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| Kyle.tricarico:
Hey everyone! New to the forum! I’ve been directed here for some advice on what to potentially do moving forward with my career in electronics. I’m currently studying an Advanced Diploma in Electronics and Communications engineering. I’m finding it difficult to learn electronics through this way, as I’ve always done my own research and learnt more independently. This course will be done by the end of next year. With the option to move into a bachelor degree, which will be another 2 1/2 years, I’m unsure about whether it would be better to use that 2 1/2 years to gain industry experience, and make a start with me electronics career instead. My question is: should I move into the industry after this advanced diploma, knowing I’ll get into a lower paying job, but gain industry experience earlier than others that continue on to do the bachelor. OR Do I continue on to do the bachelor, get into a higher paying job, and start moving forward with my career then, even though I’m finding the course difficult to follow. Obviously this is a personal decision to make, but it would be great to hear some other experiences on the matter, maybe someone who has been in the same boat. Thanks heaps! Kyle. |
| aargee:
Be aware that generally, a Bachelor's Degree used to lead you to a management position. There are few R&D technical roles in Australia and given the current state of the world, I'm not sure if you want to plan on looking OS for R&D work. If you are a hands-on person, my first impression is to point you at industry after getting your diploma to get some experience - this is worth far more in job security. On the other hand, we have call center roles here being filled by engineers with Masters degrees because there is nowhere else and stupid managers and recruiters taking them, not due to skill but because they think they're getting a 'bargain', never mind that they are completely unsuited for the role. B.Eng is full of more maths and physics at a theoretical level, less hands-on, which may not be your 'thing' - then there is the consequential HECs debt to consider. Build your practical skillset, try and identify a long-term niche in electronics/technology, and aim there. If, after a few years, you find the degree appealing, go for it. This is just my personal opinion and you probably should seek wide-ranging advice to make your final decision. |
| mawyatt:
I'm coming from the R&D side of things here is USA. If you were here I would recommend staying in school as long as you can and pursue the most advanced degree you can attain. Once you leave school the likelihood of returning to extend your education is slim. You can always learn "hands on" later, but the deep thinking and understanding may not be as easy without the discipline of school. In any case as I've advised all the grad students when I was an adjunct prof, find something you really like, as you'll likely not be that good at something you don't like! If later in life you find that you don't like what you are doing, then move on to something you really like. I've been lucky, since I was 8 I've always known what I wanted to do, and still doing it almost 70 years later :) Good luck :-+ Best, |
| Kasper:
I failed engineering in uni on 1st try straight out of highschool. A couple years later, I did 2 year technologist diploma and got B's, worked for 6 years after that and then went back to uni for 3 year engineering degree where I got straight A's with full course load despite having to relearn math at the start of it. Don't let grades discourage you, worst case, you take a reduced course load and take 4 years instead of 2.5 years. It's all about having the right mindset to dedicate enough time and concentration to it. My first try at uni, I wasn't interested, would read stuff over and over and it would not sink in so I'd go party instead. My 2nd try, I was into it, I was familiar with the applications for it and it was way easier. I learned more applicable knowledge for my jobs as HW/FW designer in 2 years of college than I did in 3 years of uni but I get more job offers and slightly better pay after the 3 years of uni. Working as a tech or trying to be an entrepreneur for a bit before getting the degree is fine. You get an idea what the jobs are like before you commit 2.5+ more years to schooling. If you do return to school, your experience will make school more enjoyable and more useful and it'll give you a leg up on your classmates when you are competing for jobs. It also gives you a chance to save up some money and live more comfortably during uni. I finished uni about 5 years ago. If I could start over, I think I would have been better off if I focused on home renos or trying to make and sell something simple instead of going back to uni. Uni made my life as an employee better but life as an employee isn't great and as inflation continually outpaces wages, I don't think it's getting better. I think despite getting great performance reviews and moderate raises, I'm essentially getting a pay cut every year until I quit my job and make my own money selling electronics or houses and my time in uni doesn't help with either of those. |
| nctnico:
--- Quote from: mawyatt on October 19, 2021, 02:49:25 pm ---I'm coming from the R&D side of things here is USA. If you were here I would recommend staying in school as long as you can and pursue the most advanced degree you can attain. Once you leave school the likelihood of returning to extend your education is slim. You can always learn "hands on" later, but the deep thinking and understanding may not be as easy without the discipline of school. --- End quote --- I agree with this. A bachelor's degree (or even higher) means you have been taught analysis methods and math. Without those tools you won't be able to tackle more complicated problems. Not saying everyone with a bachelor's degree is a genius (far from it) but I have met several smart people that would have been so much better at their engineering jobs if they had completed a formal education at a university. |
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