[Chris Fultz]

The choice is what do you really like to do and where are your strengths. If you enjoy the theory and design - a pure engineering curriculum is prpbably the best. If you are more practical, hands on and want to understand how to apply the theory, rather than how to develop the theory - then technology is for you.

If you are undecided, I would choose the pure engineering option because it will be less limiting in your career. There are companies and jobs that will require the pure engineering degree.

Regarding the school, and to a limited extent the degree - a top school and the right degree and solid grades will open doors. Some companies only recruit from the top xx number of universities because of the cost of recruitment activity. So, if you have a choice, go to a top 10 or 20 in the field you are choosing. Don't assume because you have heard of a school (like because they have goos sports teams) that they are one of the top. Many of the best engineering schools are unknown to the general population but well known and respected within engineering companies.

That said, once you are in the door, you will have a short honeymoon period and then your progression through the company (or out the door) will be based on your performance and abilities and considerably less on where you went to school.

I have a Technology degree from Purdue. The main reason for me choosing Technology vs. Engineering was that I started in the Construction Tech program and then decided to change after about 2 years. If I had switched to Engineering, I would have almost started over and I really didn't have the time or money for that. By switching to Technology, most everything tranasferred. If I could do it all over again, I would probably choose Engineering, mainly because I think more doors would have been opened earlier in my career. I do think the Technology degrees are more accepted today than 20 years ago when I graduated.

From a career perspective, my early choice was to move away from the design / analytical option and into project engineering and other business and management roles. The technical background gave me a good foundation. I added an MBA from Indiana University to help develop a strong business understanding and the combination of degrees has helped me considerably.