Attn: Patrick Mahoney or other employed Computer Engineers

[Borushka]

I was wishing you could share some of your knowledge about the computer industry job market. Currently I am a Freshman enrolled to be a Computer Engineer specifically in the hardware field. Do you think it would be of great benefit to get a dual degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer and Engineering Management, or a BS and MS in Computer Engineering? Specifically I am overwhelmingly creative but I but average in math. I am very willing to do lots of math so long as I can play a creative role in the computer industry that I so much love. Please anyone help me decide which field(s) to study as to reach my goal.

Thank you so very much!

 

[apoppin]

Try e-mailing or private messaging pm. He rarely visits off-topic.

 

[catseye]

I've looked around quite a bit, and am happy to share my insights.

If you do well at a top 10 school or otherwise distinguish yourself you will have no problems getting a job in dev. Just do your homework, know the target company and thier market and be able to come across as tech competent and business smart. Sell yourself, it's easy.

Otherwise, a degree from a lesser school or poor grades is more iffy. You will still get a job, but it may not be in dev, which is what you'll be trained to do. Perhaps QA or project management. Nothing wrong with these positions, but be willing to accept one. They tend to lock you out of dev though.

You really want to set yourself up? Do a dual CompE and marketing or bizadmin. If you like the biz side you can make a killing with a tech background, assuming you are a good communicator. And don't underestimate the creative side of biz, it's no easy job. No matter what you do, line up internships as soon as you can. Even tech support or retail sales will help you enourmously.

Dual compE EE is a killer curriculum. I don't really think it's worth it. It doesn't really make you that much more marketable. Also, forget the MS in compE. You'll gain more knowledge in the field, and advanced degrees scare employers unless you are applying for the extremely rare research jobs. They think you'll cost too much.

BTW dev = development just in case.

 

[Mday]

what are the 10 top schools for engineering?

--

nevermind

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/cat13wi.htm