Plan Ahead: Set Yourself Up for a Career in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Regardless of where you are in your life or at what stage, if you have a dream that you want to achieve, you can start working toward that immediately. If your dreams include working as an electrical and computer engineer, then you can start at any stage of your education process to set yourself up for success.

This starts with taking useful courses whilst still in high school, so that you have to right credentials to get into the university you like, then it’s getting used to online learning, just in case you want to visit an online university and then understanding the future of what you need beyond a BA undergraduate degree like a masters. So, without further ado, it’s time to jump into this topic.

Pick the Right Subjects and Do Your Research

One of the biggest ways to set yourself up for a hopeful career in electrical and computer engineering is by picking the right subjects while you’re still in high school. This often includes IT classes, science, advanced mathematics and economics or technology, whichever your school offers. This will give you the right foundations on which to build toward a degree in this field.

If you have passed the stage of school and you’re simply interested in this degree, there are many things you can do as well. You can spend some time looking at complementary videos on YouTube, for example, that explain the core elements of computers, mathematics and coding, just so that you can put one foot in front of the other as you continue to learn.

Furthermore, you need to set yourself up for success by doing your research and finding the education that suits your needs best. This will be further outlined below.

Have Online Education Systems Replaced Traditional Lectures?

Online education has certainly become a lot bigger and more significant in the market over the past years. This is something that you should keep in mind when looking for where you want to study, as you can find an electrical and computer engineering online degree that gives you access to excellent information, whilst staying at home and being able to engage from all over the world. Digital learning is its own niche and those who have never done it before may not be aware of all the different benefits and challenges, so keep reading to learn more.

Benefits of Online Learning

One of the biggest benefits of online learning is the fact that you can do it from anywhere in the world. This means that you are not forced to stay in one area or classroom for the three or four years that it takes you to get your degree, allowing for a lot more mobility.

Another benefit is the fact that you can access education from all over the world. This means that if you’re in a remote part of a country, you do not need to leave all you know behind in search of excellent education; you can now easily find it online. This creates a saving as well, as you do not need to relocate in pursuit of education, which was once often the case. Also, you don’t have to spend hours commuting to and from an educational establishment, which is a plus.

Furthermore, you’re able to work at the same time, if you can handle it. By visiting an online course, you can slot the hours you need to study when you have the time. You’re not forced to be present between certain hours, giving you more flexibility in your day to do what you need, such as having a job.

Challenges of Online Learning

As with anything good, there are some drawbacks or challenges that you must consider. One of the biggest is self-efficacy and motivation. You have to have your head screwed on right so that you take the responsibility to learn and do as you need to. You have to manage your time well and constantly motivate yourself because no one else will. In online classrooms, you might have some interaction with fellow classmates and lecturers, however, it’s all through a screen and no one is there in person to push you to finish your essays or assignments. This means that the onus falls on you to complete everything.

The Future of Electrical and Computer Engineering

As with most courses, you start with a BA undergraduate degree. You then move on to your master’s, which is where you can pick between many different specialities. This will allow you to find the niche that you think suits you best. Perhaps you are more inclined toward management, in which case, you could learn more about engineering management as opposed to hands-on engineering if you think that you would do well as a leader.

You can always get in touch with the student and subject advisors of the establishment so that they can give you a better idea of the courses you can take and how you can build your curriculum in a way that suits you best.

Well, as you can see from the above, the world of education is changing. With the introduction of technology, things are moving quickly toward online learning and this development comes with certain benefits and challenges. It’s up to you to navigate them with the tools you have at your disposal so that you can earn that degree you’ve worked so hard toward.

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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Military academies offer benefits most high school students and their parents don’t realize:

• the quality of education is comparable to an Ivy League
• they not only provide you with an education, but provide a job when you finish–no job hunting, no rejections,
• they pay you to go to school–that’s right, each of the four years, you are paid more to attend classes and complete the other activities required to graduate
• they are free–no charge for classes, books, room and board; they even pay for your summer school

But they are picky. Applying pits you against a huge pool of highly-qualified applicants. It’s not just about who has the best GPA and SAT scores. Admissions weighs:

• scholastics
• physical
• moral
• personal drive

To gain acceptance requires something different than the usual preparation. Here’s one book to prepare you:

Building a Midshipman

by Jacqui Murray

Available: Amazon

You don’t have to be a miracle-worker to the 10% of applicants accepted to a military academy, but you do need a plan. For the thousands of students who apply every year–and slog through the numbing concatenation of decisions preceding a nomination–there is no greater discouragement than the likely event that they will fail. This, though, is the Board’s peek into an applicant’s moral fiber and an important ingredient to the go/no go decision.

In the words of James Stockdale, USNA ’46 and Medal of Honor Winner: “The test of character is not ‘hanging in there’ when you expect a light at the end of the tunnel, but performance of duty and persistence of example when you know that no light is coming.”

This is the true story of Maggie Schmidt, an All-American kid who dreamt of attending the Naval Academy when her research into the typical Midshipman uncovered a profile alarmingly like herself. This book describes her background and academic interests, her focus, as well as her struggle to put together a winning admissions package. Along the way, you gain insight into the moral fiber that grounds everything she does and the decisions she must make that some consider impossible for an adolescent, but are achievable for thousands of like-minded teens. This workbook walks you through the long process, provides check lists of everything required, decision making matrices, goal-setting exercises to determine if USNA is a good fit for you, and a mix of motivation and academic advice to balance a decision that rightfully might be the biggest one most teens have ever made.

(more…)

Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), is a week-long, overnight camp at USNA each year for students currently in the 7th-10th grades. Here’s information from the USNA website:

Engineering is all about creating, building, and making things better! So what does it take to be an engineer? If you like math and science, you are off to a great start. If you enjoy discovering new things, solving problems, and learning how things work – even better! Creativity, persistence, and the desire to make the world a better place are also important qualities. Becoming an engineer requires hard work and a good education. Our summer program will be a great start to your career in science and engineering.

The schedule:

Monday: Travel and Check-in

Tuesday: Air and Space Museum/DC Tour

Wednesday – Friday: Stem modules and presentations (Students will visit all science and technology majors at the US Naval Academy)

Saturday: Open House and Demonstrations—Share your new skills with your parents and friends. End the week by putting your projects on display.

The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) is located on Naval Station Newport in historic Newport, Rhode Island. The Naval Academy Preparatory School is the Navy’s fourth oldest school; only the Naval Academy, Naval War College, and Naval Post Graduate School are older.

The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is to enhance midshipman candidates’ moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the U.S. Naval Academy. The ten-month course of instruction at NAPS, lasting from August through May, emphasizes preparation in English Composition, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Information Technology.

Demanding military, physical and character development programs complement the academic preparation to fully prepare students for the challenges of life at a service academy. As part of the physical development program, NAPS offers a varsity athletic program that competes against other preparatory schools, junior colleges and college junior varsity teams.

The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), located in Newport, Rhode Island, is a one-year program designed to prepare selected candidates for success at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland. Established in 1915, NAPS serves as a critical stepping stone for individuals who need additional academic, physical, or leadership development before entering the highly competitive environment of the USNA.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• Academics: Core courses like mathematics (typically pre-calculus or calculus), English, chemistry, and physics. These mirror the foundational subjects at USNA, giving students a head start.
• Physical Training: Intense physical conditioning to meet the fitness standards of the Naval Academy, including swimming, running, and strength exercises.
• Military Training: Leadership development, naval customs, and discipline to instill the ethos of a future naval officer.

Classes are small, and the environment is highly disciplined, with a focus on time management and study skills. The academic year typically runs from late July to May, aligning with a traditional school calendar.

Admissions

Admission to NAPS is not something individuals can directly apply for. Instead, it’s offered to candidates who have applied to the USNA but are identified by the Admissions Board as needing additional preparation. Most attendees are “sponsored” by the Navy or Marine Corps, often coming from the enlisted ranks, though some are civilians with strong potential who didn’t fully meet USNA’s competitive entry criteria (e.g., SAT/ACT scores, grades, or extracurriculars).

Life at NAPS

Students live in a military-style setting at Naval Station Newport, wearing uniforms and adhering to a strict schedule. They’re organized into companies and platoons, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. The experience is designed to simulate aspects of USNA life, though with more academic support and mentorship.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion, NAPS graduates earn an appointment to the Naval Academy, assuming they meet all final requirements (e.g., passing the Physical Aptitude Exam and maintaining good conduct). Historically, NAPS has a high success rate, with most students transitioning to USNA and eventually commissioning as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps.

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This is a new Ask a Tech Teacher series on College and Career with a focus on military options. 

High school students contemplating a military career should research extensively, speak with recruiters, and perhaps participate in preparatory or introductory military programs to make an informed decision. Each branch of the military has unique offerings, so aligning personal goals with the branch’s culture and opportunities is crucial. There are several pathways for post-HS: opportunities for personal development, education, and professional training. Here’s an overview:

• Join directly from High School:

  • Enlistment: Students can enlist in one of the six branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force. This path typically requires passing the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to determine suitability for specific roles. High school graduates can start as enlisted personnel, gaining hands-on experience in various military occupations.

  • Benefits: Enlisting offers benefits like tuition assistance, health care, housing, and retirement benefits. The military provides training in over 150 career fields, many of which only require a high school diploma or GED.

  • Programs for Experience: Programs like the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) in high schools can provide students with early exposure to military life, teaching leadership, citizenship, and discipline.

• Attend college before entering the military:

  • Service Academies: High school students can apply to one of the U.S. military academies (e.g., West Point for Army, Naval Academy for Navy, etc.), which offer a combination of college education and military training. These are highly competitive and require congressional nomination. Graduates earn a commission as officers.

  • ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps): This program allows students to attend college and receive military training simultaneously. Upon graduation, ROTC participants commit to a period of service as an officer. The program offers scholarships that can cover tuition, fees, and other expenses.

This series will delve into making the military part of college-career choices. Here are some of the articles you’ll see with links to those already published:

• 5 Must-do Skills to Accomplish During High School
• 9 Secrets for Getting into a Service Academy
• 11 Ways to Become a Navy Officer and a Gentleman
• Apply for a Military Academy
• Average USNA Candidate
• ASVAB or a Service Academy? You Decide.
• College Bound: Take Inventory
• Didn’t get into a Military Academy? Try NAPS
• Goal Setting for a Fourteen-year-old
• OCS–an option
• STEM at USNA
• Successful USNA Graduates
• You’re a Sophomore and Interested in USNA

Copyright ©2025 askatechteacher.com – All rights reserved.

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Lou Holtz, the University of Notre Dame’s erudite ex-coach, entrusted with turning UND football players into graduates, once exhorted, “How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.”High School is like the second half, and you’re about to find out if you’re a winner. At the starting line, all students are equal, crossing the freshman threshold with the same opportunities, and same possibilities for their future. The 4.0 student stands shoulder to shoulder with the star athlete, and the C student who aspires to nothing more than minimum wage work has an equal chance that inspiration will strike. Every one approaches the starting line, not knowing if the race will be won with brains, hard work, willpower, or intensity of desire.

But you’re different. You know what you want: USNA. There are five general skills you’ll have to learn over the next three years (if you don’t have them by the time applications go out, prior to senior year, it’ll be too late).

• How to solve problems
• How to manage your time
• How to prioritize
• How to get along with people
• How to think

Maybe you’re thinking, that’s easy. I do it every day. Or maybe you’re wondering: How do I make this happen? I can answer both: It’s not easy or everyone would do it. The only thing easy is the instructions for making it happen. (more…)

Can a high school freshman be goal-oriented?  Should they—or is this too early?  Though many deliberate, no one yet has invented a time machine to unring the proverbial bell. And high school requires the ringing of many academic, social and economic bells. Many future-shaping decisions become final based on these four years.

Zoe, like your sons and daughters, is thinking about which college she wants to attend. Some value just academics, and others academics and sports/fine arts/community service/a passionate involvement in something. Often contradictory, choices must be made early in the high school regarding ambitions, focus, and intents.

‘No goals’ means decisions are made for you. If you don’t commit yourself to “do” high school (work hard, take challenging classes, never never never give up even one extra-credit point on a test), then you have made a choice. It’s passive, but effective. Each time you make the decision to skip studying for one test, or make the decision to not put the extra time into one project, you shorten the height of your grasp on the future.  Too many compromises, and goals become dreams for someone ‘luckier’ than you. (more…)

If you want to join the military, you can do that by attending a four-year Service Academy or by enlisting. I discussed 11 ways to become a Navy Officer in an earlier article (click for link). Here, I’ll focus on the academics required to be accepted as an enlisted soldier or sailor.

Anyone interested in a non-four-year-degree entry into the military services must take the ASVAB– the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). It’s multiple choice test administered by United States Military Entrance Processing Command prior to enlistment. Areas of competence include: (more…)

How College Admission Consulting Services Improve Your Chances Of Acceptance

Navigating the complex college admissions process can be challenging for students and their families, especially for first-timers. With increasing competition, particularly for spots at prestigious institutions, the stakes are higher than ever.

For this reason, college admissions consulting services have emerged as essential resources, providing expert guidance to help students maximize their chances of acceptance. Continue reading to learn more about how these services can significantly improve your college application journey.

Understanding College Consulting

College consulting refers to professional guidance provided by experts, often known as college admissions consultants, to help students process their applications effectively and improve their chances of being accepted. These consultants offer college search assistance, test preparation, essay editing, application submission, and interview preparations. College consulting services are particularly valuable in helping students strategically position themselves to increase their chances of acceptance at their desired colleges.

Typically offered by specialized firms or individual consultants, admissions consultants aim to provide students with a comprehensive plan that aligns with their academic goals, extracurricular activities, interests, and personal strengths. By leveraging insider knowledge and experience, they help students stand out and convince the selection board that they deserve a spot.

The Benefits of College Consulting Services

College consulting services provide a range of benefits that can greatly enhance your college applications. Here are some of them: (more…)

8 Crucial Steps for University Admission Success for High School Students

Applying for university is a significant milestone for high school students. The process can be daunting, but with the right steps, it can lead to a successful admission. Here are eight crucial steps to help high school students navigate the university admission process effectively.

1. Start Early and Stay Organized

One of the most important steps in the university admission process is to start early and stay organized. Begin by researching universities and their requirements during your junior year. Create a timeline that includes important dates such as application deadlines, standardized test dates, and scholarship deadlines.

Tip: Use tools like spreadsheets or apps to keep track of your progress. Staying organized can help reduce stress and ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines. (more…)