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Questions about getting into robotics

Veteran

Sa Do Camp Pendleton, CA

I have some friends that are currently in the engineering field & it’s in fact a world I am ready to take on. Before all of that I need to know where to allocate my educations benefits from GI Bill, VRE, Vet Tech, STEM, FASFA, as well as other state & federally funded education benefits. I do not mind applying for grants & scholarships but my idea is prioritizing my time to reach my goal as fastest and in the most practical way possible.

I understand the field of Robotics is going to be long and difficult. Which will have me sacrificing many things. I myself don’t know what exactly they will be besides time & resources but I am all ears.

I have a slight idea from my friend and my own research on how to achieve my goal, but I honestly don’t trust schools advising me to take there academic courses. I would prefer if it came from someone in the industry itself.

30 January 2023 4 replies Mentoring

Answers

Advisor

David Eastman Gresham, OR

Sa Do, thank you for your service. I think robotics, autonomous cars, artificial intelligence and machine learning are going to take off like a rocket ship. Why don't you make a contact for an informational interview with one of the managers at Boston Robotics and get some guidance as to how best to enter the fast growing robotics industry. With your military experience you might also talk to a company making drones or battlefield robots.

David F Eastman
US Navy Veteran, ASW Avionics

Advisor

Maher Jarjour Jacksonville, FL

Please check the following possibilities I hope they help you to move towards robotics field;

1. In the following link there is an email if you are interested in apprenticeship https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/new-amazon-program-offers-free-career-training-in-robotics
2. Here is also a link to sign in for apprenticeship at AWS, might check if there are opportunities in robotics https://www.amazon.jobs/en/landing_pages/mil-apprentice
3. Please also check the following two links if you could find your skills transferable
https://gitai.tech/careers/
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/702625000

Advisor

Jason Aepli Walnut Creek, CA

While I’m not working in robotics, my undergraduate degree is in Robotics and Control Engineering and I’ve been working as an engineer mostly in the defense industry for about 8 years.

There’s a few good pathways to get into robotics outlined below:
- degree in Robotics engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Control systems engineering
- degree in computer science with a special emphasis in computer vision

Alternative paths that aren’t heavy in math and physics if that’s not your thing:
- AA degree in Programmable Logic Controllers will help you get a foot in the door and work
- BS In Electrical Engineering Technology
- Industrial Engineering in manufacturing and logistics will put you in a position to spec out the type of robot you need in a specific application and then let a robotics or industrial automation supplier do the design work

I love helping people get into the engineering caterer field so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Advisor

Richard Byrne Hillsborough, NJ

Long & difficult? Not if it is FUN! Time goes by TOO FAST: "Living the dream"

Well, if you want to find out if it is fun, you could just get a Raspberrypi 4B, connect it up through a USB multi port hub to an Arduino board with a motor shield board through a USB multi port hub, download sketches, write python code. Or buy a hobby Robot kit & have fun with it.

https://www.ieee-ras.org/
https://robots.ieee.org/
https://spectrum.ieee.org/topic/robotics/

If you really want to design & earn money, you could get a BS in EE or Computer Science.
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.t01.htm

I've added some links to information & videos under these sections of my EE webpage that you might find useful:
http://eehot.com/ee.html#training
http://eehot.com/ee.html#schools
http://eehot.com/ee.html#math
http://eehot.com/ee.html#hobby
http://eehot.com/ee.html#uav
http://eehot.com/ee.html#languages
http://eehot.com/ee.html#computers
http://eehot.com/ee.html#ai
http://eehot.com/ee.html#asics

Or just hover your mouse over the top of my EE web page jump table to reveal section descriptions.

With Technology, you never stop learning and you need to keep pace.

In my case, I worked in industry & mostly first went to school at night part time, with a military interlude, but that takes longer. IMHO, just go for a four year degree full time while you are still young and your mind can soak everything up.
But working while learning also has its advantages, your experience indicates what to learn, what you learn enhances your experience working. Also you have money to live on.
Some companies might subsidize your education.

If you like your work, you might become good at it.

If you don't like your work, do something else.

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