Deciding what to do for schooling..opinions appreciated

[steinbachphoto]

Alright so here's the scoop. When I was in high school I thought for sure I would become a professional photographer so I skimped out on some key grade 12 courses that would aid me in getting into university.

and of course after I graduated I came to my senses and realized there is almost no way to live comfortably trying to become a big photographer. No guaranteed steady income. So I've decided to either become an electrician(then in years to come move up to foreman), or become an electrical engineer.

to go the electrician route I can get into the course right away and I'll be out on the field making money in a few months.

to go the electrical engineer route I have to first take a 6 month course to get into an electronics engineering course because i don't have the pre req's. Then I have to take the electronics engineering course for 2-3 years, then take another 6month bridging course to get into the electrical engineering course at the university here. Then spend another 2 years in that course.

and I don't want to sit at a desk for the rest of my life. Which I wouldn't do as an electrician. I guess I wouldn't all the time doing EE work, but I would more so than doing electrician work.

So what would you guys suggest? I thought I had an idea before but I have no idea.

Oh and if it helps I already have 1 yr. experience doing telecommunications technician work, which I really enjoy.

[jflip2002]

My dad is an electronics technician. He was in the same sort of position. when he first started he was a newbie who manned one of those mobile vans, who go to shops and fix their broken electronics like CBs, radios, etc. After a few years, and after a move to Detroit, he ended up working for Ameritech, sitting in a nice cushy office job, managing the newbies in the vans. He hated it. So after a few years, he actually took a pay cut, and ended up being the lead man out on the field, sort of like a "field supervisor". It was a little less pay ( probably $2k monthly pay cut), but he was 10x happier, and you could tell when he got home from work.

The moral of that long, boring story is go for what you think will make you happiest. Id imagine the pays will be comparable, either way it will be a comfortable financial living. From what youve typed, the electrician route seems to be the way to go. Hope that helps a little.

[FredK]

Do you like calculus?

That is the question you must ask yourself if you want to be an electrical engineer.

[MikeK]

no, i lub my e30

[Nic01101011]

youre out of phase man

[steinbachphoto]

youre out of phase man

what do you mean?

[steinbachphoto]

Do you like calculus?

That is the question you must ask yourself if you want to be an electrical engineer.

I don't necessarily enjoy it no

[FredK]

I don't necessarily enjoy it no

Well, the subject is rather dense and abstract. I would suggest looking at an intro EE textbook to get an idea of the what is covered. Look into what kinds of careers there are post-graduation.

It's hard to say if you'll like it or not. I did not major in EE, but I studied engineering in college. I knew a few EEs. They basically slept the least.

[steinbachphoto]

Well, the subject is rather dense and abstract. I would suggest looking at an intro EE textbook to get an idea of the what is covered. Look into what kinds of careers there are post-graduation.

It's hard to say if you'll like it or not. I did not major in EE, but I studied engineering in college. I knew a few EEs. They basically slept the least.

the more I look into it the less I like it.

I'm leaning towards electrician now, pay is within $14k a year(says payscale.com)I would be happier, and it's alot cheaper to start out

[Jand3rson]

$14k a year? I'm a low-voltage electrician apprentice, and I make close to $32k per year gross.

[z31maniac]

Do you like calculus?

That is the question you must ask yourself if you want to be an electrical engineer.

True.

But I work with quite a few EE's at my current job.

If you can get through school, they basically have said the couple of super basic formulas are all they use.

Like amps*volts=watts and shit like that. And these are guys designing the power distribution and control systems for naval and commercial ships.

I don't know. I'm just a lowly, well-paid Tech Writer.

[z31maniac]

$14k a year? I'm a low-voltage electrician apprentice, and I make close to $32k per year gross.

I think he meant within $14k a year, like the difference between $35k and $49k a year.

$14k a year is $7/hr or something.

To the OP, I will say, if you can write at all/like to write, Technical Writing is growing field with opportunities in many different areas and VERY good salaries. Since there aren't many people who can do it, competition is low.

I've been a tech writer for a year (have a Journalism degree) and I'm already noticeably above the national median salary (in one of the cheapest areas of the country to live) and within 3-5 years should be able to pull "Senior Tech Writer" money, ~$65-75k a year.

[FredK]

True.

But I work with quite a few EE's at my current job.

If you can get through school, they basically have said the couple of super basic formulas are all they use.

Like amps*volts=watts and shit like that. And these are guys designing the power distribution and control systems for naval and commercial ships.

I don't know. I'm just a lowly, well-paid Tech Writer.

It depends on what job you take after you get your degree. Some require a lot of recall of your engineering degree, others only tangentially. Mostly, engineering undergrad doesn't prepare you for the "real world" by arming you with everything you need to know.

What you should focus on is developing a methodology for problem-solving, i.e. you have a problem, determine the defining principles, and go from there. Having the tools to do so (calculus, physics, etc.) sometimes helps. Sometimes it doesn't. But, it's best to have at least a pocketknife and some string when you're on a deserted island rather than nothing.

I know a guy who did EE and is now programming custom processors for a Navy contractor--certainly a notch above doing P=IV calculations.

[z31maniac]

Oh I agree completely. And they do use much more complicated calculations than that, just wanted to illustrate to him he is going be using the most difficult, challenging stuff all the time.

[scabzzzz]

Do what makes you happiest.
I could have taken countless jobs contract consulting (IT) for much more money, but its not worth it when I have a stable enjoyable flexable position where I am. The first post in this thread said it perfect.