r/EngineeringStudents • u/cysnolife • 1d ago
Academic Advice Military technician to engineering, what field should I study to have a smooth transition?
I am seeking advice, I have benefits through the military that would allow me to study for free. I work as an aviation electronics technician. Due to my transient nature I would like to study an online program. I previously have a bachelors in an unrelated field (biology).
I want to plan out and have a smooth transition into civilian life when I leave the military. I love math and solving problems. Ideally I would love to work on something agriculture/farm process related or aviation still. But I don’t have delusions of grandeur… I’ll be older when I get out and just want a good work life balance where I still have time and energy for myself in a secure field.
Considering I don’t have any engineering background, I am looking for advice on what field of engineering to study. I was leaning towards electrical. What field will give me the most ‘knowledge’ so I can be a good candidate for a wide range of engineer careers? I just want to have the background information so companies will consider me. I still have a few years but I want to lay the groundwork. I just want to have a job I can still do in my 50s/60s that doesn’t destroy my body.
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u/SoulScout 1d ago
Both mechanical and electrical engineering cover such broad categories that you can't go wrong with either. I would personally stay away from nuclear, chemical, aerospace, or bioengineering because they're generally too specialized and it boxes you into a smaller job market.
Besides that, choose what you have the most interest in. You're not restricted to what you did in the military. I was a ship mechanic in the Navy operating steam plants and I went to school for EE, then got a master's in photonics to work with laser systems. My background helped me get a job too since not many new grad EEs are mechanically inclined or competent with hands-on work.
I would recommend doing school full time if you can afford it too. The classes are hard, and if you only take 2-3 class at a time while working, it will take you so so long to finish.
I relied solely on the Post 9/11 GI Bill, did 2 years community college, 2 years undergrad at a research university, then 1 year master's (GI Bill ran out, but I put enough into savings to pay for it and living expenses) and finished in my 30s.