r/ECE • u/Tall_Bother6819 • 25d ago
CAREER CS senior trying to transition into Computer Engineering / hardware. How do I catch up?
Hi! I was wondering if anyone who’s further along in college or already working in industry could offer some advice.
I’m a senior studying Computer Science, and about halfway through my degree I realized I’m much more interested in the Computer Engineering / EECS side of things, especially hardware, digital systems, and lower-level work. Since then, I’ve tried to shift my coursework in that direction by taking classes like digital design, computer architecture, and chip bring-up.
My main concern is that because I started on the CS side, I feel like I’m missing some of the traditional EE/CE foundation and hands-on experience that someone who has been studying this from the beginning might already have. I don’t have as much background in circuits, electronics, or hardware projects, and I’m trying to figure out the best way to close that gap as I get closer to graduating.
For anyone who has been in a similar position:
- What would you recommend focusing on to become competitive for Computer Engineering / hardware-oriented roles?
- Are there specific EE fundamentals, projects, or skills that are especially worth learning on my own?
- If you started in software or CS and eventually moved toward Computer Engineering, FPGA, ASIC, embedded, or hardware-related work, how did you make that transition?
- Did employers care much about your degree title, or more about your coursework, projects, and experience?
I do have some Computer Engineering experience now, so I’m not starting completely from scratch. I’m mostly trying to figure out how to use my last year of college wisely and build a stronger hardware foundation.
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who made a similar switch!
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u/NewSchoolBoxer 25d ago
Change your degree, which is too late, or get an EE or CE degree, or keep taking EE/CE courses. You'd need them as prereqs for an MS anyway. You missed a huge amount and CS is at a huge disadvantage when applying to hardware jobs as a result. Can listed relevant courses under your degree. That's better than most CS applicants.
- Are there specific EE fundamentals, projects, or skills that are especially worth learning on my own?
No, you won't get up to professional EE level knowledge on your own. You will not get an interview for an EE job without an EE degree. Embedded is the only place where EE, CE and CS intersect enough that CS can apply. Get to knowing how to use an oscilloscope and understanding the frequency domain. Taught in EE if you get far enough.
See if there's a team competition club like Formula SAE you can help with software while learning hardware. The team experience simulates real work and helps you interview better.
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u/SolidModelSoul 24d ago
If that's the case, maybe you can just spend the last year building one solid hardware project rather than trying to recreate an entire EE degree.
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 25d ago
Take the courses required for the compE degree its that simple
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u/Tall_Bother6819 24d ago
unfortunately, being in senior year means theres only a certain set of classes I can take before my university kicks me out. + the upper divisions are blocked by me not taking the EE courses... thus my last semester would be doing the first class.
I will be taking chip tapeout tho... which I can focus on VLSI design
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 24d ago
What country? In the US they are happy to keep you as long as you have the money 😭😂
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u/Tall_Bother6819 24d ago
The US... LMAO (gotta finish the degree in 8 semesters)
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 24d ago
That is uncommon. Well you could always go finish an EE degree at another school
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u/Accomplished_Cow5791 23d ago
Here since no one has said it, I’ll give you the best advice possible. Look into DSP and FPGA roles. I strongly suggest you look at projects for both and apply to those roles
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u/need2sleep-later 25d ago
I feel like I’m missing some of the traditional EE/CE foundation
So dig up the recommended curriculum for your school's EE and CE degrees and compare with your own coursework. No need to just 'feel' there may be gaps, you can see them with your eyes.
Of course employers care about your degree title. Implicit assumptions are made as to what you have learned earning the degree. You don't provide your transcript on any part of the job application. Seems to me that in a limited hiring environment, you will be competing for positions with degreed EEs. If the focus of the position is hardware, you'll be at a serious disadvantage.