Where
can I find employment? Just about anywhere a graduate wants to live.
Logically, there will be more opportunity in Portland than Fort Kent. Graduates
have gotten jobs all over the United States from Hawaii to Florida, Maine to
California.
What
jobs can I get as a graduate of Electrical Engineering Technology?
There are numerous jobs in the manufacturing sector with equipment manufacturers,
semiconductors, electronics, paper, power delivery and consulting firms servicing
those industries. The most common jobs are project engineer, electrical and instrumentation
engineer, equipment engineer, field engineer and applications engineer.
What
is the starting salary? Salaries depend on the location of the employer.
The Boston area pays more than Fort Kent. Starting salaries last year ranged from $45,000
to $55,000.
Where
do graduates work? Graduates work across the United States though many
choose to stay in Maine. They work in small towns and large cities. Location is largely
based on where manufacturing firms are located. Graduates can generally work where ever
they desire, in whatever size firm they feel comfortable.
How
hard is it to get jobs? The EET faculty have built a strong network of contacts consisting
of firms that typically hire our students. We work with students personally to help place
them in positions that fit their interests. Over the last several years, we have had
an almost 100% placement rate within three months of graduation.
How
difficult is it to find summer jobs? With a little effort, students
can obtain summer positions with prospective employers the summer after
their second or third year in firms near their home. A typical
student will work as an electronics technician or update electrical drawings during their first year.
The summer after their third year they are assigned regular engineering duties
so they can get a feel for engineering careers with that firm. A very high percentage
of student internships lead to full time jobs after graduation.
Will
I be “small fish in a big pond” at the University of Maine?
The University of Maine has almost 10,000 students. As a result, the University
of Maine has a well-staffed medical facility, comfortable dorms, large library,
spacious concert center, numerous recreation opportunities, nationally recognized
sports teams (e.g., ice hockey), free tutoring, and a friendly atmosphere. Situated
within the University of Maine is a small, close-knit family of students that
comprise Electrical Engineering Technology. The Electrical Engineering Technology
program has approximately 80 students total. That is less than most high school
classes that students come from. The average class size in an Electrical Engineering
Technology class is about 19 students. The program is more like a one-room school house.
With a cadre of four full-time faculty, the faculty are able to work closely with the students throughout the
four-year program. .
Who
are the faculty? There are four full-time faculty and one part-time
faculty within the Electrical Engineering Technology program. All our faculty are licensed professional engineers. They are required to have both
a bachelors and masters degree in engineering to receive tenure. All have several years
of engineering practice before teaching in the program. Scott Dunning specializes in power
systems, electric machines, and energy efficiency. Paul Villeneuve specializes in analog circuit
design, control systems and robust instrumentation design. Jude Pearse specializes in
digital systems, microprocessor application and project management. Spider
Williams
specializes in digital circuit design and electric circuit design. Tom
Christensen specializes and sequential motion control.
Are
the courses difficult? All engineering courses are
difficult. Electrical Engineering Technology courses are no exception. The difference
with our program is the exceptional access that students have to our faculty. While
some institutions may only have 1-2 hours available for students to see faculty, we
average 10-15 hours weekly. Students who put sufficient effort into their studies generally
perform well. There are tutoring services available. Students with learning disabilities are provided with help
and faculty provided with instructions on how to help the student learn.
Can
an EET graduate go to graduate school? Yes. While most graduates
grab the many of the lucrative offers made to them at graduation, a few have
gone on to earn a graduate degree. Most of the graduates that have gone on to
graduate school have pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Through
a unique partnership with the UMaine ECE program, strong students maypursue a master
of science in electrical engineering with minimal additional coursework.
Can
an EET student get a professional engineering (PE) license? Yes.
Many electrical engineering positions do not require a professional engineering
license, but most graduates pursue licensing to enhance their career opportunities.
Maine makes no distinction between a regular engineering graduate and a technology graduate
in pursuing an engineering license.
If you have other questions about the Electrical Engineering Technology program, contact Edward Williams at the following:
Edward Williams
5708 Barrows Hall, Room 11
Orono, Maine 04469-5708
207-581-2341