Of course that is the dilemma......I've got around 30 yrs experience in=20
EE, from machine tool controls to vision systems integration to=20
restaurant gear (think McDonald's) to custom job shop industrial work=20
and most recently power electronics, and a stint in contract Delphi=20
database applications, so in some areas I know quite a lot.

I can appreciate what Vitaliy said about a degree. But as you can=20
imagine, there are frustrating "holes" in my education and they creep up=20
from time to time and cause problems.

And, I would think it would be nice for a change to actually not have to=20
learn everything on the job.

But mainly, in this changing economy, I see the possibility of having to=20
look for a job at some point in the future.

Up to now I have had no problems getting one, but of course, a large=20
part of these opportunities are unavailable to me since I lack the degree.

If I do suffer loss of employment (not likely, but more so as of late) I=20
would then consider full time school, as I cannot really see any better=20
way to get it finished up.

There is a very local state university (Northern Illinois University)=20
with an EE program and I think all things considered, I would get what I=20
could that transfers at the local community college and then go there to=20
finish up.

But at 53 yrs old it may be a moot point, and considering the number of=20
engineers in my town (we have aerospace firms) if I were to become=20
unemployed I might just consider something entirely different.

The things I enjoy about engineering have less to do with salary and=20
more to do with working conditions and job satisfaction; I bet I am not=20
alone in this.

I love to make stuff work, don't you?

Just thinking out loud here.

Mark Skeels
Engineer
Competition Electronics, Inc.
TEL: 815-874-8001
FAX: 815-874-8181
www.competitionelectronics.com

--=20
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