Engineering vs. Other (appropiatly placed this time, I hope)

[billbk75]

I originally posted this in off topic. I guess that was wrong. Sorry, I'm new at this I will try to figure it out.

I am floundering on making a decision. The first part is what I have done already. The second part are some things I am considering. As far as where I want to go...I don't know. I am considering engineering and teaching, but I don't have a "calling" per se.

I am a construction electrician in the IBEW but I have only worked two months out of the last year. I need a career change, or at least a back up. Sorry it's so long.


I have the following experience:

Navy
-Nuclear Field Machinist Mate "A" School
-Cryogenic Technician School
-MM2

IBEW
-Inside Wireman Apprenticeship(5 Year)
-Teledata Apprenticeship(3 Year)

Has anyone had success getting credit for these at Excelsior? ACE shows around 100 credits for them. I wonder how many would apply to anything other than "Applied Professional". I'm thinking that BS Liberal Arts would be the quickest, cheapest way to go. Let me know if I'm wrong.

These are some things I am considering:

Option #1
Penn State Behrend-AEET/BEET/BCET

Pro
o Respected, well known school.
o Could lead to a more fulfilling, more stable career.
o Lead into EET.
o A degree to show for it in half the time compared to EE.

Con
o Computer skills would be very marketable.
o Expensive.
o A lot of driving.
o A lot of time away from home and studying when I am home.
o Probably won’t get me a job making anymore than I can make now.
o Quite difficult.
o Lack of flexibility might lead to delaying or dropping classes or turning down work.
o I’m not very excited about computers. That might just be because I don’t know much about them.

Option #2
Penn State Behrend-EE

Pro
o Highly respected degree from a highly respected school.
o Maximum financial potential.
o Huge accomplishment.

Con
o Expensive.
o Will take a very long time.
o Very difficult.
o Might get discouraged and quit.
o What I have done so far won’t count for much, at least as far as school goes.
o A lot of driving.
o A lot of time away from home and studying when I am home.
o Lack of flexibility might lead to delaying or dropping classes or turning down work.


Option#3
Distance Learning-BS Engineering Technology

Pro
o Nearly the same long term potential as Option#2 with a lot less time, money, and effort.
o A decent amount of what I have already done will count towards this.
o Qualification for jobs requiring a BS

Con
o I will need a lot of self discipline.
o Probably a pain in the ass coordinating everything.
o Will still probably need to take some classroom courses.
o Uncertain respectability of degree.
o Will take at least a couple of years.

Option#4
Distance Learning-BA Math/Natural Sciences

Pro
o Good foundation that might be helpful towards an engineering degree later on.
o Could be mostly self taught.
o A lot of flexibility.
o A good amount of what I have already done will count towards this.
o Inexpensive.
o Qualification for jobs requiring a four year degree. (Substitute teaching?)

Con
o I will need a lot of self discipline.
o Probably a pain in the ass coordinating everything.
o Uncertain respectability of degree.
o Waste of time if what I really want is an engineering degree.
o Not a qualification for jobs requiring a BS.

Option#5
Distance Learning-BA Liberal Arts

Pro
o Most inexpensive.
o I already know most of what I need to get this degree.
o Maximum flexibility.
o Qualification for jobs requiring a four year degree. (Substitute teaching?)
o A large amount of what I have already done will count towards this.
o Will knock out some requirements of Options #1 thru #4

Con
o I will need a lot of self discipline.
o Probably a pain in the ass coordinating everything.
o Uncertain respectability of degree.
o Waste of time if what I really want is an engineering degree.
o Not a qualification for jobs requiring a BS.
o Even if it is a valid and respectable degree, I think it might feel to me like it is fake.(Too easy?)

Option#6
Distance Learning-Business

Pro
o Probably close to #5 in difficulty, but more useful.
o Would be useful knowledge if I ever have my own business
o Could help me get an estimator or project manager job with an electrical contractor.
o Can be applied to any field.
o Qualification for jobs requiring a four year degree. (Substitute teaching?)
o Will knock out some requirements of Options #1 thru #4

Con
o I will need a lot of self discipline.
o Probably a pain in the ass coordinating everything.
o Uncertain respectability of degree.
o Waste of time if what I really want is an engineering degree.
o Even if it is a valid and respectable degree, I think it might feel to me like it is fake.(Too easy?)
o Estimating and project management are not what I really want to do.

I am in the process of getting my ACE transcripts and application to Excelsior. I would like to have a better idea of my major.

Bill