Asking the slot techs and professionals- need career and college advice

[Humvlittled]

Long time reader and new member here along with my son. (His user name is Jiisus) My son has a passion for taking apart broken video games and fixing them. He has been doing this for years, and I have just recently put him on fixing some of my coin operated equipment and slots. I am a tinkerer, but true profession is in the medical field, (X-ray/CT scan) and construction (Owner/operator Seamless gutter company). (odd combo I know) He wants to do something in the computer/gaming/hardware side of repairing things. (he doesn't care for software side so much.) He is a straight A student all mostly advanced classes. Were thinking a hardware engineer might be the correct path for him. Can any of you professionals, shed some light on what paths you took? Are you computer  hardware engineers? What are he different educations you each got and maybe a ballpark starting salary for your different professions? Technical schools vs 4 year Colleges? Any guidance would be appreciated!

[dailey]

Mechanical or electrical engineering might be a good career path for your son. Why think in terms of repair. Think design and new product development.
An engineering degree could provide a good background for other careers as well. I knew a young man that earned a degree in mechanical engineering and worked a few years in the electronics industry (electro-mechanical devices), then went on to medical school. His goal was to be a designer in the medical field.

Unless you are at the top of your class you probably won't find a great starting salary coming out of college without work experience. You should be more concerned about the average salary for someone established in the career, not starting salary. You might have to sacrifice a bit in pay to get your first job and gain some experience. Think long term goals and how to get there.

As far as technical schools vs college, I think it depends on the choice of profession. A technical school is no substitute for an engineering degree from a college or university but can be great for many skilled trades.

[Badbaud]

Some of the best electronics people I have known came out of the Navy electronics training programs.
If he wants to continue on to a engineering degree the Navy will help pay for college after he gets out.