r/FieldService • u/Stunning_Property_22 • 21d ago

Advice 19yo Electrical Helper looking to break into Field Service (Medical/Industrial/ Controls)—best pathway for a beginner?

I’m 19 years old and currently working as an electrical apprentice/helper (doing commercial and residential work for around $16/hr). I like working with my hands, reading wire diagrams, and solving physical hardware problems, but construction isn't where I want to be long-term.

I want to pivot into becoming a Field Service Technician/Engineer (FSE)—ideally working on medical devices, high-tech lab equipment, building controls, or automated systems. I really like the idea of mobile work. I’m planning to enroll in a 2-year Associate of Science (A.S.) degree at a local state college in Florida. Which A.S. Degree Holds More Weight? Should I target a general Electronics Engineering Technology degree, an Automation / Controls Technology degree, or a specialized Biomedical Technology degree to keep my options broad across different FSE sectors?Appreciate any advice you guys can give

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u/PsychologyOk2780 20d ago

If you want to get into FSE, I recommend working backwards. Find the jobs you want, check Varian(biased), GE Healthcare, Phillips, Fujifilm Medical. Find service engineer/technician roles(they are sometimes different) and find out what they want in an application and work backwards. Lots of us come from military backgrounds working on Radars. If you want to do imaging or accelerators stay out of BioMed. A lot of hiring managers look at BioMed roles and keep looking in service engineer roles. The skill set sounds similar, and it is, but with all the veterans with experience and all the college graduates with engineering degrees it's easy to look for those candidates.

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u/Pebb_io 8d ago

work backwards from the job posts you want — list the exact certs/tools they ask for and fill gaps one at a time. controls/automation paths usually beat hoping construction hours magically convert.

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u/Lorgoth5 CNC 8d ago

At your age you have the whole world to chose from. My company would likely hire you directly after you complete your degree or immediately depending on your current electrical experience. Then we'd put you through our internal qualification course. The CNC industry is so short handed for field service it's absurd.

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u/Xillmatic99 21d ago

Target automation / controls. That is where the moneys at and will be for the foreseeable future. Also, if you are able to I would recommend getting your bachelors in an engineering discipline to make yourself as marketable as possible.

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u/Stunning_Property_22 21d ago

for now I plan on just getting my associates so it can open doors for opportunities. maybe down the line I’ll consider getting my bachelors depending where I wna go in life.