One is engineering, one is applications of engineering.</p>
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<p>I actually feel like a technician’s job would be more likely to get outsourced.</p>
<p>Why so? Doesn’t a technician have to do their work on site? </p>
<p>From BLS:</p>
<p>“However, some aspects of the work of engineering technicians require on-site presence, particularly in the environmental, civil, and industrial specialties, so demand for these engineering technicians within the United States should continue to grow.”</p>
<p>I haven’t been able to research the EET jobs enough to know for sure. All I’ve gathered so far is that some might do mainly contract work and/or a lot of temp-to-hire jobs. Something that worries me since I’ve always been a little leery of temp agencies. </p>
<p>What makes me feel that an American EET might have less job security would be what I read further down on that page you cited from.</p>
<p>"The number of electrical and electronic engineering technician jobs is expected to decline by 2 percent between 2008 and 2018, signifying little or no change. Despite rising demand for electronic goods—including communications equipment, defense-related equipment, medical electronics, and consumer products—foreign competition in design and manufacturing, together with increased efficiencies in the design process, will reduce demand for these workers."</p>
<p>Also, are you referring to all ETs or just EETs with that quote?</p>
<p>The quote I posted is for ALL ETs. </p>
<p>Also, the same competition from outsurcing that applies to EETs also applies to EEs. Also from BLS:</p>
<p>"Although strong demand for electrical devices—including electric power generators, wireless phone transmitters, high-density batteries, and navigation systems—should spur job growth, international competition and the use of engineering services performed in other countries will limit employment growth. "</p>
<p>What I take from that quote is that companies already established in other countries won’t look to the US for engineers. That is, an American EE won’t really be missing out on that job because the company never weighed the option of sourcing that tier of work to the US anyways. Hope that view made sense…</p>
<p>Are you looking into becoming an ET yourself?</p>
<p>I’ve been trying to learn more about the differences between a BS in engineering degree and a BS in engineering technology degree for my son, so I sent the Mechanical Engineering Technology Degree curriculum from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to a friend with a mechanical engineering degree from an Ivy League school that also has one of the top engineering programs in the country. He’s 25 years out of school, and worked as an engineer earlier in his career. He has since been an engineering manager, and now is Director of New Business Development for his company.</p>
<p>By the way, the RIT engineering technology program includes applied differential equations; some engineering tech programs don’t require this course.</p>
<p>After reviewing it, this is what he said:</p>
<p>“I went through the RIT Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum. After a while, I realized that is a much more rigorous, but less theoretical level curriculum than I had at (an Ivy League University). You actually learn some real world skills in this curriculum. For example, in this curriculum you learn about pneumatic & hydraulic systems. I had to learn this on my own, on the job, when I was making test equipment and aerospace equipment. Instead, while at school, I learned about Fluid Mechanics, taught by an incomprehensible professor. Everything I learned in that class was of no practical value unless I was going to develop rocket nose cones. Just theory. I probably learned essentially nothing of value in that class. This program emphasizes the practical, and touches on the theory, perhaps.”</p>
<p>“This still requires the ability to do calculations. For example, to be an electrician you need to know the rules about wire, and you better know about amp, volts, etc. You have to add up amps, etc. Your son will probably cover all the calculations and understandings that an electrician has in the one course on electrical, plus some. He will not have to present a mathematical model of the electromechanical field surrounding a torus. But he still has to work and think in a mathematical mode. You end up solving equations and coming up with numbers that represent what is going to happen in the real world. Some people I know at work simply cannot make the connections between mathematics and the real world. But they also may not have been trained at RIT, so who is to say what caused it. I like seeing that they are teaching Computational Methods for Engineering Technology, because that is the way that calculus is really done today.”</p>
<p>“The first year might be pretty easy, with Calculus being the weed out class, like Organic Chem is for premeds, but I am just speculating.”</p>
<p>“Overall, this will be a challenging course load. But if he has an interest in solving mechanical problems the interest will be there, and it looks like they allow the kids to make the connection between theory and the real world, which is easier to stay awake for.” </p>
<p>“I would hire someone with this background for every engineering position I have encountered so far in my career, probably over someone with a less hands-on education from a more selective college.”</p>
<p>^ Very interesting.</p>
<p>^ ET degrees are at a higher level than ET degrees. I wouldn’t hire an engineer to fix my plumbing… But we need both engineers and plumbers.</p>
<p>If a person has the aptitude and desire, the engineering major is a much better choice than the engineering technology major. If you are going to dedicate 4 or 5 years of your life toward a goal, choose to be the best rather than the second best.</p>
<p>Ok so here it is. The differences between BSET and a BSE at an ABET(EAC+TAC: if the institution is not certified then dont even bother, unless of course it is the only option considering socioeconomic background) certified institution vary in the following areas: calculus based physics vs physics, calculus for science and engineering vs calulus, and at least a higher math course, usually partial diff. Other than this, depending on the area of specialization, they are relatively similar in terms of coursework; intro to thermo, vib analysis, materials, etc. Keep in mind this is at an undergraduate level. Ask any professional in industry if they remember everything they learned in college they will likely tell you they learned HOW to learn rather than what they learned. </p>
<p>BSET and BSE degrees differ not in discipline but in application. BSET’s focus on heavily on engineering but ALSO in applying this theory to contemporary situations. BSE’s focus heavily on reliant theory. How to put that theory into practice could either be a task for a BSE or BSET. The analogy of doctors and nurses, paralegal and lawyer, etc is both relevant and unimportant at the same time. Factors of level/amount of schooling to receive each title must be considered. Even in the medical profession, a research doctor is INCREDIBLY different from a surgeon for example, despite being both referred to as doctors. </p>
<p>(If becoming a doctor was practical for everyone everyone would be a doctor, the simple fact is, it is not. Don’t be idiots)</p>
<p>One of the key words in most curriculum descriptions is the implementation of EXISTING technology (BSET). It is important to emphasize because new technology/research and
developmental stages are usually performed at a Ph.D or MS/ME level.</p>
<p>BSET and BSE in MOST states are eligible after a certain period of time to go for their PE license which is comparable to a lawyer going for the bar or a doctor completing residency. The reason for the differences in time periods for engineers/ engineering technologists (3-4 yrs) is simply because of the original coursework at university. Some programs for BSET only require calc 1 and 2 whereas others require Calc 1 2 and 3 as well as higher maths in addition to AT THE MOST 1-2 semesters worth of credits (at particular U’s). It must be noted that the PE title is not required in all fields of engineering such as mech and elec. It is on the other hand, required for Civil. </p>
<p>Take a look at a jobs website, particularly at the requirements section. For may of the entry level positions they list BSE/BSET. The simple fact is that jobs opportunities/income relay SOLELY on the quality of your work and the duration of your experience as well as ambition/ hopes and dreams. Many BSET’s are hired under the title of " x engineer". To be quite frank, I do not personally see why anyone who did fairly well in school doesnt go for at the very least a masters in the field, considering it is the great equalizer. 2 years of night school in the great scheme of things is nothing. </p>
<p>In nearly all income/salary info websites, the title of technician or engineering technician is based off of associate degree/vocational school degree holders BECAUSE of the fact that IN INDUSTRY, the BACHELORS OF ET AND E holds relatively the same weight. There is not enough information regarding the salary of a person with a bachelors in either to make a huge impact. </p>
<p>Ill finish with this. My favorite prof. of all time taught a Graphics 2 class in Soldworks. His experience was devastating (in a badass way) in terms of his resume, nearly 2 pages which included Harvard/MIT labs, defense contractors and included that he was a patent holder in the automotive industry.</p>
<p>In his undergraduate he originally got a degree in the arts and then obtained a degree in BSET. Ill say that after this he went on to obtain more degrees in computer science and an MBA but it proves that depending on who you are and what you want, the original degree in scope is irrelevant, its the second after you walk off the stage and what you do that counts. </p>
<p>In conclusion, pay no attention to availability of jobs/ salary/ status when you are deciding your degree in college. It may seem important at the time but dont forget you have all the time in the world to live your life and figure things out as they come. In my experience my “master plan” for the next 10 years of my life always are different than what actually happens, and i do not regret anything. All that matters are your work ethic, focus and ambition. Do whatever makes you happy. </p>
<p>Side note: Engineers who look down of Engineering tech degree holders are usually insecure or feel inadequate. They do this because of ego, not raw talent or ability. Engineering Tech degree holders who feel they are discriminated or belittled by engineering degree holders are usually the same. Its nothing but a cycle and is found in all professions.</p>