<p>i'm an electrical engineer major.
i'm looking into getting a better paying job starting in the fall.
which certs should i work towards in the summer?
also, what certs are in demand, that employers are looking for?</p>
<p>thanks in advance</p>
<p>nada?........</p>
<p>I'm not aware of any certifications that EE people need. The only thing I can think of that matters is your university is ABET accredited.</p>
<p>alot of EE guys do IT stuff, so the more the better.</p>
<p>take a few more courses related with IC/RF design.
forget wireless communication,signal processing. they are bad for job hunting.</p>
<p>so any IT related certs that employers are currently looking for?
anything microsoft related?</p>
<p>Aren't Microsoft-related certifications superbly expensive? As in, in the thousands? I'd think that it would be a plus if you already had it, but chances are that if you get a job that requires a specific certification, that the company will foot the bill for it...</p>
<p>
[quote]
Aren't Microsoft-related certifications superbly expensive?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, frankly, they're dirt-cheap compared to most college degrees. Easier and faster to get too. And- get this - they often times pay better than do many engineering degrees.</p>
<p>To digress, I think that's actually another illustration of the problem of many engineering companies: that they just refuse to pay their engineers as much as they will other employees. For example, I know of one large semiconductor firm that shall remain unnamed that prides itself on its chip design and manufacturing expertise, but will often times pay its design and manufacturing engineers less than many of its IT staff to maintain its computer networks and servers. Now, to be clear, certainly having well-maintained networks and servers are important. But they aren't sources of strategic competitive advantage. This company derives strategic advantage in the marketplace because it can design chips with ever-higher capabilities and then manufacture them with high yields than can its competitors, not because it has a better website or email system. But the IT people - many of whom never graduated from college, a few of whom never even graduated from high school can nevertheless be paid just as well, or even better, than can the engineers.</p>
<p>Cisco Certified Network Associate</p>
<p>Even a math degree is better than Microsoft-related certifications(and far more).</p>
<p>aint ccna mad expensive?</p>
<p>Are you really planning on becoming a network professional, or is this just a side job while you're finishing up your degree?</p>
<p>If this is a side job, don't invest in any of those certifications. You're not going to be expected to have them if you're not going to be a network professional.</p>
<p>^
just a side job</p>
<p>i'm tired of warehouse/retail jobs
i wanna get get paid more</p>
<p>Presumably, you have fewer than four years to go until you can get a good job as an engineer, and time goes quickly. Look for a more interesting side job, but don't invest any money in expensive certifications if that's what you're not intending to do permanently. See if you can find a coop, or a part-time internship with a nearby company.</p>
<p>I have a similar question as the OP. Are there any certifications for M.E.'s?</p>
<p>Not... that I can think of...?</p>
<p>I mean, there are some super-specialized things. You could be a certified welding inspector... but you need several years' worth of experience for that...</p>
<p>The main thing is experience. If you've never worked in a machine shop and have no experience with lathes or drill presses or mills or anything, you might want to take care of some of that. Mainly, just take some useful-sounding electives...</p>
<p>No real certifications, other than PEs, and 1) most mechies don't need those, and 2) you can't get those without several years' worth of experience, anyhow... Take the FE when it comes around, if you want, but don't sweat getting certified in anything, particularly in ME.</p>