From MET to ME

<p>Would it be a big change to switch from MET to ME? I am a MET at RIT and I don't want to be a technician. I am planning on transferring to different school next year that is closer to home. My grades are pretty good so far so I am confident that I can make the change...</p>

<p>Anybody? Bueller</p>

<p>if you graduate with MET BS degree, you are an engineer, not technician. Infact, they even get hired quicker since they are more formilar with hands on real world engineering and not as much theory.</p>

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if you graduate with MET BS degree, you are an engineer, not technician.

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Not necessarily if you want to get technical. It depends on the law of the state in which you're practicing.</p>

<p>Certain companies will treat MET degrees different than ME. My company pays MET "engineers" over $10,000 less per year (entry level) and ME engineers. One guy I know couldn't be called an engineer in his company because he had a technology degree. He was called a specialist and the only way he was able to attain the engineer position was to get his PE degree. A tech degree can provide more hands-on experience than a regular engineering degree but the two degrees are not always treated as equal because they are in fact different.</p>

<p>I was under the impression that you were able to legally call yourself an engineer as long as you had an engineering position anywhere in the US, but i guess that isn't true.. but either way, MET grads are able to take the FE and continue to get a PE to become licensed.</p>

<p>wow, OVER 10k seems unfair compared to what i've seen. I guess it does depend where you go. I was told government contractors like NG and LM were best to get jobs in.</p>

<p>I'm an upperclassmen MET major so it would be too much of a waste to start over in ME IMO. I got into the MET program in the beginning because I wasn't too sure what the difference was. I dont regret it though, because i like it. i feel the biggest advantage to this is that it is easier. That gives me and others the opportunity to study something else as well such as EET minor or something else that goes along with mechanical engineering. Its nice to be a jack of all trades.</p>

<p>I don't know how far nmt6789 is in his major, but if your just a freshmen or even a soph and would like to change to ME, i think they should go for it if they really want to. If they are in my position, i feel it would be best to just finish it like I am.</p>

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I was under the impression that you were able to legally call yourself an engineer as long as you had an engineering position anywhere in the US, but i guess that isn't true..

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The rules vary on a state by state basis. In California, for example, anyone can legally claim the generic title of "engineer" (regardless of degree). However, only a state-licensed Mechanical PE has a legal right to the title of "mechanical engineer" (again, regardless of degree). But other states have different rules.</p>

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either way, MET grads are able to take the FE and continue to get a PE to become licensed.

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Actually, this also varies from state to state. In many states, such as California, a 4-year technology degree is acceptable for the PE exam, although technology grads typically need more qualifying work experience than engineering grads. In other states, engineering degrees are strictly required; you cannot qualify for the PE with a technology degree, regardless of experience.</p>