What career advice do you have for up-and-coming Engineers/Student?

1. - I'd stick with one of the basic engineering programs:  Mechanical, Electrical, Civil etc.  depending on your interest.  I'd also go for the full BS of Engineering and avoid the engineering technology degrees.  They are easier but will keep you out of some jobs.

2. - There are definitely a wide variety of jobs available to EE's right now, but you may have to move to where the jobs are.  A good general degree will allow you entry into a lot of different sectors of industry.

3. - I'd HIGHLY recommend an internship or 2 WHILE you're getting your bachelor's; paid if possible, unpaid if necessary.  It'll be a better investment of time than any class you could take.  Getting out of school with not much hands-on experience is the biggest barrier to getting that first job.  I'd wait on getting a Master's as it usually just adds to the school loan pile, unless you can get very good scholarships and can't find any type of tech job.  If you get a job and end up needing a Master's to move up, it's pretty easy to get later nights/weekends.

4. - ANY candidate is better recognized with a few years of experience under his/her belt.  Most companies will value a few years of experience over a Master's.

Long story short, get a good broad Engineering Bachelors and try to get your foot in a door as early as you can.

Good luck!

I'd wait on getting a Master's as it usually just adds to the school loan pile................

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HQEW.net

In no particular order: Don't expect to be CEO in a year, be motivated but not cocky, come in early & stay late, take on extra work in areas that may not be in your "Job Description", never say "That's not my job", don't watch the clock, leave the attitude & face metal and earings at home, keep your tattoos covered if you have any, clean up your facebook page before you start interviewing, don't chase the money; take a job doing something your interested in.....the money will come, take a writing class, make sure your resume's spelling and grammer are perfect, offer your boss a solution to a problem / don't just point out the problem, remember that jobs come and go; family first.

A career area to consider after you've cut your teeth for 5-10 years is patent law.

That field is wide open for technical experts that have a law degree.