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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Mechanical Engineering Degree
« on: April 22, 2013, 02:37:43 PM »
Wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this would be a good place to start. I am in the Army currently as an Infantryman, and have three years left until retirement. I am looking into pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.

I have the pre-9/11 Army College Fund and qualify for the  Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. My questions are this: Is this a degree that can be leveraged into job opportunities? Is this a degree path that is worth looking into? And has anyone here attended Gonzaga?

I am asking these questions,  as I don't want to invest all that time and effort and wind up with an obsolete or worthless degree (i.e. B.A. in Underwater Basket Weaving). Your thoughts and comments are appreciated
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Offline Big Dog

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2013, 02:40:33 PM »
Quote from: RayRaytheSBS on April 22, 2013, 02:37:43 PM
Wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this would be a good place to start. I am in the Army currently as an Infantryman, and have three years left until retirement. I am looking into pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA.

I have the pre-9/11 Army College Fund and qualify for the  Post 9/11 G.I. Bill. My questions are this: Is this a degree that can be leveraged into job opportunities? Is this a degree path that is worth looking into? And has anyone here attended Gonzaga?

I am asking these questions,  as I don't want to invest all that time and effort and wind up with an obsolete or worthless degree (i.e. B.A. in Underwater Basket Weaving). Your thoughts and comments are appreciated

Yes, yes, and no.
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Offline Wineslob

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2013, 04:04:30 PM »
You gonna Major in Gazonga engineering?


 :-)
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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2013, 06:57:17 PM »
Quote from: Wineslob on April 22, 2013, 04:04:30 PM
You gonna Major in Gazonga engineering?


 :-)

While that is tempting, I didn't plan on going to med school! Thank you for your input big dog. I am just trying to pick something I know will keep me competitive in what I know will be a shrinking job market.
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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

“The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion ... and the price demanded for the most precious of all things in life is life itself - ultimate cost for perfect value.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Offline Firekrakka

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2013, 07:01:52 PM »
Quote from: Wineslob on April 22, 2013, 04:04:30 PM
You gonna Major in Gazonga engineering?


 :-)



Sorry, had to.  :-)
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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2013, 07:05:14 PM »
Quote from: Firekrakka on April 22, 2013, 07:01:52 PM


Sorry, had to.  :-)

Hi 5! Well played madam!!  :rotf: :rotf:
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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

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― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Offline marv

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2013, 07:39:21 PM »
Quote from: RayRaytheSBS on April 22, 2013, 02:37:43 PM
And has anyone here attended Gonzaga?

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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2013, 07:42:37 PM »
Quote from: marv on April 22, 2013, 07:39:21 PM


I can see I walked right into that one! Thanks for the laugh! I needed it, Hi 5!
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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

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― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Offline Big Dog

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2013, 07:00:55 AM »
Quote from: RayRaytheSBS on April 22, 2013, 06:57:17 PM

While that is tempting, I didn't plan on going to med school! Thank you for your input big dog. I am just trying to pick something I know will keep me competitive in what I know will be a shrinking job market.

It was short and sweet, but the longer answer is, "a mechanical engineering degree is your ticket to a long and successful career." I know a grad from Kansas University, BS in Mechanical Engineering, who was hired by a firm in the Kansas City area for $50k. He interned his last semester, and started working for pay the day after graduation.

He may have specialized in gazongas. I can check for you, if you want.  :-)
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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2013, 07:17:14 AM »
Thank you once again for your insights. I just don't want to get a degree in a field that is swamped with too many people and not enough positions. Like, say for example, a B.A. in wymin's studies. Or like one of the occupoopers who got a Masters in, get this... Puppetry... :banghead:


 I just know that my current career field in the Army (Infantry) does not offer much that transition's over into a civilian career outside of Law Enforcement. And quite frankly, I am not interested in Law Enforcement at all anymore, as I basically was a cop for 13 months in Iraq. 

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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

“The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion ... and the price demanded for the most precious of all things in life is life itself - ultimate cost for perfect value.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Offline Wineslob

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2013, 09:33:35 AM »
Try something like CSI (not the TV bullshit) My daughter is looking into it. With a law enforcement background you may have a foot up.
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“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #11 on: April 23, 2013, 10:10:50 AM »
Thank you for your thoughts wineslob, I will consider it!
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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

“The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion ... and the price demanded for the most precious of all things in life is life itself - ultimate cost for perfect value.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers

Offline Eupher

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #12 on: April 23, 2013, 11:08:11 AM »
Ray, 18+ years ago I retired from the Army as a euphonium player/musician. Believe me, that doesn't translate well into civilian life. There isn't an overwhelming market for euph players and the few that there are have things more or less locked down.  :-)

Six months before I retired, I graduated with a BA in Management -- essentially a worthless degree.

But, at the time, it was enough to get me into pharmaceutical quality assurance -- specifically handling complaints. And I got into other things as well, but I'll save the long story for another time.

In my view ANY science degree is of value. Whether chem E, mech E, or whatever, it's all good in the job market. As BD notes, you'll do well when you're finished.

Good luck, and THANK YOU for your dedicated service!
« Last Edit: April 23, 2013, 07:35:21 PM by Eupher »
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Offline A7X_foREVer

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2013, 12:55:26 PM »
Good luck man
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Offline Crazy Horse

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2013, 04:56:01 PM »
We have openings for mechanical engineering,however we have more for the smart mechanical engineering types called aerospace engineers.  Well once the hiring freeze is over.

 Is western Washington where you have to be?
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Offline RayRaytheSBS

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Re: Mechanical Engineering Degree
« Reply #15 on: April 24, 2013, 07:46:40 AM »
Quote from: Crazy Horse on April 23, 2013, 04:56:01 PM
We have openings for mechanical engineering,however we have more for the smart mechanical engineering types called aerospace engineers.  Well once the hiring freeze is over.

 Is western Washington where you have to be?

No, I just wanted to attend school there. I don't plan on staying there upon graduation if jobs are available elsewhere. If all goes well I will be graduating 7 years from now, so I hope the hiring freeze is over by then! My brother got his degree in Aerospace Engineering. I remember his dept. T-shirt from college said "Why yes I AM a Rocket Scientist"! on it.  :rotf:
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“Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and their freedoms”

“The best things in life are beyond money; their price is agony and sweat and devotion ... and the price demanded for the most precious of all things in life is life itself - ultimate cost for perfect value.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers
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