CE/EE student needs help selecting a focus from experienced engineers - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JayTheGent
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 03:06:18 am
content: Hi all,I have been following Dave on youtube for quite some time, but haven't been apart of the forum until now.The title pretty much says it all. I am at the point in my education where I need to start taking electives that count towards my focus. I enjoy a lot of things related to computer and electrical engineering, but I need to start narrowing my options. My adviser says one thing and my professors (most of whom have never worked in industry) say another.I am hoping to hear from working engineers with first hand experience in these fields. I go to a decent engineering university (top 50) and have maintained a good GPA thus far. My biggest concern is focusing on something that is "too specialized" or otherwise difficult to find employment.Here are the tracks that I am considering:Energy SystemsRobotics and Controls (Embedded Systems)Integrated CircuitsSystems, Signals and CommunicationOf these focuses, is there any one that stands out as better than the other as far as employment opportunities are concerned? From what I know, energy systems is very common, does that make the market over-saturated?I think a more important question is how important are the electives we take during our fourth and fifth years? Obviously, we are expected to learn the bulk of our knowledge from our core curriculum so how do these electives really effect future employment?Any and all helpful comments are appreciated. Thank you.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 03:09:50 am
content: Invent something and build it. Document the process. Doesn't have to be novel. Repeat until you have a job.Your 4 year undergrad is barely scratching the surface of what's possible. Building real things is different than doing mental exercises for a grade.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 04:42:49 am
content: Really, all you'll need is the degree to get your foot in the door. So do what you're interested in IMHO, and don't sweat it.marshallh's recommendation will open doors sooner/land you a job faster (helps raise you above your competition).Once you get the job, it's your experience from that point on that influences your future employment (personal projects can still help here too). And don't just let things happen, as it's too important to just let others make those decisions for you (could find yourself obsolete if overly specialized). Take charge of what you're taking on project wise wherever possible (see something interesting, ask to be on it; if that's not getting you anywhere, then it's probably time to look for another job).

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 05:30:24 am
content: Quote from: JayTheGent on September 25, 2014, 03:06:18 amPick what you like most.QuoteYes. The problem, however, is that no one honestly can tell you today which one it is. Ask again in 10 years and in hindsight we can tell you. In other words, learn to live with risks and with your decisions.QuoteMaybe. Maybe not.QuoteThey are only important to a small extend. Having done subject X, and later applying for a job at a company doing X gives you a small advantage with your application. That's it.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2014, 08:48:09 am
content: Key points:have a look at other threads, e.g. with "CV" or "resume" in the titlewhich technology is "hot" changes every few years. Factor that into your long-term career objectives and trajectoryas an interviewer, I give preference to somebody that has done more than is necessary, because it indicates they enjoy the subject. So pick something you enjoy!pick anachievableproject, and do it in the holidays and spare time. In hindsight you will think it is rubbish and that you made many silly mistakes. That doesn't matter because you will be ahead of those that didn't, and self-criticism is the basis for improvement. In my case I made a computer similar to the Altair 8080 from scratchyou will always get conflicting opinions, and it is your responsibility to work out what's right for you (but you already know that!). When deciding, try to understandwhythey are saying it, what they arenotsaying, and understand the relative advantages and disadvantage of their position. I listen more to people that state the limits and disadvantages of their own positionsummarise each person's advice in writing for your own benefit - you will be surprised what "pops out". Then go and ask them more questions

author: JayTheGent
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 26, 2014, 05:36:54 am
content: Hey guys/gals,Thank you for all of the information you have provided. The over-arching theme I am getting is that I need to build up a portfolio of personal projections and pick something I enjoy.I definitely enjoy robotics/embedded system design, so much so that I will be joining my university's Mars Rover Team. Hopefully that would help with my resume.Another question I have is in regards to other extracurricular activities. I volunteer once a week for the IEEE. I enjoy the work, but it is definitely time consuming. Is this something I should continue to do/ will this be beneficial for me in the long run? I know I probably shouldn't be concerned with personal gains when volunteering, but with the limited time I do have, I would rather spend it doing something more productive if possible.Finally, I currently work in a network management lab. Obviously, this has nothing to do with my education and the career path I want to take, though my background was in networking before returning to college. I have the opportunity to work in a field completely unrelated to technology, but for a higher pay (not much, but enough). I am willing to continue investing time into the NM lab if it would be better for me later down the road as it gives me more experience designing/troubleshooting/working with deadlines than the other opportunity would. What do you guys/gals think?

author: AG6QR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2014, 11:38:50 pm
content: I'll echo what you've already heard, that chasing today's hottest field is somewhat futile, because it will change by the time you graduate, or shortly thereafter. It's more important to get into something that's reasonably employable and that you have an interest in.Quote from: JayTheGent on September 26, 2014, 05:36:54 amThere are a few ways that IEEE volunteering might help your career prospects. One is that having that line on your resume, by itself, might impress an interviewer. But I wouldn't put too much weight on that. If the company is so shallow that a mere line on a resume, by itself, makes that much difference, think about what that company is going to be like to work for. Will they base their performance evaluations, job assignments, etc. on such shallow criteria?Another way that the IEEE volunteering might help is that the experience may actually teach you something that helps you either during the interview process or during your early employment (or even years down the road). What kind of volunteering are you doing? Are you learning anything that you're not getting in the classroom? Of course, learning isn't all about the technical stuff; figuring out how to work with other technical people in a team is something that is necessary in most jobs, but not often well-taught in classrooms.Another possibility is that you may make friends that can help teach you things, or can help you find jobs, perhaps even quite a bit after graduation. This can be very meaningful. It never hurts to surround yourself with smart people in your field or related fields.You have to ask yourself what sort of knowledge, experience, and networking opportunities you're getting out of your IEEE experience. I can't say whether it's worth it compared to other things you might do with your time. Personally, I wouldn't do it just to put a line on my resume, but I'd lean fairly strongly toward doing it for the other benefits.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2014, 12:58:58 am
content: + what everyone else said.Undergrad is all about getting the degree and a strong base of knowledge.****** When you have the option, take classes in whatever you are most interested in. Unless you are specifically doing undergrad research in someone's lab and have real experience that way, no one is likely going to hire you because you took some class over another.Don't worry about "overspecializing" from technical electives. You won't get deep enough to really say you specialized with only a few classes.That said, personally if I had to pick from your list I would say either Robotics and Controls (Embedded Systems) or Systems, Signals and Communication. Probably the Robotics and Controls just because that is more fun for me. All jobs are different but those would be the most useful for what I do day to day as well.***** Not that all degrees are equal. But we are assuming engineering here so that's all good.Funny story... I had a friend in high school who's mom picked her college major based on the least amount of work required. She majored in Cartography. The only map she ever made was for her senior project.

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2014, 08:44:35 am
content: From the list you gave the two hottest topics currently are Energy Systems and Communications.The desire to save power seems to be worldwide right now and everyone is either trying to find ways to save energy, transmit it from A to B more effectively or find better ways to generate it. By the time you graduate the world will need more power rather than less.Communications is a growing field, especially the mobile phone industry and WiFi. Note that the frequencies used in this part of the industry seem to be creeping higher and higher, yesterday I saw a description of a 'low frequency' front end that ran at 700 MHz.Then again, as suggested, you could always do whatever you find interesting.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 27, 2014, 08:52:17 am
content: Quote from: JayTheGent on September 25, 2014, 03:06:18 amThey are of little importance, and will become less so when you get industry experience.When I'm looking at a Resume as an employer, I don't give a rats what electives you took.If you are choosing based on what you think will be useful in industry, instead of choosing what you enjoy, then you are doing it wrong.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2014, 09:46:45 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on September 27, 2014, 08:52:17 amDuring one of my first interviews I was asked "are you just saying that because you think it is what I want to hear?".I looked a bit puzzled, and after a short pause replied "I've told you what I enjoy doing. I have also guessed what I presume companies want. To that extent only, I am telling you what I think you might like to hear".He was impressed, and I liked the interviewers' simplicity and candour.By and large if you can enjoy what other people want/need, you'll be successful. Sometimes it is possible and beneficial tofindsomething to like in what people need you to do.Edited to add: a good motto in life is "when life hands you a lemon, find a way to make lemonade". In other words, whatever you are doing, find something good in it. All jobs have their grotty bits.

author: JayTheGent
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 30, 2014, 08:31:15 pm
content: Sorry to revive this one more time, I just wanted to tell everyone how much I appreciate your responses. I understand the importance of choosing a path that I enjoy, at the same time, I would like to make the most educated decision I can possibly make.I don't consider education fun (though, at times, it is enjoyable), it is an investment. As with any investment, I would like to optimize the return as much as possible. The options I listed in my first post aren't the only options offered by my university, they are simply the ones I am most interested in. With that said, I do find embedded systems the most enjoyable.On a completely different note, did anybody have to pay more tuition once they were in their engineering program? I have noticed my tuition steadily going up at an alarming rate. My university's website states estimated cost of attendance is something around $16,000 for residents. My tuition this year alone is over $16,000 and my estimated cost of attendance is close to $35,000. Books this quarter were over $600.Quote from: AG6QR on September 26, 2014, 11:38:50 pmI volunteer in the campus store. Essentially, I help underclassmen design circuits for home projects while helping upperclassmen find the components they need. I wouldn't say I have learned a whole lot, but I have met some interesting people. I think I have decided to stop volunteering for a bit to work with our Mars Rover Team. I think I will find this more interesting as it gives me real world experience with embedded systems.Quote from: tggzzz on September 27, 2014, 09:46:45 amAgreed!Quote from: EEVblog on September 27, 2014, 08:52:17 amIt isn't so much the electives that I am concerned about, it is more so what the electives will expose me to. By this I mean what electives will expose me to the most useful software and processes, if that makes sense.Quote from: Smokey on September 27, 2014, 12:58:58 amThat is hilarious. I am assuming that she didn't have to pay for this "education"? I looked at the job outlook for cartographer... It isn't good.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 02:16:17 am
content: It'd be very abnormal for costs to NOT go up, they've been doing so for the past 20 years. Costs will not decrease until enrollment starts to fall (which is happening with law schools currently).

author: JayTheGent
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 05:33:05 am
content: Quote from: marshallh on October 01, 2014, 02:16:17 amHey Marshall,I expect cost to go up. At my university, you can't simply declare electrical engineering as your major. You must first complete all of the prerequisite coursework (mathematics, physics, AC/DC circuit analysis, etc.) and then you apply for entry into your major. Only after you are accepted can you begin taking upper-division coursework. For me, the first term after being accepted by the engineering department, I noticed my tuition went up by over $1000 (kind of hard not to notice it). I was wondering if that happens universally.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 06:13:48 am
content: Quote from: JayTheGent on October 01, 2014, 05:33:05 amProbably if the department needs to purchase and maintain lots of expensive hardware for the labs they will want to charge more to cover those expenses. Engineering departments are more expensive to run than, say, liberal arts departments.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 06:18:22 am
content: Quote from: JayTheGent on September 30, 2014, 08:31:15 pmThe key thing is that after you graduate you will embark on a program of lifelong learning. After a while, what you learned in college/university will start to seem somewhat elementary. So while it is important to study and absorb the material, it will ultimately play only a small part in shaping the direction of your working life and career.