Off topic opinion question.

[Fuzzy]

If you are comfortable with integrating multiple systems together, the EE along with your experience in IT may actually lend well to BMS type work (building Management Systems). Though to be good at it, you'd have to get some experience on operating building systems as well. There are entry level positions as installers and stuff to get the experience.
The newer BMS systems are as much about networking than they are about electronics. Though a lot of time installing means some amount of travel to start-up jobs and such. Depends on the density of work near where you live (I've noticed the techs here in CA rarely have to travel far to keep their work schedule full).

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

If you are comfortable with integrating multiple systems together, the EE along with your experience in IT may actually lend well to BMS type work (building Management Systems). Though to be good at it, you'd have to get some experience on operating building systems as well. There are entry level positions as installers and stuff to get the experience.
The newer BMS systems are as much about networking than they are about electronics. Though a lot of time installing means some amount of travel to start-up jobs and such. Depends on the density of work near where you live (I've noticed the techs here in CA rarely have to travel far to keep their work schedule full).

Thanks! That sounds like it would be a good fit. I'm getting my ccna just for the heck of it so that would tie in with that as well. I'm going to research that and see what it looks like. Stanger pointed out that he is a Systems Engineer which sounds pretty interesting.

Building management is similar to home automation in some ways right? Just making sure I'm thinking of the right thing.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

Building management is similar to home automation in some ways right? Just making sure I'm thinking of the right thing.

Yeah, pretty much, just on a much bigger scale. The goals being the same though - climate control, security, lighting, etc.

[rrhorer]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

I just want to be happy with what I do.

That's the right goal; and it took me more than thirty years to find it. I'm a EE in the power utility business and was a partner in a 400-700 employee consulting firm and ran a profitable office in Phoenix, Arizona for about 10 years. After a downturn for our small office, indirectly related to the Enron debacle, the pressure mounted; and I came to the realization that I was not happy in my job. I now work (still as a consultant) for a very small local firm (~25 employees) and am paid considerably less than a partner's pay. But, you know what, I'm happy now and expect to live a lot longer.

BTW, I work with a lot of lawyers (contract negotiations, expert testimony -administrative law, etc.). Stick with engineering. There's a lot of diversity in every EE field and self-satisfaction rewards for doing a good job. Fuzzy and others have offered good advice -- I wish that I had received it long ago when I was asking the same questions.

And about Masters and PHD degrees, all I can say (and I hope not to offend anyone) is that in hiring new engineers, I would never even consider someone with a doctorate and paid little attention to anyone with a masters. Good engineering (at least consulting) is about common sense and communications skills. From my experience, someone who was a beer drinker in college but managed to get a BS degree in EE fits the bill very nicely.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by rrhorer

From my experience, someone who was a beer drinker in college but managed to get a BS degree in EE fits the bill very nicely.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm pretty good at the beer drinking (my fraternity helped) so all I need is the BSEE and I'm good to go.

The thing I've learned from everyone's advice is that the EE field is quite a bit more diverse than I thought. It sounds to me like I've got quite a few opportunities with that degree.

Thanks again guys.

[jptheripper]

If I Can offer one more word

I spent 8 years in college getting a Masters in Oceanography b/c I love the topic. I worked in the field afterwards, and eventually ended mapping hydrants and utilities instead of beaches b/c oceanography pays dirt.

The advice is, not matter what you _study_, apply that knowledge everywhere you can. AN internship/volunteer/entry job is more important than all the theory in the world with regards to the "get a job" requirement.

I am now in a position interviewing perspective candidates. The last one we turned away the person with the degree and no working knowledge for the person that struggled through jobs to get any experience and was still in school.

The piece of paper matters to get you into the interview, but it is your experience, effort, and attitude that get you hired.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by jptheripper

The piece of paper matters to get you into the interview, but it is your experience, effort, and attitude that get you hired.

That's one of the main reasons for finishing the degree. It just opens up quite a few better opportunities than not having one. I've not been able to apply for jobs I've already done in the past due to not having a degree.

[tmiranda]

My two cents, do something you like. I had a very successful career and made good money for 15+ years. I traveled, lived abroad, had a big office and bunch of people that worked for me, etc. I quit and took a job that the first year I earned about $25K and the second year even less but I wasn't on airplanes 5 days a week and I saw my kids every night. 10 years later and I've build another nice career but this time I have complete control over own calendar. I still don't earn the kind of money I used to but I smile a lot more

[parkimar]

I did a PhD in Physics (applied) - which was great fun. (If a little dry on occasion) - but I ended up working in IT (originally support, then development and now project / programme management) - If I had my time all over again - I would probably study medicine.

Do what you enjoy the most - you'll probably end up no where near where you think !

Good luck.

Cheers

Mark

[pjpjpjpj]

Fuzzy, that story you linked is very true. I deal with and work with people in that position (the position of the writer) every day. I suspect some, maybe lots, of them make as much as I do, but have a much more relaxed job and get to actually "DO" stuff. I just design it.

However, I "DO" my stuff at home - home improvement. I get that from my dad. My neighbors (and even my wife) are always amazed at not just the things I do, but "how did you even know how to do that?" The answer is usually a pretty simple point: "It's not rocket science. Are the people you hire to do it for you brilliant geniuses?" That's always met with a "hmmm, good point."

The above point is not meant to take away from the skill it takes to do stuff with your hands (and your brain). It's not something everyone can do, and more importantly, it's not something everyone WANTS to do. But it is indeed VERY rewarding. And quite often, a lot of fun.

I'm very comfortable at my job and job security seems pretty good. But if things change, I might someday look for a job where I could "do" more than "design".

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

Fuzzy, that story you linked is very true. I deal with and work with people in that position (the position of the writer) every day. I suspect some, maybe lots, of them make as much as I do, but have a much more relaxed job and get to actually "DO" stuff. I just design it.

However, I "DO" my stuff at home - home improvement. I get that from my dad. My neighbors (and even my wife) are always amazed at not just the things I do, but "how did you even know how to do that?" The answer is usually a pretty simple point: "It's not rocket science. Are the people you hire to do it for you brilliant geniuses?" That's always met with a "hmmm, good point."

The above point is not meant to take away from the skill it takes to do stuff with your hands (and your brain). It's not something everyone can do, and more importantly, it's not something everyone WANTS to do. But it is indeed VERY rewarding. And quite often, a lot of fun.

I'm very comfortable at my job and job security seems pretty good. But if things change, I might someday look for a job where I could "do" more than "design".

I'm the same way. There are very few things I'll hire someone to do, and the only reason for that is either I don't have the tools available, or I don't have time/manpower to get the job done.

There aren't that many things I either haven't been taught by my dad or grandpa or I just can't figure out on my own. Just my nature.

That's one of the reason for this thread. I want an EE degree just because I have always been interested in anything that uses electricity and my research (including this thread) have shown me that there are quite a few jobs I'll be able to get with that degree and the experience I have with what I've done before finishing my degree.

I really like to work with my hands so hopefully I can do that in my job, but if not me and a buddy always talked of opening some kind of business together. He's like me in the fact that there aren't many things he doesn't know how to do. We've talked about flipping houses on the side once the market gets better. Between the two of us there isn't really anything we can't do other than the things you have to be licensed for, and that isn't because we don't know how, it just won't meet code.

I've got around 2 years to finish my degree working full time so that will give me plenty of time to figure out what I'd really like to do.