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Somewhat related but anecdotal—there was so much analog gatekeeping during my EE degree it really turned me off of analog electronics design. Some professors ac
by spacemadness 3y ago
Somewhat related but anecdotal—there was so much analog gatekeeping during my EE degree it really turned me off of analog electronics design. Some professors acted like nobody was worthy and delighted in ridiculous trick problems on tests to weed everyone out. Many also had the favorite student syndrome that you mentioned where everyone but X was an imposter. The industry also seemed to not want anyone in analog and semi manufacturing anyway or had very high entry requirements, although kept complaining about a lack of candidates publicly. I bet it’s somewhat different today with the resurgence of modular synths and hobby electronics, but I can only imagine that it might make some professors double down on the hazing mentality. All that is to say, in some areas STEM educators have serious cultural issues to work out before just blasting away with funding expecting results.
- ttymck 3y agoIs this in the US? I suspect (am hopefully) there may be a different culture elsewhere.
- spacemadness 3y agoYes, the US which is what this article is focusing on.
- dumpster_fire 3y ago> The industry also seemed to not want anyone in analog and semi manufacturing anyway or had very high entry requirements, although kept complaining about a lack of candidates publicly. Didn't take EE in the US, but your statement here seems to be universal. Especially true about Analog professors being gatekeeping jerks.
- analognoise 3y agoThis thread is so cathartic for me.
- CorrectHorseBat 3y agoCompletely the opposite here (not in the US either), my analog professors were some of the most passionate and caring professors I had. Didn't end going in to analog design because although I think it's interesting I don't think it's actually fun to do the design. I feel like digital design has much more variety.
- phendrenad2 3y agoThe funny part is EE professors (analog or digital) don't even teach you any of the areas where analog is practical to digital electronics. They'll have you doing tons of abstract differential equations and studying transistor characteristics, and then kick you out into the world unprepared for the things you should know. Which is why Johnson & Graham should be the first book on the shelf of any new digital EE grad.
- marcosdumay 3y agoWell, to be fair, if there is not a place at all for the people, those professors do in fact help their students. They got that mentality from some kind of trauma themselves. I'm not sure it's even the wrong adaptation, since it's not in their power to fix the systematic issue.
- nunuvit 3y agoOne of the systemic issues that needs fixing is the gatekeeping itself. Weeding out serves no purpose because there's work besides just analog ic design roles. Industry complains because undergraduate programs have become so detached from reality focusing on stupid stuff that everyone graduates way more underprepared than they should be.
- whomst 3y agoDid you attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?