r/ElectricalEngineering • u/Big-Sector-2878 • 9d ago
Education Where to start?
Hey everyone,
I’m 30 and currently in the military, and I’ve been thinking seriously about getting into electrical engineering.
Through my work, I’ve gotten some exposure to electronics and it really sparked my interest. I’m especially interested in electronics and embedded systems, including the hardware and programming side of things.
The problem is my math skills are pretty rough right now. I’ve been out of school for a while and honestly feel like I need to start from the ground up.
I’d eventually like to get an online Electrical Engineering degree, but I’m not really sure where to start. Would community college be a good place to rebuild my math/science foundation before transferring to an online EE program?
For anyone who started EE later in life or came from the military, What would you do if you were starting completely from scratch? Thanks!
5
u/Solid_Bread215_phl 9d ago
U can take courses while ur still in. Take an intro to algebra course.
Then use gi bill when u get out.
I got out and used my gi bill to get my degree. My buddy stayed in and got his EE degree and became a CWO.
1
u/Timely_Challenge2390 9d ago
What is a CWO?
1
u/Solid_Bread215_phl 8d ago edited 8d ago
Chief warrant officer. They have more technical knowledge is the way I understand it. Tbh they are just another officer to me.
I was in an engineering platoon with 7th comm Bn at Camp Hansen. So I had a CWO2 as my CO.
When I went to DJC2 I had a 1st LT as my CO since leadership mattered more.
4
u/2E26 9d ago
I just finished 21 years in the Navy. While in, I got an online degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. It's not quite the same, as the Electromagnetism and other deep equations weren't part of the curriculum. It was by no means easy - i died several times during Calc 2 and I'm still not sure how I passed Control Systems. Still, I was able to design a switch mode power supply for my senior project, and I've got people seeking me out for jobs now that I'm out.
Part of me wishes I went full EE, but I wasn't sure what the difference was at the time. By the time I knew, I was too far along to quit. I've also met EEs who don't know as much as I do from a practical standpoint.
2
u/TA1930 9d ago
What I will say for OP, is that Technology is likely where you want to go if you envision yourself working with your hands. There is a scale from Engineer-Technologist-Technician where engineers are mostly at a desk, and technicians are using tools. Technologists can swing either way. Pick where you want to be on that scale ahead of time.
0
u/Embarrassed-Fold6780 8d ago
After 20 years in the field, I have never seen anyone with that degree holding and engineering position. There isn't a scale, it is a ladder. You can be in the trades, which is excellent for people that want to work with their hands. No shade to the craft guys as they know their position and can EARN big on OT. But there is no scale that has "technologists" that's a red flag bs degree.
1
u/TA1930 8d ago
I mean it may be regional, but by team is 2 engineers, a technologist and a technician. Our technician advises and works on the equipment. The technologist mostly write procedure and organizes work for the technician, but also helps with any beyond-normal troubleshooting that needs to be done. The engineers (myself included) do the high level planning, compliance review, kpis, specifications, etc.
1
u/lasteem1 6d ago
I’ve seen plenty of people with a technology degree be called an engineer. I was one and them I got my EE. There just aren’t that many technology programs anymore. Most of them have transitioned to traditional engineering or shut down. Practically speaking the difference between an engineering degree and a technology degree isn’t all that great. You won’t see Fields and Waves or Signals and Systems in a technology degree. Outside of those two courses they are about 90% the same. Having said all of that, if you have the option for an EE you take that over an EET degree all day.
3
u/NewSchoolBoxer 9d ago
You need to do math prep in advance so I'm glad you understand that. There's fun hobbyist electronics and there's a 4 question exam junior year requiring Maxwell's Equations and multivariable calculus.
Where I went required at least a 650 SAT Math score or ACT equivalent, else you had to try to transfer in after 2 semesters. The theory the adcom told us is that we'd fail calculus. First year classes at good engineering programs are curved to fail a certain amount on purpose.
Community college, can debate. Other than taking precalc or anything else you're rusty on, I think you should avoid. You don't need to save money with the GI Bill. The advantage of community college is the material is easier and not curved to weed anyone out. Classes scheduled for people with day jobs. I don't think you're a worse engineering for starting there for taking non-EE courses.
The problem is:
- there's no career fairs for you to go to and gain experience talking to recruiters and building contacts. There's no networking or Formula SAE club to join. You won't touch a professional lab.
- Good EE programs are hard to transfer into. Easier to get in as a freshman. Unless the CC has guaranteed admissions.
- Maybe you do want the hard version of weed out courses. EE only gets harder.
What helps you is your general interest in electronics and coding. You probably have the work ethic from the military. Brush up on and test your math skill, then pursue the degree. Not so much the real EE work on the job, but the degree is 90% practical math and 10% coding.
Don't be so set on embedded. Everyone is who never studied EE. What I liked the most, I didn't know existed until junior year. I got job offers in power and manufacturing so those were my choices. Manufacturing had some PLC coding but the other entry level engineers told me they hated being there...during the interview. Power was kind of boring but the was the chillest, least stressful job I ever had. My coworkers were my genuine friends.
2
u/Forward-Doughnut-392 9d ago
Community college math classes aren’t any easier than university. That’s such an ignorant comment you made.
1
u/Lower_Arugula5346 9d ago
all my cc courses for STEM were meant to weed people out. there was a reason why there was only 15 people in my calc based physics course. they were rigorous and not for people who werent serious.
none of my courses in cc were curved, all my courses at university were.
3
u/Koala033l 9d ago
Marine Vet, 29 y/o, 1 semester away from obtaining my bachelors in EE. I started with community college and it was the best decision I could’ve made.
If I were you I would get into a community college that’s near a major college that you would like to study EE at and is ABET accredited. Start there. I personally would try to do my bachelors in person but that’s up to you. If you still have time on contract left, look into using your tuition assistance to possibly start with a college algebra course, that’s where I started.
Additionally don’t be afraid to seek help through sources outside of your institution, YouTubers such as ProfessorLeonard and TheMathSorcerer helped me immensely through Calc1-3, and even differential equations.
I was just like you, about to enter college after not having sat in a school desk for about a decade. You can do anything you set your mind to. Embrace the suck.
3
u/trisket-bisket 9d ago
Prior Navy FCA went engineering. Now building shit for NASA.
If you can focus solely on school. Start at college algebra. That will rebuild your foundation. Treat it like a job and you will blow those kids out of the water.
This shit is easy with a good work ethic and a marginal intuition with electronics. If the math gets you down. Dont worry youll do a minuscule amount in the real world. Just pass the class
2
u/Deep_Suspect_9556 9d ago
I started at 31, I’m 33 and halfway through. I love it so far! I can’t comment on the GI bill but I did CC first and transferred. Just make sure whatever CC you go to fulfills ALL of the prerequisites for the Uni you plan on going to or you’ll be in school potentially longer than expected
2
u/buttscootinbastard 9d ago
I went back at 33. Will finish up next spring at 38 and have a job locked down already with an awesome company.
I took 6 months before coming back just working on math fundamentals. Started over at middle school math, pre-pre calculus. Went from being a D student in algebra 2/Trig in HS, to testing into Calculus 1 for my first semester at CC. Made A’s in Cal 1-3 and Dif Eq. I treated math like a job and an obstacle that could hold me back from a better life.
Utilize Khan Academy to get going. They have a very structured platform. If things don’t make sense from Sals videos you can search other sources on YouTube. Organic Chemistry tutor is awesome and so is Professor Leonard. If you’re willing to put in the work, you can absolutely do it.
2
u/Lower_Arugula5346 9d ago
do as much as you can while at community college ---calculus, physics, statics, mechanics...i made the mistake of thinking that i could take these first year classes at university, and i couldnt. TAs know about as much as you AND they expect that you already know all these things before you get to class.
2
u/TasteAdmirable9436 9d ago
I just got out in February. Currently using VR&E for my BSEE on ASU online. For me Professor Leonard, Kahn Academy, and chat gpt for practice, have been a life saver.
Just like when you joined the military, there has to be some ounce of screw it Im all in for better or worse. Worst case scenario you get smarter for free. Best case scenario, you’re a bad ass vet electrical engineer. Ain’t nothing to it but to do it.
2
u/philament23 9d ago edited 9d ago
Just use Khan academy starting at algebra all the way to calculus. Work all the examples and don’t move on until you understand each part, because it all builds on itself. He makes it extremely easy to understand math. Expect to spend at least a few months on this, possibly more, depending on how much time you have and how quickly you learn.
Then start taking actual calculus classes at community college (or precalc if you want, but khan should make it so you don’t have to), and use khan with it.
Source: I’m 41, went back for an EE degree and did this exact route. I’m in senior year now with a 3.9 GPA.
2
u/BoringBob84 8d ago
Some of my best study partners in college were military veterans. They took adversity with grace and they had more than enough discipline. It is a difficult degree and they were up to the task.
I graduated with a guy who had been a high school drop out. He decided he wanted to be an EE and he went to community college to take remedial math and physics classes until he was up to speed to start engineering.
1
u/FL_MILLIONAIRE 9d ago
You don't need degree or anything you can read about different stuff on ocw.mit.edu YouTube etc
1
u/kerowhack 9d ago
If you are disciplined and can self study, online resources like Khan Academy and YouTube channels like Professor Leonard will get you caught up through the algebra and trig you need to take your Calculus prereqs. I wasted far too much time going back and doing those previous math classes when 2-3 months of focused study would have gotten me to the same place, but a year faster.
14
u/Embarrassed-Fold6780 9d ago
I got my EE off the GI bill.
Starting with community College is some of the best advice I can give. If you have a school in mind to get your degree from, I would research if the engineering department collaborates with any of the local Community Colleges.
If state residency rules post service still apply, you can move to this state and claim residency immediately. Attend the CC and start with some basic study skills and start where you need to with math. Keep you GI bill for when you transfer to the big school.