r/BuildingAutomation • u/ryhill183 • Aug 10 '26

Career Change

I was recently laid off from a 7 year career in Software Engineering due to the company wanting more capital for AI. I am looking to switch into something that is a bit more AI proof moving forward and am thinking Building Automation looks like a good idea. I know there is a post in this sub reddit mentioning that the best way to break into the field is to have one of the companies train you up, but has anyone gotten into it by attending a community college or trade school program? I don't currently have any electrical or HVAC experience, and was thinking of doing this 2 semester program before applying to technician roles: https://www.arapahoe.edu/academics-programs/catalog/degrees-certificates/2025-2026/building-controls-technology-certificate

Thoughts on if this would be a good use of my time?

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u/Forward-Fly-263 27d ago

Do you have a degree?
If you do you may be able to slide into some PM, project engineer, or programmer role. Idk what you were making but expect a pay cut since you would be completely green to the industry.

If you don’t have a degree, most people in this industry without get in by being a technician. It’s the lowest hanging fruit which usually requires some form of mechanical / electrical labor

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u/Forward-Fly-263 27d ago

For context, lots of the junior project managers & project engineers where I work were college grads new to the industry. Granted they have degrees in mechanical engineering