So You Want To Be An Engineer. Ray Floyd
ongoing employment, but such requirements are unusual — a little more about that later. In many cases, the employer will provide a reimbursement program to encourage their employees to continue their education, thus enabling them to obtain advanced degrees.
The emphasis found in most Masters programs is to provide a specialized program for the student. The curriculum can be manipulated to provide the student with courses concentrating in the areas of career interest. From a general degree at the Bachelor level, where the intent is grounding the student in fundamental educational needs, the student can concentrate on areas of interest that couldn’t be followed at the undergraduate level. As previously noted, many employers will provide some form of tuition refund, ranging from a percentage of the tuition, to full reimbursement plus books and time off to attend classes. Both authors experienced the latter policy with IBM.
The Masters program is not limited to the sciences by any means. Of particular interest, especially in the United States, is the MBA (Masters in Business Administration). In the MBA, the orientation is to prepare the graduate to develop the necessary skills and expertise to run a successful business.
Some students who wish to teach or work in research-oriented careers may bypass the Masters program and move directly from their undergraduate degree program to a Doctoral program. Those pursuing a Masters degree often have the choice of writing a thesis or taking additional class hours. We strongly recommend that students take the thesis route for a number of reasons. First, the thesis provides the student with the opportunity to develop a highly-structured report, with emphasis on style, content, and findings. Second, it requires students to present their findings to a review board (professors), just as they may do during their career to management. Finally, most programs expect some level of original research to be included within the thesis; thus, it is not the simple search for existing material. It is a more difficult route, but well worth the effort in furthering one’s career.
A Doctorate degree represents the pinnacle of success in our educational system. It addresses an extended term of educational accomplishment, as well as some level of original research: the dissertation. There are a number of careers that demand that individuals obtain a doctorate in order to advance, or even participate. A good example is the field of education at the college level. Although some colleges allow Master degrees for Adjunct and Associate Professors, the role of the Assistant or Full Professor typically requires a Ph.D. A Ph.D. is also frequently required for school teachers who wish to move into administration, eventually becoming principals and similar posts.
For companies heavily involved in basic research, such as IBM, General Electric, Texas Instruments, Intel, Motorola, and others, obtaining a Ph.D. is required simply to be considered for employment. That is not to say that these companies employ only Ph.D.s; there are many career paths with each that do not involve basic research. As both authors can attest, career opportunities can abound for those with just a Bachelor degree or Masters.
It should also be noted that Ph.D. recipients may also find opportunities outside of basic research. Spencer, as a Test Department manager, had a Ph.D. engineer assigned to his department. At first, the new engineer had a bit of trouble with the hands-on aspect of his job as a test engineer. However, as he gained experience, he became an excellent addition to the staff; he could explain not just what was happening, but also the theoretical aspects in much greater depth. Some years later, that Ph.D. engineer’s son was studying for his Doctorate in electrical engineering, and his father kept after him to understand not only the what’s and why’s of what he was learning, but also the practical applications as well. It is that very depth of knowledge found in the studies for a Ph.D. that accentuates the value of this degree.
Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate? Again, a simple question with the complex answers. What is it you wish to accomplish over your career? This “bucket list” may be the deciding factor on what educational degrees you must reach for. In some cases, it may simply be a feeling of self-accomplishment, adding nothing to one’s career, but the personal satisfaction that it could be done. Perhaps it may the good feeling of being able to participate in the many activities to benefit mankind. It may be simply the desire to teach, helping others reach their full potential through your efforts. Regardless of the reason, reach out and find the niche that best fits your goals.
Suggested Problems
1. Write a 250–300 word paper explaining your desire to be come an engineer.
2. Analyze your plan for a degree program. What is your long-term educational goal and why?
Other Readings
Christopher Columbus: Explorer. http://www.enchantedlearning.com John F. Kennedy and the Space Program. http://www.uah.edu
King, Rev. Martin Luther. (1963). I Have A Dream. http://www.usconstitution.net
The Impossible Dream. From Man of La Mancha, music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Dorian. http://www.reelclassics.com
The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aviation Age. http://www.nasm.st.edu
Floyd, R. (1993). The Four “Ins” of Management — Avoid Them! Industrial Management, May/June 1993.
Floyd, R. (2008). Rules of Thumb. IEEE Potentials, November/December 2008.
Floyd, R. (2011). On Planning Your Career. IEEE Potentials, May/June 2011.
Floyd, R. (2011). Chef, Cook, or Bottle Washer? IEEE Potentials, May/June 2011.
Spencer, R. (1983). Planning, Implementing, and Control in Product Test and Assurance. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
Over many years, we have known people who had enrolled in an engineering curriculum, only to decide it was not what they really wanted to do. Also some switched their engineering major when they decided there were different conditions they preferred to work in. For instance, one student decided he would prefer to work outside in the field, not in a laboratory or office, so switched from chemical to petroleum engineering. Such changes, while not uncommon, may be costly for students, both in time and money. Depending on when the change is made, completing the degree may be pushed beyond the traditional four years by two or more years, with college costs increasing proportionally.
We find it interesting to talk to young people, high school seniors, and college freshmen, and discuss with them the course of study they plan to follow in college and for their career. Frequently, an individual will simply say, “I’m going into Engineering.” That is somewhat akin to saying trees are green — there is such a variation in what an engineer is, what courses need to be studied, what the interests of the student are, what jobs are available to the graduate, and the list goes on and on. If the individual can narrow the choice, even slightly, to say, “I’m going to be an electrical engineer.” there still remains a large number of choices to be made as one embarks on the studies needed for the new career.
During our years of work as engineers, we have seen many engineering graduates who have specialized so narrowly that they were unable to adapt for success in some very challenging opportunities. One case in point was a young engineer trained in electronics, but unable to handle testing of printers. Why? The testing involved primarily mechanical components, although much of the printer itself contained electronics for paper advance, hammer firing, data transfer, and so forth, but he couldn’t adapt to the system aspects of the job. After a time he left and found a new position in aircraft cockpit simulators, although we suspect he didn’t last there either, as there are many, if not more, mechanical aspects to learn.
A