Other Becoming an Engineer: Considerations and Personal Experiences

[pengbram]

Hi all,

Next year I plan on going to university for Petroleum Systems Engineering. I'm thinking this because there seems to be a lot of opportunities in the field, a pretty high demand what with all these oil companies etc, and also because there seems to be very big opportunities to travel around the globe with it.

Anyways last year in physics I didn't really give any effort and sort of gave up on it and also engineering all together. However I realized I was being a bit lazy by just giving up on something I didn't really try to progress at and that didn't come easy to me. So I decided to take Physics again and continue it with hopes of doing good. Right now I'm a little nervous especially after a test today but I think it will all come with practice. This year already I love it and how things work but I still find a lot of the actual questions on my tests to be fairly hard.

What I'd like to know is if anyone can recommend me anything to progress even more at physics? I really want to get an A in this class.

 

[animalcroc]

Hello. I'm currently an honours physics student in the second year of a BSc who is not enjoying herself.

I LOVED my introductory physics courses throughout high school and my first year of university. I thought it was amazing that almost everything we encounter during our day-to-day lives could be described mathematically. I loved that I could use math to explain everything from car crashes to baseball to music to the rides at the fair to the magnets holding Mom's To-Do List on the fridge. I used to go home excited about my assignments because I couldn't wait to see what they were going to ask next. It was always something totally random, and I couldn't wait to tackle it.

There lies my problem, though. I was only fascinated with intro physics. I liked learning about the stuff that I consciously encountered everyday. I loved the physics of "big stuff". My main love was the centuries-old Newtonian mechanics, but I liked waves too.

I figured that's what I loved and that's what I wanted to do, so I signed up for a physics degree. But now that the middle of September has rolled around, I've been sitting in my Introduction to Modern Physics course for a approximately three weeks, and I'm not enjoying it at all. Special relativity and time dilation? Bleck. Why would I care about that stuff? I've just totally lost interest. I'm not big on learning about particles. It bores me.

As a result of that, I've been starting to think about changing my major (or my degree!) but I'm still really nervous and undecided about basically everything.

On top of my love for intro physics, I love math and I'd like to think I have some really strong math skills. I loved my introductory calculus course, and I'm enjoying my intermediate calculus course, though we haven't gotten into much yet. I'm liking what I've seen of Linear Algebra so far, too. Algebra in general is something that I love. I love the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies success after a long page of complex algebra.

Since elementary school, though, my favorite part of any math class was the word problems. I liked to analyze the questions, then to take the math I had learned and put it towards making sense of something else. This is what makes me think that a Math Major is not the way to go. Plus I'm not very interested in the career choices a Math Major has to offer.

In fact I'm not very interested in the career choices that a Physics Major has to offer either, and THAT is what brings me to this thread. My Dad was telling me about a man he works with who started out as a physics student, hated it, and switched to engineering. So I've started to look into it a little bit, but I'm still not sure what it's really all about.

I think I would definitely like applying my math and physics to real world problems, but I'm not very creative. Do the undergraduate engineering courses help to mold your mind into one that thinks creatively or should that come naturally?

I'm really organized and I'm willing to put in a lot of hard work, but before I jump ship on my physics degree and switch faculties... I'd like to know if you guys think I sound like someone who'd be more suited to engineering or to physics.

I've tried to speak to the undergraduate advisors at my school to see what they think of my situation, but they just keep trying to persuade me into their department rather than really helping make the best decision for me.

Also, do you think I've decided I don't like modern physics too fast? Should I wait it out and then come back to considering engineering later on if I still don't like the physics degree?

I'm stressed out, haha. :)
Thanks for your time!

Relativity and particles is a big portion of physics. I think the modern physics course you took helped give you a better understanding of physics. Asides from the first year introductory stuff, physics only becomes more abstract. Check out university curricula on various physics and engineering disciplines.
A good one is UCSD's

http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/front/courses.html

 

[asd1249jf]

Should I be an Electrical Engineer?

I've had about two and half semesters of Middle School generic Engineering and I always had really 'out there' ideas but didn't have the motivation to do them
I love taking apart computers, nintendos, ect
But I struggle in math except when someone takes me by the hand and leads me though then I kick butt
I'm a very artistic creative person
I have trouble working in groups but only when the people around me are,... dumb or just want to do the plain stuff

I'm good with computers

But do any of you guys know which Engineering field I should do, I was thinking Electrical but maybe mechanical

And should I focus on computer programming or engineering in school for elective classes?

I'm a bit rambling right now...

And when I get into high school which math, science classes should I do?

What I really want to do is work with computers and gaming systems but not really in the programming way but in the psychical motherboard, design, effectiveness type way

Do you like the sexy interior design of computer? Do you like the burning-smell coming from circuit boards, say your XBOX 360? If you answered yes to either of this question, then Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering is definitely a good option for you! You will come across that Electrical Engineering is quite math oriented and from what I can tell, this could be the right major for you.

However, to be an engineer, I am very sorry to say, that you got to have a strong basis in math. BUT WAIT, don't be disappointed yet, you don't necessarily have to have it immedaitely. Even before that, you have to ask yourself this question "Do you enjoy math? Do you feel like screaming and kicking with joy when you just solved the hardest problem ever? (Well Ok, this is a little bit Cuukoo, but you get the point)" Not being able to solve math problems well isn't a huge handicap, you can overcome that just by working hard from now on. But if you are sure that you don't enjoy math and you won't in the future, then I can guarantee you that you won't like engineering and you'll end up switching majors.

As for math course, if you are capable of doing so, take Calculus before you graduate. If not, then you can always take it from College, it doesn't make a big difference. As for science, I recommend you taking Physics and Chemistry at the same time (This is what I did) but if this isn't an option for you, definitely take physics.

 

[pengbram]

Found something very interesting the other day, have a look

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

Shows much information about different types of engineers.

 

[RufusDawes]

I am applying for an associates degree in engineering tho I plant to take it to the full 4 years. The associates is only a fraction of the cost of the first two years of the full degree and I can transfer 2 full years credits.

I'd like to vent a little because I have a business degree but I am not cut out for financial services work and the thought of it made me miserable. I did enjoy the mathematical side of my economics classes but it is not the direction I want to take.

I always loved math once I got upto learning about calculus but I always thought I was not smart enough to be an engineer. My father told me not to study engineering. But now at my work. I encounter engineering students because I am working retail. They tell me it is all technique and that because I went to a bad school I am probably lacking in that regard.

So now for many I am feeling motivated. I am 24 years old. I just hope my admission to the program is not rejected because of my past study. I did not have very good grades and the fact that I have a degree already makes me look scatter brained. BTw there are no masters courses in engineering here you must do the undergrad.

I did struggle with math but I enjoyed it and I found it fascinating and I wanted to learn more. I was always jealous of what engineering students where learning, while I was stuck with mundane and simple economics.

My questions. I am planning on doing a civil engineering degree. Is work as an engineering associate particularily unbearable ? are engineers known to be cruel to their suboordinates ? Whats most important to me is that my job keeps my mind active and that I am in a position to continuously learn. This is a question I have to ask because if I do not get good grades in my associates degree I will not be able to transfer with a full 2 years exemption.

Since I found out what aspergers was I am pretty sure I've got it. They said I had it when I was a kid before it got popular it explains a lot of things, so if it does exist I've probably got it. How important are all these interpersonal skills I don't have or understand to an engineer ?

I mean I can talk to ppl and not piss them off enough that they hate me. As far as making them like me goes I am crap. Sorry if this is a bit of a somber message its 3 am and I just finished work.

:)

Thanks guys.

 

[canadianconcord]

I was considering being a engineer (civil)
and i am Canadian, i am in grade 11.
and i am an under achiver, when i apply myself my grades are in the 95+ when i dont... thy are 40-50. You get the picture

I am going to pull up my socks as i was currently entrigued on a presentation in my schools chapel today about achivment. i am also interested in quantum physics, physics in general, an sciences.

Would an engineer be the best idea for me?

I like the pay, but i want a job i love.

Please respond in an email or private msg.

 

[Urkel]

no

The Should-I-Become-An-Engineer?
HELL NO
I was engineer but I am no longer one
enough is enough, 4 years of life wasting
and 4 years of being fed (up) with Laplace and Fourier transforms again and again
What any engineer knows about mathematics other than these two
or physics other than energy band gap or Smith chart?

 

[vsingh165]

I'm a student at Ohio State University and I'm planning to major in electrical engineering. My grades were generally good in high school and my grades as a college freshman right now are pretty much A's...I'm really interested in alternate forms of energy and electric vehicles...is EE a good major for covering these sorts of topics?

 

[kdinser]

vsingh165, it's likely you could work in those fields with a 4 year EE degree, but for any kind of serious design work, it's likely you would need a masters or a PhD.

 

[nf405]

Don't be too put off by the maths in engineering- my boyfriend and housemates do engineering but the level of maths they use is much less than I seem to use in my physics degree (although I agree that this is probably not true for electric/aerospace)). I think the difference seems to be that whereas in engineering you use maths as a tool to solve a problem, in physics it is more like maths is the language you speak about everything in because its the only way you can make sense of such abstact things e.g. quantum mechanics etc. I think if you enjoy physics and are comfortable with maths but maybe aren't interested in/ struggle with abstact ideas like QM , relativity etc then go for engineering rather than physics- but you definitely don't have to be some sort of maths genius.



My second point is that I was at a science careers fair today and the people who wan't physicists are all finance/ investment companies (fine if you just want to make money) but the actual 'scientific jobs' were all looking for engineers- they want someone who can design stuff, fix stuff etc as well as just someone with maths/science skills.

 

[Sniperking]

Hello. I'm a senior in HS, and I'm planning on to major in computer engineering. I love computers, born and raise around them also I love engineering. I plan on going to University of Washington. My question is. Can someone please explain what EXACTLY a computer engineer does or better yet tell me what they design? I've google it, but it doesn't explain what they do. It seems like computer engineering is like a new breed of the engineering world, which I know is not.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ian_Brooks]

well I'm in electrical engineering and I can verify that the maths i use in my engineering subjects is much more complicated and involved than what is taught in our mathematics courses and here we do
* discrete
* calc I,II,III
* DEQ
* linear algebra 1, advanced linear alegebra
* Complex analysis I, II
* Prob / stats

- EE is still very mathematically involved

 

[ranger]

Hello. I'm a senior in HS, and I'm planning on to major in computer engineering. I love computers, born and raise around them also I love engineering. I plan on going to University of Washington. My question is. Can someone please explain what EXACTLY a computer engineer does or better yet tell me what they design? I've google it, but it doesn't explain what they do. It seems like computer engineering is like a new breed of the engineering world, which I know is not.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Sniperking,

I'm currently an undergrad in computer engineering. It is not very easy to pin point exactly what he does. This is because with a degree in comp. engineering you can then branch off into a myriad of fields. Some examples are embedded systems design, digital and analog circuit design, systems engineering, programming, robotics, computer controlled systems, and there are so many others.

As an undergrad you'll be taught the same physics and (usually) the same math as someone who is studying electrical or mechanical engineering. By the physics I mean physics I&II, and EM. The math is usually on the level of calc I-III, differential equations, discrete math, and linear algebra. Those are usually the core requirements.

The best way to think of computer engineering is that it is a merge of the electrical engineering department and the computer science department. You will be taking courses in circuit analysis, digital and analog circuit design (more emphasis on digital), extra courses in computer architecture. On the CS side, you can expect to take courses on various programming languages, algorithms, compiler design, operating systems, data structures, etc. http://www-cs.ccny.cuny.edu/academics/ce/courses.html is a list of courses that our computer engineering department requires. Note how EE and CS courses each make up half the curriculum. You can even take a look at your own:
http://www.cs.washington.edu/education/course-webs.html

The point here is that you can venture off into either software oriented, hardware oriented, or both. As for me, I've decided to choose computer controlled systems - its the best of both worlds. I will however eventually specialize in digital and analog circuit design.

I'm not sure whether I've helped you here. Maybe I'm just repeating some of the things you've already found while doing research. But you should definitely drop by UW and talk to a adviser in the engineering department. If you have anymore specific questions, please ask.

 

[xexx]

This entire thread seems to be based on the technical aspects and difficulties as an Engineer. How about the hiring process to those that are halfway there (crying). Are communication and interpersonal skills related heavy on employment in addition the academic success?

 

[Vagrant]

Is Manufacturing Process and Automation Engineering a good branch?

This is the course description given on the site of my college.
http://www.nsit.ac.in/department/mpa.html

 

[FredGarvin]

This entire thread seems to be based on the technical aspects and difficulties as an Engineer. How about the hiring process to those that are halfway there (crying). Are communication and interpersonal skills related heavy on employment in addition the academic success?

You bet they are. Unfortunately, you need to be able to sell yourself to a perspective employer. Part of that sales pitch is showing how well you will fit into their existing work environment. Communication and relating to your co-workers is important.

 

[vsingh165]

Don't be too put off by the maths in engineering- my boyfriend and housemates do engineering but the level of maths they use is much less than I seem to use in my physics degree (although I agree that this is probably not true for electric/aerospace)). I think the difference seems to be that whereas in engineering you use maths as a tool to solve a problem, in physics it is more like maths is the language you speak about everything in because its the only way you can make sense of such abstact things e.g. quantum mechanics etc. I think if you enjoy physics and are comfortable with maths but maybe aren't interested in/ struggle with abstact ideas like QM , relativity etc then go for engineering rather than physics- but you definitely don't have to be some sort of maths genius.



My second point is that I was at a science careers fair today and the people who wan't physicists are all finance/ investment companies (fine if you just want to make money) but the actual 'scientific jobs' were all looking for engineers- they want someone who can design stuff, fix stuff etc as well as just someone with maths/science skills.

Yeah I'm not too put off by the math requirements that Ohio State has for Engineering. They have Calc 1 thru Calc 4, then differential equations, linear algebra, and a stats/probability class (which totals to about 7 quarters of math).

Despite OSU being a large public school that is usually known for athletics and sometimes even crazy partying, they rank in the top 25 for engineering schools in the US. Plus the tuition is great ($8600 a year)!

 

[Astronuc]

IMO, any engineer these days should major in as much math and physics as possible. I started out in astrophysics and nuclear physics and migrated to nuclear engineering, which itself involved some nuclear physics. Engineering is becoming much more challenging these days, and anyone who has a sound math/physics background will find a lot of companies eager to hire one.

Also, in addition to straight engineering, one has the option of an Engineering Physics degree.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_physics

www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/14.1201.html


In no particular order:

http://www.eng.rpi.edu/mane/ug_curriculum_eng_phy.cfm

http://www.aep.cornell.edu/

http://www.virginia.edu/ep/

http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ep/

http://www.princeton.edu/EngineeringPhysics/

http://www.phys.cwru.edu/undergrad/programs/bs_engr.php

http://www.ee.princeton.edu/eng-phys/intro.html

http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/

http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/engsci/ep.html

http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/

http://engphys.mcmaster.ca/

http://www.engphys.ubc.ca/

http://www.physics.queensu.ca/

http://physics.usask.ca/

http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/undergraduates/engineering-science/engineering-physics

http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/bulletin/engphys/index.html

http://physics.engr.ku.edu/

www.phy.stevens.edu/

www.coe.ou.edu/ephysics//

www.physics.ucok.edu/

www.engr.wisc.edu/ep/neep/

www.physics.utulsa.edu/

http://bohr.ms.virginia.edu/ep/ephome.htm

http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/ab/engphys.html
www.dartmouth.edu/~physics/academics/engphys.html

www.engin.brown.edu/undergrad/guide/enginphysics.html

www.physics.arizona.edu/physics/programs/undergrad/generalinfo.html

www.physics.umaine.edu/programs/degrees/undergrad.htm
http://www.physics.umaine.edu/programs/degrees/BS-EPS.htm

http://www.mines.edu/academic/physics/undergrad_pgm/index.html

www.fy.chalmers.se/ [Fysik och Teknisk Fysik Chalmers/GU - Hem]

www.kth.se/eng/education/programmes/master_engineering/engineering_physics_180.html

www.physik.uni-oldenburg.de/EP/

www.iitd.ernet.in/deptt/phy/

I plan to elaborate further on physics/engineering when I have time.

 

[vsingh165]

IMO, any engineer these days should major in as much math and physics as possible. I started out in astrophysics and nuclear physics and migrated to nuclear engineering, which itself involved some nuclear physics. Engineering is becoming much more challenging these days, and anyone who has a sound math/physics background will find a lot of companies eager to hire one.

Also, in addition to straight engineering, one has the option of an Engineering Physics degree.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering_physics

www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/majors/14.1201.html


In no particular order:

http://www.eng.rpi.edu/mane/ug_curriculum_eng_phy.cfm

http://www.aep.cornell.edu/

http://www.virginia.edu/ep/

http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ep/

http://www.princeton.edu/EngineeringPhysics/

http://www.phys.cwru.edu/undergrad/programs/bs_engr.php

http://www.ee.princeton.edu/eng-phys/intro.html

http://www.physics.uiuc.edu/

http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/engsci/ep.html

http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/

http://engphys.mcmaster.ca/

http://www.engphys.ubc.ca/

http://www.physics.queensu.ca/

http://physics.usask.ca/

http://www.ensc.sfu.ca/undergraduates/engineering-science/engineering-physics

http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/bulletin/engphys/index.html

http://physics.engr.ku.edu/

www.phy.stevens.edu/

www.coe.ou.edu/ephysics//

www.physics.ucok.edu/

www.engr.wisc.edu/ep/neep/

www.physics.utulsa.edu/

http://bohr.ms.virginia.edu/ep/ephome.htm

http://engineering.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/ab/engphys.html
www.dartmouth.edu/~physics/academics/engphys.html

www.engin.brown.edu/undergrad/guide/enginphysics.html

www.physics.arizona.edu/physics/programs/undergrad/generalinfo.html

www.physics.umaine.edu/programs/degrees/undergrad.htm
http://www.physics.umaine.edu/programs/degrees/BS-EPS.htm

http://www.mines.edu/academic/physics/undergrad_pgm/index.html

www.fy.chalmers.se/ [Fysik och Teknisk Fysik Chalmers/GU - Hem]

www.kth.se/eng/education/programmes/master_engineering/engineering_physics_180.html

www.physik.uni-oldenburg.de/EP/

www.iitd.ernet.in/deptt/phy/

I plan to elaborate further on physics/engineering when I have time.

Engineering Physics seems like a good major, but I'm not THAT good at physics yet (I only took Physics 1 in high school). Electrical Engineering only requires 3 quarters of calc-based physics (131, 132, 133) as prereqs.

For you highly physics-oriented people, I would probably do Eng. Physics. But not me...no way.

 

[Terp]

hhmmm...ive never had to work with major statistics! and to be honest, it doesn't sound very interesting...Now, I am leaning towards electrical or software? i would love to do civil engineering, but I guess it involves a lot of physics! how about majoring in mathematics? Anyone, here, who knows about this field?

An engineering degree here (University of Maryland at College Park) doesn't require THAT much math, but certain discplines have it easier.

For example, my branch in Civil engineering (Transportation systems and project management), requires Calc I, II, III, and diff eq for a bachelors degree, nothing more. However, Physics, Physics 2, statics and sometimes dynamics (for Infrastructure focused Civ. engineers) is also required.

I'd consider myself decent at math, okay with physics, but I have a passion for designing things and I consider myself very inclined to everyday application of knowledge, whether it be fixing a car or building/designing a deck. I should probably be in the architecture school but I'm not *shrugs*. Hope this helps :).

 

[godwinscareer]

can you do engineering after a bachelors in chemistry ?

 

[lizzy2k6]

i'm thinking about majoring in math, but i want to go to engineering grad school. would that be a bad idea to major in math then? would that make it harder for me to get into engineering grad school?

 

[kdinser]

i'm thinking about majoring in math, but i want to go to engineering grad school. would that be a bad idea to major in math then? would that make it harder for me to get into engineering grad school?

You should probably major in engineering and just take a lot of extra math classes. Maybe give yourself an extra year to graduate so you can fit it all in. Double major would also be an option.

I doubt you would have much luck getting into a engineering grad program without taking quite a few undergrad engineering classes.

 

[Dissonance in E]

Im interested in music and engineering and am hoping to work for the industry, designing equipment for music, eg amplifiers signal processing units keyboards and such. Not so keen on the studio side of things. what degree is the best for fulfilling these aspirations? electronics?

Thanks

 

[turdferguson]

Im interested in music and engineering and am hoping to work for the industry, designing equipment for music, eg amplifiers signal processing units keyboards and such. Not so keen on the studio side of things. what degree is the best for fulfilling these aspirations? electronics?

Thanks

Im in pretty much the same situation, and it seems like the answer is electrical engineering. There are opportunities to specialize in signal processing, for example, at the grad level

 

[Astronuc]

can you do engineering after a bachelors in chemistry ?

Yes, but one would probably be required to take some upper level engineering courses in the particularly field of engineering. Certainly it would be most practical to major in Chemical Engineering after a BS in Chemistry.

 

[Aussie_dude]

hey I am just about to enter into my senior year in high school and iv been wondering what the courses of mechatronics, aeronautical and mechanical were like and what degree of diffuculty they are compared to each other. any advice would be greatly appreciated aye.

 

[Macleef]

I need some guidance and hopefully you guys will help me choose on what career I should pursue ...

First of all, I dislike English, mostly Shakespeare
Second of all, I don't really enjoy chemistry, but I do enjoy physics except for electricity which I HATE with a passion
Third of all, I love math, but I'm not that great in it

Right now, I'm thinking of going to business, specifically accounting
I only want to pursue this career because:
1. Family pressure - all of them have an accounting degree (my parents and sisters)
2. Money
3. Easy to get promotions if you "click" with the right company + person
4. In demand, barely gets any lay-offs, "safe job"
5. Deals with math and no science! *best reason for me*

Reasons why I don't want to be pursue this career are:
1. I don't want to be in a cubicle, stay in the same place
2. I don't want to use the computer EVERY single day
3. I'm not a "people person", I'm shy ...


Reasons why I want to do engineering:
1. I love math
2. I like physics, except for electricity
3. I am a "hands on" kind of person
4. I like to fix and build things
5. I like the fact that you don't stay in the same environment, like you don't work in a cubicle all the time
6. I like a challenge, I'm more motivated and determined if things get hard

Why I don't want to be an engineer:
1. I don't know what kind of engineer I want to pursue, I was thinking of civil engineering
2. I don't know if this career is a "safe job", won't get laid off
3. I don't like chemistry or electricity
4. I'm scared I might be so stressed and drop-out and be a failure in life (lol)
5. I know the projects you get, you do in groups, but I don't work well with people who are extremely bossy or clueless
6. My courses are screwed up because in grade 11, I only took biology and physics, no chemistry ... and I didn't take any sciences this year, in my 12th year ... although, I have one spare that I can fill in and I can drop courses if I want too - but the thing is ... I don't want to get a low average and not get into a university at all - I live in Ontario so the schools base the admission on overall average


Other facts:
I had a 78% in physics, dropped since I didn't do the exam, I was away for a family issue and literallyfailed the electricity test and quizzes
Right now, I have a 78% in math, I flunked in one test (74%) out of three tests and two quizzes (50% and 60%), which brought down my mark
I don't even know if I'm going maintain my 70ish average from English, I have 77% as of now, but I'm failing in tests under thinking and quizzes but doing well in essay assignments

 

[jesuslovesu]

I'm interested in Engineering Physics. I've applied to UW-Madison and assuming I get accepted... I would possibly apply to the EP department. However, I notice that the EP degree at UW-Madison is NOT ABET certified. Is that a problem?

UW-Platteville has an EP degree and it's certified, so I've not a clue as to why Madison, the much larger university, does not.

The Nuclear Engineering program is certified, and it's related very closely, but honestly I don't think I would enjoy it as much as EP with a focus on nanoengineering or bio-engineering or EE or materials engineering... or something

 

[kdinser]

If it's not ABET, then you don't want that degree from that university.