Help! Need Advice: Switching from CE to EE/IE

  • Thread starter Thread starter lissette
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Need advice
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant seeking advice on switching from Civil Engineering (CE) to Electrical Engineering (EE) or Industrial Engineering (IE). The focus includes personal interests in electronics, the nature of the work in these fields, and potential career paths.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about their interest in electronics, questioning whether a lack of enthusiasm indicates a mismatch with a potential career in EE.
  • Another participant suggests that if the individual is not interested in electronics now, they may not enjoy it later, implying a need for genuine interest in the field.
  • A participant distinguishes between Computer Engineering and Computer Science, noting that the former is more math-intensive and includes more programming courses compared to the latter.
  • Several participants suggest that personal interests in music, robotics, or automation could indicate a good fit for EE, while interests in programming or graphics might align better with Computer Programming.
  • One participant recommends exploring real-world applications of EE, such as visiting medical or IT departments, to better understand the field and gauge interest.
  • Another participant mentions that IE could be a suitable alternative, highlighting its blend of engineering and artistic design, and encourages meeting with professionals in that field for insights.
  • A personal anecdote is shared about arranging visits to electronics companies to help students understand the practical aspects of engineering careers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of personal interest in choosing a career path, with some emphasizing the need for genuine enthusiasm for electronics, while others suggest exploring various fields to find a better fit. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best path for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors influencing career choices, such as personal interests, the nature of coursework, and potential job satisfaction, but do not reach a consensus on the best direction for the individual seeking advice.

lissette
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Please Help! Need advice!

I'm currently an CE major. I've decided to switch over to EE, since it's more math oriented and less programming. The only thing is that I'm not sure if I really am all that interested in electronics. It's like I could do the work, it's easy for me, but I'm not sure if I should do it because it's not my cup of tea. I look at my classmates and they're so excited about working on different electronic projects, while I could care less about it. I feel like I just want to finish the project and get it over with. Should this be a clue to me that maybe I'm pursuing the wrong career? Or will it get more interesting once I'm in a REAL JOB environment! I was also looking at Industrial Engineering. It seems to be more broad then just electronics. Does anybody know exactly what Industrial Engineers do? Is the salary about the same? What are some career options? Thanks.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
You would know if you were interrested in electronics or not ..if you are not really interrested in electronics , then switch..because it gets very involved later on and if you don't really like it now you will hate it later on..
 
Are you taking computer engineering or computer science? At the engineering colleges I looked at, there was a vast difference between the two. Computer science was all programming, I think they had to take calc I, but that was about it for math. Also, they didn't learn much about low level programming. Computer engineering on the other hand was as math intensive as any other engineering degree. It just had more programming courses while the electronics engineers took things like E&M and materials related classes.
 
Do you like music, TV, audio, radio, building robots, or remote-control? Then Electronics and Electrical Engineering is for you!

Do you like programming graphics or computer games, connecting networks, messing with automation? Then Computer Programming is where its at.

You can't tell by the 'LABS' what you will really enjoy, since in both fields, the university work is dull crap.
 
Rogue Physicist said:
Do you like music, TV, audio, radio, building robots, or remote-control? Then Electronics and Electrical Engineering is for you!

Do you like programming graphics or computer games, connecting networks, messing with automation? Then Computer Programming is where its at.

You can't tell by the 'LABS' what you will really enjoy, since in both fields, the university work is dull crap.
I agree with Rogue. To get a feel for what you would do in the real world with an EE degree, you need to visit more real-world settings. Try checking out the Med School and Vet School to see how they use electronic instruments in their medical work. Pretty cool motivator to do good work as an EE. And check out the IT department of several medium-to-large companies if you can, to see what cutting edge IT infrastructure looks like, both in hardware and software. That will start to get you motivated, if you have the natural inclination.

If none of that piques your interest, then maybe EE/CE are not good matches for you. IE is a possibility like you say -- it involves more mechanical/artistic design of product enclosures. If you enjoy a mix of engineering and artistic design, then IE may well be a good match. Again, try to arrange a meeting with some IEs in medium-to-large companies to see what they do. Or if chemistry comes as naturally to you as EE/CE, maybe consider taking more biochem classes. Either with ChemE in mind, or maybe pre-med. Have you considered becoming a doctor?

Back when I was in college, as part of our student IEEE group, we arranged a "field day" once a year, where we would pile a bunch of us on a bus and go visit a local electronics company. We visited several divisions of HP, as well as other companies. It helps so much to see what real engineers do on a daily basis -- what a big help in choosing a career path that will meet your objectives and expectations. Maybe try setting up something like that, either as a group, or individually if you have some contacts.

Good luck! -Mike-
 

Similar threads

Need help with PIN diode selection in RF switching circuit
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Computer Science Student Seeks Advice on Switches & Junctions
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
EE student in need of serious advice
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Need help in understanding these circuits
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Series motors, switched to parallel
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Engineering Physics Major Considering Masters in EE -- Need help!
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
Need Some Advice on My Job Perspective
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Areas of EE that use computations and modeling?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Considering Switching from Physics to Computer Engineering
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
How can I reroute multiple signals from a 4 pin connector using a relay switch?
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
8K