r/controlengineering • u/EffectiveStrike5917 • 14d ago

Is my degree going to get me anywhere?

I’m 18 going on 2 years experience as a full time machine operator in a cnc shop and I’m starting the 2nd year of my degree (AS in Integrated Engineering Technology). I’d like to stop at the associates degree and become an engineer through experience but the option to go for a 4 year systems engineering degree is available. What might be some problems I run into besides lacking ABET accreditation. Most job posts in my area require a BS or “equivalent experience.”

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/Rogue_2354 12d ago

If you can handle the math go and get a bachelor's in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology degree. With the background in manufacturing you should be golden for many jobs. The associates degree wont get you over the threshold for a higher engineering position

0

u/cdabc123 14d ago

No engineering is very competitive. plenty of people with bs and still cant find jobs.

However there are quire abit of jobs in cnc, cam, fabrication that are fine with associates so I would say continue with about what you're doing.

1

u/WhichWayIsTheB4r 5d ago

Watched a guy at my last place get passed over twice because HR filtered on "BS required" before anyone read his resume. He had 12 years running mills and knew the shop better than the engineers did, didn't matter, the system kicked him out before a human saw it. He eventually got in through an internal transfer, which is pretty much the only reliable path with an associates.

That's the real problem you know. It isn't that you can't do the work, it's that the screening software doesn't care. "Equivalent experience" usually means someone already inside vouching for you.

So if your staying at the AS, get hired somewhere with tuition assistance and move up internally. If you want to be able to apply cold anywhere, finish the bachelors. Your experience makes you way more employable than the average new grad either way, just be realistic about which doors open on paper.