The Should I Become An Engineer? Thread

cronxeh

well there is a degree like that - Ph.D in Medical Physics
http://www.healthsciences.purdue.edu...hysics/phd.php

And the undergrade level (B.S in Medical Physics):
http://spider.pas.rochester.edu/main...ad/preMed.html

Also an excellent source of info on Physics careers, education, wages, etc:
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm

And engineers:
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

AdamS

I love learning how things work and solving problems. I work at an automotive manufacturer as a manager right now. We have engineers around here as well as maintenance guys. Since my degree in Computer Information Systems will not get me a job I have been thinking of changing careers. I thought about being a Actuary, since I am good at Math and like science. I can generally look at something(a piece of machinery) and understand how it works to a certain extent. I am thinking about talking to my boss about working with engineering some, maybe talk directly with some engineers about this.

ramin86

I am currently beginning my freshman year at Rutgers school of engineering. I've always had an interest in electronics and computers my whole life, and want to work with them, so I decided in majoring in electrical/computer engineering. Its only been 1 week so far, so I haven't really gotten a wide scope of things as an engineering student.

For whatever reason, I've really been stressed out the past couple days about engineering. My question is, I'm not great in math, although I have improved over the years. Physics I found to be rather difficult at times in high school. But, is it possible for me to make it through engineering school as long as I stay on top of things and work hard at it, despite not being a genius in physics or math?

russ_watters

Quote by ramin86

For whatever reason, I've really been stressed out the past couple days about engineering. My question is, I'm not great in math, although I have improved over the years. Physics I found to be rather difficult at times in high school. But, is it possible for me to make it through engineering school as long as I stay on top of things and work hard at it, despite not being a genius in physics or math?

In engineering, hard work is what it takes more than anything else. From my experience, it seemed that most people who washed out of engineering (and thats a significant fraction) did so because they weren't willing to put in the effort required.

Engineering isn't like other fields. In English or Political science, there isn't anything to figure out - do your reading, remember the facts, and state (and back up) your opinion. Its a different kind of learning that you do in engineering - much less memorization of facts and much more learning of methods.

Clausius2

Quote by ramin86

. But, is it possible for me to make it through engineering school as long as I stay on top of things and work hard at it, despite not being a genius in physics or math?

To add something about russ_watters have answered you, by the way, I agree with him; you must know I was not an excellent student at high school (also I was not the worst). And I was not excellent too in Maths and Physics. Don't worry about that. Later, you will study more interesting things in university, and surely you will study not for obligation, but you'll like it.

i_wish_i_was_smart

i'm currently in my first year at the Laurentian University school of engineering, i'm taking mining, although being an engineer was plan B for me (plan A was scrap after i went to see an optometrist) i was always facinated about how stuff works, and i was always around engineers, but i was debating between Mining and Mech. and after a summer at the Diavik Diamond Mine in northern Canada, i was hooked with mining, but it is mostly up the the individual, what ever interests you go for it, we are 8 in my engineering class, maily cuz people dont want to go into mining, and we will all graduate, unless someone drops out, it is hard, but as long as your on top of things your good, and dont worry about being a bad engineer after graduating, the school is there to make you a good engineer, but you gotta want it, but if you go into mining, you get little perks like playing with dynomite hehe oh the fun times i will have, also mining is less uptight then others, they are all relax, i've heard one say this (in a french accent) "hey Jean-Guy, do it, whatever" hehe it was hilarious

also if you are undecided between eng profession, ask yourself this, do i want to work outside in the field, or stuck in a cubical from 9 to 5, that will narrow the choices by half

i_wish_i_was_smart

[QUOTE=Mark]
Third question
What is a good north american engineering / science university?[QUOTE]
there are many great schools in Canada, depends what field
Mining, defenitly Laurentian U haileybury(sp?) school of mines, they have the best program cuz it more hands on

queens is good, waterloo, u of Alberta, there are many in Canada choose one

*rayjohn01*

I think that if you have to ask this type of question that you have not found your love -- i.e. the thing which turns you on, which causes you loss of sleep, which you truly enjoy -- and the point is that no-one can tell you this only you.
I personally knew what I was interested in ( without knowing the details from about 10 years old ) -- it appears to me that you have not seen enough yet to know what it is you really wish -- to be good at something the prime thing is to be INTERESTED this allows you to conquer the details whether that is maths or whatever. That is not to say your going to be the greatest in the world but maybe satisfied.
My prime examples are Einstein ( who worked in the background at what he was truly interested in without input from ANYBODY) Maxwell who worked independantly to solve electromagnetism -- and 'monster garage' where guys work wonders without any formal education at all.
WHAT is IT you LOVE ??????????? if you say nothing then the question is moot.

graphic7

I think that if you have to ask this type of question that you have not found your love -- i.e. the thing which turns you on, which causes you loss of sleep, which you truly enjoy -- and the point is that no-one can tell you this only you.
I personally knew what I was interested in ( without knowing the details from about 10 years old ) -- it appears to me that you have not seen enough yet to know what it is you really wish -- to be good at something the prime thing is to be INTERESTED this allows you to conquer the details whether that is maths or whatever. That is not to say your going to be the greatest in the world but maybe satisfied.
My prime examples are Einstein ( who worked in the background at what he was truly interested in without input from ANYBODY) Maxwell who worked independantly to solve electromagnetism -- and 'monster garage' where guys work wonders without any formal education at all.
WHAT is IT you LOVE ??????????? if you say nothing then the question is moot.

Einstein did have a formal education at the time he had published his theory of Special Relativity. It was through a friend that he had heard about tensors. Maxwell had a formal education, as well, and what we know today as Maxwell's equations, are not Maxwell's equations. Yes, Maxwell deserves the majority of the credit, but it was Heaviside who cleaned them up.

Engineering_Lo

I'm currently a first-ish (second year - math deficient they call me...that hurts too) studying computer engineering via the GTREP (Georgia Tech regents engineering program) at Georgia Southern. I've wanted to be an engineer since... age 7? I always wanted to improve upon things, tinker with things. Love Physics, and programming...honestly couldn't stand math until later in highschool but slowly falling in love with it.
I don't think engineering can really be easy for anyone, I see a lot my friends here who breezed through calc I n II, Physics and the first programming classes but now finding themselves hard to stay motiviated... you have to love it. never ever just for the money. eat/sleep/drink... engineering classes... in fact forget sleep. I save that for winter break ^-~

synapicphysic

here's my take ... inexperianced as it may be ...

I have a hard time believing that anything is ultimately that difficult. Rather the difficulty is found in the absolute requirement to discipline yourself to sit down and resign yourself to a regime of studying and learning ... engineering in and of itself I don't this is difficult or hard. It's pushing yourself to think outside the box, developing a mindset that is not confined by the pretenses of what "IS" ... or how things "ARE", but rather look for the possibility to redefine what it "IS", or how things "ARE". The difficult part of engineering is breaking yourself out of the mold that we are cast in from the time we are placed in a desk in schools and told how things are supposed to work, and what the rules are that we operate within.

Engineers must be the most open minded people in existance due to the need to be able to create original solutions to unoriginal problems ...

arizonian

A mechanical engineer is a mechanic with the tools in his head. He may or may not be good with a wrench or torch, but he will understand what has to be done and what not to do.

I am 49 and in my last year(I hope) of ME at the U of Arizona, and I wonder why I did not do this long ago. The hours studying are killing me, I already have a 25 year career as a welder, my GPA is not that of a younger student, and I did what? Must be a love for things mechanical.

Make up your mind with your heart, and enjoy what you are doing now. If you do not enjoy it, change something. Life is too short to wonder "Did I do the right thing?"

On edit: Don't say "I can't";

rather, " I haven't yet."

Good Luck

Bill

Astronuc

CAREERS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond

http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books.../contents.html

Also in the US:

National Academy of Engineering
http://www.nae.edu/

National Society of Professional Engineers
http://www.nspe.org/

National Academies
http://www.nationalacademies.org/

There are comparable organizations in all industrial countries.

Chronos

Engineering is the bridge between science and technology. A good engineer understands both ends. I can say this, it is very satisfying to nurture a design concept into a working model. In practice, you will find it necessary to learn a great deal of science outside your specialty to be an effective engineer.

futb0l

Quote by Shahil

Okay, here's my input. At the moment I'm a 2nd year electronic engineering student in South Africa. I, personally, love studying engineering though it's one field that can guarantee that if you're a little insane, you're sure to BE insane by the end of your years of studying.

To be an engineer, I think, you should have a flair for Maths. Especially if you're thinking of doing it professionally with a degree instead of a technical diploma, the theoretical aspect of maths will ensure your great understanding of concepts you will probably only apply years after graduating.

Also, as much as I'm not really this type, you have to have a practical understanding of things. Granted (at leats I've been told) that as a qualified engineer, you can never do a practical application again - but rather just the calculations - if you can't see the solution, it ain't gonna work.

Anyway, lets get onto something I definetely KNOW about - student life. Studying engineering is basically a self-imposed 4 (or more) year sentence to hard labour. You WILL have no time, you WILL have 30 odd page reports due every week, you WILL lose like a million hours of sleep, you WILL have an astronomical coffee bill, you WILL be stressed, you WILL at times have no clue what you're doing BUT if you are true engineering material, you WILL never look back and even half-consider changing your course.

I think engineering is a calling. You know, as an engineer, you are at the forefront of development and your company that you will have on campus (ie. other engineers) will be like minded people who CAN make a difference (maybe not politically but more uh...structurally) in the world. Even though you appear to have no life, engineering will ensure that you do enjoy yourself after all - as an engineer, you will "engineer" free time and yes, I know that was a dry joke.

As for the field - thats personal. You have to have an interset in that field to choose it. However, I say that Electronic/Electrical/Computer is the way if you are more mathematically inclined as mech/aero/civil etc. are very practical fields compared to elec.

Also, when I was deciding on my career path, I was informed about this "wonder" that encompasses engineering. Once in the job market, you may never ever have to do engineering again. Why? Employers employ engineers in fields which require brilliant thought and introspection. By attaining an engineering degree, it shows you have exquisite probel-solvng skills. Also, engineering does, in a way, teach you to think.

Lastly, the money is good BUT you should

NEVER
NEVER
NEVER
NEVER

ever choose a career for the money - and I'll stand by that.

Hope this helps. [:)]

Wow - thanks for posting :) One of my friend is doing electrical engineering and his view is very very similar to yours.

Hercule Poirot

Quote by arizonian

A mechanical engineer is a mechanic with the tools in his head. He may or may not be good with a wrench or torch, but he will understand what has to be done and what not to do.

I am 49 and in my last year(I hope) of ME at the U of Arizona, and I wonder why I did not do this long ago. The hours studying are killing me, I already have a 25 year career as a welder, my GPA is not that of a younger student, and I did what? Must be a love for things mechanical.

Make up your mind with your heart, and enjoy what you are doing now. If you do not enjoy it, change something. Life is too short to wonder "Did I do the right thing?"

On edit: Don't say "I can't";

rather, " I haven't yet."

Good Luck

Bill

inspiring! I knew two "out of age" students, one of them was struggling on his program (Me and other friends used to help him to get along), he became an icon well known for his resilience and determination to succeed.

the_little_guy

which sounds better Mechatronics or Nano Technology

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i_wish_i_was_smart	[QUOTE=Mark] Third question What is a good north american engineering / science university?[QUOTE] there are many great schools in Canada, depends what field Mining, defenitly Laurentian U haileybury(sp?) school of mines, they have the best program cuz it more hands on queens is good, waterloo, u of Alberta, there are many in Canada choose one

Astronuc Admin	CAREERS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books.../contents.html Also in the US: National Academy of Engineering http://www.nae.edu/ National Society of Professional Engineers http://www.nspe.org/ National Academies http://www.nationalacademies.org/ There are comparable organizations in all industrial countries.

Chronos Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	Engineering is the bridge between science and technology. A good engineer understands both ends. I can say this, it is very satisfying to nurture a design concept into a working model. In practice, you will find it necessary to learn a great deal of science outside your specialty to be an effective engineer.

the_little_guy	which sounds better Mechatronics or Nano Technology