Engineering vs. Engineering Technology

QueHuong

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2001
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I know that ETech is easier than engineering in college but how is it different in real life?

- Type of work
- Salary
- Opportunities for advancement
- etc.

And to be more specific, I'm interested in Electrical Engineering and EE Tech.

One more thing...
Are technology engineers 'real' engineers?
 
 

CSoup

Senior member
Jan 9, 2002
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By engineering tech, I assume you mean like those degrees they give out at schools like ITT Tech and Devry. I have no experience with these personally since my school just had engineering degrees, but from what I hear, everything you have listed will be lower than compared to if you were trained as an engineer.

Also, what do you mean by technology engineers? Most engineers work on technologies.
 

rahvin

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Tech's aren't real engineers no matter how much the college's want to make people believe they are. You will always be the second class, the drafter, the technition unless you are absolutely outstandingly smart (and you will have to prove it). The ceiling is awfully low.
 

CSoup

Senior member
Jan 9, 2002
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It is likely the similar to the relation between Doctor and Nurse. One aids the other and is not as skilled. Of course both have skills that the other is not well trained in. You are likely to find more EE tech people who can solder well then EE people because they had more practice.
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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Check out this link: EE vs EET It should explain some of the differences between the two degree programs.

CSoup: Bachelor or Associate degrees in Electrical Engineering Technology can be obtained at many universities.

- SB



 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
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<< CSoup: Bachelor or Associate degrees in Electrical Engineering Technology can be obtained at many universities. >>


Purdue University's Statewide Technology Program for one.
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< ET isn't real engineering. Only ABET accredited schools can offer a full engineering degree. >>



Ummm.. Engineering Technology is real engineering, that is a common misconception that many people have. Admitted, the schools like Ivy Tech/Devry don't teach real engineering - but many of the four year institutions are TAC/ABET accredited.

Straight off my schools homepage -

<< The engineering technology degree programs were developed using the guidelines for engineering technology established by the Technology Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (TAC/ABET). The Bachelor of Science degree programs in civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering technology are accredited by TAC/ABET. >>



- SB
 

Thrillhou

Senior member
Jul 24, 2001
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<< Anyone who's been in engineering for a while knows you can't do jacksh*t without calc. >>



Why would anyone want to do anything without calculus?;)
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< I don't see how that says ET is the same as engineering. >>



OuterSquare: ET and EE aren't the same thing. Check out this link to learn a little more about the differences between the programs. But ET is quite similiar to EE. As far as calculus goes, to get a Bachelors degree in the program I am working on requires at least two years of calc, three as an elective for the really warped minds. ;)

- SB


 

QueHuong

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2001
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When I'm saying ET, I'm not talking about programs for technicians. I'm talking about actual college programs where it's very similar to the traditional engineering programs. According to Purdue's Electrical Engineering Technology Program (Purdue's my most likely choice...RIT is my second choice), it's somewhat identical to the EE one.

SilverBullet's link answered a lot of my questions (thanks).

Someone told me that salaries are going to be the same but the traditional engineers will have more room for advancement. Can anyone confirm this?
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< I don't get it, if you are already doing two years of calc, why not just get the full engineering degree? >>



I like the program direction ET takes as opposed to the full engineering degree. Full blown engineering is a harder program and requires a little bit more in depth analysis that an ET degree would. The ET degree focuses a bit more with hands on experience, which just happens to be more appealing to my interests.

- SB

Mindstorm: Your welcome.
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< Someone told me that salaries are going to be the same but the traditional engineers will have more room for advancement. Can anyone confirm this? >>



I am not sure about the advancement, but there will be positions that require an EE degree instead of an EET degree. That would be the biggest issue that I see. You can also get your PE after you get an EET degree if you choose.(In Indiana anyway, I don't know about all states.)

- SB
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< huh, I guess ET at your school is a lot different from mine. Like I said, my friend was like, no calc in ET. >>



LOL. I just get bothered when I hear people say that ET is not engineering. The Devry/Ivytech electrical degrees, not that there is anything wrong with them, make people think of ET as some kind of cheap EE degree. I am sure EET at Purdue is no cakewalk. ;)

- SB
 

IceBlue

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Aug 23, 2000
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I for one would not stand for an engineering tech to be brought in and earn as much as a classically trained engineer.

Referring to an engr. tech. as an "engineer" is a spit in the face to all those who slaved through an accredited engineering progeam, complete with calculus and physics.


Think of it like comparing a Pepsi to a Fago/Shasta(insert local grocery store brand soda here).

ie- Most people generally qualify them both as soda, but the market puts a much higher value on genuine Pepsi.


-Ice

 

QueHuong

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2001
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Silverbullet, how do you like your major so far? Any comments from friends/professors/etc in either major that would help me choose EE or EET?
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< Referring to an engr. tech. as an "engineer" is a spit in the face to all those who slaved through an accredited engineering progeam, complete with calculus and physics. >>



Real engineering technology programs are accredited by TAC/ABET and come complete with all the calculus/physics you want to learn. ET is no cakewalk.

- SB


 

klod

Senior member
Nov 10, 2000
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I would ditto silverbullet28. My degree is Mechanical Engineering And Design Technology. This is a four year bachelor of science degree. Mine is from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, and is ABET accredited. I was in a full blown ME college before transfering to OSU, and the main difference for me was that more time is spent on the practical application of mechanical engineering formulas and theories, rather than how those formulas and theories were derived. Also, the ME program I was in was a mix of 80%/20% lecture to lab, while the MECDT program was closer to 60%/40%. I graduated 15 years ago :Q and have worked for two aerospace companies. I was recruted out of college by a company outside of Dallas, Texas, where I worked for four years. I have been in Wichita Kansas for the last 11 years. Both companies recognized me as an Engineer, (I did not pursue the Professional Engineer license, though it was an option), with all the benefits and trappings. I am paid on the same scale as any other engineer with my experience. I have been fortunate that both companies recognized my degree as a sign that I was "trainable", and have sent me to many on the job classes. I am currently doing finite element analysis of body skins. I have done a great deal of design work, as well as teaching classes, giving lectures, and leading design teams. So I cannot complain about the lack of advancement or opportunities.

Sorry for the lengthy reply, but it always burns me to hear how Techs are not real engineers. Now, we do have people here with two year associates degrees, and they do not make the money or have the benefits of the engineers, all other things being equal (years of service, experience, etc).
 

Silverbullet28

Senior member
Jul 4, 2000
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<< Silverbullet, how do you like your major so far? >>



I love it actually. If you find electricity/electronics interesting and would like to learn how everything works, EE/EET would be a great choice. You might want to figure out what you want to do in the electronics field before you commit to a program, each has its advantages. I would recommend talking to someone at Purdue or RIC and get some advice from them.

- SB
 

SCSIfreek

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2000
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Traditional Electrical Engineers/Minor in Computer Engineering <----is the way to go. If i had known they get paid so much more than civil, mechanical, industrial, structural and environmental. I would have chosen EE as my major and got the degree in EE (Its not much harder for EE than CE or ME). There are so much possibilities EE can advance in here are some of them:

Computers(Anything related to it)
Telecommunication
Hardware Design
Programming
Minor in Software Design
Professional Consultant
Electrical Contactor
Micro Electronics <----processor design
Etc....

You'll love your paycheck when you think about it. :)


--Scsi
 
Feb 14, 2002
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EE's are the officers, and EET are the privates.

That's why they give EET's toothbrushed when they graduate since they will cleaning the floors with them whereever they work.


Seriously though, here's how I rate it.



EET>Poli Sci>Art>Accounting>Business>CompSci>Comp Engineering>EE.

 

Keego

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2000
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accounting is dumb, put pol sci above that :p


(I'm an EE, I heard that EET's just do b!tch work like lay wires and are basically electricians)