<p>I go to University of Nevada Las Vegas, and I am really interested in one of their majors called Entertainment Engineering and Design. I have always wanted to work with set designs and show productions, and this major seemed perfect.</p>
<p>It combines fine arts and engineering and focuses solely on engineering for the entertainment industry. Since I'm in Las Vegas, I know that they have people who have worked on productions for Cirque Du Soleil and other big name shows.</p>
<p>My question is, would this be a good degree to have? Would it be worth anything if I wanted to work in L.A. on movie sets or in New York City on broadway shows? UNLV is the only school in the country that offers this major and I don't know if that is a good or bad thing. Would I be limited by having a degree in this?</p>
<p>I DO NOT want to be stuck in Las Vegas for the rest of my life. So please let me know if this is the right move!</p>
<p>I’d find out if the major is ABET accredited. That determines whether or not you’ll be able to qualify to take the professional engineering exam. If the major is not ABET accredited, that does not necessarily mean that it is bad, but it does limit your options if you want to eventually become a Professional Engineer. </p>
<p>I can’t believe this exists. I think it’s a horrible mistake, and you will severely limit yourself. Get a real engineering degree like mechanical or electrical and then see if there are jobs like that at theme parks or in theaters, etc.</p>
<p>A real engineering degree seems like overkill for this type of thing, though. You had better contact people at places like theme parks and broadway theaters who do this, and see how they got into the field. Your college is in the business of selling degrees, and they are unreliable sources of information on the marketability of their degrees. “Sure, a PhD in queer studies is your ticket to the big time!”</p>
<p>Well first of all, it is a B.S. program. And secondly, I would rather not major in another type of engineering (like mechanical or electrical) because I wouldn’t be getting the foundation in art and design like I would be in this program. I’m an artist so I really want a career that focuses on that. </p>
<p>And working in theme parks on rollercoasters is a depressing thought. I want to work on fashion shows, broadway plays, award shows, etc. So, does anyone else have any thoughts about this?</p>
<p>wow, ^al6200 are you being sarcastic or something? It would be interesting if you were actually serious. But seriously, OP, while engineering and creativity do go together, there’s still a huge difference between the design and technical aspect part. For example, architects design buildings and other structures, while civil engineers construct them. Usually, the skillset required of either aspects do not always match up with the other.</p>
<p>Calcozzo is right, and also talk to other people who are already in the industry.</p>
wow, ^al6200 are you being sarcastic or something? It would be interesting if you were actually serious. But seriously, OP, while engineering and creativity do go together, there’s still a huge difference between the design and technical aspect part. For example, architects design buildings and other structures, while civil engineers construct them. Usually, the skillset required of either aspects do not always match up with the other.
<p>You’ll notice that program is not listed as being accredited. It can take time for a new discipline to get respect and accreditation, and this degree <em>may</em> have value for the forty or so people this country needs to have that degree, but I suggest you get a degree in mechanical engineering and study art on the side.</p>
<p>I take it you’re already strong in math or you wouldn’t even be considering an engineering degree?</p>
<p>It’s probably worth something, but NOT as an engineering degree, and it’s probably ONLY worth something if you plan to stay local. It’d be great for connections on working with local shows, but I’d find out how many people are in the program to see how much competition you’d have in getting a job.</p>
<p>If you plan to take your degree outside of Vegas, it would probably get lumped in with the theater tech degrees.</p>
<p>Y’know what, you should really, really, really repost this thread in the theater subforum. Though this is called an “engineering” degree, it’s not really, and we’re going to evaluate it here as though it <em>were</em> an engineering degree, which isn’t what you need. The folks in the theater subforum will address it as a theater tech degree, which is much more what you’re interested in.</p>
<p>Also consider architecture… I know a lot of architects end up doing the sort of thing that you’re interested in. It combines art with everyday practicality and engineering, too.</p>
<p>Hello,
I go to UNLV also and I was looking in the catalog for possible classes and majors and decided to look up what this major entitles for jobs. I came across this site and saw what you posted. Thank you bcuz now I know more about it.</p>
<p>DS who has CMU’s BS ME, HCI degrees and a MS CS from another world ranked school, wanted to work for the company that designed these fountains [bellagio</a> fountains - Google Images](<a href=“bellagio fountains - Google Search”>bellagio fountains - Google Search) and other famous water features.</p>
<p>but alas, he does robotics. But he’s building a hobby.</p>
<p>foresooth, naysayers. for you haft not recognize what is in front of thine eyes.
It is the entertainment value that keeps you here and keeps you going to college, else you be asleep on yon bed. </p>
<p>DS, now 3 years out of undergrad, got his position as research, in part because he could visualize, describe, and make the Thingys. </p>
<p>If this field of training interests you, go for it. DS’s experience in CMU’s Entertainment and HCI programs are that they are very selective, upper division, coveted and a lot of fun.</p>
<p>From 25 years of experience in the industry, I can say that it is about time that people are coming up with a degree program for this field. However, Every program for Entertainment Engineering that I have found including CMU and UNLV’s programs are missing the boat by not offering a more diverse study all of the other systems that comprise Entertainment Engineering. Audio, Video, Control, special effects and Lighting are very integral parts of most systems that this type of degree would be beneficial for. I tell all of my applicants to look into a school like Purdue’s Technical Theatre Program and add some engineering to it, Then go out and work in theatre for a while, work in systems integration, work in construction and then work for a consultant that designs these systems that you just spent the last 10 years working with and then you will have the education and experience to be qualified in the industry.</p>
<p>UNLV and CMU have the right idea but the professional community believes that it needs massive expansion to be a worthwhile degree program. Look closely at what they teach and realize the limited path that the degree sets you up for. I would love the opportunity to teach what I have learned in one of these programs and help to expand it to a well rounded Engineering degree specifically for the Entertainment Field.</p>
<p>I would suggest that the best way to figure out whether this degree will position you for a real job immediately after graduation is to talk with faculty and Career Services people at the school. Find out who recruits there for these degree candidates; find out where recent graduates have gone to work.</p>
<p>Informational interviews with such graduates would also be a good idea.</p>
@BamatoUNLV, the tread is 7 years old. That poster is likely long gone. If you want to try to contact them a PM is a better vehicle. Welcome to CC. If used wisely, it’s a great resource.