<p>Are there a lot of engineers who started their college education at a community college?I ask because I'm not a traditional student who got into a prestigious university right after high school.I slacked off in high school and didn't even think about my future until now.</p>
<p>Are there any statistics that pertains to how many engineers attended community college?</p>
<p>Is there a salary cap between community college graduates to the ones who started their education at a 4 year university?</p>
<p>I don't think it matters. Employers are not going to care where you started off, especially since most, if not all, of your engineering course work would be completed at the college you graduated from.</p>
<p>I know of a fellow who transferred into a big 10 eng. program, but there weren't a lot of kids who did so from his CC. He graduated 2 years after the transfer. My nephew's roomie attended CC for 2 years and is doing well in Civil at another big public univ. So it's definitely possible.</p>
<p>When I was in school, many years ago, we had one fellow transfer in to Eng. Physics. He was drowning the first 1-2 semesters, but he finally got used to the heavier workload. He graduated with the rest of us, and because of his higher grades from the CC, his grade point was higher than many of the 4 year students, and he got interviews some of us didn't. My nephew attended CC for a year. The courses were easier than at the big U but he's succeeding at the 4 year school now.</p>
<p>I don't think most employers will care much. I do think success is linked to work ethic - if you're willing to work hard, you will succeed at a CC transfer.</p>
<p>In fact the students who go to a CC first tend to be more fluent and knowledgeable in Calculus and Sciences compared to students who went straight to University. Reason is they are taught at a slower pace in smaller classes where they have more time to process the data and ask questions. t is fairly common and almost recommended.</p>
<p>A lot of people do start from CC. Eventhough grading is easier at CC vs some top notch engineering colleges, but the teachers at CC do have extensive work experience and some are extremely thorough in their explanations.</p>
<p>You should also know that many CC math and science teachers also teach at universities. I know my brother goes to a CC and his math professor teaches at Cooper Union also.</p>
<p>DH finished all of his general ed courses at a community college with an articulation agreement with four year school where he got his engineering degree. He has 25 years of experience and a PE. His pay is for his knowledge, and experience, not the college where he took his courses.</p>
<p>I have never heard of an employer who set/altered an employee's pay-grade bceause his first 2 years of college were at a community-college (versus the university where his degree was issued.) That is not something to worry about!</p>
<p>And A California coworked of mine had a friend who went to community college for 2 years, then transferred into UCLA ElecE. He studied hard in community-college (wasn't goofing off), even so, transition to UCLA was tough.</p>
<p>It is doable, but be prepared to work hard!</p>
<p>striver87, you may not have heard these stories, but the WWII vets who returned to school after serving had a fantastic reputation as serious and hard working students. If you now know what you want to do, your motivation and added maturity will help you succeed at school.</p>
<p>brad97z, which major did you transfer into?</p>
<p>
[quote]
In fact, according to the NSF, 44% of students who earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the physical sciences, computer and mathematical sciences, and engineering started their education at a community college.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Above from the article. I wouldn't have guessed 44% - wow.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that students pursuing engineering are practical; therefore, it makes sense that a good portion of engineering professionals may have started their academic career at a 2-year college. 2-year colleges are practical in the best sense; the tuition is very affordable, the education is similar to 4-year universities for the most part, I would assume, other than grading, and a lot of the required general education courses can be taken care of before transferring.</p>