I'm stuck between one of two options. I have applied at Unisa to study elec eng(power) but the problem is, I enjoy electronic WAYYYY more than heavy current. It's much more challenging. However, I'm an MQA electrician(hopefully I'll get a job soon) and have lots of heavy current experience. It would be much easier to get experiential training where I'm gonna work(hopefully) and get a job I think. I asked around and I found out that Power eng guys pocket around R1m p.a in the mining industry. Is this the case for electronics engineers? Am I making a bad choice by choosing power eng? How hard is it to get experiential training(P1 and P2) particularly for electronics?
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Power engineering/electronics and communication?
- Thread starter Andetroy
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R13...
Honorary Master
If you want more cash then do heavy current. However having said that I am an electrical engineer with 4 years exp and I am nowhere close to R1m.But then again i am not in mining.
You expect 1m after four years? Most of that time is training.
You cannot do a BSc or BEng (Electrical) part time unfortunately. best option if you really want a degree is to go to have the subjects you did credited by a varsity then do maybe 3rd and 4th year. (I know someone who did this).
two more years after a Btech? It's no wonder Bsc guys are generally considered superior(PS: DNT WANA START THE OLD BTECH vs BSc battle)
wetkit
Expert Member
Engineers is normally in management, doing very little engineering.
Technicians on the other hand get's the job done
Dude, I really hope you are black, cause if you any other colour, you NOT going to get a job, except perhaps in a consultant firm.
I wish you all the best!
Technicians on the other hand get's the job done
Dude, I really hope you are black, cause if you any other colour, you NOT going to get a job, except perhaps in a consultant firm.
I wish you all the best!
Engineers is normally in management, doing very little engineering.
Technicians on the other hand get's the job done
Dude, I really hope you are black, cause if you any other colour, you NOT going to get a job, except perhaps in a consultant firm.
I wish you all the best!
thnx. Btw, I'm black and I've been unemployed for quite sometime now. Funny thing is, the government talks about shortage of skills.
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R13...
Honorary Master
Actually statistics prove the opposite. It takes longer for black grads to get jobs on average than counterparts of other races.
Actually it depends on whether the industry is pushing quotas or not. I know someone who left the "spoorweg" and was never able to get back in as they are only considering black candidates now. Still scraping the bottom of the barrel to make a living. If you're white then don't even consider training in one of the black dominated sectors as you'll never get a job.
<![SoUL-rEapER]>
Active Member
If your passion lies in power engineering, then go for it. But you sound unsure. Give it a clear thought before you make a clear decision. Make sure to meet people who are qualified engineers (ECSA accredited) as your practicals will require a professional to supervise your work (create a LinkedIn account and meet them). You might be able to get away with it at first level, but at electrical engineering 2, electronics 2 and digital systems 2 things will start to heat up (literally). I also have some maths 1 and maths 2 study guides. Just Private Message me and I will send it to you. Another major field includes Mechatronics, which is gaining a lot of exposure in S.A. Mechatronics basically deals with heavy Industrial Robots and Industrial control systems. It combines mechanical Engineering with electronic engineering and power engineering (or heavy current), with basic concepts in C++ programming, as well as programming in Python - which I hear is having a major come back in microcontrollers. In my opinion, you are stuck between a gap of power engineering (heavy current) and electronic engineering (light current). Mechatronics would be ideal for you - that's if you do not mind a little bit of mechanical enginering. I'm currently doing Electrical Engineering: Computer Systems, which deals with programming and software/web engineering, Operating Systems, as well as microcontrollers and microprocessors. Also, be prepared for some intensive calculus - up until maths 4. Other disciplines include electronic communications which includes applications like satellite communications or anything which works on a network. Clinical Engineering includes medical equipment, like your dialysis devices (people who do Clinical engineering usually specialize in Biomedial Engineering, which does not really have a mark in S.A due to the level of technology).
Computer systems, clinical engineering, communications and mechatronics cover: electronics 1 - electronics 3, digital systems 1 - digital systems 3, maths 1 - maths 4, electrical engineering 1 & 2 and electrical engineering practice 1 & 2. There are more subjects, which depend on what you specialize in.
Rewards: Priceless. Once you get that diploma/degree you will basically feel like you have conquered the world.
I hope this gives you an insight to what electrical engineering is all about
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Thank you very much for the insight. I just saw your reply(my internet line was faulty). I have chosen Mechatronics upon considering the modules required for ECSA registration as a professional elec Eng technician(sent an email to [email protected]). You're right about the mechanical part, I'm looking forward to that as well. It's all systems GO from here!