4 answers
Jo
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
5
Questions
Asked
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what job can i get with a hardware degree?
What's an advantage hardware degrees have? what jobs would I be able to get under an hardware degree?
Are there any programs in Rochester, Minnesota, that I can go to to learn about hardware? i don't have one as of currently, but I'm a freshman, so I would like to learn more about my options if I take courses for my associates in it?
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4 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1222
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Joanna,
Computer hardware engineers develop new technologies for computers. They deal with the inner workings of computers, the circuit boards and processors and all the other physical bits and pieces that make the magic happen.
To become a computer hardware engineer, you need at least a bachelors degree (e.g. in computer engineering, computer science or electrical/electronic engineering) for entry level positions. You can then earn certifications for certain specializations or you can continue to earn a masters and/or PhD.
You could start by studying for an associates degree in engineering at Rochester Community and Technical College with the goal to transfer into a 4-year program.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.computerscience.org/careers/computer-hardware-engineer/how-to-become/
https://www.rctc.edu/program/engineering/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/computer-hardware-engineers.htm
Computer hardware engineers develop new technologies for computers. They deal with the inner workings of computers, the circuit boards and processors and all the other physical bits and pieces that make the magic happen.
To become a computer hardware engineer, you need at least a bachelors degree (e.g. in computer engineering, computer science or electrical/electronic engineering) for entry level positions. You can then earn certifications for certain specializations or you can continue to earn a masters and/or PhD.
You could start by studying for an associates degree in engineering at Rochester Community and Technical College with the goal to transfer into a 4-year program.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Karin, thank you!
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
325
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Short Answer: A hardware degree makes you an expert in physical technology, qualifying you for high-paying roles like hardware engineering, embedded systems design, or robotics, with a unique edge over pure coding degrees.
The Advantage of a Hardware Degree
The biggest advantage of a hardware degree is that it combines both electrical physics and software programming. While software-only graduates are restricted to writing code on a screen, you understand how to design and build the physical objects that code runs on—like smartphones, autonomous cars, smart medical devices, and gaming consoles. This rare dual skillset makes you incredibly valuable because hardware cannot be easily replicated or replaced by software updates.
obs You Can Get
With an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in this path, you can land roles such as:
Computer Hardware Technician / Field Engineer: Testing, diagnosing, and installing advanced computing systems and network electronics.
Embedded Systems Specialist: Programming the microchips built inside everyday objects like appliances, drones, and smart cars.
Electronics Tester / Verification Specialist: Making sure physical circuits and microprocessors function perfectly before they go into production.
The Advantage of a Hardware Degree
The biggest advantage of a hardware degree is that it combines both electrical physics and software programming. While software-only graduates are restricted to writing code on a screen, you understand how to design and build the physical objects that code runs on—like smartphones, autonomous cars, smart medical devices, and gaming consoles. This rare dual skillset makes you incredibly valuable because hardware cannot be easily replicated or replaced by software updates.
obs You Can Get
With an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in this path, you can land roles such as:
Computer Hardware Technician / Field Engineer: Testing, diagnosing, and installing advanced computing systems and network electronics.
Embedded Systems Specialist: Programming the microchips built inside everyday objects like appliances, drones, and smart cars.
Electronics Tester / Verification Specialist: Making sure physical circuits and microprocessors function perfectly before they go into production.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7089
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Joanna!
There are quite a few careers you can pursue working with computer hardware. Computer hardware engineers develop and test computer equipment for a variety of professional settings, including business offices, factories, government departments, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and military bases.
Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), random-access memory (RAM), motherboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case. It includes external devices such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.
Computer Hardware Courses Colleges MI Rochester:-
https://www.universities.com/find/rochester/best/engineering/computer-engineering ALSO https://www.collegevine.com/faq/99869/colleges-in-rochester-mi-for-computer-engineering ALSO https://www.hajim.rochester.edu/ece/about/description.html
GOD BLESS
There are quite a few careers you can pursue working with computer hardware. Computer hardware engineers develop and test computer equipment for a variety of professional settings, including business offices, factories, government departments, hospitals, laboratories, schools, and military bases.
Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the central processing unit (CPU), random-access memory (RAM), motherboard, computer data storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case. It includes external devices such as a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.
Computer Hardware Courses Colleges MI Rochester:-
https://www.universities.com/find/rochester/best/engineering/computer-engineering ALSO https://www.collegevine.com/faq/99869/colleges-in-rochester-mi-for-computer-engineering ALSO https://www.hajim.rochester.edu/ece/about/description.html
GOD BLESS
Deanna Berger
Computer Hardware Engineering
2
Answers
Poughkeepsie, New York
Updated
Deanna’s Answer
Joanna,
Great question! Computer hardware work is generally focused on the design of computer chips themselves. (As opposed to SW which focuses on writing code to create software applications. Within chip design, there are several types of career options:
1. Logic Design - this role involves creating the logical representation of what you want your hardware chip to do. There are 2 types of logic design:
1.a. Digital Logic Design - If you like Logic puzzles, truth tables, binary math and logic gates, then this could be the career for you. Digital logic designers (like me!) write code in a "Hardware Description Language" like "VHDL", often at the close to gate level.
1.b. Analog Logic Design - If you like logic but also are interested in the electronics and the physics of how voltage and current can make a signal look like it is a '0' or a '1' then this is a good choice for you.
2. Physical Design - this role involves taking the logical design, converting it into transistors and wires and then making them all fit into a postage stamp sized chip. If you enjoy things like tangram puzzles and making a lot of things fit into a small area this could be for you.
3. Pre-Silicon Verification - this role involves writing SW code like C++, Python to test that the Logic Design works as expected before the design built out of silicon. This is a VERY important job because it is expensive to build silicon! This could be a good fit if you like both SW coding and have an interest in HW as well.
Since micro-chips are now in almost everything (from your cell phone to your cars) and not just computers, this is a growing field.
Good luck and I hope this helps!
Great question! Computer hardware work is generally focused on the design of computer chips themselves. (As opposed to SW which focuses on writing code to create software applications. Within chip design, there are several types of career options:
1. Logic Design - this role involves creating the logical representation of what you want your hardware chip to do. There are 2 types of logic design:
1.a. Digital Logic Design - If you like Logic puzzles, truth tables, binary math and logic gates, then this could be the career for you. Digital logic designers (like me!) write code in a "Hardware Description Language" like "VHDL", often at the close to gate level.
1.b. Analog Logic Design - If you like logic but also are interested in the electronics and the physics of how voltage and current can make a signal look like it is a '0' or a '1' then this is a good choice for you.
2. Physical Design - this role involves taking the logical design, converting it into transistors and wires and then making them all fit into a postage stamp sized chip. If you enjoy things like tangram puzzles and making a lot of things fit into a small area this could be for you.
3. Pre-Silicon Verification - this role involves writing SW code like C++, Python to test that the Logic Design works as expected before the design built out of silicon. This is a VERY important job because it is expensive to build silicon! This could be a good fit if you like both SW coding and have an interest in HW as well.
Since micro-chips are now in almost everything (from your cell phone to your cars) and not just computers, this is a growing field.
Good luck and I hope this helps!