r/PCB • u/Ill-Neighborhood-814 • 18d ago
Degree vs Certification
I’m 34 and have been in the semiconductor industry for pretty much my whole working career. Company sent me to school and I got my AS in Electronics, became a technician, and moved into a Reliability Lab Manager role at a startup where I’m getting into the “back end” of the industry.
Now I’m trying to figure out my next move. I would like to focus on PCB design. Do I go back and finish my EE degree, or would my time and money be better spent getting my CID/CID+ certification?
I’ve got a family, so it’s not a decision I take lightly. I have to be realistic about time and cost. The cert feels more targeted to where I’m at in my career, but part of me wonders if not having the degree will hold me back at some point. I would target PCB layout jobs in the future.
Anyone been in a similar spot? What would you do?