Will a home electronics lab help me find a job? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kosgian90
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:14:19 am
content: First time post here so hello all. If this is not a suitable subforum to post my question feel free to move it.I'm an Electrical Engineering student.I'm thinking of setting up a home electronics lab. My reasoning is that by doing electronics work and not just theory, I acquire some useful practical experience plus I can gradually create a portfolio of projects that I can show off at job interviews. I also really like it as a hobby. What do you guys think? Should I go for it? Will it have an impact on finding a job or will it just be another hobby?

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:16:21 am
content: I think it will prove useful. The few times I've done Teams interviews, showing an interest in the profession enough to have my own equipment and lab, has been received positively.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:24:16 am
content: Definitely if you are talking with engineers, show off your home lab/gear, personal projects, soldering skills... A photo of a lab will definitely make more of an impression than a line in a CV.

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:28:31 am
content: Yes, having some personal projects to show at an interview will weight in your favor as much as a diploma.The lab at home is not crucial, I mean you can do your projects for example at a maker's club or similar, and it will be the same, as long as you post your work online. Doesn't has to be a stellar online presence either, I mean a few pictures from your projects, hosted on any free platform will be just fine.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:30:48 am
content: Focus on your studies, beer and chasing pretty nursing students*.Get a good grade and socialise, make memories now while you are young.Electronics hobby you can start anytime. Life, not so much.* Edit:Not implying promiscuity here, just saying you might meet the love of your life in your academic yearsBut maybe you already have, in which case ignore me.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:34:07 am
content: Quote from: kosgian90 on May 16, 2022, 11:14:19 am*This* is the reason to do it. For fun. That's it.If you do happen to make stuff that reflects well on your skills and interests, then certainly do mention them on your CV and bring them to interviews. It does look good. But make sure the cause & effect are the right way round.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 12:10:59 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on May 16, 2022, 11:30:48 amRegarding the studies and grades - I totally agree. The rest ... not so much. By all means take those opportunities as they present themselves, but not to the detriment of the reason you're there.QuoteSounds like the OP is someone who has an interest in extra-curricular extensions supporting his studies and prospective career path. Starting into that earlier than later would make more sense. Running it in parallel to his studies would be logical - being careful to observe priorities.As for the previous respondents ... I agree 100%. Having practical examples to back up your formal learning will get the attention of prospective employers (once you get past the HR droids).Case in point: I applied for a couple of positions with the company I am now employed with - and it was only after I tweaked my CV with a photo of a product I had designed and sold that I got an interview ... and then a job offer.It has been my firm belief that schooling is only meant to give you the tools. It is up to the individual to learn how to apply those tools to "real life" situations and challenges. You know, practical stuff ... useful stuff. Otherwise, you just end up with a box of tools that sit in the corner, gathering dust.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 12:29:35 pm
content: Brumby has pretty much nailed it, but I'll add a couple of points.Completing some relevant task that is not part of your curriculumdemonstratesthat you are interested in the subject and not just a money-grabbing time server.So, pick a challenging project, design it, implement it, and be able to say what you would do differently if you were to do it again - and why. That demonstrates you can choose realistic goals, think, learn and improve. All that is valuable in any job that is worth having.You don't necessarily need your own lab to do that. I designed and built a 6800-based Altair-8080 computer with 128bytes(!) of RAM with only a multimeter, switches and LEDs - and carefully structuring the implementation and testing.But do make sure you get good exam results; you can always do projects later, but you can't re-do poor exam results.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 01:10:49 pm
content: You are a student, and you don't make money. The university has electronics lab, and you have access to it.Just turn to any of the profs that you like (and who teaches electronics, or microcontrollers or anything related), and ask them if they have extra projects for you. They will have or they will forward you to someone who will have projects. You gain access to them in their "free time", they will teach you useful stuff other than the rubbish that is in the textbooks, get to spend time in the lab, and meet other students who are also motivated.Or you can spend your tiny amount of excess money on some basic tools. Once you earn money, after the first month, you will be able to afford much better ones and it will feel like a waste.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 02:47:20 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on May 16, 2022, 01:10:49 pmBuying some basic tools is not really a waste, IMHO .... well, not completely.By starting with limited capability, you will come to understand those limitations. This will bring you to look at what other features you might like - but, more importantly,whyyou would invest in them. Buying tools from specifications only runs a risk of looking at numbers but missing out on capabilities. Familiarity and experience are precious in that regard. It's a bit like learning things "from first principles".However, certainly look at the facilities to which you have access. No point starting to spending money unless you really need to.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 03:11:27 pm
content: Might not help you find a job, but showcasing projects and some evidence of equipment familiarization can lead to a more successful application or interview outcome.Having a computer system, work space, tools, internet and phone setup is also worthwhile as it highlights you can work remotely if needed with minimal assistance. Just make sure if you include photos it looks clean but shows work being done.In the corporate world it's not uncommon to work from home or do a few hours in the office then head off if you are feeling unwell (with something not communicable). Most employers are accommodating enough for you to manage your own well being and prefer if you can remote work when able. The alternative is just vanishing and not being contactable.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 11:04:20 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on May 16, 2022, 01:10:49 pmThis! And try to get a job working in one of the labs or assisting one of the professors. It will look just as good (or better) on a resume and it will put a little bit of money in your pocket instead of costing you money. Real hands on experience in any related capacity is a big plus when job hunting. Also employers are impressed with people that can go to school AND hold a technical job at the same time.Some of the jobs that I did as a student are still opening doors for me 35 years later.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2022, 03:48:08 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on May 16, 2022, 11:30:48 amSkip the beer, Dave Jones and Jim Williams showed that it's not at all necessary.Back when I was in college, they had a tech club called "Cepheid Variable" (it's actually mostly for software engineering, but hardware engineering is also welcome as long as you bring the tools yourself) that's a great place for engineers to hang out.Then there are IEEE meetings, I got to be friends with some IEEE models. (I think that's specific to some colleges including Texas A&M.) Pretty girls who like to talk about engineering are a lot more interesting than pretty girls who don't know engineering.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2022, 06:47:34 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on May 16, 2022, 02:47:20 pmAgreed.Add that it looks good to carefully and imaginatively use whatever tool is available to its fullest capabilities. (See the aphorism in my .sig)That's beneficial in an interesting job where you will be pushing boundaries, e.g. if you are designing the world's fastest oscilloscope, what scope should you buy when testing it?

author: mansaxel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2022, 07:16:16 am
content: Quote from: tggzzz on May 16, 2022, 12:29:35 pmOver here the saying is that there are always retries on exams, but there are no retries on parties.Engineering students here not seldom flunk a few papers over the course of a year, and then have to study for one of the catch-up exam opportunities to get their results. As long as they maintain a rate of about 75% of the courses completed during the year, the student loans system will pay out for continued studies. I have a few friends who are perhaps 2 papers or tests short of the M.Sc but they're too busy working, and don't want to try writing the Numerical Methods or Mathematical Statistics tests again. And again, and so forth.

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2022, 08:53:23 am
content: Having a home lab isn’t super essential, but having a portfolio is a great idea.If you have the space and money then a home lab can be a place to build a portfolio. It can start out as simply as a multimeter, old computer (so you don’t blow up your homework) and some basic hand tools. Lab gear like scopes can be scrounged or purchased later.If you don’t have space or money for a lab there may be other ways to build that portfolio, using school facilities or club facilities. It’s the portfolio that matters.Something I came across in a portfolio that impressed me was a guy who’d assisted with the electronics aspects of a larger project in a volunteer situation. In this case it wasn’t just the electronics that was impressive but he demonstrated the ability to work effectively with others.In his case it was an interactive interpretative display in a museum

author: basinstreetdesign
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2022, 01:59:04 am
content: Quote from: kosgian90 on May 16, 2022, 11:14:19 amA home lab before graduation and as a tool to impress interviewers... It's a two-edged sword and can greatly depend on the culture of the specific company that you are applying to.On the one hand, it may be viewed as a valuable asset to learning; as proof that you have a passion for the subject; and therefore you may be a self-starter, self-teacher, highly motivated to make your understanding of your subject better. All of the guys named above fall into that catagory, Jim W., Dave J, Bob W., etc. and I am sure it has served them well.OTOH, it may be viewed suspiciously as evidence of someone who, sooner or later, will leave said company to:start an unrelated venture after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train youcompete with them in their own market after you have made them spend lots of time and money to train yousteal their secret infoleave them when they need you mostI have worked for both and for those who never gave those subjects a second thought.The first group are/were exemplified by companies such as HP of the olden days. They actually allowed employees to raid their inventory for home projects because they knew that the employees involved were improving themselves.The latter group may very well ask you to sign something to prevent you from doing any of that. Avoid them at all costs.Right now the market seems to be favouring the applicants very much so my advice is to be careful and not jump at the first outfit that makes an offer. In any case you probably wont have much time for anything like that until after you graduate, anyway.

author: Miyuki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2022, 07:16:37 am
content: Having your own projects/portfolio is a great thing. A lab can help with it.Also, you can work as a contractor/freelance in your lab or take smaller projects to the "home office" (is home lab a thing?)I'm planning to expand my lab as I work from home. So I get paid for doing my hobbyBut it can be a hustle to convince a company to do this work in your own lab. They are scared of you stealing the precious designs you developed and they send them to manufacture in Asia

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2022, 08:14:25 am
content: Quote from: basinstreetdesign on May 18, 2022, 01:59:04 amHP used a "Bill and Dave" story toencourageemployees to use the lab inventory for home projects. Hewlett was working in the lab on a weekend and found the lab stock locked. He used bolt cutters to gain access, and left a note asking that it not be locked in future.HP had good interviewing practices, and trusted their employees - and the employees trusted the company.QuoteYes.Doing many interviews at different companies is an excellent way of uncovering the work ethos, working out what youdon'twant - and hence being confident about what youdowant.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2022, 11:59:56 am
content: As a retired EE I can testify to how valuable your own hobbyist lab can be....it was 1967, in my senior year of a BSEE, in my apartment lab did experiments with Photomultipliers I found at surplus stores in Manhattan. At a job fair, interviews by a national laboratory in California....Mentioned the Photomultipliers......they were so impressed, I was introduced to the laboratory director!!He invited me to work as a Summer technician as a prélude to hiring.I spent a halcyon Summertime in Berkeley on the hill. an unforgettable experience!bon courageJon

author: hugjior
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2022, 08:24:18 pm
content: Quote from: Miyuki on May 18, 2022, 07:16:37 amI would say that having a portfolio is amust. If you are thinking about starting practicing, not only learning theory - you're definitely on the right way. You need to try doing something by yourself, just gonig to college and getting a degree is not enough. The educational system nowadays works really bad, so you should be prepared that studying at college may be useless. I went 3 years to college, and was always buying my homeworks, essays and stuff from sites likehttps://studymoose.com/essay-types/satire-essaysand I don't regret it at all. I didn't lose any important knowledge. I was working instead of it, and it was a correct choice.

author: El Rubio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2022, 12:46:32 pm
content: I’m an RF Engineer and work in wireless communications and have always had a workbench ( you guys like the term “lab”). That, and an amateur radio license helped me be more of an RF guru on some topics. Not just having the license, but a practicing operator. I made all of my antennas and worked on some local repeaters as well as other projects. The engineers I work with mostly push statistics and let the computer design their installations. Having a parallel hobby has given me troubleshooting skills as well as real-world experience with things like Intermodulation Distortion and spurious emissions, propagation issues, etc. The engineers I speak of are not slouches, but work in an environment where the machines do all of the work. Some don’t have practical experience because it isn’t required. They are smart guys that see it as a job with no passion for it. I get selected for projects and hands-on applications often and it is partly because of the basic skills and knowledge that those hobbies add.I say chase your hobby and like others have said here, it will open doors that may surprise you.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 11:52:18 am
content: when hiring for the interesting jobs , companies are looking for something that sets you apart from the rest.passing academics, while it can be hard, creates cookie cutter people. have 10 people that passed the same class , from the same professor, from the same school, with top score , and they all are roughly the same. same skill, knowledge and mentality. so which one to hire ? The one that has done the most interesting other stuff and shown his abilities.so from that perspective , tinkering with stuff and showing it can be a differentiator.on the other hand , of they are only looking for someone to click a button blindly it doesn't matter.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 12:20:58 pm
content: Having a home lab is not important, though it can be useful. Putting the theories you learn in school and elsewhere to practical use, learning their limitations and all of the myriad realities of real devices is both important and useful.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 01:22:23 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on July 29, 2022, 12:20:58 pmand where do you do that ? hint : three letter word ... begins with l , ends with b and has first letter of alphabet in middle.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 07:39:26 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 29, 2022, 01:22:23 pmA home lab is one option for that lab. Prior posts have mentioned several others. In my opinion, the best option is somewhere working on a real product. Maybe as an intern somewhere. Maybe as mentioned before latching onto a professor. Volunteering on a BattleBots team would be great. There are lots of options, but I think actually doing something is what is important.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2022, 09:21:31 pm
content: You can read about the exponential charge on an RC circuit, you can even plot the equation. Until you build it on a breadboard and watch it on a scope, all you have is theory. I like building small/simple circuits and gaining as much insight as I can.Were I a student, I would jump all over the Digilent Analog Discovery 2. It is cheaper than the gear it can replace. Too bad Digilent raised the price so much!Watch some w2aew videos! He is constantly building up small circuits on breadboards.

author: jasonRF
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 01:39:03 pm
content: Quote from: CatalinaWOW on July 29, 2022, 07:39:26 pmThis is great advice. I am an EE, and although I don't do traditional electronics for my job, I have interviewed many candidates. Folks that have these kinds of experiences in school have something interesting they can talk about in an interview, and usually get a good reference from practicing engineers or faculty who will have spent enough time with them to actually know them. Also, these kinds of opportunities only exist while in school - so take advantage of them while you can. You can still have a home lab if it is fun for you, but you also have the rest of your life to do that, after these other opportunities have vanished.

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 02:32:03 pm
content: A fellow EE I worked with told me his guidance counselor told him he should be an engineer and he would make money. He was a really good digital designer. He said he had working men's hours, when it was 5pm he went home. All he owned was an old Simpson 260. When his stereo broke, he took it somewhere. Chances are your first interview at any company will be someone who has no understanding of electronics and only listens for key words.I was trapped in a job because they didn't think they could find someone else and were blocking a transfer within the company. Had a friend getting married and he wasn't having any luck finding a job. I looked at the resume and could see why. I rewrote it throwing in all the buzz words appropriate for my position. He went into the interview not even knowing what his resume said. I got the job I wanted and the old boss told me "it looked like this guy was written for the position."I've hired a lot of techs. I ended up making a little test with a transistor driving a LED. A lot of our products had LED and sometimes they were put in backwards. Test was multiple choice with four answerers, two were totally stupid. I had people running out the door. Gave partial credit if they didn't pick the two dumbest answers. I'd hire the guy if he could get over 40%. A monkey sling poop can do that good. Whatever happened to techs? In the 70's I conceded techs almost engineers with no degree.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 03:42:05 pm
content: Quote from: kosgian90 on May 16, 2022, 11:14:19 amTinkering with electronics at home is always a plus when I interview a job applicant for electronics engineering. Having a home lab is more usefull though for improving your skills though and if you like it as a hobby, then just go for it. But keep in mind that there are many excellent electronics engineers that don't tinker with electronics at home at all.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 04:08:17 pm
content: I find it hard to believe that anybody interested in electronics would not already have a home lab. At least of some kind, It's not like it requires a lot of space or money. For over 10 years mine was in a closet.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2022, 06:19:28 pm
content: When I was in the hiring loop (as a junior engineer, Director of Engineering, or various places in-between), I always looked for passion, talent, experience, and education -- usually in that order. If having a lab in the closet or garage, or access to one elsewhere excites you then by all means set it up. If it doesn't interest you then why are you pursuing an engineering career? Think long and hard about this.

author: LaserSteve
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 02:55:45 am
content: The poster who suggesting chasing nursing students should see what resides in Mech Eng, Chem Eng, and Biomed these days. Much easier to talk to then nursing majors. When I was in EE we had one girl in a class of ~100. The school I work at strives for 50% in recruiting.Nursing majors work very hard, spend endless time studying, and are horribly busy with practicum experiences. They live on very tight schedules. I have no doubt its a calling, but a potential Mr/ Mrs EE is a lot closer to home base these daysOh to be 20 again.Steve

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 11:34:05 am
content: Graduates of hard subjects can get other employment, and may be obliged to start work outside of their preferred career.I guess investing in a home lab at least keeps open your preferred career, at some level.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2022, 11:58:34 am
content: Quote from: fourfathom on July 30, 2022, 06:19:28 pmTrue story: at some point my boss came to me telling me there would be an electronics intern for a graduation project for the next couple of months. Nephew from someone he knows. Few days later we hear a car coming into the parking lot. Speakers blasting -oonka-boonka-oonka-boonka-oonka-boonka-. Some young fellow who doesn't seem to be interested in anything walks in and introduces himself as being the new intern. Fast forward: turns out this guy actually is very talented and made an awesome project (very few would be able to develop what he did given the time!) during his internship. Needless to say we made him stick around when he graduated.The point is: there is a such a thing a raw talent as well. You don't want to miss out on that when hiring people. For that reason I make candidates take a test to see how much they know and go from there.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2022, 04:47:18 pm
content: Quote from: cool_man on October 18, 2022, 04:38:29 pmTrue, at least depending on your definition of "research".But I don't think the OP's question, or the way I use my own lab, has much to do with research. When I was an employer I wasn't looking for scientific researchers. Instead, I was looking for design engineers who weren't afraid to touch a soldering iron or an oscilloscope, and were familiar with real-world practices. A home lab can help demonstrate that. More importantly, a home lab suggests that the person has a true enthusiasm and knack for the field -- those are the people I want to work with.And of course, most of my fellow engineers never picked up a soldering iron at work. But they could if they had to.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2022, 07:03:58 pm
content: Theory is about big thingsPractice is about small thingsone ill component can stop working whole circuit