Electrical Engineer looking for advice!!!!!!

littlewopper

Hello people,

As a final year electrical engineering student where hopefully I will graduate with an ordinary degree(in may). I would like to hear your opinions of the following.

1. Are there currently jobs for graduate electrical engineers?

2. In general do employers discriminate/reward graduates with ‘ordinary’ or ‘higher’ degree qualifications?

3. If given the offer of employment post graduation (with ordinary degree) would it be wise to accept the offer or would it be more beneficial to continuing studying for a higher degree and risk the chance of graduating 2 years later with less employment prospects in our current state of economic down turn?

Any advice gratefully accepted.

lw

copacetic

I would have said 2 years may be a much better time to be looking for a job. Most employers wouldn't consider an 'ordinary degree' as a real degree. They aren't generally impressed with the redranding of certs and diplomas to make them sound better. Of course if you could get a job AND continue studying at night for example that could be worthwhile.

Should say that I haven't been involved in recruiting grads for a few years though.

DublinDilbert

What area would you like to work in?

When i completed my ordinary degree 10 years ago (called a diploma at the time), all that was available was technician work, i worked as a technician in automation for a year or so. But then went back and done 2 years for my higher degree, was so glad i went back, as its opened up so many opportunities for me.

paddy353

I would have to say, that as a current third year, doing a honours bachelor degree going through the process of getting a work placement, its tough for everybody at the moment. We have around 40 in our class and still a good few remain unplaced. Alot of companies are backing out of agreements to take students, not taking students after interviewing people and such. We have had a couple of students transfer over from an institute of technology cause they saw the level 7 degree as a limiter on their future careers.

To sum up, I would recommend going for the level 8. As a level 7 will also sloe down progression to management.

littlewopper

In reply to your comments,

I’m majoring in control and automation this year, and this is the area I would like to work in, I would eventually like to get into pharmaceutical’s ; I have being offered a position with a small control company based in Dublin starting in June (non-pharma). I would like to get back on the pay role, but I can’t decide weather to continue studying or to get back to reality....


lw

jon1981

seriously i think you would be better placed having a honours degree, or if you decide to go into the workforce now you should do it at night. its more competitive out there now. for instance when i started working for Ericsson in 2003, they were looking for grads with 2.1 honours degrees, a couple of years before that a diploma ( or ordinary degree) would have been sufficient.


btw i did a diploma then went on to do the honours degree...best decision i made and you will find that most techie jobs now look for a degree.

littlewopper

Here is something I found which might be of interest to anyone else in similar position..... Go to page 3

http://www.engineersireland.ie/Uploads/Common/Files/Engineers_Ireland_Salary_Survey_2008.pdf

Obliviously, these figures suggest favourable towards further education!!!

lw

jon1981

hmmm i wouldnt read too much into that, i find the IEI is more beneficial if your in the civil/building/construction industry. to be honest i seen no gain from being a member at all! but your right further education is key...its all about seperating yourself from the pack.

celticlunatic

I am considering an ordinary degree in electrical engineering as opposed to doing an apprenticeship as an electrician. this might sound like a funny question but can an someone with a degree in electrical engineering, work as a qualified electrician??

fishdog

but can an someone with a degree in electrical engineering, work as a qualified electrician??

No, because they are quite different. You could be great at one and terrible at the other. I am a qualified electrician and I am in the final year of an ordinary level electrical engineering degree in control & automation. There is some common ground, but most of it is very different. The main reason for me doing this degree is so that I dont have to work on my tools again!

celticlunatic

thanks fishdog, the main reason for my enqiury is that it seems electricians are gauranteed there union rates which are quite good when you qualify but there does not seem to be such a salary scale in place for electrical engineers. it also seems that most careers as an electrical engineer require the degree but also 5 yrs+ experience to be on a decent wage! it seems a lot easier to do 4 yrs in fas then be entitled to 21 euro per hr??
I have worked on sites for the last 3 years but also have a cert in electronics so have an idea of both sides of the coin ut still finding it hard to make the right descision.

murfie

I would imagine you would make more as an engineer however in the long run. Thats if your thinking long term which i am sure you are.

fishdog

it seems electricians are gauranteed there union rates

Not anymore. There is a big row going on at the moment about this. It may lead to strike action.
This is not a good time for electricians generally. Alot of them are out of work at the moment.

it seems a lot easier to do 4 yrs in fas then be entitled to 21 euro per hr??

I did it for over 15 years in Ireland, Holland and Germany. I made some good money sure, but working conditions could be bad, work was often boring and hours were often very long! I got sick of it TBH.

I would imagine you would make more as an engineer however in the long run.

I would think so!

DublinDilbert

murfie wrote: »

I would imagine you would make more as an engineer however in the long run. Thats if your thinking long term which i am sure you are.

+1

As an electrician doing installation work you'll be doing much shorter term work. Or if you work as a technician doing maintenance you'd be doing alot of fire fighting...

Its about having longer term projects to work on, longer term goals & long term learning/development...

schmoo0_0

Dear all, hoping you can help. I am looking for a mid-senior level Automation Engineer for Pharma based Dublin West/North circa €50k. The position focuses on Allen Bradley, Siemens & Mitsubishi with HMI & MES experience being advantageous aswell as interfacing new machinery with IT Infrastructure. If you need more details etc., just let me know. Thanks.

newie

Just finished my ordinary degree in elec eng and am in line for a possible offer of a graduate program in Holland. Long rotations etc. Its for 18months. Is it worth going for this and not do the honours degree. Herself might not be to happy mind:o but if there is no work around this might be to got an opertunity to miss.

drunken_munky52

newie wrote: »

Just finished my ordinary degree in elec eng and am in line for a possible offer of a graduate program in Holland. Long rotations etc. Its for 18months. Is it worth going for this and not do the honours degree. Herself might not be to happy mind:o but if there is no work around this might be to got an opertunity to miss.

Yes but you still wont be recognised as been a fully qualified engineer if you leave this job, as the next employer will not think much of a graduate program from another company, they want to see a level 8 iso degree atleast.

drunken_munky52

The extra year involved in level 8 is worth it in the long run. This speeds up your promotions in your career and also gives you leverage to easily come back and move into masters level 9 anytime. If you want to stand out from other applicants, then do the extra year while your still young and eager to learn.

x in the city

ordinary degree is worth diddly squat, i got a hons degree and cant even get work.

so getting a proper degree should be the lest you can do, plenty time to get a job in a year or two.

fishdog

I agree that a level 8 is a better qualification than a level 7. If I had the time and the money I would stay on and do a level 8.

ordinary degree is worth diddly squat

I finished my level 7 a few weeks ago and I have started a great job already.


4 others in my class also found jobs already.

i got a hons degree and cant even get work.

Is it an accredited recognised qualification?

Perhaps your course is in an area that has less oppertunities at present. This may be more relevant that your course being a level 7 or a level 8.

It is also important to note that employers are interested in relevant experience as well as qualifications.

spideog7

I just finished a level 8 degree and I have to say that I'd take the job. The experience will stand to you more than the education. Realistically the University isn't going anywhere, you can come back and do a year again, or do a few years and go straight to a Masters. If you have some work under your belt and a degree you'll be flying, but if you just come out with a level 8 degree then you don't stand out from all the rest who went straight into a level 8 course. Plus the experience might show you a different direction you want to take with your degree.