[AT] tractor related employment preparation was not your grandpa's tractor

bradloomis at charter.net bradloomis at charter.net
Sat Nov 2 20:49:21 PDT 2019


Do recall at what CC your took your engine rebuilding class?
Brad

-----Original Message-----
From: AT <at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com> On Behalf Of James Peck
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2019 5:08 PM
To: Antique Tractor Email Discussion Group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Subject: Re: [AT] tractor related employment preparation was not your grandpa's tractor

While in the military, I took an engine rebuilding course at a California county community college taxing district Community College near base. I learned to setup and operate a portable boring bar to bore V8 blocks, among other things. Someone who took the whole course sequence could earn an Associate in Science in Automotive Technology (ASAT). The program was later affected by Proposition 13.

After I got out and life started to stabilize, I investigated an urban Community College in Ohio. They did not have any automotive program then, but they did have an Electronics program. The degree that would have been conferred on graduates of the program was cumbersome: Associate of Applied Science in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology (ASET). That is a very effective program. Ag Equipment Technology programs also include some electrical content.

Someone who earned an Associate degree in Ag Equipment Technology and was employed as a tractor mechanic at a dealership could take 2+2 evening courses in Electronic Technology and earn a BSET (Bachelor of Science in Electronic Technology). Yes, the BSETs have a lower starting salary that BSEE (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering) graduates but that tends to even out over time. That are other advantages to the 2+2 technology programs.

The National Society of Professional Engineers has influenced legislation that disallows BSET graduates from getting professional Engineering licensure. I do not know how widespread that is.

The 4 year technology programs were also created in response to Sputnik. Engineering programs had to be made more scientific to meet the needs of the space effort.

https://www.wisegeek.com/in-california-what-is-prop-13.htm#didyouknowout

[Stephen Offiler] Four-year engineering technology programs?  It's been a while for me (BSME '84) but the technology programs I am most familiar with are two-year.  I suppose, if you spend a couple years in Liberal Arts and Basket Weaving, then you buckle down for the next two, it would be a four-year program.

[James] The public was not aware back then of the process of getting an associate degree that qualifies you to be an entry level mechanic and then getting a four year degree in Engineering Technology by taking the 3rd and 4th years. I was not at the time or I would have done so.

I once had a matrimony seeking lady friend who referred to me as a "Grease Monkey". I suspect she is still seeking. Greenfield Village has a line shaft drive system on display which tells how the term originated.

[Cecil Bearden] That is the OSU tech Institute at Okmulgee OK.   About 100 Mi East/Southeast of Stillwater, OK.   I wanted to go there and be an injection pump specialist.  My folks did not approve of me being an old Grease Monkey......
Therefore I ended up going to Engineering School and trying to work on tractors and trucks in the meantime.  

[James] I guess that means "Not Antique". Cecil has been holding out on us.

https://osuit.edu/weda/index.php

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