bcit co-op electrical and computer engineering courses
 

what is the best one of out these courses?
and the most in demand right now

Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (Computer Control Option)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (Electrical Power and Industrial Control Option)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (Telecommunications and Networks Option)

i'm leaning towards wireless/network, since there might be jobs at bell, rogers etc

OR

go into IT services at bcit

•Client/Server
•Database
•Data Communications and Internetworking
•Digital Processing
•Information Systems
•Technical Programming

I took the 3rd.... and am currently unemployed.

I also didn't manage to get a co op job either... that was 4 years ago, probably even less jobs now...

i know someone who took the 3rd one too and he is now back in school
so don't take the 3rd one

I work in the telecommunication field

there are no jobs right now and must of the major companies are on a hire freeze right now for an undisclosed time period

unless you have hook ups I would not recommend that choice right now

Computer Control Option or Software Engineering/CompSci

Don't go into Telecom unless you're prepared to work like a grunt for a few years.

im starting telecom in the next semester...

my dad works at telus... he's been there for 35 years.

^
What does he do at Telus and for how long?

He's a telecom engineer in those exchange buildings, but he travels all over canada doing stuff I don't even understand (yet).

back on topic:
After reading this thread I was really concerned about the Telecom option, since I had already applied for it. So today after my last final exam (woohoo!!! im done another semester!!) I went to talk to the program head for the Telecom Option. He told me that there are an abundance of careers and jobs out there for graduates of the program, and he actually proved it to me, showing me that 95 percent of the students that graduated from this option, got jobs directly out of BCIT. The companies that were hiring the most was Westower, Telus, NavCanada, and BC Hydro. He says he receives so many job opportunities that it becomes a 2:1 (Jobs:Student) ratio at times. I am no longer concerened.

If you or anyone you know took this program and had trouble finding a job, the program head urged me to tell you guys to go to him!!!! His name is Bob Gill, and he'll help you look for your job.

Since you are not able to pick an option until your third semester anyways... if ECET interests you go for the first year... they have a lot of info sessions and seminars regarding the options during the course of your first year. You'll also have a lot of hands on experience to see what you are really interested in as well. Then when it comes time to decide, your choice will be more clear to you. I have friends in each of the options, the only one that is tough finding a job in, is Automation & Instrumentation.

BTW just an FYI, ECET is the hardest program at BCIT... so be ready to work really hard. If you want any more info on this program just send me a PM.

Not trying to be a jerk here so don't take this the wrong way.

First of all, do you even know what these companies specialize in? If not, I highly recommend you to do some major research. These companies hire because the average person does not want to do these jobs. The number of people who are in those current roles have been doing them for a long time and are slowly retiring, creating an exodus in order to introduce a new wave of younger people to fill their roles. There's nothing wrong with these jobs. I've worked in the industry for 8 years now, dealing specifically with companies like BC Hydro, Telenav, Westower, Radian Communications, TriLink, just to name a few. These jobs are not glorious and consist of hard labour. Dangers are involved and the potential to work in terrible conditions are abundant, not to mention, the numerous health hazards you will encounter while working for these companies.

I'm not trying to stray you from taking this program - it's great and I know several people who came out of that program who are doing very well, however, what they are doing now is very unrelated to their studies and are holding positions which are rare. The program in itself will only provide you with a very basic/fundamental foundation of telecom, however, it will not get you anywhere unless you start exploring on your own and specializing. In addition, most people end up going back for more education in order to obtain certification in certain fields within the industry.

Although I understand that your dad may be a telecom engineer, he seems to be working out of the central offices (which you will learn about if you take the program) specializing in perhaps implementation and augmentation. These roles are rare. Very rare. Not many people hold these positions and roles. You have to understand and be prepared to spend a lot of time to get there. Ask your dad. He is an awesome resource and I'm sure he can tell you, however, what he probably won't be able to tell you is that the industry is changing very rapidly. If he's been a Telus vet for 35 years, chances are, you won't be doing what he's doing and probably never will. Nowadays, people in the industry change companies every few years. I've done it myself and it's normal. Anyway, that's beside the point. The point is - you need to do some more research before you get into this program only to come out and be disappointed. I hate to be honest but personally, I feel that your father's career path and how you view it is very misleading. Things have changed and your father was not part of it.

As for Bob Gill - hahahahahaha! Surprised your dad hasn't said anything to you about the guy. :lol

Thanks for the reply...

I understand what you're saying. That's why i've been in a constant debate with myself whether to also take a Electrical Engineering Degree at SFU.

^
No problem!

Obtaining an Electrical Engineering degree will certainly help a lot in addition to your telecom schooling at BCIT (if that's the route you decide to take.) Having a background in Electrical Engineering opens up a plethora of career paths in the telecom industry. Start with the BCIT program, work as a field technician or switch technician for a few years, put in some time as a bit of a grunt to get a feel of the industry. Once you find that niche or field of specialization, you can start applying your skillsets and knowledge into a specialized role much like your father. The industry in itself is also moving into more of an IT environment, especially in the wireless sector since everything is shifting into an IP environment so don't limite yourself to just an electrical engineering degree.

PM me if you have any questions.

Just wanted to chime in here

His dad most likely doesn't work in the CO. Most CO now are unmanned with only a few major ones (downtown) having staff there also CO are usually filled with 1st line managers, techs and rackrats. His dad prob works out of the boot or at least I would think.

This is based off my exp working in the CO for Telus

LOL just looked at the westower site (had never heard of them). they have something posted starting at $15/h.. LOL I was making that before going to BCIT.

their website is horible too.

If I don't find a new job within 6 months I'll probably join the navy as a tech. 10k signing bonus if you have a elec. diploma and starting wage with diploma is around 50k I think. would be an interesting 5 years.

edited

Sorry, I should have clarified. What I meant was that his father most likely based his work on COs, perhaps on transmission & facilities (interconnects/tandem switches etc.) Looks like Telus is really transforming the way they do business.

I sent an email to Bob. he wasn't impressed when I asked if he could share his "abundance of jobs"....

I guess I shouldn't have quoted you....

I knew a guy who did the telecom option and then ended up going back to bcit to do the telecommunications technicians program. I don't know where he is now. A few ended up selling telephone systems.

Westower is the place you wanna go if you want to do a grunt job for 10 years. They have lousy pay in my opinion and you will have to work out of town a bunch.

Also regarding the Navy thing a friend of mine actually did this er... well tried too he failed the pyhsical evaluation they conducted before hand. Its deff not a bad idea tho in my opinion.

i would say look in to automation (if it still exists). i took computer control many years ago, and i have to say the programming i learned in control, is not nearly enough to compete with software engineers or com sci graduates, not to mention guys from other diploma programs you have to compete with if you wanted a programming job.

all my telecom friends are not doing telecom, couldnt find any jobs and have since moved on to different industries outside of telecom.

BCRDukes made a good suggestion. I got my degree after my diploma, I have to say the degree opens up more doors for you.

he doesn't work out of the boot, he is an actual Telecom Engineer, he works on the west side telephone exchange... but he travels all over canada (wherever telus is) and does stuff there too.. Its pretty cool. TELUS is a really good company to work for... they really value their employees.

i graduated from one of the ECET options a few years ago (damn, time flies fast)

howcome Automation and Instrumentation wasn't listed as a possible option?

just my opinion but here's what i'd pick:
1st choice: Automation/Instrumentation
2nd choice: Power
3rd choice: Computer Control (maybe 2nd choice if you plan on doing a double diploma)
4th choice: Telecom

btw...if i remember correctly, power and computer control both share the same 3rd term courses?

bcit always like to boast about how most of their students get jobs within 3 months of graduating. what they don't tell you is the percentage of enrolled students that actually graduate. you might want to ask that question before deciding to enroll

I think my grad class from telecom was 20 people. only like 4 or 5 who started the same time as me. the other 15 or so started ealier and took more then 2 years to finish.

I was working 3 days after in electronics stuff but nothing to do directly with telecom. but it was through a known contact. I think my interview was about 4 mins.