I'm at a bit of a crossroads here in terms of growth for my education and career and I'm hoping someone with a bit more real life experience and wisdom can give me their opinions. I know this is very similar to a few other threads out there right now like the "UofC or SAIT" thread but I'd like to keep it separate if the mods dont mind. I'll try to keep it concise. All opinions and advice are appreciated.
Education Backstory in point form:
-Partially completed Electronics Engineering Technology @ DeVry couple years back (just under halfway through. first stint was on full scholarship so pretty much a free ride hence why i took it fresh out of highschool)
- after leaving DeVry EET incomplete I went on to dick around a bit; finding myself. A couples years later eventually enrolled and completed 2 year Mechanical Engineering Technology diploma at SAIT (it was a great experience and landed a good job before graduating starting over $50K not bad for an MET diploma) i was lucky
Quick Backstory on me:
I've always had an interest in electronics and robotics, however when I was taking the EET program at DeVry I was too young and didnt have my head in the right place to continue with my education at that point; among other unfortunate personal events all happening around that time. Enrolling in SAIT's MET program years later was really a step to see if my brain was still alive after dicking about for a couple years. And seeing as it was a 2 year diploma I figured I could stomach that rather than go head first back into a degree or hardcore university and at least get some sort of piece of paper.
Fast forward to now:
I lucked out with a great job. I work at a smaller company and am basically their all-in-one tech guy doing computer & network stuff to machine repair, but mainly R&D with automation and custom robotics for the company. Its never a boring day and now I'm working on a National Research Council funded Robotics Project to develop some new innovative robotic automation for our industry sector. I am the lead of the Electronics and Control Systems Development of the Project (it's only a small team, myself and an engineer who is doing the mechanical design so really I'm only the boss of myself lol) But I am brushing shoulders with giants working with some significant engineering individuals the most prominent would probably be the lead engineer from the terrestrial Canadarm Project Development who is advising us. So the experience and contact references I'm making are vital and I am undertaking some ambitious and challenging tasks with the project and also my day to day activities.
Coming up on two years of exp. this spring I am aspiring to apply to ASET for my CET credential but am also a little unsure of how to proceed with my career and education growth as I work mainly with electronics and computers but dont have the associated credentials completed. Which got me going back in the direction of completing the EET program at DeVry or possibly SAIT. Which has led to some serious considerations which is why hopefully somebody with more life and work experience can offer me some words of wisdom. Also not sure if it really matters but I am currently not working in oil and gas but would definitely like to continue work as an R&D Technologist or Electronics and Robotics subcontractor on my own in the future in any sector or field of work.
The difference between the two Post Secondary Educations:
-DeVry EET program is a B.Sc in Electronics Engineering Technology from the University of Phoenix
-SAIT also offers a EET program but is only a 2 year diploma much like the MET program I have already completed.
So my questions(and i ask in relevance to future job potentials and potential growth and how it might help, hinder or have no real effect at all):
1. Does a degree really matter that much if the degree from DeVry is not really an engineering degree but rather a technologist credential recognized by ASET and the CCTT similar to a SAIT diploma?
2. If I do get my CET credential from ASET (only from my MET and 2 years exp to date) is there any real advantage for me to finish my Degree from DeVry or a EET Diploma from SAIT seeing as EET is predominantly the field of work I see myself working in? Or will all an employer see is the CET credential and look more at my past projects, experience and achievements?
3. Is the degree really worth it if it's not truly an Engineering Degree and the highest level of recognition is a B.Sc as a technologist through ASET?
4. For those who are ASET members with CET or higher levels of certification is it likely to be able to earn your CET with the minimum level of experience? (I know this is a bit vague of a question and I am in contact with ASET to try and better understand how it would work)
5. As an employer would a EET Degree make that much more of a difference over a EET Diploma?
I am weighing the pros and cons of cost with taking the EET program either at SAIT or DeVry as DeVry is substantially more expensive but the biggest thing is DeVry can be completed online; hopefully allowing me to earn my degree without taking time off work. I am still finding out the particulars about cost, and much of the education I've completed to date overlaps into these programs so it's likely I will be able to complete the EET credential fairly quickly from either institute. The only debate is if it's worth it. And timing with work.
SAIT doesnt work so well for timing but would be cheaper tuition-wise (unless I get the scholarship back at DeVry) Or completing the B.Sc through DeVry at more tuition-cost (assuming I dont get the scholarship) but being able to maintain my work throughout my education. At this point I'm fairly certain taking time off for SAIT would cost me more as I wouldnt be working but again the particulars are still being figured out and money and time will come clear later.
Sorry if it was a bit long winded. The long and short of it - I've got an MET diploma is finishing my EET Degree really worth it?
Links
http://sait.ca/pages/cometosait/acad...mas/aent.shtml
http://www.devry.ca/programs/electro...p?WT.ac=ca-eet