Engineer or Not? How many people have engineering degrees?

[tomvehoski]

AS - Electrical Engineering
BS - Business Administration, Operations Management

I took the 12 year plan. I fell into a job as a quality inspector, which turned into quality engineer, and I realized I did not want to be an EE. Switched to business after getting the AS degree. It was fun learning "how business worked" in school while often seeing the complete opposite in the real world. Had tons of fun in my last operations management class which was basically quality control learning things like SPC after already getting a CQE, CQA and CQMgr. After my professor told us ISO 9000 was called that because "it had about 9000 requirements" I started showing up only for tests.

 

[howste]

BS: Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Minor: Japanese

This degree actually did have quality-related classes required! While I was in school, I did three co-ops, all of which were in the quality field. I taught the labs for one of the quality classes. That was about as much quality focus as I could get in any degree offered.

 

[ralphsulser]

CQE versus BS

My question is how does a CQE rate versus a BS/BA?
There are millions of BS/BA people out ther, but only approx. 25k CQEs that have studied, and passed the body of knowledge required to be a quailty professional. Many with BS/BA cannot pass the examination. But, employers are so hung up on the degrees, they won't even interview you without one.
So, a CQE with 25 years hands on experience in quality engineering, and quality management is equivalent to what?
Any comments?

 

[tomvehoski]

I've had some interviews where it seemed my CQE, CQA and CQMgr were worth more than my B.S. and A.S. degree. Degrees were "I see you have a degree", while the ASQ certs generated more interest.

I don't know that you could equate a CQE with a degree - CQE is much more technical and specific. Even with my major as operations management I only had two classes that really touched on any CQE material - and very basic level stuff in class.

The CQ Manager seemed to touch on much more of the B.S. Business Admin material - I even used some of my textbooks as references during the test. Since I took the 12 year plan to an AS (elect. eng.) and BS, I found the real world work experience taught me more than school did - professors seem to live the the fantasy world where all decisions are made on facts, ROI, etc. I think they need to add a "Corporate Politics" class as a basic requirement to see how things often happen in the real world. Perhaps all Dilbert books need to be required reading.

 

[Aaron Lupo]

Not an Engineer either. I have a B.S. in Geological Sciences and an A.S. in Business Administration, how the heck did I end up with a medical company, after 10 years in Banking???

 

[howste]

For positions I've applied for, a degree was generally required. In many cases, they don't care what degree you have. My experience has been that the CQE, CQMgr, and CQA just served to distinguish between one applicant and others meeting their minimum requirements.

 

[BSMITH]

Not an Engineer

I have three degrees, but none in engineering:

B.A., Anthropology
M.A., Social Sciences (Anthropology, Sociology, Geography)
D.P.A., Public Administration (Business Administration/Political Science)

My career has been mostly in the Federal and State Government:
7 years as an Archaeologist
23 years in Environmental field
5 years in Quality

It seems like my certifications are worth more than my degrees: RAB-certified EMS Lead Auditor, REM (Registered Environmental Manager), CEHS (Certified Environmental Health and Safety Manager), CEPL (Certified Environmental Professional in Louisiana)

I spent five years in the Quality field and missed getting RAB certification in QMS (too cheap to pay for two) or ASQ certifications.

Brent Smith

 

[Steve Prevette]

B. S. Civil Engineering (Virginia Tech, 1981) But no, never built any bridges or roads.

M. S. Operations Research (Naval Postgraduate School, 1988)

 

[Bill Pflanz]

B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Cincinnati
MBA Finance, Marshall University

Actually did work as a real engineer doing refinery process design, technical service, and even worked as an operator during a 3 month strike.

Also actually used my MBA degree doing business expansion ROI analysis, developing budgets, strategic plans and cost accounting systems.

Many people talk about fire fighting on the job but I actually did have to put out real fires.

Bill Pflanz

 

[Manoj Mathur]

I have done B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Regional Engineering College and done my M.Tech (Post Graduate in Engineering and Technology) from UOR (Now is an IIT, Indian Institute of Technology). Post Graduation was in CAD (Computer Aided Design).

After that I have done MBA in Marketing.