Careers in STEM - without a PhD.

[techhelpbb]

Have an Associates of Applied Science from a Community College.
I was also a Valedictorian at the local Vocational Technical School.

Own several small business in: automation, computers and engineering.
Have work of mine in the U.S. Military and laced throughout the World's financial markets.
Work for a major financial institution in management and technology.
I make a good living(s).

It is not about your degree.
It is about: opportunity, focus and perseverance.

Fine example: Bill Gates
http://content.time.com/time/special...988082,00.html

This is NOT to say college is without merit.
There are many cases were focus on college and persevering it will increase your opportunity.
Just was not how my life played out.
My brother followed the same path as me.
Ended up with a Bachelor's from NJIT and I really find it hard to regret my decisions considering what he's gone through with that degree.

[jpetito]

Mr. Mike-

You've got it pegged right. On the Left Coast the same thing exists, though the wages are much higher (cost of living equivalency). Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by jpetito

Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

A lot already do. My highschool for example had CAD and drafting classes, "Digital electronics" (basic circuits and "electrical technician style work"), an automotive class, and one or two more that I don't remember. What we need is pressure from those above school administrators to make these kinds of classes more common. The educators themselves don't really get to teach whatever they feel like....

[jpetito]

Hi Brian--

We do pretty good with the digital and sometimes CAD stuff, and the plastic printers and CNC routers are pretty. But we need more of a style of education that teaches the operation of basic hand and machine tools, within a project-based environment. Bringing back something like machine shop or the sheet metal shop will be impossible in the current environment, but project-based learning that incorporates the underlying skills needed in the workplace can be translated into any workplace.

Educators complain that this kind of work is dated; it's "manufacturing" and single-minded, single-skilled in an era where they believe manufacturing is old-school and revanchist. They have no clue that the foundational skills are what keep this country operational and the digital and all the other gear functioning.

The biggest reason I got into FRC is it's the only thing on campus that plays to those hand/eye/brain skills so needed in the workplace.

Joe.