Electronics certification for beginners? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: finsfree
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 01:04:21 am
content: Hello,I have always enjoyed the thought of working with electronics. I have a background in computers (Sys Admin).My question is if I wanted to jump into the world of electronics, what certification are employers looking for? What is a good cert to have for a beginner/technician I?Thanks,

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 11:35:12 am
content: Vocational college, I'd say.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 12:33:09 pm
content: no such thing as a " certification"You are a DIYer,Levels of electronicstechnicianassociate degreeBSEEMSEEPHDbut suceed as electronic carrier none of above are needed and many very successful in the field dropped out of college...Ideas....become a ham join ARRLfind a local electronic company, ask the owner if you can help out for. free.Hopefully this is usefulJon(EE '68)

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 01:23:43 pm
content: https://certifiedelectronicstechnician.org/associate-level-cet-exams/

author: perdrix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 02:16:31 pm
content: And it requires two doctors to certify you sane again!What standing does that course/certification have - I assume it's US only ...D.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 04:30:29 pm
content: CET certified electronic technicien =Since 1960s, a scam paper "degree" by mail order "colleges" to get nieve hobbyists to pay 1000s$ for a few books, tests and some very poorly made kits at about 10X 50X actual value.In 55 years of experience as an EE and running my electronics firm, I have never encountered or worked with a CET.My colleagues and co-workers were also EE/MS/PhD or had no degrees and learned by experience.Perhaps the CET situation has changed, this is just my experience.Bon chanceJon

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 04:36:31 pm
content: Quote from: jonpaul on February 22, 2023, 12:33:09 pmIt has hardly a thing to do with electronics FWIW.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 05:01:16 pm
content: Toss the idea of pay for play and do it right! Check out your community college for an appropriate program. Some community colleges are now starting to teach to the BS and even MS level. Others stop at the AS level.The AS level will include a lot of the math and much of the more common theory. It is not a 'give-away' program, there will be a bunch of work. Cool thing about Covid: Almost every school/university is offering remote learning. You don't even have to step foot on the campus nor even live in the same state.In any event, an AS should get you a job at the technician level, a BS will let you enter the realm of engineering and an MS will allow you to eventually rise to management.The idea that you can somehow slide into a job without the education is probably unrealistic. There are too many applicants with the credentials.With time shifting (available for some online courses), you can work full time and attend 'class' at night. Others just offer a night program.

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 06:32:37 pm
content: Quote from: wraper on February 22, 2023, 04:36:31 pmLOL for sure. Becoming a ham only means you memorized the correct answers to test questions, which you can easily find online. Doesn't in any way mean you understand the answers.Itmaymean you areinterestedin electronics (I say interested not that you know about it). But in my experience it mostly means you want to get on and talk to people. Sure, some hams I know understand electronics. But most I know here really don't, sadly.For example I just finished repairing the Kenwood TM-255A shown in the pic. It had a weird issue with not wanting to turn on sometimes (it wasn't the switch). Turns out it was a known issue with a capacitor needing to have it's value increased. I researched the issue and applied the (simple) repair. But these hams don't want to do anything like that. They won't research a problem, they won't open the radios, and they are almost terrified of touching any component inside. So they bring them to me - I am a ham by the way. Hell, they rarely read the manual to the radio they buy, and only after they ask other people how to do some operation with the menu and nobody can answer. And I say again - some hams do know electronics, but very few really do understand it.So no, a ham license means little to nothing about your knowledge of electronics. However; it does mean you can memorize answers, so maybe that indicates your brain is somewhat operational.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 06:43:50 pm
content: Ré Amateur (ham) radio, having worked in broadcast for decades, many fine engineers and even company CEO, CTO, began their careers as hams.The ARRL, QST, Ham Fleas are a rich and interesting resource at all levels, beginner to advanced.As a ham you meet and learn from others.Building, restoration and testing transmitters, receivers, microwave and millimeter wave equipment is a great way to learnJon

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2023, 07:23:48 pm
content: Quote from: jonpaul on February 22, 2023, 06:43:50 pmNever said or meant otherwise. I said some do know electronics. Most I know here don't.QuoteYep, it can be that - or just a place to go to hang out with other hams who don't know electronics and don't care to learn.QuoteIf only they would learn it would be great ... meeting people oh yea they are good at that aspect.QuoteYep, again some hams do those things and learn. Most I know couldn't care less abut restoring and testing receivers and transmitters - because they haven't the foggiest idea how to. I have offered to teach a few, but they aren't interested. In fact one of them that comes over and brings me radios from other hams, is a little bit interested. But I've offered to sell him an oscilloscope and a few other items test equipment and he says he just can't learn it well enough to use it.So again I will say - some hams are electronics experts and know a hell of a lot. I am saying from my personal experience where I live that most do not know electronics or care to learn it to any meaningful level, certainly not at a level that would mean anything to a company wanting to hire an electronics tech.