So...what can I do with a Computer Engineering degree?

RESmonkey

Diamond Member
May 6, 2007
4,818
2
0
I want to do be involved with the video game field (Preferably designing consoles). This is what computer engineering (electrical and hardware) is related to/about, right?

And what about making the games themselves. Game software developer companies need hardware engineers to...like, you know...help em understand how to get the code to run on the hardware provided, right?

Help, plox.

BTW, got accepted into Purdue's comptuer eng. Waiting for UIUC.
 

akshatp

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
8,349
0
76
So...what can I do with a Computer Engineering degree?

The following things come to mind:
Put it in a nice frame and hang it on your wall
Sit in a comfy chair and look at it hanging on your wall in a nice frame
Put it back in the envelope and store it for safety
Use it to wipe your ass after you poop


I havent thought about or looked at my Comp E degree since I received it 7 years ago.
 

RESmonkey

Diamond Member
May 6, 2007
4,818
2
0
:(

Really, though. Console hardware = computer hardware = computer engineering ftw, yes?
 

Special K

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2000
7,098
0
76
Originally posted by: akshatp
So...what can I do with a Computer Engineering degree?

The following things come to mind:
Put it in a nice frame and hang it on your wall
Sit in a comfy chair and look at it hanging on your wall in a nice frame
Put it back in the envelope and store it for safety
Use it to wipe your ass after you poop


I havent thought about or looked at my Comp E degree since I received it 7 years ago.

Well then, what DO you do? ;)

OP - generally computer engineering is more concentrated on the design of actual CPUs. I don't think any console maker out there designs their own CPUs from scratch. I suspect console design would be more board-level design than anything else.

That said, what constitutes a "computer engineering" degree will vary from one school to the next. Most involve some degree of overlap between EE and CS classes, although depending on how you choose your electives, you could very well take the exact same classes as either an EE or CS major.
 

ultimatebob

Lifer
Jul 1, 2001
25,134
2,450
126
You could move to India and get a computer engineering job... oh wait, no you can't. Their immigration laws only allow people to easily LEAVE the country to find work :|
 

Aluvus

Platinum Member
Apr 27, 2006
2,913
1
0
A lot of CompEs end up working in embedded systems, or in some form of "system engineering". Videogame consoles would qualify, although I have no idea how many (if any) CompEs actually get hired for those kind of jobs. As already stated, CompE programs vary quite a bit.

You might want to start learning Japanese now though. I would assume both Sony and Nintendo handle their console design primarily in Japan.
 

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
you can be a manager at best buy or frys... just like any other holder of a BS degree.

If you want to work with a video games company you should go visit some and talk to people who work there and ask what degrees are required for each field. tell them you are an enthusiastic college sophomore who wants to declare his major and is looking for advice... (which is a lie of course, you already have your degree)

NOTE: A bachlors degree is shortened as BS right?
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
Tons of jobs for CpE majors out there, but I'm not sure how many for game console design. I'm graduating as a CpE next May and I plan to do something with embedded systems. That's where a lot of the jobs are anyway... most of the companies I talked to said that my interest and concentration in embedded systems is good. I like dealing more with the software, but more lower level stuff. A lot of entry level positions often involve testing.

EE is more general, and definitely opens up more opportunities. Some companies don't seem to understand what a CpE is though. Depending on your school's program and your own concentration, it can vary, but IMO CpE curriculums sort of evolved from EE with digital design concentration.

I interviewed with a few places in the past few weeks, and talked to a bunch more, and I'd say for all but a few of them, I would've been better off as a EE. But for certain companies and positions, someone who is knowledgeable with hardware and software is very desirable. So it can go all ways really.