Which engineering degree is best for an aspe?

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I would rather not say since this is a public forum, but in computer science it was in the Top 100.



What is it exactly you are asking? No one is saying you have to attend a top level school. Any accredited engineering program in the US is probably going to be good enough preparation for someone to find work as an engineer. You see more funded institutional research done at the top schools, but engineering is engineering, right? You do want the engineering school to be ABET accredited so that you can get an Engineer's license, however. (Not an issue for software engineers in computer science, however.)



Depends on WHOM it matters to. Employers obviously will have different criteria for hiring somebody depending on their needs, and I have no idea what criteria that is since I am not an employer or human resources manager. I've looked at some local engineering job advertisements on the web out of curiosity and all they say is "must have engineering degree or equivalent experience."

Ok, I know where you are coming from. I did a Physics major before my engineering degree, and afterwards did post graduate studies in applied computing (through maths dept.).
If you want to be more of a theory person than hands-on then forget engineering. As an engineer you HAVE to MAKE things. That's what engineers do.
Physics IS maths, and very abstract stuff too.
Electrical engineering IS mostly maths, but not so abstract.
Maths IS maths (OK, that was a waste of words).
Compuer science IS maths.

So I guess the options are clear - learn to like maths.

cheers.

Yes the US does have some of the most elite engineering schools in the world but they don't produce the huge numbers needed to support whole industries. Some areas of the country really support their schools and industries but most don't. I live in Michigan and most of the "engineers" produced here couldn't grab their ass with both hands. It is really shocking when trying to hire an engineer around here just how little most of them know.

This is a reply to a pm - much edited to hide the sender's identity. I don't like pm's. If I am going to spend the time replying carefully, then I really want the reply public so that anyone who can benefit from my experiences can do so.

Most of the circuit designers I have worked with are not EE's. They are physicists, applied science grads, etc. EE is not just circuit design - it includes everything else - complete system design, packaging, mechanical, firmware, graphics, etc. That's the difference between and engineer and a scientist. The EE needs strong maths skills but also strong practical engineering skills from machine shop processes through to sales. When I design a circuit and am laying it out for processing, I have an intimate knowledge of the shop processes used to produce it and I am designing it accordingly - that is I am "designing for manufacture". What I say about EE is correct but I may have expressed it in a confusing way - "IS mostly maths, but not so abstract" probably should be "IS mostly maths, but not always abstract".



Do Physics and specialize in some electrical field.



Big problem!! !



Physics is almost the MOST abstract maths you can get - depending on the field you choose of course, but in general think of all of it as abstract.

Maths is a tool, just like a shovel or a screwdriver. You could not tighten a screw without a screwdriver no more than you can design a control system without tranform theory. It is a descriptive and quantitative tool to simulate the real world, particularly the parts we cannot see, hear, or feel.

Here is an example. When an object is accelerated in a rotating frame of reference an apparent force exists on the object called the Coriolis force. The implications of this are vast. It makes the weather, it keeps motorcycles upright, it describes the entire flight dynamics and control of the helicopter, it stabilizes satellites. This force does not really exist, that's why it is called an apparent force. Because of this it is extremely difficult to even imagine it - I can, but of course I am an aspie and we can imagine all sorts of things - but most people haven't a clue. Mathematically, the Coriolis force is almost trivial to define and obvious in the equations of motion. So you see, the maths is a tool, and having defined the natural phenomena with the tool, that phenomena can then be understood and even used to our advantage.



There's plenty of books on this subject. My approach to interviews, which has always worked, is to treat them as jobs, just like university exams. You plan thoroughly and prepare yourself with everything necessary. You go into the interview as a total professional - you do your job, focussed on the task at hand, and your mind never wanders to any other matter. Only when the door closes behind you do you return to your own world. This is how it must be. I do all my exams the same way. When the exam is finished I leave, even if there is more time remaining - I am not going to learn anything new in an exam room - the time for learning is before the exam, the preparation, same as for the interview.

Do not try to convince the interview panel that you are NT, it won't work. NT's will see right through you - that's why they are NT. Be yourself, be natural, be prepared, be professional, and above all be focussed. If they want what you have to offer then you are hired, and if not then you don't want to work for them anyway so "fish elsewhere".

A job is a transaction. You have something to sell (skill, experience, knowledge, labour etc.), and the employer is buying. If he is in the market for what you have to sell then you are hired - it's that simple. If the buyer is looking for good feelings he will hire an NT, and if he wants the job done he will hire an AS. This decision is not up to you.

hope this helps,
cheers, JohnF


_________________
"Live today as if it is your last, plan for tomorrow as if you will live forever"

oh, snap, sorry dude, I didn't think you would post this here. ^^;
For what it's worth, I don't mind people knowing it was me, but thanks for the consideration.

I'll post my original messege (and reply) now.

""Ok, I know where you are coming from. I did a Physics major before my engineering degree, and afterwards did post graduate studies in applied computing (through maths dept.).
If you want to be more of a theory person than hands-on then forget engineering. As an engineer you HAVE to MAKE things. That's what engineers do.
Physics IS maths, and very abstract stuff too.
Electrical engineering IS mostly maths, but not so abstract.
Maths IS maths (OK, that was a waste of words).
Compuer science IS maths.

So I guess the options are clear - learn to like maths.

cheers." - You in a post I'm replying via PM to.

Umm...the first thing and what you say about EE contradict each other. XD
No offence, just a bit confused by them...yeah...perhaps it would help if I gave a more in depth explaination of each major:

When I graduate HS, I will attend a community college for two years for a general studies degree, then I'll transfer all that credit to a four year university and study something I'll actual want to study. XD

I'd like to major/have a carreer in any of the following (and no more than two of the following. :\ XD):

Physics: Always loved this, for as long as I can remember.
Would like to go into research and teach at a university if I go into it in college. :3 I did research last Summer at UPenn in their HS Physics Program and loved it. XD It was hard...one of the hardest experiences of my life mind you, but I still loved it. And I even got the honor of most improved student. And believe me, it DOES involve lots of social skills.

Electrical Engineering: Ok, while, I'm more of a theory as opposed to hands-on person, I do like electrical stuff. :d (Gauss's law ftw. :3) I guess I would pick this field of engineering of them all because...well...yah...electrical things (well, ok, actually electricity itself) have just always fasinated me. That, and I think it would be fun to design electrical equipment (computer parts, bigger stuff, cell phones, etc)

Computer Science: Ok, I'm going to be honest with everyone here: I am HORRIBLE with computers...god help me, when my computer goes down, cuz I'll be helpless. >< Very odd for a physics/math person, I know, but...despite this, I LOVE computer science/programming. XD...well, when it's done in a more Ne project based fashion as opposed to examing every little part and not knowing what you can do with it, etc....ya' I tried learning C++ using C++ For Dummies 5th edition, and...yeah..got too bored with it to finish to the end of the book. >< XD

Math: actually, I WAS going to major in this along with phsyics, but after taking Calc 2, I've decided that upper level math is too...abstract for me...and shifted more towards physics/engineering, etc. :\

In closing, don't get me wrong, though, While, I AM horrible at said hands on/computer tech/maintanance/mechanical stuff...I'm sure I could and would get better and proficient (and maybe even self sufficient. ..that would rock) at those things if the program @ college I'm at involved formal hands-on training.
Same applies for social skills needed for such jobs.

So yeah...
And speacking of social sklls (I'm really really sorry for bombarding you with so much to read ^^; ...I'm just really really curious about this kind of stuff), what kinds of social skills would you say are important for jobs (interivew/on it/anything you can think of.. etc) that are important to have (I know eye contact is a big one, and I've got that down)?"

And the response to his above messege:

"Ok, Perhaps, I worded my strengths/weaknesses a bit off.
Regarding the computer stuff, I know how to use and muddle my way through most programs, and even know HOW to program.
I was refering to REPAIRING (OS wise and such) said computer should it go down.
When I took computer science (programming) last year, I was a VERY competent programmer, one of the best in the school. :3

As for physics, the only degree that the community college (all we can afford right now) offers is as an AA..I am NOT getting an "arts" degree...period.
Also: If I'm going to major in Physics (at a four year college, mind you) I'm going to research: String Theory or Astrophysics: NOT applied physics, Not to say I won't change my mind later.
Also, just because I'm NOT a hands on person, doesn't mean I can't handle it, thank you very much (It would be a challenge, but I'd manage).

I feel I should mention that I was at UPenn's Summer High School Physics Program last summer. I'm not saying that to brag, I'm saying this in response to one of the statements you made about physics (and/or science in general) having little to no social (or hands on, if it applies). I learned from Professors there AND our program director that in the past 20 or so years, things have become extremely colabrative, teamwork based and cross-field oriented. That means tons of communication: We were even told countless times by our instructor that communication/english/social skills is what makes them competitive, NOT getting perfect SAT Math scores, Not getting perfect AP exams in physics in math, etc.
Not to say that both the professors, and a good number of my peers didn't exhibit AS tendencies, mind you, but I believe I've made my point.
I'll also admit, that I think I worded that stuff involving math wrong: I don't mind the abstractness of it, but regular math without physics is...what's a good word...dry. I'll go with that...When I was younger, I loved (and to an extent, still do) picturing physics pictures and math in my head. Load of fun.

I think I understand what you mean via the EE Stuff.
But if that's the case, then I'd only have to worry about making sure I'm well informed on the processes and such used to manufactor the parts, packages etc (Something I have done in Stagecraft (designing sets for plays)).
I will remember what you said to me, however and really do appreciate your insight, both with the major related info and the job/interview related insights.
I was at an Autism/Aspergers Ass. meeting about a week or so ago, and brought up what you mentioned about How Engineers DO need social skills as there is alot of interaction needed. Mentioned when someone brought up that old joke of "when in college, you spot the aspie professor, but when in engineering, you spot the NT professor."


Also, I will post this, my first messege and your first reply on the thread."
(ignore that last line)
Also, to add to the social stuff:
Some things I DO KNOW NOT TO DO are: have poor eye contact, take constructive critisim badly, and procrasinate.

Thank you and goodnight. ^.^