Industry Views on Computer/Electrical Engineering

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>I am currently a junior at the University of Maryland, pursuing a double degree in Computer Engineering and Political Science. </p>

<p>During my search for internships, I found out that as a Computer Engineering student, many internships on the hardware side are restricted to me. The only difference between the way I structured my CE degree and the EE degree is two courses: Electromagnetic Theory, and Electromagnetic Wave Propagation. </p>

<p>For the most part, when I seek internships, recruiters tell me that for CE majors, only internships in Software Development are available. It seems as though many employers don't know what exactly a Computer Engineering degree is, and immediately group it with Computer Science.</p>

<p>I am considering switching to Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. If I were to do so, my graduation plan would be marginally affected(worst case an extra semester), as I already share a 98% similarity to an EE degree.</p>

<p>My career intention is to go into robotics/automation. I would like to get some advice on whether I should stick with CE, or go the EE/CS minor route, and how employers view these two degrees. </p>

<p>Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>I’m betting you’ve run into the problem of HR in corporate America more than anything else. </p>

<p>The dual degree might help with that HR problem in large companies, but I’d say it’s a poor use of time and money.</p>

<p>What is it you actually want to do? Which non-programming component of CE/EE is it that you think you will bring to robotics/automation? Most of robotics/automation is software. </p>

<p>An internship in software development can only help you regardless of which capability it is you think you will ultimately bring to the robotics table.</p>