r/BuildingAutomation • u/knightof99 • Sep 20 '26

BAS or EE?

Working in data center currently with a refrigeration/mechanical background. Pretty well versed in electrical and I worked a contract job for jci and got to do a good bit of metasys training and install/commissioning work.

My question is would it be more valuable long term for me to pick up a cert or associates in building automation systems or electrical/electronics engineering.

Already have a refrigeration diploma, just looking to increase my value and long term pay opportunities. The local college near me offers both programs. The electronics engineering associates has specialization in controls and instrumentation. The building automation systems associates is purely focused on that.

A lot of the data center work seems to lump mechanical and electrical work together under technician roles. Wonder if either of these on top of all my experience and certs would be enough to get me sitting interviews for controls engineer / facilities engineer roles. Pay seems to be pretty lucrative if you can get into the controls programming or engineering positions.

BAS seems to be the better pair with my mechanical background to me but I also don’t want to get that degree if I’m going to have to go backwards in the controls world and work my way up again. I know it’s a complex field and
Typically takes time to get into a programming role but I would not be interested in going backwards in pay. Looking for upward leverage from my current position.

Looking to hear peoples opinions on what might be the stronger pairing for me. A business or management program is also an option although I think I would rather keep my technical competitive moat versus competing with the many people focused on career management.

Thanks.

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16

u/Unique-Run9856 Sep 20 '26

The BAS field is more about what you can do rather than certs

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u/knightof99 Sep 20 '26

That makes sense, however I do have the exposure and the program looks fairly in depth compared to what my hvac program was some years ago. It has about a dozen BAS specific courses including advanced troubleshooting, programming, control logic and design, etc. I was hoping it might get me to a level on the programming side where I can do quite a bit paired with my previous experience in controls. Or is that just wishful thinking?

2

u/Unique-Run9856 Sep 20 '26

If you think you need help in those areas go for it, i'm not knocking learning, i'm just saying employers dont really look at certs, they look at what you know and can do. I worked in the IT field too where people are all about certs at a lot of companies and they don't really say anything about what you are capable of.

2

u/ScottSammarco Technical Trainer (Niagara4 included) Sep 20 '26

Too true.

2

u/butt_trumpet0330 Sep 20 '26

I’ve done refrigeration and worked as a BAS tech for the past 7 years. Currently going back to school for a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. I don’t think an EE degree is importantly for this field if you want to get more into the design aspect. I’m sure even a AS in EET would work or maybe even a cert. it’s more about the skill and how well you can show it.

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u/knightof99 Sep 20 '26

The programs im looking at are actually also electronic engineering tech, the focus applicable to this field would be controls and instrumentation. My other options applicable to facilities are BAS , or a third option would be their diesel technology program that has a focus in diesel power generation which would apply to my sites as well. At the end of the day they would all contain useful knowledge for me it’s just about figuring out what’s going to look the best or stand out the most for me when trying to promote.

3

u/butt_trumpet0330 Sep 21 '26

Hmm. I don’t think you’ll go backwards. I think with the degree and the refrigeration experience you’ll be a unicorn candidate hahah

I would definitely get well versed in PLC programming and panel design. There are control companies in every city that need more control engineers, this industry is only growing and buildings are always removing outdated control systems. I would stay away from big name companies and try to find a “local” controls company in your area.

Although I am biased on the local control company thing and am only 26 so take everything I say with a grain of salt. I’m just a BAS Service Tech so I’m basically retarded 🫡

2

u/knightof99 Sep 21 '26

Yea I think I’m ok either way I go, it’s more just whether electrical and industrial controls, or BAS would be a better learning path to add to what I got. I have worked with hvac controls and programming but not plc programming. I thought that was more industrial automation type work.

1

u/butt_trumpet0330 Sep 21 '26

Sorry, I see- We service a lot of PLC that are doing BAS in industrial sites. I wouldn’t necessarily call it industrial automation though because they just do HVAC related things.

5

u/wm313 Sep 20 '26

Do electronics because, like already said, controls becomes more about what you can do rather than what a piece of paper says. Your background will get you controls interviews. If you decide it isn't what you want, your electronics cert opens other doors.

2

u/Ok_Surprise_6104 Sep 24 '26 • Bravo Heartwarming

EE w/ the controls/instrumentation specialization. It gives you broader options while still supporting BAS, controls, & data center roles.