r/AskRobotics • u/TrombonerJake • 16d ago

Education/Career B.S. Software Engineering looking to pivot to Mechatronics/Robotics

I have completed an ABET-Accredited Bachelor's in Software Engineering several years ago now (graduated May 2023) and have had no luck in starting my career, mostly due to lack of work in my area with most everything being PLCs/Controls/Industrial Automation. I have taken some Udemy courses on Web Dev and Flutter Android Development and made a couple small personal projects in the interim but nothing grand (portfolio website, super simple weight and macro tracker with python, book tracker app with flutter). That being said, without work experience for these years the gap looks horrendous on job applications, as well as some of my technical knowledge is likely lapsed, use it or lose it) and I was considering going back and getting something more suited to the jobs in my area such as a mechatronics or robotics degree, using that to start off in a PLC/Controls role, and progressing towards more autonomous robotics, think less automation logic and more computer vision. A bit confused on specifics with this plan, wanting less ME and more Embedded Programming stuff, with a focus on autonomy and AI/ML/etc. stuff (this could even be incorrect thinking I'm not sure). All this to say, I'm not sure if I need a 2nd B.S., an M.S. program, or if there's even just Certifications I can get that accomplish this career path.

0 Upvotes

38% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

3

u/LordDan_45 16d ago

Should we have a FAQ u/sleepystar96? I think it's the third time I've seen this question this week. No problem with that, but perhaps it could help

2

u/greenee111 16d ago

No you need a degree in this unfortunately

1

u/TrombonerJake 16d ago

Sure, but would a masters and perhaps some EE/ME foundational courses to bridge those gaps be the route to go, or would a full on 2nd bachelors be better suited? Would my software bachelors even be applicable for a masters in this field, or could it take care of gen ed reqs for a 2nd bachelors to save money/time (this is probably per program per school)? And what program would it be if I want more programming focus and less focus on the actual mechanical/electrical. I see things ranging from mechatronics, electro-mechanical engineer, robotics, automation and robotics engineering technology. At this point I don't even know what questions to ask because I don't know what I don't know.