[mortarnoobie]

A nephew of mine is going to be a senior in high school next year, and just got back from an introduction to engineering camp at the University of Missouri in Rolla. You pick four types of engineering that you want to learn more about, and do hands on activities for each one. His favorite, by quite a bit, was the metallurgy. They casted some paper weights from aluminum, did some stress tests on different types of steel, and some other stuff. From the sound of it, it does seem pretty interesting. His only concern is the job market. I did some reading, and i guess their metals program is extremely specific. Their students learn their metals front back and side to side, but thats about it (as opposed to "general materials engineering" degrees that other schools provide). While i'm sure there are companies in need of these people, i don't think he wants to have to run around the country to the few places that need these people.

comments and opinions would be greatly appreciated.
did anybody here, if not for metals, go to UMR?


thank you much.
-Jon

 

[Cat Whisperer]

I went to ISU in Ames (but not in metalurgy), had a few friends that went to Rolla. Good school, also known for parties. If you have any questions ask to see their job placement rate.

 

[mortarnoobie]

they place everybody... i think he said they graduate about 60 met. E's a year (very small program) so thats not an issue. its more of being able to chose where you live and work. i read the brochure he brought home... many of their grads go to work for Boeing and caterpillar tractor. while these would be good jobs, they might not be to flexible on location.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

they place everybody... i think he said they graduate about 60 met. E's a year (very small program) so thats not an issue. its more of being able to chose where you live and work. i read the brochure he brought home... many of their grads go to work for Boeing and caterpillar tractor. while these would be good jobs, they might not be to flexible on location.

Those are the choices in life. I now have the best job I've EVER had. Great people to work for, engineering challanges every day and good satisfaction - AND - a real playground for my form of humor! Would I like to move 1000 miles closer to the kids, sure. Would it be worth the frustration? Tough question!

 

[Blaster]

they place everybody... i think he said they graduate about 60 met. E's a year (very small program) so thats not an issue. its more of being able to chose where you live and work. i read the brochure he brought home... many of their grads go to work for Boeing and caterpillar tractor. while these would be good jobs, they might not be to flexible on location.

Mortarnoobie:
My son graduated from the University of Illinois, Champaigne,IL and then went to graduate school at The Colorado School of Mines. There he got his Masters Degree in Materials/Ceramic Engineering. He now works for Caterpillar Tractor in Peoria, IL. I believe he has done VERY well. He seems to really like his work and has even gotten a patent on something or other but since I'm not into metals/ceramics, the patent stuff kinda went way over my head. He has not regretted getting his degree in this field. Blaster (Bob in So. CO)

 

[mortarnoobie]

thanks for the informative replies everybody.

cat, may i ask what your job is? or what your degree is in?

 

[Cat Whisperer]

I work for a company that makes DC brushless motors as the Test Engineer. That means I design and build test equipment to test the preformance of the final product, usually computerized/automated measuring things like speed, current, direction, torque and a dozen specific tests. I'm often called on for my expertise in geometric tolerancing because for years I taught machine design, jig and fixture design, geometric tolerancing and CAD as well as electronic communications as a professor at the local community college. Just prior to my current job I was a tooling engineer - designing dies to make brake pads and lots of other manufacturing related jigs and fixtures. BS and MS in Industrial Education & Technology from Iowa State and a bunch of years in the Army (E1 - E5 and O1-O4) in Army Security Agency, Signal Corps, Artillary, Infantry and Military Police.

Someday I'll figure out what I'm going to do in life.

 

[GGaskill]

Interesting, another ASA type.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Interesting, another ASA type.

You too - or did I miss someone else's mentioning it?


(and to keep on-topic - sort of) I remember re-enacting the march from Acton to the bridge between Lexiton and Concord a couple of times while stationed at Ft. Devens. That was the motivation to build my FIRST mortar - from seeing all the folks with their cannons on that march.

(Cpt Davis and his two sons marched from their home in Acton to the bridge at the start of the revolutionary war - all killed in the battle. Tremendous courage - they took to the battle what they had to fight with - pitchforks .)

 

[GGaskill]

Me; but a translator, not a Ft. Devens type. Just thought it interesting that ASA types would also be muzzleloading artillery types.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Me; but a translator, not a Ft. Devens type. Just thought it interesting that ASA types would also be muzzleloading artillery types.

I was a 33G - ecm/DF Systems Repair (and high speed buffer operator).
They used to say that the top 10% of the Army was in ASA - I echoed, yea the scum rises. Those were good times though, lots of good friends in Army, Navy and Air Force from neighboring posts/bases.

Shot my first mortar for the first time there on Ft. Devens (about 20 miles down the road from the bridge) on one of the ranges on the 200th anniversary of the first shot heard round the world - Patriot's Day, April 19th.

Had to make my own fuse from powder saturated paper - worked ok while it was slightly damp - was WAY too fast when it dried.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Me; but a translator, not a Ft. Devens type. Just thought it interesting that ASA types would also be muzzleloading artillery types.

Ahh but the doors that knowing another language opens!

 

[double d]

I have a AS/PMT that included a class in metalurgy...now we are back on topic.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

I have a AS/PMT that included a class in metalurgy...now we are back on topic.

I'll bite. LS/MFT I understand, what's AS/PMT?

 

[double d]

Everybody was tossing out the high faluting fancy alphabet titles so I thought I would toss mine out too, since it is on topic

LS/MFT

Man, you have to be old to know that one! Loose Strap or Lucky Strike! Turns out either one is nothing but trouble!

 

[dukkillr]

I ultimately got Biology and Chemistry degrees from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri but I visited both UMR and Colorado School of Mines. I had an absolute blast in Colorado (literally). UMR has some social aspects that made it somewhat unappealing to me (80% guys) and ultimately I decided I like Chemistry better anyway.

I'd visit Colorado if you're even remotely interested just because it was so much fun. I got to fiddle with a giant tank looking thing they used to blast rock. I also learned about explosives and ran a rock hammer. Plus there's all that boring campus stuff

I live in Lawrence now but I'm from South Johnson County. If you've got any questions PM me and I'll give you my phone number.

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Duk killer -

So what do you like to shoot (in mortars and cannon)?

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Everybody was tossing out the high faluting fancy alphabet titles so I thought I would toss mine out too, since it is on topic

LS/MFT

Man, you have to be old to know that one! Loose Strap or Lucky Strike! Turns out either one is nothing but trouble!

Old, no. I'm in denial. But the scary thing is following the Lil' Abner comic strip (being re-run now, currently in March of 1953) and REMEMBERING bits and pieces of what's going to happen next!

 

[Cat Whisperer]

Let me just add this about cryptic letters that follow people's names.

They don't mean squat, when it comes to the real issues of life.

I learned more about life from my step-dad - who might have made it through 8th grade. He knew what should and shouldn't be done and was a strong force for reason and justice in his community.

It's the real values about people and rights/responsibilities that are important. To that add the degrees and that's OK.

 

[double d]

AS/PMT=Associate of Science/Precison Machine Technology with Honors. 4.0 GPA and now working in field that has nothing to do with that degree. The classes taken during that study have been a help throughout my continuing Law Enforcement career with U.S. Customs.

My major was gunsmithing, but core classes were more valuable.

The mandated computer training in college made it easier for me to transition into using computers in my work. From things as simple as using a word processing program to using the complex database and spreadsheet programs that I use in my analytical work. I find terrorists!

The study of machines and how they function and operate was an enormous help when I was in the field looking for smuggled goods. Why does that truck have an extra axle and drive shaft...humm look at all the dope inside!!!

The Machine tool operations classes gave me the skills to play with and make cannons as a hobby. The study of physics pointed to internal and external ballistics and give me a better understanding of whats going when I light the fuse.

College and higher education are important and open the doors to your future.