EET guys typically start thier careers almost being an assistant to EEs. They dont do the design, just the physical build, and maybe a little problem solving. Once you've been in the career for a few years, you get to move into some design.

EEs start their career in the design field.

How do I know all this? Becuase I'm an EET. I've been in the field long enough now, my current position with my present company is "lead electrical engineer" with an EET degree.

 

yea im sure about it. All ODU MET grads i know are engineers. The ones with associates degrees from a CC or degreeless are technicians. I think that is where it gets confusing.

The title engineer is some what ambiuous in the US since you do not require any type of national or state licensing to be called an engineer. There are occupations called waste engineer (garbage man), building engineer (maintenence guy) that really have nothing to do with engineering or designing anything.

Passing the FE gives you an Engineer in Training (EIT) status for the Professional Engineers (PE) licensing. Passing the PE makes you a state licensed Professional Engineer, although you do not necessarily have to have any of these to be a(n) (mechanical/electrical/civil/aerospace/etc) engineer. Having a PE, allows you to sign legal documents, make claims in court and stuff; but you can also be liable for faulty products and designs even if it was caused by an engineer under you.

 

The average day will vary from person to person. I can't speak for electrical or civil, but saying your occupation is a mechanical engineer dosn't really specify any type of jobs. It is such a broad term. One person could be playing with springs and dampers, while another could be computing numbers for the cycles in a heat engine, while another person could be sitting around in a factory, while the other person could be trying to figure out how to pump a flow of water X distance high in a building, and the other guy could be playing with logic controllers to a traffic light or something.

 

Engineering = Theory (More Math)

Engineering Technology = Hands On (More Sciences)

 

Wow this thread was useful to me as well, and if you don't mind I want to ride the coat tails a bit.

I'm studying engineering currently and will be majoring in Computer engineering. I thought I wanted to program until I took a Computer Science class. (absolutely horrible) From my understanding, Comp. Eng. is based more on hardware development whereas Comp. Sci. is software and how they actually work. Does anyone know what types of positions are available form more of a first hand perspective? Everything I pull up is worded too vaguely to get an idea of the job. I KNOW there are tons of computer nerds on here. Thanks for any info.

 

I would say that CS is more program based, EE is more hardware based, and CPE is a blend of both CS and EE. Regardless of which you do, programming will always be an important part.

 

At my work, those with computer engineering degrees are creating ways to tracking certain utilities (Gas, Steam, Electricity, Sewage, etc). Not necessarily building computers to do so, but trying to integrate different hardware to achieve a certain goal. If anything, as far as computer hardware, that would more than likely be electrical engineering. Let me know what else I could give you insight in.

 

Well from what i was taught, Mechanical Engineers do the design and caluclations of whatever your company wants you to design. Thats why regular ME's have to do so much work in math and other engineering classes like Thermo, Fluids, Solid Mechanics, etc. I got a friend working at NASA who is a MET and he does all the hands on stuff. I asked him what hands on stuff he is doing and he cant say, damn Top Secret status.

All depends if you like Math. If you you despise it then go for the MET cause when you hit Multivariable Calculus it can be a bitch. But if you really like math then you can get the ME. Technically the term "engineer" is overused for everything. But what is pretty cool, if you get the ME then you get paid more, then you can get your PE (professional engineers license) and make a shit load more.

I heard of people getting their ME degree and becoming lawyers, doctors and consultants. Such a broad field and very rewarding. Everybody needs engineers to design the most basic fuel cell to the most complicated turbine systems to power future flight vehicles. Also what is pretty cool is that you are more prepared with a ME degree to take the final ME tests and you can do anything that relates to engineering and more.

 

Where I work, Im called the Mechanical Engineer. I have co-workers in my place who are called Mechanical Engineering Technician.

As for the studying, if you want the easy way out, go for Engineering Technician.

Math is not difficult. It just takes a lot of practice and determination. Some people are lazy to do all 100 problems for homework. Calculus 2 is what will weed everyone out. Multivariable calculus is cake. Differential Equations is awesome. It is my favorite.

Once you get to the 400 level engineering classes, you will have no life.

 

I am planning on getting my PE. (BTW FE was cake. Honestly, they give you simple basic problems.) With the PE you can open up your own Engineering Firm. Be your own boss. Woot Woot!!

I also wanted to go on and become a doctor (Medical Doctor that is). The medical field highly regards engineers.

Engineers could become medical doctors, but medical doctors cant become engineers. The mindset is too different. Doctors only memorize. This is coming from my science, math, and engineering professors. They've all told me the same thing.