I agree with Blades, that in many cases, a practical college Engineering education is more useful than a University degree if getting a job is your end objective. Heaven knows I complained endlessly while at school that what we were being taught was too theoretical and out of touch with the real world.
Strange thing is, having worked in industry for over 4 years now as a Designer (I'm not legally allowed to call myself an "Engineer" yet in Canada) in the engine field, I am finding a love and niche more and more for theory and theoretical research. That said, I have always considered -- and am getting serious about -- continuing my education with a doctorate in Germany.
I think mine was a very fortunate case. To expound on my earlier post, back in 2000, while in my final year of University, I applied to and was invited for interviews with Cosworth Technology in Northampton, England, and FEV Motorentechnik GmbH in Aachen, Germany. Cosworth is famous for their Motorsport achievements with Ford, but the engine development division was separated from the motorsports group, and each is now part of Audi and Ford, respectively. FEV was heavily involved with VAG in numerous engine programs including the original VW Diesel and later TDI. even the latest V10 TDI. Many of the company's executives have some ties and history with VW. I cited Peter Hofbauer in another post, and I'll also mention Peter Walzer, who co-authored a book with Ulrich Seiffert, former head of R&D at VW entitled,
Automobiltechnik der Zukunft (Automobile Technology of the Future).
I travelled to Europe in June of 2000 for those interviews, having just finished the last of my exams and not even having gone to my convocation yet, which was in October of 2000. I went for a second interview with FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan; got an offer and worked with the company between October 2000 until the beginning of 2003.
I know I would NOT have gotten these opportunities without the combination of my University degree, internship experience, and research thesis (I won an award on my project entitled "Reduced Emissions and Enhanced Performance in Internal Combustion Engines by Injection of Hydrogen Peroxide"). I'll try to post the abstract sometime if anyone's interested.
Anyway, I'm not trying to make a University-is-better-than-college argument, because my position would be biased and I also have the utmost respect for most people who graduate out of both streams (although I also have a fear if some of my graduated colleagues ever designed a building or bridge... :shock: ) IMHO, a college education prepares you for a specific vocation / skill / career-path. A University education teaches you critical thinking, formulation and knowledge synthesis skills should you want to go outside of your immediate field of training, or want to take the next steps in your education.
Keep in mind that in Ontario at least, under the guidelines of the Association of Professional Engineers, generally only graduates from an accredited University Baccalaureate-degree in Engineering can become "Professional Engineers" and get a P. Eng designation, analogous to a Chartered Accountant (C.A.) for an accountant and in like manner a lawyer earns an "LLB" designation and be called to the Bar.
I am in the process of applying for my P. Eng as I type
Cheers to all,
Dave