Anyone here an engineer?

[switchlanez]

I've noticed some technical posts on this forum and know there are some engineers here. So what kind are you and/or your major? (Search shows a job/age thread but this thread is specifically for engineers).

As for me I got my BSEE in '07, graduated w/ a concentration in Power Engineering and had a power internship, didn't like it so I tried working in another subject I liked (Computer Engineering) doing ASIC dev't programming in SystemVerilog and C++ in Silicon Valley. Realized that wasn't for me so I took time off to study the only other subject I liked (and very last subject I took) in college (DSP/wireless communications) in the heart of the so-called "Wireless Valley" (UCSD) and got my EIT certification on the side. Got hired for Kyocera and now HTC. I feel like I finally found my niche because I enjoy working in telecommunications.


I saw this pic on facebook. I and all my classmates thought it was ridiculous at the time but the profs were actually preparing us... compounded problems we've never seen before do pop-up in the real world.



Note to admins: Sorry, I meant to post this thread in the Off-Topic forum. Feel free to move it.

[Longhorn248]

I'm a mechanical engineer, graduated in 2010 and I'm working for a defense contractor at the moment. That picture is 100% true, reminds me of my thermal fluids exams.

[switchlanez]

Nice. My two buddes were MEs and we did our senior project together. Defense jobs have always seemed more stable. Are you noticing any changes now that war efforts have been cut back?

[70NYD]

Mechanical eng here with a secondary major in Automotive eng
I graduated in 2010, and am now working in mining related hydraulics. I like it because I don't have to work AT a mine, but its well paid
If I could get any job, I would be working for a major automotive manufacturer, or a defense contractor, so a little envy from me there longhorn
My quality of posts have dropped significantly over the last few months, as I couldnt keep up with a massive influx of people spewing things that were completely wrong, so I adapted and gave up
Loving that photo

[keiri]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

...Realized that wasn't for me so I took time off to study the only other subject I liked (and very last subject I took) in college (DSP/wireless communications) in the heart of the so-called "Wireless Valley" (UCSD) and got my EIT certification on the side. Got hired for Kyocera and now HTC.

...

I'm pretty jealous you have a gig at HTC (my favorite mobile device manufacturer) but the work required to do wireless is some of the most strenuous imaginable. How do you like it and if you don't mind my asking which department do you work in?

I have a BS in Computer Science but was seriously considering EE or CE for my Masters but have started a Masters in Business Administration in the meantime.

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

Nice. My two buddes were MEs and we did our senior project together. Defense jobs have always seemed more stable. Are you noticing any changes now that war efforts have been cut back?

Note to admins: Sorry, I meant to post this thread this in the Off-Topic forum. Feel free to move it.

Fortunately the sector I'm in isn't really influenced by whether or not were at war. The only effect I've seen is that profit margins have shrunk for new contracts, but that's more of a worry for the business side of things. I'm pretty secure for the time being.

I actually did my first two years of college as an EE so I have s little bit of insight into how crazy some of that stuff can get.

[Matador]

Computer Systems Engineer.

[Spaceywilly]

ECE here, graduated in 2010. Right now I'm doing software development. I'd like to do something auto related at some point, but for now I'm just glad to have a job.

[fatoni]

sucks to be you nerds

[switchlanez]

Originally Posted by keiri

I'm pretty jealous you have a gig at HTC (my favorite mobile device manufacturer) but the work required to do wireless is some of the most strenuous imaginable. How do you like it and if you don't mind my asking which department do you work in?

I have a BS in Computer Science but was seriously considering EE or CE for my Masters but have started a Masters in Business Administration in the meantime.

Cool! I was using an HTC phone before I even thought about working for them. Been w/ them almost a month now and still can't digest how I got here. How'd you hear the work is strenuous? Because it is... 10 to 13 hour weekdays + half day on weekends balls to the wall all hours. I see it as my rite of passage into wireless and I'm never bored (keeps me on my toes).

Our Software Quality Assurance team is dispersed across the country near Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon headquarters. We travel up to 50% of the time which works for me because I'm single/don't have a family to raise (Anyone in wireless testing and willing to work/already lives in Japan? My boss can't find qualified engineers there who speak English). HTC is younger/smaller than the competition (Apple, Samsung, Motorola/Google) so it still feels like a start-up where everyone's swamped w/ work but driven. Different culture compared to my past employers - Cisco and Kyocera (formerly Qualcomm's handset division).

When I was unemployed in '09 I started applying for an MBA at UCSD but got distracted by UCSD's wireless courses and just kept going. What is your focus in your MBA program if you don't mind me asking?

[Longhorn248]

Originally Posted by fatoni

sucks to be you nerds

Thanks for being the shining example of why I wish this car was in a higher price point.

[switchlanez]

^

[ZetaVI]

Second year in college as ME major. Still on my physics and calc basics. Only taken 2 engineering classes.

[spin9k]

Originally Posted by switchlanez

^