Hey guys I coming up on short time in the Navy and it is time for me to start looking into what I want to do for the rest of my life. I know for sure I am going straight back to college I am just trying to decide what I want to major in. I went to college for two years before I joined the Navy for electrical engineering but now I am thinking of changing my major, electrical engineer just seems a little boring to me, albeit my limited experience with it. I was looking through engineering degrees and found Agricultural engineer.

Now, that I have the back story out of the way I would like your guys help. If anyone is an Agricultural engineer or has any knowledge of what they do specifically please fill me in. I have read many general write ups on Ag engineers but I still don't really understand what they do. Also, any Electrical engineers are welcome to chime in and give me a better idea of what you do on a daily basis.

Any tidbit of advice you guys can pass on would greatly appreciated.

 

Having an Agricultural Engineering degree, I can share with you that at University of Illinois, there are three main areas of focus: Mechanical equipment & systems, Soils & water control, conservation and management, and Structures & building systems. It touches into Mechanical and Civil engineering.

I've been working as an Ag Engineer for a number of years, and still do not really understand what they "typically" do. Seems that due to problems finding a job, many of them simply take a sales position with a seed or equipment company's dealership. Not that anything is wrong with that, but they didn't need an engineering degree for that type of work.

My deeper question for you is: What do you really want to do when you are finished? If you're thinking of product development, product design, or marketing with a major OEM corporation, I will quickly suggest sticking with electrical or mechanical engineering. It's been my experance that Ag Engineering is a difficult degree to market, most employeers simply do not understand or hire people routinely out of this discipline.

Frankly in the end I'm encourage that you are looking into engineering - there is a shortage of people in this area currently. However it's going to be a difficult, labor-intensive four to five years to get through school. It's a wise idea to sit down with monster.com or a similar job site to see what postings are out there, and see what sort of eventual position you would like to work in, and what subsequent career path you would like to take on. Your major itself is not as important as what you specilize in. These are things I wish someone would have said to me prior to starting into school myself.

Feel free to PM if you want to talk about this more. Have a good one - do your research, ask lots and lots of questions, and prepare for a great experance in engineering!

 

Well, BillyGoat, I have an Electrical Engineering Technology degree from Ok State I spend my time designing and upgrading radar distribution equipment for you Navy guys. We make the 4229B units and the new MT's for the cruisers. I'm actually leaving Wed morning for BIW in Maine to do an install on a new destroyer. So.....you could always get into the EET field and stay close to the Navy if you so desired.

There are two programs at Ok State. EE and EET. The EE (Elec Eng) is more geared toward programming and IC design. Not a real "hands-on" program until you are a junior. Now, that's what they told me when I started in 92 so things may have changed just a little. It has a huge amount of calculus and is a pretty rigorous course. The EET (Elec Eng Tech) is hands-on from day one. The first lab is learning to use all the equipment and you get a more "real life" feel. You will have labs all four years (or five if you choose) and be a more versitile, well rounded, eng in my opinion. I took a few mech eng courses as electives like Electro-Hydraulics which I loved and use to this day. It came in real handy when designing my log splitter. You can also (SHOULD) take as many drafting courses as you can. If you do this, you can work for almost any eng firm out there. With my degree and experience, I do design, drafting, testing, installation, troubleshooting, as well as all the other junk like purchase parts, quotes, blah blah blah. I get lots of travel and get to see some cool stuff...like standing on the flght deck of CVN-74. That is one big momma!!! It is amazing how an entire city can float!

I hope this helps you make a good decision. I don't know much about the other schools out there, but, OSU is among the top when it comes to Eng. Great school, great town, great degree. I'm sure there is a thousand other schools out there that can give you same teaching, so good luck.

You aren't on a DDG are you?

 

Any help is appreciated guys, I know that there has to be more people out there that know at least a little about this subject.

 

I am NOT an Ag Engineer but that was my major for my first two semesters at Texas A&M. Ultimately I decided it wasn't for me.

You can learn a little bit about A&M's program and what it leads to HERE.

I have a friend who graduated with the degree who currently works for John Deere designing new equipment. I could probably get you in touch with him if you're interested in learning more about what he does on a day-to-day basis.

I can tell you this much...two of my projects my first two semesters included designing a single piece of equipment that would both load and haul round bales of hay and designing a new irrigation system.

 

I have a BS in Science and a minor in Electrical Engineering. It is a 4 year degree. One under a full EE degree. I put myself through school and didn't have the money to spend on Georgia Tech for a full EE degree. If you get a EE degree you have many options. Control systems, RF Engineering(what I do), Communications, Power, Etc. The degree will no doubt pay you back and then some. Just don't give up and get that little piece of paper. No degree gives you knowledge on what you will be doing. The main thing they teach you is how to think through problems. Good luck. I was also in the Air Force for 4 years and was in communications.

 

i graduated college last december with a Bachelors of Technology degree in agricultural enginnering. The program i was in was very mechanically-oriented. We learned mostly about hydraulic/electro-hydraulic systems, electrical/electronic systems, computer applications, engine dynamics and phisics as it relates to the subject. As part of the program, you also get into some business related courses, such as entreprenuership (sp?), sales, and so on. Overall, it was a very well-rounded program, i thought.

On the other hand, now i drive a tractor/lowboy hauling construction equipment, which really has nothing to do with ag. eng.

 

I didn't read all the posts,but after working as a mechanical engineer for 6 years, I would suggest majoring in Civil engineering. Much better oppertunities for consuliting and working privately (no boss)

 

I have a BS in Electrical Engineering, my emphasis is in power. I really like my job. I get a good amount of time out in the plant and behind the computer as well. I also frequently get to go on inspections to various vendor locations to inspect a substation or motor that we're buying. Most of my daily work consists of overcurrent coordinations which I think are particularly fun. Im also on about 3 or 4 projects right now. Most are pretty interesting and involve various aspects of power. At times I might be making specs for a new switchgear, doing inspections, system analysis, troubleshooting... etc. My work involves using various resources and must comply with the NEC. I also have an AS in Math and an AAS in Electrical Technology and an AAS in Mechanical Technology. I also worked as an electrician during this time. I wouldnt change anything as working as an electrician gave me a lot of experience that really helps a lot in engineering.

 

Great info guys keep it coming.

Thank you to all that have already gave their input.