Ee Vs Ce? Undecisive

[Momo-the-Monkey]

Which is more respectable (or better), a CE, or an EE, when it comes to the same job with computers or programming?

Basically I'm stuck between the two (EE with electronics focus, or a CE).

[Jon-86]

Assuming CE is Computing Engineering (Computer Science) your probably better to go with that if your a software guy. But I would say go with Electronics Engineering. Its a bit harder but might give you more options as their are lots of CS (CE) people out their.

Electronics on the other hand will basically have you building your own circuits and board designs. Just like "the Woz" lol... MIT actually have a whole load of their electronics lectures online and im watching them / teaching myself electronics for free. Since I've already got a CS degree with honors.

Really interesting stuff IMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQxyVuLe Cs

[Wolfos]

My last name is Ee.

[Alexander]

This is just a view, but the big bucks seem to be in a specialist degree (Such as Software Engineer).

I don't know a ton on the topic, but that's just what I've been informed.

[Momo-the-Monkey]

At 1/5/11 07:45 PM, Jon-86 wrote: Assuming CE is Computing Engineering (Computer Science) your probably better to go with that if your a software guy. But I would say go with Electronics Engineering. Its a bit harder but might give you more options as their are lots of CS (CE) people out their.

Electronics on the other hand will basically have you building your own circuits and board designs. Just like "the Woz" lol... MIT actually have a whole load of their electronics lectures online and im watching them / teaching myself electronics for free. Since I've already got a CS degree with honors.

Really interesting stuff IMO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQxyVuLe Cs

Whoa, didn't know MIT put their stuff on youtube. Thanks! And yea, sorry, I did mean Computer Engineering. I guess it really is software versus hardware, but imo it's harder to learn hardware than software without help.

At 1/6/11 04:41 AM, Wolfos wrote: My last name is Ee.

That's totally awesome

[Al6200]

At 1/5/11 07:38 PM, Momo-the-Monkey wrote: Which is more respectable (or better), a CE, or an EE, when it comes to the same job with computers or programming?

Basically I'm stuck between the two (EE with electronics focus, or a CE).

I would advise against an EE degree. Basically an EE degree prepares you to work as an electrical engineer. The market is OKAY right now, but I don't think that the field is going to be well protected from outsourcing and H1B visas in the future.

[Jon-86]

At 1/6/11 10:50 AM, Momo-the-Monkey wrote: Whoa, didn't know MIT put their stuff on youtube. Thanks! And yea, sorry, I did mean Computer Engineering. I guess it really is software versus hardware, but imo it's harder to learn hardware than software without help.

I only found out recently myself. But if you can find a CE course or something you could in theory get a good idea of what to expect and compare it to an EE course. I did say EE would be harder, no doubt. Both are viable for the average person looking for a career or someone whos enthusiastic.

I've heard a lot of EE jobs can be heavy on paperwork, but it can be the case when your starting out with software, I was lucky in the case that the job I've had for the last 3 years I was the only IT guy and I done everything.

Its up to you. I would personally say learning EE first would be good not only as, like you said. Learning software can be more easily done by yourself but EE progresses onto digital software systems, so if you really wanted to you could have a great foundation with EE then go in to do a bt of CE and truly knowing how the hardware your developing software for works.

And that's a big plus in itself!

At 1/9/11 01:42 PM, Al6200 wrote: but I don't think that the field is going to be well protected from outsourcing and H1B visas in the future.

That happened with the software industry, big time a few years ago. Cost companies more in the long run than they saved because of all the maintenance due to rushed development and badly designed systems. Basically you get what you pay for.

Any industry has the potential to be outsources to developing economies. But I think this is less likely with electronics as the risks are greater when it comes to bad design. You cant just send out a patch you have to recall entire batches and then send out replacements, so companies look to avoid that.

[Momo-the-Monkey]

At 1/9/11 05:03 PM, Jon-86 wrote: And that's a big plus in itself!

I agree, I mean, I'm teaching myself (and have been) the software side...slowly...haha. I've always been interested in the tangible side, however I do enjoy both. Not fond of paperwork, but I'd do it for a few years if it meant working my way to that lead engineer who takes all the good stuff for himself, ahaha.

But I think this is less likely with electronics as the risks are greater when it comes to bad design.

I'm not worried about outsourcing. And you're right, it only takes a minor mistake in one design to have hundreds, possibly more, of batches that have to be discarded. Cutting corners on electronics just doesn't cut it.

[Al6200]

At 1/9/11 05:03 PM, Jon-86 wrote:

At 1/9/11 01:42 PM, Al6200 wrote: but I don't think that the field is going to be well protected from outsourcing and H1B visas in the future.

That happened with the software industry, big time a few years ago. Cost companies more in the long run than they saved because of all the maintenance due to rushed development and badly designed systems. Basically you get what you pay for.

That's true. Outsourcing might not happen. But then again, if it does happen then the value of an EE degree is quite limited. The only real value of it will be as a springboard to a ph.D. in some other kind of engineering or hard science (which usually requires a somewhat technical undergrad). On the other hand, a CS degree can be a plus factor for someone who doesn't work in software engineering/IT/theoretical CS. So if software engineering gets outsourced entirely, CS majors will still make out okay if they are well rounded.

Right now I work on NASA satellites as an engineer, and I find that my programming experience is useful. It helps that I know how to write off a quick Python and Unix Shell script to solve a random problem.