University recommendations?

[aXit]

Hey guys.

So I'm in my last year of high school now, and so I'll be heading off to tertiary education next year.

While I've already decided on a course (electronic engineering, if you believe it) I haven't really made any decisions as to which university I want to go to. In the reading I've done, they don't look all too different.

So I might go off something else, like reputation. So, which Australian universities have the best reputation for electronic engineering? Mostly looking at Sydney and Melbourne.

I'd love answers from people that are doing the course, love it, hate it. And engineers that would know what they look for when recruiting.


Thanks for your help.

[EEVblog]

Companies in Australia generally don't give a rats arse about where you studied, unlike say the US where it may be held in slightly higher regard. Many don't even care if you've studied at all, all they care about is can you do the job.
There are always exceptions of course...

But if you have to know, UNSW and USYD are the "big two" in Sydney. Probably equal rep locally, and have an international rep as well.
I have to say though, I've seen a lot more working EE's come from UNSW than USyd. Perhaps the USyd ones get all snobby and go into management?
UWS and UTS both suck IMO, but are ok choices if it suits you due to location/entry requirement etc.
Macquarie have some form of EE based course now, but I don't know much about that.

Many students simply chose based on which one is closest to home etc, once again unlike the US where it is common to leave home to attend a specific university.

You are right, they are all going to be pretty much the same. Same shit, different smell!

No idea about Melbourne.

Dave.

[aXit]

Thanks dave.

Seems I have a bit more reading to do on the communities, and especially industry ties.

Would still love the opinions of people doing the course at a particular uni.

Thanks again.

[Zero999]

Don't go to university, try to get a modern apprenticeship first.

[Mechatrommer]

no i have to politely disagree with you nero. while i still agree experience is the most important thing, but learning in U is not just about learning engineering knowledge, but about the whole (engineering) life itself. socialize with "elite" people, get immersed with "culture", and the way of engineering life, decision making, manners and skill of interaction, confidence etc.

well, i dont say that if you dont go to U you will not have manners, but.... only slightly different. IMHO.
i dont live in australia but maybe and hope this help. http://www.topuniversities.com/country-guides/australia

[joelby]

The choice of university probably matters most if you're interested in doing research, and this can come down to the group or the academic you're working with. A good (Australia-centric) site to check is http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/ - I'm sure I've seen discussions on the relative merits of courses at different universities, and if not, you can always ask other people what their opinions are of the institutions you're considering.

[McPete]

no i have to politely disagree with you nero. while i still agree experience is the most important thing, but learning in U is not just about learning engineering knowledge, but about the whole (engineering) life itself. socialize with "elite" people, get immersed with "culture", and the way of engineering life, decision making, manners and skill of interaction, confidence etc.

well, i dont say that if you dont go to U you will not have manners, but.... only slightly different.

To that, I'll have to disagree with you, to an extent. An apprenticeship, chosen correctly, can be all that- I'm not sure about the choice of the word "elite" there, but manners, decision making, confidence and interaction are not something exclusive to people who decided to go to university.

While I agree, some tradesmen are a bit "rough", that tends to change with the nature of the work. My example; I work in an electronics/calibration department at an electricity company. The tradesmen and apprentices in the section are precise, polite and measured people- We interact with engineers and office and field staff at their level. Confidence, something I severely lacked leaving school, is now no longer a problem.

If I had opted for a field-based role as, say, an electrical fitter, a contracting electrician, I wouldn't be anything like I am now- certinally not talking on this forum, defending my trade as a step into the world of electronics design.

Simply; Please don't assume all trades as producing "Joe Dodgy the contractor".

If you're able and willing to do the university time, by all means, do it if that appeals. However, please don't discount a quality trades education.

[TopherTheME]

I recommend going where ever the industry is. Being able to work in industry during the summer, and maybe take a class or two, will put years ahead of someone who just goes to some hoity toity uni.

[aXit]

I recommend going where ever the industry is. Being able to work in industry during the summer, and maybe take a class or two, will put years ahead of someone who just goes to some hoity toity uni.

Can you suggest anywhere that I could find that kind of information? Places like UNSW and RMIT seems to have the strong industry ties, but statistics for salaries in melbourne are higher.

Thanks again.

[EEVblog]

I recommend going where ever the industry is. Being able to work in industry during the summer, and maybe take a class or two, will put years ahead of someone who just goes to some hoity toity uni.

Can you suggest anywhere that I could find that kind of information? Places like UNSW and RMIT seems to have the strong industry ties, but statistics for salaries in melbourne are higher.

Thanks again.

Forget the statistics of which place offers the highest salary and most opportunities, that's just all bullshit.
UTS offer a sandwich course, but like I said, the UTS course is crap (my opinion).
If you want to get work experience and still do the course, just go and find a job first that is willing to take you on and give you some time off for study and then find a uni that allows you to do the course part time.
Follow my job advice tips videos.

Dave.

[squeezee]

I recommend going where ever the industry is. Being able to work in industry during the summer, and maybe take a class or two, will put years ahead of someone who just goes to some hoity toity uni.

Can you suggest anywhere that I could find that kind of information? Places like UNSW and RMIT seems to have the strong industry ties, but statistics for salaries in melbourne are higher.

Thanks again.

You'll basically want to see if they offer any sort of internship/work-term/co-operative education programs. If they have a proper program you aren't just limited to working during the summer months, which makes it easier to take jobs a long distance away (across or even out of the country). Of course it'll make it longer to graduate, but it's much better to add an extra year of study to come out with 1-2years worth of relevant work experience.

[rossmoffett]

I'll just butt in with a question I'm curious about..

A lot of my classmates over the years came to the USA because universities in their home countries carried less prestige (and jobs in their countries provided less money) than those in the USA.  These are generally Middle-Eastern, Asian or African students I've met.

Is that true in Australia?  You say that the university doesn't matter so much as the degree, but say someone were to have educated themselves in an upper tier US, British, German, etc school, would employers tend to go for those people instead?

[EEVblog]

I'll just butt in with a question I'm curious about..

A lot of my classmates over the years came to the USA because universities in their home countries carried less prestige (and jobs in their countries provided less money) than those in the USA.  These are generally Middle-Eastern, Asian or African students I've met.
Is that true in Australia? 

Yes, it's a big problem here. "Full fee paying" students take a lot of the university places here, and universities are under pressure to pass them even if they fail, can't speak English enough etc.

You say that the university doesn't matter so much as the degree, but say someone were to have educated themselves in an upper tier US, British, German, etc school, would employers tend to go for those people instead?

As I said, generally not in Australia for most practical engineering job, no. Might be different is you are doing research or something.

Dave.

[MrPlacid]

Yes, it's a big problem here. "Full fee paying" students take a lot of the university places here, and universities are under pressure to pass them even if they fail, can't speak English enough etc.

My kind of university That sounds like ITT over here in the US. They'll pass you just for showing up for class (that's what I have read from all those reviews)

[cybergibbons]

The overseas students on my course tended to be much hard working and more intelligent...

[rossmoffett]

The overseas students on my course tended to be much hard working and more intelligent...

The same is true of the overseas students I've taken courses with.  At their worst, they performed with the average.

This is actually the first I've heard of foreign students not doing well in classes and being passed anyway, I've seen none of that at my state university.

[djsb]

Happens here in the UK also (at least in the university I worked in for 6 years). It's sad that students pay the high overseas fees and just get a useless bit of paper at the end of it. They leave having learnt very little engineering. The teaching staff try their best but are woefully under resourced. They dont have the time to properly assess what students have learnt. I could go on but it would only depress people.

David.