[OT] Re: [sdiy] EE Degree

[John L Marshall]

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob B <cyborgzero at home.com>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 6:42 PM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] EE Degree


> Another new thing which I think is retarded is mandatory attendance.
> Basically this is mainly to stroke the profs egos so that they don't have
> classes with 1 or 2 ppl in them. So, if you are like me, you listen to the
> person for 1.5 hours and, since they speak no english, you still have to
> read the whole damn book again, since the notes from the class are
> incoherent. Anyway, for any reason, you miss the class the first time, and
> you end up getting dropped, if the prof so desires.. I have had this
happen
> too, and you have to now take time off of work, go meander through the
> campus getting all the correct signatures and explain why you weren't
there
> just so you can get back into class..

<lecture mode>
I am an instructor at a local technical college. I drop students that do not
show up the first day because there is a waiting list of over 90 students.
This quarter there were two students that were not on the class list waiting
at the front door on the first day. Another two students were no shows on
the first day. There were no email or phone messages from them. They were
out and the ones waiting were in.

I find that there is a direct correlation between attendance and learning
and grades. Last quarter I had a student that was bragging about how much he
knew, on and on and on. His attendance was sporadic. He earned a "D" on the
final exam and in the class.

I don't exactly lecture. We have group discussion but if you have not read
the material it is difficult to participate. The discussion does not
necessarily echo the material in the book but expands on interesting topics
and ignores less interesting topics. There is plenty of material that is
covered during discussion, especially real world experience, that is not in
the book.

Employers do not hire based on grades. I have never seen an employer ask for
transcripts. Employers hire based upon ability to apply technical knowledge
(do work) and work as a team (plays well with others). My typical experience
for a technical interview is six on one. Six engineers that you might be
working with asking you to solve technical problems, testing your
understanding.

Now, quit your whining. Do your studies. Go get your BSEE. Then, follow that
with an MBA.
</lecture mode>

John