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Originally Posted by Astronouth7303
Who said you needed a degree (or even get paid) to be an engineer?
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What the heck, I'll say it. In my opinion, yes, you do need a degree to be an engineer. Don't trivialize the process, tibulations and effort needed to get an engineering degree. I know very few engineers who do not have an engineering degree. They are few and far between, being exceptions, not the rule. What you said here pretty much insulted the engineers and engineering students who visit these forums.
As for me, I enjoy being a mechanical engineer. Luckily, I knew it early in school. I liked art, math, mechanical drawing, physics, and building things. I really did not understand electronics and computers at an early age, and I had no desire to learn about them... so I gravitated more toward mechanical systems.
Two of my uncles are mechanical engineers, and I was always enthralled with what they did. One worked for Hughes Aircraft (LA), and the other worked for Cal Tech at Edwards AFB. As they told me what they did, I just knew that being an ME was for me.
For college, I decided to go to the
University of Evansville. They had many programs that appealed to me at the time. While in college, I got a co-op job at
General Electric Plastics, working as a production and process engineer. I REALLY did not like process engineering (analyzing and tweaking the process for improvements), but I liked the odd jobs I got while designing mechanisms to improve the production line. I recall making a simple linkage that released pellets into 50 lb. bags. It was a simple design, but I really enjoyed creating it.
After college, I got a job at
Delphi (formerly Delco Electronics) and I have been working in the same department for 13 years. It's a fun job. I get to sit behind a computer and design automated machinery for Delphi's production lines. Our design department works with a UAW skilled-trades shop right across the hallway, and we make some pretty neat stuff. These designers and tradesmen have been making neat machines for many, many years. Many types of automated machines that are on the market today (Scara robots, circuit board screen printers, automated handlers, flip chip placement machines, etc.) were developed for Delphi's in-house use by this department, many years before other companies started selling them as standard equipment.
So, my usual day is this:
- check email
- do CAD design work (Unigraphics), both design and drafting
- do engineering investigations and evaluations (search for parts and suppliers, make calculations, specifications, etc.)
- check on project build status in the shop
- converse with boss and co-workers (numerous, informal design reviews)
- talk to production people (my customers)
- talk to suppliers (negotiate, evaluate parts, etc.)
- do FIRST stuff when I can (TechnoKats, check CD Forums, etc.)... like today we had a demo during lunch
Anyway... that is what I do and why I do it. What I like the best is sitting down and creating a new mechanism to address a "problem" - just like designing a FIRST robot.
Andy B.