So what is your job?

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First off, Semper Fi to all the jarheads. 8)

The only engineering degree I have so far is the Combat Engineer position I had in the USMC....yup... they taught me how to build things then blow them up....along with being able to hit a man-size target at 500meters with bare sites.

Changed careers from automotive tech to electronics(17 years ago), an AAS will get you in the door of most semiconductor businesses but a little talent with hardware or software will take you farther.

My suggestion is to try to find a job you like that won't be outsourced to India or Asia about a year after you optimize your process.

I don't know of what position in semiconductor industry are you talking about. But I know that there are 40k people working for my company which is one of the big players in the industry and there is noone with AAS, moreover BS is considered low, I would say the normal distribution is 30% with BS, 55% with MS and the rest have PhDs. I might be wrong but based on my knowledge of this industry the only place where you can work with AAS is "Mom and Dad" electronics repair store...

I'm not taking Military and Government into consideration, they are well known for the "beatiful minds" and blasing their own bunkers with "top of the line technology. And think of it this way - the more you know, the more you get paid, that's why military and government jobs don't pay much. If you would check officer's pay grade with 15 years of service and compare it to new college hire from a small start-up, guess what...

Ive been an officer for 14 years going on 15. As an O4, I make $96K a year. If you look at the officers pay charts, you only get half the story. What the pay grade/years in service charts dont tell you are BAH, the basic allowance for housing, BAS, basic allowance for sustenance, Incentive pays such as ACIP, aviation crew incentive pay and perdiem based on where and what you are doing, plus travel allowances. Additionally, $400k sevicemans group life insurance costs $28 per month, plus free medical dental and working uniforms. Dress uniforms come out of pocket but are tax deductable for Os, enlisted get uniform allotments.

Until recently, military pay was capped at $100k. Assuming I promote to O5, I will be making over $100K. If I am serving in a combat zone, it will be tax free.

I dont think the military sounds as bad as you do, and I take offence at your comments at negative implications as to our minds. I will gladly compare IQs with you anytime.


Hey, you are more then welcome to compare IQ's =) I'm talking this way about military, because I had a taste of it. I was accepted as a first choice for USCG officer school via DCE program some time ago as an O-2 (LT JG). After that I spent some time speaking with people and looking at how things go around the CG here in Boston. The only thing that everyone was asking what's the point of going into CG or any branch if you have masters. And after some time I realized it too, it might be fun to go through it, but in reality it is less attractive that commercial carrier. I didn't really want to offend any of you mil guys, but I guess I just had an eye opener spending some time on the base. It just didn't appeal to me, earning way less then in most places and doing something that I wont consider highly intellectual. To give you a better idea, entry level position in my company pays as much as O-4 with 12 years of service. In 5 years being an engineer... well paycheck will be higher then anything on the mil pay charts. And benefits.... hmmm I do get what they offer and much more, by the way how are the stock options in military? =) Just kidding. The only thing I can say about military is that I respect people who go there to serve the country and be proud of it. I really do.

And just a word about military super tech =) These projects are made by the independent contractors under the top Sci. So pretty much they are done by the companies like Lockheed for the gov and mil.

PS My reply is a bit delayed - weekends =)
 
Hey Gianti,

(Let me qualify my following statements) Training had everything to do with it NOT my beautiful mind :)!!

It really is too bad that you are so misinformed. Must be hard going through life like that. Then again maybe ignorance is bliss.

I can see how my Military training had NOTHING to do with the jobs and opportunities I have had.

After all those military brilliant minds could never work as an Orbital Analyst or anything remotely similar..

I would love to see you do some bore sight calculations, or better yet extrapolate a satellites ephemeris out to 7 days on paper (only have to do this for exercises or when the system that does this is out of order 😉). I am sure since I did this in the military that any commoner like yourself would be able to do this. :roll: :roll:

If ya would like to give it a wag, you let me know and I can post a simple example for ya. While you are at it could you maybe figure out the calcs for a stopping delta V for a Geosynchronous Bird.. That would be easy too right?

In case you have not yet guessed it yeah you pissed me off with your very narrow minded/ill conceived comment.

So you go ahead and take a shot at any one of those mmmmmmmK.

Hey taking a shot at me, I can tell you that your satellite coordinate calculations were done as a part of a small 15 min test in one of my classes during an undergrad in NY Poly =) So, it sounds scary but is done easily, if you are talking about precise coordinations... you can't really do it without help of the machine, calculations get lengthy =) And yes I would say that any commoner as myself who has an engineering degree could plug the numbers into simple mathematical formula.

PM me with your data... I'll do the calcs for you if you need a proof.

I know I pissed you off and some others, just for the argument sake, and I can take the blame. :roll:
 
Statistics Analizer

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Sempron 2800+ 754
1GB (2x512) DDR400 Geil
Geforce 6200
LG 19" L1900 J

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Gianti,

It is NOT always about the money.. (Obviously)

It is about trying to accomplish something greater than yourself.

For some, they may not have the ability to go straight to college. They may go for the GI Bill. Some for the excitement provided. Some for the somewhat exotic locations (not vacation spots).

In my case, I grew up in a military family and felt an obligation to my country. Call it patriotism, call it what you like... I feel the things I have accomplished in my life have been quite rewarding while also NOT being specifically self serving.

I had other options available to me such as scholarships (that were still there after 4 years in the military) but I made a decision to stay 9 years. You are correct that a college grad could make more after college. But consider this - while in the military many complete a 4 year degree in you guessed it 4 years... All the while being paid to go to school. Also given that school is 100% paid for (providing they receive a C or higher on a class by class basis). I would dare to say that this makes those folks pretty smart..

I have to say I am sorry for my earlier comments... No good excuse for me.. My only justification is that many are putting themselves in harms way (for others) while completing college and gaining real world knowledge and capabilities and leadership skills (preferred by many large companies). It seems that your comments cheapened what they have accomplished.

Also, on the note that outside vendors provide the tech... Tell that to the folks that provide requirements, analysis, and design while also building, maintaining, and testing systems within the Air Force. Much of what the Air Force does is IN HOUSE. I know the Navy also does some of this.
 
I don't know of very many companies that will turn down an idea that will save them money on their product or process, here are some things to consider in that line of thought:

1. your employer will "own" anything developed on their time, you may get bragging rights for developing it but they will own the patent/process mainly because it cost money to get patents due to lawyer fees and patent research/filing.

2. you need to be sure you're not "reinventing the wheel", after a couple of those ideas most management may stop taking you seriously.

3. if you're in a large "old" well established company you can be reasonable sure that someone has already had the same idea "you just thought up", though they may not have acted on it.

4. you may have just come up with the cure for cancer but if the company you're working for is not "in business to cure cancer" you will have to "shop" your idea around to someone that will do something with it.
 
Gianti,

It is NOT always about the money.. (Obviously)

It is about trying to accomplish something greater than yourself.

For some, they may not have the ability to go straight to college. They may go for the GI Bill. Some for the excitement provided. Some for the somewhat exotic locations (not vacation spots).

In my case, I grew up in a military family and felt an obligation to my country. Call it patriotism, call it what you like... I feel the things I have accomplished in my life have been quite rewarding while also NOT being specifically self serving.

I had other options available to me such as scholarships (that were still there after 4 years in the military) but I made a decision to stay 9 years. You are correct that a college grad could make more after college. But consider this - while in the military many complete a 4 year degree in you guessed it 4 years... All the while being paid to go to school. Also given that school is 100% paid for (providing they receive a C or higher on a class by class basis). I would dare to say that this makes those folks pretty smart..

I have to say I am sorry for my earlier comments... No good excuse for me.. My only justification is that many are putting themselves in harms way (for others) while completing college and gaining real world knowledge and capabilities and leadership skills (preferred by many large companies). It seems that your comments cheapened what they have accomplished.

Also, on the note that outside vendors provide the tech... Tell that to the folks that provide requirements, analysis, and design while also building, maintaining, and testing systems within the Air Force. Much of what the Air Force does is IN HOUSE. I know the Navy also does some of this.


Ches,

have to agree with you. Your point is well taken. The reason such as self esteem and discipline as well as patriotism is a primary things for going to the military.

As far as I remember there is a limitation to the GI bill in terms of how much you can spend per credit/year. I know that it wouldn't be able to cover costs of private schools (~30k a year), but it still nice to get some assistance. As for me I chose to get deep into loans, partially paying with scholarships and out of pocket. This gave me 50k in loans after masters degree, which were paid out in 3 years with my job.

I totally agree on the leadership skills and real life experience, it's a great extra but not the key. These can come handy but wont solve problems.

As per technological aspect.. that's true that the requirements, analysis, and design are produced in house and I would be amazed it were not that way. And it takes a good knowledge to do this. However, as far as I know (from personal experience and talking to others who currently on the active duty) people are hired as officers with good design/manufacturing experience, and there is no good school to provide this training/expertise IN HOUSE. I have people working with me who came from different branches of military and they all share the same opinion. Correct me if I'm wrong here, I would definitely want to hear the opinion on this.

Another thing to consider is people who will read our posts. Not all will succeed with the military career and not all will end up having what they've dreamed of. Tell people on constant relocation and need to prepare yourself for short notice surprises. It might be all great if you are 18 and have no family, but....

Anyways, I apologize if I've offended you, but it's a reality of budget funding. A structure that is base on easy entry / low money will be less competitive towards getting and having great minds of today and tomorrow.

At the end of the day you are one of the guys who protect us, and I am grateful for that.
 
ICT/Network technician, in my local school.

2 years at it,

worked in CNC for about 2 years before.

£14000 a year (about $27,000)
 
Software Enginer specializing in Release Engineering
6.5 years in work exp

I have my B.S in Computer Science

Base Salary 80K plus bonuses roughly 89K for the year
and all the other perks like medical and so on
 
I do networking, system design and server repair/replacement for a local government agency (City Level). My section tends to the server farm and the enterprise network.

I have no years of collage in this field, I have 13 years O.J.T. I have worked my way up from the bottom.

I am at just above $79,000 a year and I am looking at a manager position. If I had a crystal ball at the age of 18 I would have looked into computer security.

I was lucky. When I started I was able to find a job that I could do O.J.T and still advance. The computer hardware was a good field to jump into.
 
Money can't buy happiness. but lots of money can make misery more enjoyable.
, , [wish I had more, but it does not stop my basic hobbies]

when u are hungry, nobody to help , you will take a job u hate , to live.....
when the medical bills pill up because your employer does NOT have descent insurance , you will suffer...and have to do with out. It's still comes down to YOU..Do YOU stay /move on/reinvent YOUrself or become miserable.

In my case,all,[at one point or another]I'm still hear, feed and have shelter. I love electicity. It got me into electronics. I repair local residents computers for free so that I can 1) save them money[very poor neighborhood with poor decsions made in life] 2) stop big box stores from getting more money[they hired all the young kids in the A+class[who I helped]but did not hire any of the older people, some with helpfull degrees} 3)did I mention electronics are cool[and comps]

But in the milspec enviroment I got no respect due to my long hair [from the upper management]But My direct suppervisor liked my work and encouraged me. If you go into management remember to encourage your co-workers and the job can be supporting and fun. Be a "" hole and you will be in a battle your whole time at work.

If you have some ideas of your own, check out your ideas . Some stupid things have made fortunes..[and yours might even be benificial..}Gates was not big in the 70 s. [frisbiees were] go for it..
 
Its a shame, but the big box stores all like to hire young kids, because they work for less, and are easy to take advantage of (they don't know the labor laws, etc).
 
Senior UNIX system programmer - since 1979, since before the PC was invented.

I have a bachelor's degree in German. All the rest I learned through 28 years of on-the-job experience

I don't have any trouble paying my bills.
 
You're absolutely right,

Education is the key!

If you don't know the value of something, or what to do, then the chances are you'll be taken advantage off.

Just look at Gates and DOS, bought for $50,000 and sold to IBM for millions in royalty!

I helped a fellow practioner with his office. I made a projectional analysis program for his office. Gave it to him for HIS office. He then turned around and sold it to dozens of other offices for thousands. He was taking credit for the work. This disturbed me.

Money isn't everything, however, do not let yourself be taken advantage of, unless, you truly understand and accept the consequences.

Document all your work, and protect it, because someone will take advantage of the weak links, especially someone with more education, more knowledge and experience.
 
Unfortunately, what you are describing is fairly common practice in the tech world.

The Gates example is one of the "classics". He pretty much had a sales agreement in place with IBM to sell it before he ever bought DOS in the first place. And now he's the richest man in the world. Again.
 
That is why IPR is NOT IPR until you make it IPR :)

Intellectual Property Rights.

Better to Patent and or Copyright than to lose it to someone else.
 
Here is one way to protect yourself:

Write down all your ideas, along with any relevant technical drawings, code base, etc. Put all of it in an appropriate sized envelope, and mail it to yourself (registered letter is better). Then, DON"T open it. The post mark is an effective date for your invention (this has been held up in court). Its cheaper than a patent/copyright application, and protects you until you can get your idea into something tangible.
 
Auto Teh/Mechanic since 1978. Shop owner/operator/mechanic/and all other required hats for the last 4 years.
An auto tech near a big city like DC can pull down 75K easily.
2 years electronics in college, love Trig and Geom, but can't spell :tongue:


<img src="http://cleardarksky.com/c/LittleBennettMDcs0.gif?1"></a>
 
Here is one way to protect yourself:

Write down all your ideas, along with any relevant technical drawings, code base, etc. Put all of it in an appropriate sized envelope, and mail it to yourself (registered letter is better). Then, DON"T open it. The post mark is an effective date for your invention (this has been held up in court). Its cheaper than a patent/copyright application, and protects you until you can get your idea into something tangible.

dang. Great idea. wish
i know that 20 years ago Thanks... no really THANKS I'm stuffing an evelope now
 
Near finished a game development course (A Levels) which is good learning how to use 3ds max and other programs.

Going to go on and do the next level of the course with i think is a HND and might go to collage after. 😛

Are any of yours game developers???
 
Here is one way to protect yourself:

Write down all your ideas, along with any relevant technical drawings, code base, etc. Put all of it in an appropriate sized envelope, and mail it to yourself (registered letter is better). Then, DON"T open it. The post mark is an effective date for your invention (this has been held up in court). Its cheaper than a patent/copyright application, and protects you until you can get your idea into something tangible.

I think the perfered method since 1995 is to file a provisional patent. A provisional patent has no requirements and isn't reviewed by anyone, but protects you in the same sort of way. Although it will cost $75 to file it.
 
26 yrs auto tec mechanic, welder machinest, retired 8 yrs industrail "sparky" home repair lol you name it fix it guy, right now my #1 job is taking care of the wife , cancers back and glad i can be home with her, moneys not good atm but she comes first
so far ive bee able to get my mobo and case and modding it so itl be clean, ie wiring hidden on a antec 900
school 2 yrs auto tect "in 1 yr" busness and psycology degrees, dont laff I failed english every yr but good at math and science
19 yrs nascar racer cars in storage atm dont have the time