(10-29-2014, 05:38 PM)Surf314 link Wrote: [ -> ][quote author=zaneyard link=topic=2632.msg281747#msg281747 date=1414621979]
[quote author=Greatbacon link=topic=2632.msg281741#msg281741 date=1414604706]
If you are legitimately interested in learning both fields and doing work in both or either
So far I am. I haven't gotten much into my engineering core classes yet, but the CS classes I've had I've enjoyed. But I also am interested in learning about microcontrollers and circuit design.
I'll be taking Circuit Analysis and Design, and Digital Logic next semester and I guess if I decide then that I'm not interested in moving farther down that field, I can always back out and drop CEE.
I know I probably won't ever end up doing both, or are there positions that integrate both fields? I guess I don't see why not. I could end up making something and also making it work. Regardless, so far I really do want to do both for the fun of it.
As far as internships go, every major here at stout requires you to spend a certain amount of time at a paid internship that's approved by the department. So I get one or I don't graduate.
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TBH if you are learning so much about the field you might make a good project leader. You could also be good for a startup.
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A few points:
-You will almost certainly not be hired into a leadership or management roles right out of school as an engineer, no matter what your pedigree is. You simply won't have the knowledge or expertise to back it up, even if you're a green-behind-the-ears PHD. By the time you've accrued enough experience to be considered for a management or leadership type role, your degree will have virtually no impact on that decision.
-While it always sounds cool to take more classes and learn more stuff, frankly, you'll pickup a broader set of knowledge - and faster - once you actually start working in a given industry, faster and more effectively than extra coursework can ever do for you.
-One internship is nice, but realistically you wanna shoot for at least 2-3 by graduation to really give yourself an edge post-graduation.
- Chances of you working a position where you heavily utilize both degrees are slim. An explanation I give to people thinking about engineering:
Lot's of people go into engineering wanting to design the next space shuttle (or whatever). Realistically, with massive projects like that, you won't be designing the whole shuttle. You might be the guy in charge of the landing gear (or depending on the actual company, you might just be the guy in charge of the bearings for the landing gear). The reality is that massive projects take massive amounts of expertise, redundancy, and oversight. This isn't a hard rule, but it is the norm. At smaller companies and startups, you tend to see engineers who are more "jack of all trades" filling multiple roles; but that isn't necessarily an ideal position, because it would imply your company decided to offload the work of 2 engineers onto 1 guy. So if you were expecting to be the swiss-army-knife of engineers, dial back your expectations, there are literally millions of nerds smarter than you and I (unless you're in the 0.014%, in which case holy fuck why are you here)
-Also holy fuck paperwork
-Also fuck chemists and chem-e's
I know you didn't actually ask for advice, so feel free to tell me to fuck-off, but I just don't want to see people graduating having made the same mistakes I did. The best thing you can do as part of your education (if your interest is purely a career) is to take an internship. And another. And take as many as you can fucking find, it is by far the most effective way to set yourself apart from the hordes of engineers applying for any and every job out there. If your interests go beyond a career, I hope they include making college a memorable experience. In which case, my own personal suggestion would be to take it easy with the coarse-load, find some non-academical pursuits you're passionate about and blow off steam with like-minded individuals. I made a lot of mistakes in my undergrad, but the biggest things I do not regret are the friends I made, the people that I met, and the stories I have to share.
edit: to be clear, I'm not saying don't do a double major. By all means, take extra classes early while they're easy, and explore your options. But, when the going gets tough (usually by junior year, though I'm not familiar with EECS curriculum and you pricks don't take thermo, so maybe never) don't think of yourself as weak if you want to ease off the throttle. There are more important things in life than a 4.0gpa. I had a 3.2 averaging 20hrs a term my last 2 years, and it did dick-all for me when I graduated. I fucking hated myself and my life those last 2 years for how much work I was doing, and I hated my life for another 8 months being told that I didn't have enough applicable work experience. I just managed to get lucky and find the one position with a company interested enough to throw me a bone. I wouldn't wish those ~3 years on anyone.