IanB's I'm not an EE--what am I doing here? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 04:20:56 pm
content: I don't want to reopen the subject of "people calling themselves engineers"; so no comments regarding that subject matter. I am interested to see the composition of the EEVBlog audience. I know there is a user self-introduction thread but people may or may not have given this background information.Please folks this thread is not about "you don't have to have a degree to be an engineer." Please don't make it about that; just answer the poll and elaborate a little if you feel compelled to do so.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 04:33:24 pm
content: I have a BSEE from the University of Illinois and hope to get an MSEE or PhDEE one day.

author: PStevenson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 04:34:09 pm
content: I think that whole Rant thing might rear it's ugly head at somepoint as it was so recent so don't be too optimistic! just for the record I don't care what people call themselves.I have the qualification both in electronics and audio engineering but I am better at Audio engineering than electronics however I firmly wish everyday that it was the other way around.

author: bullet308
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 04:48:09 pm
content: The BA is in Interdisciplinary Studies, emphasis on business management and administrative information management.The MAT is in teaching, business education.Technology-related, lots of IT and computer skills related stuff along with business management, but nothing much in the engineering or science fields.

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 04:53:29 pm
content: Well, i'm studying towards a degree in Electronic engineering, here there is also an option for Electrical engineering. It seems electrical is used on here to define what i would call electronic :/

author: Excavatoree
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 05:09:40 pm
content: Poll doesn't have a Bachelor's degree, or, at least, I don't recognize it. I have a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree, my university didn't (doesn't?) offer an "electronics engineering" degree. We like to say "My degree is in engineering - no BS"I've worked as a repair technician, and still do at the factory where I work now. (EDIT: this isn't my primary job, I just help out for fun and to save the company money) I don't work in electronics at my job, but I've always been a hobbyist, and am trying to learn more.(Many know I'm also a bit of a Fluke meter collector)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 05:23:38 pm
content: Architect by education and day job.Severely bored by the staticness of buildings and gradually taking a critical eye to the whole industry.Decided to pursue design aspirations in more dynamic fields, fields that have more impact on society and on the future.Severely inspired by science, technology and open source movement.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 06:04:39 pm
content: Oh, someone put my name up in lights!As it turns out I'm not an EE but I am an E. A chemical engineer in fact.While I think there is an undoubted requirement for specialization in the engineering field as it is so vast, it is also important for engineers to have a broad understanding outside their own specialization. There are many ways in which the engineering discipline and mindset is universal and an engineering training can be applied to many fields.In my case, for example, chemical engineering impinges on electrical engineering in the areas of control and instrumentation (or is that control engineering?), also in power generation and distribution.But my presence on this forum is purely recreational

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 07:26:03 pm
content: I added BS, Sorry I missed that on edit.Melvin

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 07:31:55 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on January 25, 2012, 06:04:39 pmYes, that is Control Engineering. Many mistake it for Electrical Engineering since most controls are implement via Electrical Engineering or more specifically some type of electrical/electronic circuits.BTW Control Engineers brag that God must have been a Control Engineer, evidenced by all of the Control Systems in the human and other animal bodies.

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 07:35:53 pm
content: BSEE here.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 07:46:02 pm
content: I'm going to say 'degree in another discipline', even though computer science at Bristol is a department within the Faculty of Engineering -- I imagine most people with actual engineering degrees would not call it an engineering discipline!

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 07:56:17 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on January 25, 2012, 07:31:55 pmI think many control engineers find their way into that field via EE so there is some overlap there. The whole of engineering is like a Venn diagram with loads of overlapping circles and no islands. All of engineering is built on physics and the same physical principles crop up all over the place.

author: wkb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 08:11:49 pm
content: Quote from: IanB on January 25, 2012, 07:56:17 pmIn this sense engineering is quite unlike the fields of law or economics. Those are Venn-diagram circles without any overlap with reality

author: MarkS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 09:03:16 pm
content: I am not an EE, I am a hobbyist and proud of it! I love electronics and have been playing around with them since I was seven. I still remember my first project whe I was seven. I took some wire, wrapped it around some old iron scissors and connected to a 6-volt lantern battery. I did this on my own because of something I had read and wanted to try it. I still remember the letter I wrote to the battery manufacturer (in red crayon!) telling them what I did with an included diagram.I got a reply a few weeks later with a coupon for a free battery.Something I'll never forget!This is fun for me. Making it a career would ruin the enjoyment.

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 09:30:35 pm
content: I think my degree would be called a BS in Computer Science, but in Poland BS is degree is literally called "an engineer". I have it for just over a month now. I agree that computer science is a bit different from almost any other technical degrees, but I'd still call that engineering, even if you're only designing something of no physical form.My knowledge of electronics was as low as it could be while still being able to operate things like a computer or TV until a little under 2 years ago when I decided it's time to learn something about how those magic inside PCBs work and now electronics is one of my primary hobbies.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 09:43:18 pm
content: I'm a physicist. I'd never stoop to calling myself an engineer

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 09:51:53 pm
content: What exactly is this for? To gain people's electronics educational background only?If so the poll is lacking. There is no option for Diploma's or other sorts of "lesser" qualifications.If it's to gather people's industry experience, it's also completely lacking.The poll is asserting that those without a degree are just "enthusiasts", so it automatically re-opens the debate.Dave.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 09:54:38 pm
content: second year instrumentation apprentice, so while i am only a hobbiest, i play with a decent amount of the tools EE's have,also have year 11/12 engineering down pat, though in reality that would probably only help me building enclosures (CAD)still electronics is my favorite feild

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 25, 2012, 10:04:33 pm
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on January 25, 2012, 09:43:18 pmThe fate of teacher's darlings who wank with tweezers.Thankfully not a real physicist ever said that.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2012, 12:38:22 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on January 25, 2012, 09:51:53 pmThis is a joke so don't take offense but.... "There is always one in the crowd." I just di not think it would be you Dave.Very specifically, I would like to know how many out there have degrees in Electrical or Computer Engineering. No hidden agendas or longing for an argument. Along those same lines I am interested in those who have other Engineering or Scientific backgrounds. I want to know of those people how did they become interested in Electrical/Electronics Engineering.The poll may be lacking for what you or others would like to see from it; but it is the information that I seek. If you are others want a different poll, you all can create one to your liking.I have alway loved Electricity and ideas and technology that goes along with it. Dave, EEVBlog is an awesome site and it apparently has members that, like I, love electricity/electronics. I would like like to get some background on them. For those that don't have a formal degree, they would be "enthusiasts" and they are welcome to say they have a diploma or whatever other piece of paper the wish to display.I don't look down on anyone for any reason... unless of course you are an attorney <another joke>. Dave, I don't know what to tell you I only had 5 options that I could list. I could not possibly cover ALL educational acheivement so I covered the ones that were of interest to me.I have my opinions on "people calling themselves engineers"... but you won't find a response from me in that thread as that thread is primarily opinions. This poll is meant to be purely factual.I apologize if I offended anyone by specifically omitting your educational level.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2012, 02:06:05 am
content: I'm a Tech,or a Technical Officer if that sounds better- Myself & a lot of other Techs did an In-House Diploma level course in Telecom Aust back in the '80s,so we could call ourselves Technical Officer.The normal " Get young guys & send 'em off to TAFE to get a Diploma" setup wasn't working out too well,as recruitment was falling,so the "retread" course was offered.After that, I went back to the Private Sector & became a "Supertech"--no phone box & cape supplied,though!I don't have any form of Degree,but some people have told me I'm full of "BS"!I guess I'm still an enthusiast.Looking at the "Techie" type forums on the 'Net,the only ones I consistently frequent are EEV Blog,& QRZ.com,because,by & large they don't have quite the delusions of grandeur some of the others have.VK6ZGO

author: ipman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2012, 08:44:46 am
content: Tehnician in EE, industrial automation and electronics, engineer with industrial robotics specialisation.Also hobbyst, because I don't make a living from those above, as I work in telecom industry.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2012, 09:25:25 am
content: The only formal education I have in electronics is a City & Guilds amateur radio licence examination.So that makes me a hobbyist.I have learnt as much or more from Dave's Talks or Blogs than any thing else.