<p>What exactly is it? How successful are people who do it?</p>
<p>At the school i went to engineering technology was a program that was focused on more practical things and less theory than the regular engineering majors. The students in the engineering tech program usually got Associates degrees and went on to work as technicians as opposed to engineers. A four year Bachelor degree was also offered. Both degrees were engineering technology degrees in Applied Science. A degree from the regular engineering department is a Bachelor or Associate of Engineering. I work at a power plant where we have both technicians and engineers. Most of the technicians do the same job as the engineers but they don't always have access to the same management opportunities. While a there is a tech guy who is a supervisor of maintenance, a tech guy could not be a supervisor of the performance team, which is more engineering oriented.</p>
<p>here at my college we have EET stuff also. The curriculum looks just like the last two years of a four year degree in electrical engineering, minus math, chemistry, and all your liberal arts and social sciences. It sounds good, but there's a lot more opportunity with a BS. Don't underestimate the importance of those "random" liberal arts classes in your education.</p>
<p>Engineering Technology at my school is basically the same thing as a regular engineering degree but we are much more hands on. As a matter of fact, my major is Computer Engineering Technology with a minors in Management. The job market for engineering technology is just as good, if not better, than regular engineering since the average starting salary for people in my major at my school is about $73k... as a matter of fact most businesses prefer engineering technology majors because of their practicality and ability to use our hands to put our knowledge to use. So, in a way, engineering technology is BETTER than regular engineering and more sought after.</p>
<p>I beg to Differ. For one thing, a lot of the classes in a normal engineering degree are very hands on. Of course you have to have electrical theory and physics, but that's only so you can apply it later. The simple fact is you don't graduate with a Bachelors. </p>
<p>Unless your program is some kind of a Bachelors of Science with a concentration in Engineering Technology then that's different.</p>
<p>[edit] I'd like to modify that. I think you may be right that there is more hands on in ET than in a Bachelors program. But an ET will almost never get into a project management positions such as designing bridges, transporting buildings, or weapons development because of his lack of training in theoretical problem solving.</p>
<p>(i did say almost never because i'm sure there are many bright people that have made it. i'm just saying, without that background, it's going to be harder)</p>
<p>I swear i wasn't actively seeking this out, but i happened to stumble upon it and thought it would help.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Engineering Technicians and Engineers</p>
<p>Engineering technicians work in all of the fields in which engineers work. They usually assist engineers and their work tends to be more hands-on than theoretical. While civil, electrical, mechanical, and other engineers have greater responsibility and earn higher salaries, engineering technicians can begin working after only two years of postsecondary schooling.
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</p>
<p>Taken from: <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/45173.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/45173.html</a></p>
<p>Huh?! You don't graduate with a bachelors... yea you do... as a matter of fact, I can get a Masters in Computer Engineering Technology from my school if I wanted to, I'm just getting my MBA instead. Actually at our school, the only only difference between us and the people down the street (Georgia Tech) is that they take a few more theoretical classes and are MUCH less hands-on. Otherwise, we are exactly the same since we have to take the same science and math classes, only we take way more engineering classes, and everything has a lab that goes with it.</p>
<p>most ET is a two year, tech certificate, AAS degree. I said there are exceptions where schools have a 4 year B.S. ET program. Still, you won't find ET at the top universities.</p>
<p>lol, I don't think there is any 2 year engineering technology degrees at any of the universities in the state of Georgia. Thats why I cant understand why some people think that engineering technology is any less theoretical or has a less rigorous course load than that of conventional engineering.</p>
<p>The 2-year degrees are typically offered at junior colleges. According to the ABET</a> list, there are ABET-accredited associate's (2-year) degree programs in engineering technology at four colleges in Georgia: Augusta, Chattahoochee, DeKalb, and Savannah Technical Colleges. </p>
<p>There may well be others, because not all engineering technology programs are ABET accredited.</p>
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[quote]
The job market for engineering technology is just as good, if not better, than regular engineering since the average starting salary for people in my major at my school is about $73k...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Could you post the website that shows this?</p>
<p>
[quote]
as a matter of fact most businesses prefer engineering technology majors because of their practicality and ability to use our hands to put our knowledge to use.
[/quote]
Any corroboration? What school do you go to pimps-alot?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Actually at our school, the only only difference between us and the people down the street (Georgia Tech) is that they take a few more theoretical classes and are MUCH less hands-on.
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</p>
<p>
[quote]
Otherwise, we are exactly the same since we have to take the same science and math classes, only we take way more engineering classes, and everything has a lab that goes with it.
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</p>
<p>These are contradicting statements. The fact that engineering technology is a lot less theoretical is a <em>huge</em> difference. And it isn't "a few more theoretical classes," it's a completely different program. Companies want people who can design a circuit, not ones that can build it.</p>
<p>I hate to bump this old thread, but engineering technology around here is not a lot less theoretical then conventional engineering... I am more then confident that I am just as capable of design as someone who did regular engineering. Btw, I go to Southern Polytechnic University in Marietta, GA.</p>
<p>You may be confident about it, but the state</a> of Georgia apparently is not. </p>
<p>Note that a graduate of an engineering program can apply for a Georgia PE license after 4 years of suitable professional experience. But a graduate of an engineering technology program needs 7 years of experience.</p>
<p>All states have similar preferences for engineering degrees over technology degrees. In some states, technology grads are not eligible for engineering licensure, no matter how much experience they have.</p>
<p>From Southern Polytechnic University's website:</p>
<p>Computer Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology is a branch of engineering education that emphasizes the practical aspects of engineering rather than abstract concepts or theories. It is a blend of the application of science, engineering knowledge, and technical skills used in support of engineering activities. </p>
<p>Electrical Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering Technology is a branch of engineering education that emphasizes the practical aspects of engineering rather than abstract concepts or theories. It is a blend of the application of science, engineering knowledge, and technical skills used in support of engineering activities.
<a href="http://www.spsu.edu/home/academics/engineering.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.spsu.edu/home/academics/engineering.html</a></p>
<p>I suspect that the increasing complexities and changes in technology have elevated the study of engineering technology to a 4-year program instead of a 2-year program at many schools. My S was considering both technology and engineering and decided to attend a school that offered both as 4-yr decrees. He enrolled in Engineering but thought Eng Technology might be a backup if he decided against engineering but still wanted to stay in the filed without switching colleges (he has always felt he was more practical and application oriented than theoretical and design oriented). However in looking at the curriculum for both majors it appeared that there is little to no overlap other than maybe a few core classes like physics so that switching from one to the other after even the first year would have meant taking extra time and classes to get his degree.</p>
<p>yeah, it is true that many states wont allow us to receive our P.E. but that is slowly changing since they are finally starting to understand what we actually do. Most states probaly believe that people who have an engineering technology degree are no more than technicians, which couldn't be further from the truth; we are in fact real engineers. We are a combination of theory and hands-on approaches to engineering... which I believe is more beneficial than just specializing in one of the two. Also, I spent my first two years doing conventional engineering since one of my dreams was to go to Georgia Tech, so its not like I have no idea what I'm talking about when I say that the difference between the two is not as great as some of you might be lead to believe. The only real difference is that engineering technology has you starting off in your very first semester taking major engineering classes while the vast majority of your freshman classes in conventional engineering are just classes that every engineer on campus has to take.</p>
<p>I agree that grads in both areas do basically the same work initially. The main difference is the depth of theory and design that is taught in classes geared to practical application/technology vs engineering; you obviously need theory and design for technology just not as indepth. But what this may/could mean down the road is a difference in advancement opportunities for technology grads in certain areas down the road. </p>
<p>Btw, freshman S in Engineering is also taking a couple of engineering classes at his school this year along with core classes...</p>