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Spilly:
I am a third semester Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology student attending a local community college (Isothermal Community College).  In my time between classes I work on electronics and programming projects.  The one I am most proud of is writing a bit bang SPI driver for communication between a Texas Instrument IC and a microcontroller.  An open source driver did not exist, so I made one.  I enjoyed doing this and I believe I would enjoy creating interfaces for new hardware, or something similar, as a career.


       
Currently I am at a cross-road which has literally been keeping me up at night.  These are the paths that I can see.


1. Start over and enroll in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering courses at a different School.  Yes, shame on me for not knowing the difference between engineering and engineering technology.


2. Finish my associates degree at the community college and then transfer to an Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology School that will accept my previous courses towards a bachelor degree and specializes in a field I enjoy.


3. Finish my associates degree at the community college and then transfer to the ABET accredited Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology school (Western Carolina University http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/Kimmel/academic-programs-degrees-offered/engtech/bachelor-of-science-in-electrical-and-computer-engineering-technology.asp) and build my knowledge in a field I enjoy outside of class.  WCU offers a 2+2 ECET program with the community college I am attending which means all of my ECET classes will transfer towards a bachelor degree.

a. If I go this route will it be difficult to find a job that is not in the same specialty field as the school I graduate from?


Adding to the difficulty of this decision is I am 27 years old, married, and my wife has a good job.  I worry that if I extend my time in school, I will graduate a bachelor.  The closest ABET accredited school would allow for my wife to keep her job.  The school is geared towards industrial manufacturing.  This is not the area I want to specialize/work in.

In reference to finding a job, several people have told me that it is not necessarily what school you go to but what you can do.  To what extent is this true?

I currently live in the small township of Union Mills, NC.
       
I’m not expecting someone to make this decision for me.  I am simply looking for any thoughts you may have on my situation.
JoeO:
It would really help if you told us where you are and what college you are referring to.
Spilly:

--- Quote from: JoeO on September 20, 2014, 02:28:10 pm ---It would really help if you told us where you are and what college you are referring to.

--- End quote ---

I currently live in the small township of Union Mills, NC.

I am currently at a local community college (Isothermal Community College).  #3 is referring to Western Carolina University http://www.wcu.edu/academics/departments-schools-colleges/Kimmel/academic-programs-degrees-offered/engtech/bachelor-of-science-in-electrical-and-computer-engineering-technology.asp. 

The OP has been updated with this information.  Please let me know what other information would be useful.
JoeO:
OK.  Thanks for the update.

I teach in a local Community College and advise students.

First things first.  After the Associate degree, you need to get a Bachelor degree.  Then after that you get a Master's degree.

In looking through the link you provided, this paragraph stands out:

"Fully accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), this program meets or exceeds high standards set for the preparation of computer engineers and computer systems engineers. This program emphasizes the use of microcomputers to solve industrial problems relating to automation, instrumentation and control in systems involving robotics, data communications, networks, and/or automated testing. In all cases, microcomputer hardware and software are used for data acquisition, transfer and analysis."

Although this may not look like EXACTLY what you want, it is still very close.   There are some elective courses you can take to learn more about the field you want to get into.

You need to make an appointment with someone at WCU to see what your options are.  Start with the Admissions department.  Tell him/her exactly what you wrote here.  Ask how many of your credits will transfer.  What transfers depends on what program you go into and what your grades are.

Good luck!  Keep us posted.
Spilly:

--- Quote from: JoeO on September 20, 2014, 03:01:33 pm ---First things first.  After the Associate degree, you need to get a Bachelor degree.  Then after that you get a Master's degree.

--- End quote ---

Yes, I get the two mixed up.  I meant the four year degree.


--- Quote from: JoeO on September 20, 2014, 03:01:33 pm ---You need to make an appointment with someone at WCU to see what your options are.  Start with the Admissions department.  Tell him/her exactly what you wrote here.  Ask how many of your credits will transfer.  What transfers depends on what program you go into and what your grades are.

--- End quote ---

An important bit of information I should have included in my OP (will update OP) is WCU offers a 2+2 ECET program with the community college I am attending.  From my understanding, this will allow all of my ECET courses to transfer.

Thank you for the input.
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