A.S. degree in Electronic engineering technology questions?

[etstudent]

Let me ask you guys something about degree's in this field. I just finished my career diploma, non-degree ET program, but i did earn 18 credits. I am going to take those credits to a state college in my state. I am pretty sure I am going to take an AAS Electrical/mechanical systems and maintenance program. With CLEP tests, and other earned credits, plus my 18 ET credits I should only need around 20 more credits for that degree. My other option is to go get my ASAST which is Associate in science is applied science and technology. Kind of a weird name but that is what it is. Mind you this is a full state school so its fully accredited and has a good rep. Anyway what type of jobs can you get with an Associates in electronic engineering technology? What would i be looking at in terms of job opportunities and salary? I am in NJ by the way if that helps. Thanks for the help guys, as always I appreciate the help.

[Bored@Work]

I can't help you with that alphabet soup, because I only have a vague idea how they work in the US, but

Anyway what type of jobs can you get with an Associates in electronic engineering technology?

Look at the job offerings in your area, or areas where you would consider to move to. How often is such an Associates required by employers? How often other degrees?

[slateraptor]

Anyway what type of jobs can you get with an Associates in electronic engineering technology? What would i be looking at in terms of job opportunities and salary?

Entry-level bench or field service tech. Florida will low ball you at $12-$14/hr starting; mil/aero industry might pitch a bit more. I was offered $14.25 starting in the commercial telecomm industry after clearing 3 interviews, a 4-page written test, lab equipment proficiency test, and NTSC signal identification test...they also expected me to teach other technicians and reverse engineer some wicked commercial comm rackmount kit while meeting an aggressive weekly repair quota. Mind you, it was re-emphasized that I was entry-level in that industry even after responding to an ad that required a minimum 10 years tech experience, the time it took me to desolder a 14DIP (10 min) using their busted ass equipment worked against a better offer, and long-term prospects capped at around $17/hr. Alas, what did I really expect from a hiring manager who thought QAM was a strictly digital application. Then again, I wasn't seriously looking to get hired by them and purposely neglected to mention that I held a BSEE (never did, even after walking out), or that I had a real career opportunity with a starting salary equivalent of almost triple their offer lined up. Be cautious of douchebag "opportunities" like this one, and don't be afraid to walk away on the scent of bullshit.

P.S. The written test went from identifying basic circuit symbols on the 1st page, to ohms law with a trick resistor network and calculating reactance as a function of frequency on the 2nd, to transformer questions with a trick DC-driven primary on the 3rd, and finishing off with identifying sub-block functionality on a ridiculous RF circuit that included a doubly-balanced mixer, discrete differential input stages, Colpitts oscillator, cascode amps, and other advanced shit.

[etstudent]

Well that is NOT promising. How could they pay someone like that, that has gone through that much education, I have no idea. I'm going to stick with the Electrical/mechanical systems and maintenance then. Maintenance mechanics are in demand, and make good money. I'm sorry I asked this question, 12 dollars and hour, 17 NOT going to cut it after getting a degree. Thanks for the help guys

[slateraptor]

Well that is NOT promising. How could they pay someone like that, that has gone through that much education, I have no idea.

Although I never told him that I held a proper EE degree, the asshole thought he was slick and tried to take advantage despite being the only candidate to pass muster. Nevertheless, the experiment served its purpose: to experience first hand how private industry fucks itself over.

I'm sorry I asked this question, 12 dollars and hour, 17 NOT going to cut it after getting a degree. Thanks for the help guys

Quite frankly, the degree doesn't mean shit...it's just a ticket to play, but doesn't guarantee entry. If you can pass muster by earning the approval of your interviewing party, then that's worth more than any fancy parchment with your name on it. But don't kid yourself if you think a piece of paper (let alone a terminal AS degree) justifies entitlement anywhere. Also, keep in mind that the offer was in Florida; adjust as required for NJ cost of living, which I suspect is probably closer to $15 starting.

[Smokey]

Maybe you can go into a little more detail about what "Electronic engineering technology" means vs traditional EE.  I'm not super clear on that.

Assuming it's some sort of technician thing, seeing as that's how the thread was going.....

I don't have a huge amount of experience with hiring technicians, I'd be surprised if that kind of situation was the norm. 
Our smallish company recently hired a couple technicians who's job requirements were mostly final testing newly assembled product.  So hookup UUT, fiddle pots, read measurements, pass/fail stamp, repeat.  No real technical understanding required apart from reading a multimeter, knowing what a sine wave looks like on a scope, and knowing how to keep from being electrocuted.  They started at 15USD and except for having to do the same thing every day, were treated pretty well. 

I've read some of those technician interview exams other companies give and you almost have to be a full EE to get everything right.  Not sure what the point is besides seeing who just gives up and walks away after looking at it.

As for the usefulness of an AS, I'm not sure where you would fit in in the continuum of jobs just on the degree alone.  I guess that depends less on the degree and more on how much you understand about the circuits and what you can do with them.  Pay cap probably depends on the size of the company what kind of stuff the company makes too.  I know there is a big gap here between what we need a technician type person for and what we need a full EE for, so unless you can jump the gap...

[gregariz]

Something to consider is that if you are absolutely planning to not pursue anything beyond an AS whether you might be better off doing an AS in business/project/technical management instead. It opens up your options. There are alot more project manager/business/management type jobs out there by an order of magnitude. We recently hired a project manager who has nothing more than an AS and is currently managing masters in engineering graduates and gets paid just as much.

In every company I've worked at technicians really are at the bottom of the food chain. I think even the school dropout receptionist (read office manager these days) gets paid as much and is treated better. I only see it getting worse in the near future.

As an engineer I see this as a pretty bad year for the industry, and am not optimistic that the industry can ever truly recover.