Other Becoming an Engineer: Considerations and Personal Experiences

[RufusDawes]

OK, so when the interviewer asks you why you changed careers, what will you say?

Hypothetically speaking If I am able to get a BE I don't understand how an employer could rightfully question my motivation if not on superficial grounds. I understand that even for the most gifted of students they are difficult to obtain.

I can't think of a good answer other than to say the truth which is that I am interested in the science behind how machinery operates as I assume completion would demonstrate.

 

[TVP45]

Hypothetically speaking If I am able to get a BE I don't understand how an employer could rightfully question my motivation if not on superficial grounds. I understand that even for the most gifted of students they are difficult to obtain.

I can't think of a good answer other than to say the truth which is that I am interested in the science behind how machinery operates as I assume completion would demonstrate.

So, I don't know Australian law, but in the US, that is a legal question and one you almost certainly will be asked. I suspect that you will need to answer it in a straightforward, somewhat humble manner. Remember that interviewers really are interested in 3 things: Can you do the job? Will you do the job? Will you be trustworthy?

You have asked whether you will be able to overcome being a late starter and I have now popped the question. To be blunt, your answer would not convince me to hire you. Can you tell me why you really, really, really want to be an engineer and why you took a detour on the way to your lifelong dream and how the lessons that taught you will make you the most loyal employee I've ever seen?

 

[RufusDawes]

Thanks a lot for the honesty it is appreciated.

Basically I just want to learn the mathematics and physics, engineering is very powerful. Or maybe I just like the idea of liking maths and physics, hard to tell sometimes.

Why now ? I don't know... I just mustered a little bit more confidence as I got older and thought why not give it a shot ? Not like I had anyone in school tapping me on the shoulder saying ' how about you do engineering ? ' I didn't really know what it was until the end of school when we learned calculus. It was really something I got introduced to slowly and have taken an interest in gradually.


I don't know kind of tired right now.

 

[RufusDawes]

What would an employer want to hear ? I know why I want to do EE and pretty much stems down to liking math.


What should I be saying ? I have this problem with all job interviews for anything.

 

[TVP45]

It's a lot like asking someone to marry you. It's all about her and why she's your first choice and how you feel so great just being near her.

So, in the case of an engineering job, at least one of the interviewers will be an engineer; so you don't want even a hint that this is your second choice. Rather, you can tell how you were always interested in math and science and how things work and so on, but went into (whatever you do) because of family presuures, or because your uncle that you like so much did that, or because your friends all did that, or whatever reason you had. BUT, it's not that you thought you weren't smart enough to do engineering or that you didn't think it was a great career but that you just hadn't known any engineers and didn't know how much you would like it until you were already a 3rd year student in (?) and you thought it very important not to be a quitter, so you finished what you'd started. Now that you've given that a decent effort and amount of time, and have suceeded at it (I hope you have), you feel like you can follow your dream and become an engineer. Or, something like that. Be positive, never negative. Don't give the interviewers any reason to reject you.

 

[KennyCivE]

I'm trying to figure out how an employer would know your age, and that this is a second career choice. It's illegal for them to ask for it at any point during the interview process (at least that's the case in the U.S.). Do you actually look that much older at age 24? How would the interviewer know you changed careers? Your resume doesn't have to list out all the jobs that you've had, just recent relevant experience.

 

[elephantorz]

Ok guys, I read some of your replies, and honestly, so far this has resounded in me:

"i'm a student in physics and chemical engineering. if you find everything interesting - go for this mix."

I do, but not everything, I LOVE physics, I mean I love it, I could hate it during test-week in Physics II (calc-based) but I always went back to loving it. Thing is, I don't just want to do physics, I want to make a difference, not even because I "want to be remembered" but because I want to be part of doing something beneficial for the world, if not for the world at least for people.

I like working in groups, actually, a lot, I am really good at it (for anyone who knows about this I am an INTP/J, with a high J percentage) but in college a lot of people just didn't want to work, I always got stuck with the lazy-bums and I ended up having to do a lot of the work (if you haven't figured it out by now I am female).

Is that really how it is in the real world? I am specifically interested in CS, maybe computer engineering and physical models, how hard is it to get in that discipline? I know I want to double major, I really like outerspace, and I know I have to learn as much math as I can, and I only want to do that just so I can understand physics.

Any thoughts?

 

[RufusDawes]

I'm trying to figure out how an employer would know your age, and that this is a second career choice. It's illegal for them to ask for it at any point during the interview process (at least that's the case in the U.S.). Do you actually look that much older at age 24? How would the interviewer know you changed careers? Your resume doesn't have to list out all the jobs that you've had, just recent relevant experience.

Yes I look a fair bit older and I would be 29 when I graduate. Considering how much my mind has already decayed due to inactivity it would be a challenge to get through the degree. I think at that age it is fair call to question my motivation.

 

[RufusDawes]

Ok guys, I read some of your replies, and honestly, so far this has resounded in me:

"i'm a student in physics and chemical engineering. if you find everything interesting - go for this mix."

I do, but not everything, I LOVE physics, I mean I love it, I could hate it during test-week in Physics II (calc-based) but I always went back to loving it. Thing is, I don't just want to do physics, I want to make a difference, not even because I "want to be remembered" but because I want to be part of doing something beneficial for the world, if not for the world at least for people.

I like working in groups, actually, a lot, I am really good at it (for anyone who knows about this I am an INTP/J, with a high J percentage) but in college a lot of people just didn't want to work, I always got stuck with the lazy-bums and I ended up having to do a lot of the work (if you haven't figured it out by now I am female).

Is that really how it is in the real world? I am specifically interested in CS, maybe computer engineering and physical models, how hard is it to get in that discipline? I know I want to double major, I really like outerspace, and I know I have to learn as much math as I can, and I only want to do that just so I can understand physics.

Any thoughts?

Personally If I had my time over again I would take a double degee (major ?) of science and engingeering. Vanilla discipline, mechanical, electrical or civil.

One of the following.

electrical/computer science.

mechanical/microbiology

civil engineering/geology -- > mining big money $$$.

I'd recommend putting in that hard yards and getting a double major electrical eng./comsci if that is what you are interested while you are young. The reason is that in my country there are many more opportunities for the vanilla contruction or mining related disciplines than there are more tech and computer orientated engineering.

Can't really speak for the USA.

 

[Oki_180sx]

Ahhh I need some help determining what i should do.

right now I'm enrolled in Texas A&M as a civil engineer and if i stay an engineer, i will be transferring to mechanical engineering. In a month I will be done with my first semester. It wasn't particularly hard but I really having doubts about doing this for the rest of my life.

Lets see. I love math. Absolutely love doing it. And I like to take things apart to see how they work. I was looking at salaries for mech engineers and wikipedia said they make about $50000 annually for those with a BA degree. Now that is still a good bit of money (I'm not greedy) but it seems everyone was telling me that they made more than that. Now money isn't everything but it sure is a lot.

My other option that intrigues me is becoming a surgeon. Its very hands on and I still get to learn about how things work. It would just be the human body instead of something mechanical. The bureau of labor statistics pegged surgeons making a mean of ~180,000. This is significantly more money. And the American College of Surgeons says they make 249,700 to $336,000. The only problem is the 13 years I'd spend in training as opposed to 4 as a mech eng.

So what do you all think?

 

[rodigee]

Whoa Oki... whoa.

I'm a Junior at A&M, and I was in your EXACT situation two years ago, a freshman civil engineer intrigued by math and conflicted about what I wanted to do. A few words:

1) Don't feel like you have to make any sort of decision on this right now. It's only your first semester of freshman year! If you were a junior it'd be freak out time, but you're not and you have plenty of time to figure things out.

Actually, I'd reccomend giving engineering at least three semesters to see if it grows on you. The first two semesters are just plain, utter garbage; weed out classes designed to test your will. Real engineering classes start happening in your third semester so once you've had those you'll have a better idea of how you'll want to procede.

2) If you're considering math take Math 220 next semester for a dose of real math.

3) Have you considered Biomedical Engineering? It sounds right up your alley, and I think we have a pretty decent program for it.

 

[TVP45]

Yes I look a fair bit older and I would be 29 when I graduate. Considering how much my mind has already decayed due to inactivity it would be a challenge to get through the degree. I think at that age it is fair call to question my motivation.

Some time back, I had a summer intern who had served 8 years in the Army and then gone to college for a BSME. He had little trouble getting a job, BUT he was good at selling his experience and maturity as positives rather than obstacles to be overcome. You should be able to do this if it's something you really want. And, most schools have support programs to help older students get back into good study habits.

 

[elephantorz]

Personally If I had my time over again I would take a double degee (major ?) of science and engingeering. Vanilla discipline, mechanical, electrical or civil.

One of the following.

electrical/computer science.

mechanical/microbiology

civil engineering/geology -- > mining big money $$$.

I'd recommend putting in that hard yards and getting a double major electrical eng./comsci if that is what you are interested while you are young. The reason is that in my country there are many more opportunities for the vanilla contruction or mining related disciplines than there are more tech and computer orientated engineering.

Can't really speak for the USA.

I don't really like EE, so CE seems very plausible, however, they have a major here called Engineering Physics (I'm in CO, USA), and also CS, so that seems to be up my alley.

I don't really care about the money so much, of course I want a stable job, I just want to be happy with what I choose. I am still really interested in physical models since I seem to be good at systems.

 

[sir robert]

SOS i need help here people.
am doing heavy equipments repairs (technician level) i really like learning about how things work,and i have fallen in love with physics and maths, its going to take me three years to only get an advanced certificate, i trying to encourage myself by saying even the smallest building started with the laying of the first stones.

i want to with car designing firms,aerospace,staff like that you know.i want to make better engines with maximum with work efficiency becuase that's what am all about making things btter.
my question is am i going the right way?
is there anywhere in africa where there offering a degree course in this same field?

 

[RufusDawes]

I don't really like EE, so CE seems very plausible, however, they have a major here called Engineering Physics (I'm in CO, USA), and also CS, so that seems to be up my alley.

I don't really care about the money so much, of course I want a stable job, I just want to be happy with what I choose. I am still really interested in physical models since I seem to be good at systems.

When you say a stable job and to be happy what do you mean ? I could find a stable job at the pub making pizzas and I would be happy, I enjoy making pizzas. However, that is not going to provide the opportunity to do a lot of things including buying a house. So I will need to look for something arguably less fun due to stress that pays a lot more money.

 

[elephantorz]

When you say a stable job and to be happy what do you mean ? I could find a stable job at the pub making pizzas and I would be happy, I enjoy making pizzas. However, that is not going to provide the opportunity to do a lot of things including buying a house. So I will need to look for something arguably less fun due to stress that pays a lot more money.

I wouldn't be happy making pizzas.

If you can make pizzas and be happy then more power to ya, although by what you said up there you seem to imply you wouldn't be because you wouldn't be able to buy a house.

I meant, however, that I want to be happy with what I do, I need a constant set of challenges for my mind, otherwise I become depressed and downright unhappy, I am fully aware not a lot of people are like this, but I am, and therefore I need to use my mind or I will go crazy.

Or just be unhappy, or both.

Of course money is important, but like I said, it's important enough but it is also not my uber top priority, I'm going to shoot for two for one, meaning stable enough job monetarily wise that I will be able to live comfortably but also something I like to do most of the time, not always, that's impossible.

 

[sir robert]

am going the right way

thanks a lot man but there is another problem, i was just from writing my engineering math exams i didnt do very well, i would love to wake up in da nite to study but i enjoy it more when i study before going to sleep. what should i do to improve my grades? any study plan that you can suggest?

 

[jesuslovesu]

Can any electrical engineering students give me an idea of what course I should take here?

I can choose between Electric Circuits 1 and Microelectronic Devices.
Which should I choose first? I satisfy all the prereqs but I don't know which one to choose. Honestly, I would probably be more interested in microelectronic devices because it seems to be related more to physics rather than just messing around with circuits, but if someone with some experience can give me some advice.
Here are the descriptions
340 Electronic Circuits I. I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-I). A first course in modeling, characterization, and application of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. Development of appropriate models for circuit-level behavior of diodes, bi-polar and field effect transistors, and non-ideal op-amps. Application in analysis and design of linear amplifiers. Frequency domain characterizaion of transistor circuits. P: ECE 230.

335 Microelectronic Devices. I, II; 3 cr (P-E). Characteristics of semiconductors; study of physical mechanisms and circuit modeling of solid state electronic and photonic devices; principles of microelectronic processing and examples of integrated circuits. P: ECE 220 & 230.

 

[ytoruno]

340: Electronic Circuits seems like its necesary for other circuit courses dealing with electronics. It introduces you to diodes and transistors, which are some of the most important topics in electronics. Also, the description reads " A first course..." shouldn't This course be a pre req to most other EE courses? In any case, it seems like Electronic Circuits I is the sensible choice.

 

[Lacero]

Hello, What does anyone think about a major in Software engineering with a minor in EE vs a minor in Financial mathematics / finance&stats.

I really don't know what I want to do, so I want to keep as many doors open as possible although I would rather have a job in finance.

I am currently MechEng but don't like it, so I'm looking for an alternative

 

[j450n]

age in engineering

Yes I look a fair bit older and I would be 29 when I graduate. Considering how much my mind has already decayed due to inactivity it would be a challenge to get through the degree. I think at that age it is fair call to question my motivation.

I am currently 33 years old and have been taking classes at night to pursue my BSEE. I am going full time in the fall and gave my current employer six months notice. I am giving up significant income in this pursuit. My projection has me finishing my BSEE in approximately 3 years. I will be 36 years old and hopefully looking at graduate school.

I will not let the fact that I didn't do this when I was 18-23 stop me from doing it when I am in my 30's. If you are unsure of your motivation you'll likely not even get the opportunity to defend it to a hiring manager.

Reality says people will talk and judge, that the road was unusual, that on some level your opportunities have diminished due to your chosen route. However, I have faced adversity in the past and learned that it is better to overcome it rather than let it paralyze you.

Good luck,

jason

 

[RufusDawes]

I have no idea how an employer is going to react to a 29 year or older graduate. They might just think it is unusual and leave it at that or they might think different = bad = don't hire. Australian employers tend to be less brutal than the Americans, but also less liberal with a lot of things.
There comes a point where facing adversity turns into futility.

 

[TVP45]

I have no idea how an employer is going to react to a 29 year or older graduate. They might just think it is unusual and leave it at that or they might think different = bad = don't hire. Australian employers tend to be less brutal than the Americans, but also less liberal with a lot of things.
There comes a point where facing adversity turns into futility.

Look, I once hired a 67 year old engineer who was at least 40 years away from the education and experience that I needed. Other than his post-prandial naps, he worked out fine. He wanted to do the work, he was able to do the work, he was honest about his "rusty" skills, and he was willing to accept a salary that matched his productivity. The question I have for you is whether engineering is what you WANT. If it really is, do it.

But, don't take my word for it. Call up a few engineering managers and ask to interview them over lunch (your treat, of course, and make it a decent restaurant). Lay it out and ask their opinion.

 

[SuperStringboy]

I am thinking to choose aerospace eng? How is it as career?

 

[xCanx]

Hey guys! Well I was reading through this thread and found the posts quite interesting.

I have a question for you all, I am planning to go into Electrical Engineering and in Ontario there a few school that also offer a program called Electrical Engineering and Management. I have always been interested in business as well, and thought this program would be perfect for me. But one of my friends said I should get a BSEE first then do a MBA because it might be too hard. What do you guys think?

 

[aestas]

I like building things and finding out why they work/making them work better very interesting. I'd love to go into the design aspect, and maybe work with airplane structure or something like that. Do I have a misconception about engineering? Is this what engineers do? Or is this more of an engineering technician's job? I'm kinda scared that I'm walking into something that is very difficult and isn't really something I thought I signed up for.

Unlike most people on the forum, I'm not gifted in math and physics, nor am I absolutely fascinated by it. Frankly, nothing at school right now is particularly fascinating (taking Bio, Chem, English and History this semester). But people often mistake my lack of interest for hatred, and it's not like I hate math or physics, I just see them right now as a means to an end. Judging on ability alone, I'm about average in high school math and physics, but now that I have a goal in mind, I think I can do better. I started off doing maths as a chore (and very poorly at that), because I really had no career goal in mind and I was just mindlessly going through my grade 11 year.

I'm scared to death that even if I do try my hardest (haven't yet at high school) that I won't be able to make it. Should I go into engineering if I'm worried it might be too hard for me?

 

[Feldoh]

How many people change their engineering discipline in the process of obtaining a bachelors? Right now I'm enrolled in mechanical, but I'm also interested in EE, and ChemE so I'm not sure which path I'll choose down the road.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Shukie]

Hoping to graduate as an engeer in a few years.

 

[Andrei001]

Engineering as a career

Hi All

I should start by introducing my self since this is my first post on this forum. My name is Andrei and I found out about this forum randomly. This particular thread caught my attention immediately. Throughout high school I found physics and biology to be my top subjects. I wasn’t exceptional at maths and chemistry.
After high school I took one year off and worked for a while and also travelled.
During this period I reflected on my career prospects and I decided to go ahead and start a Diploma of Engineering (1 year course) in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Design. This course introduced me to Mechanical and Electrical engineering principles. I put some extra effort while studying and for the first time calculus and physics started to make sens to me. I currently work as a sales engineer in the HVAC industry and I enjoy working in this field. I am now seriously considering to further my studies. I like a lot of the aspects of mechanical engineering particularly the variety of areas you can work in. I would like to stick with building services though. I intend to commence uni studies early next year in Australia.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[woodman 08]

I am a year 12 student currently deciding on a uni course and was leaning towards Civil engineering. that info helps heaps sounds like i'd be very well suited to it... Cheers

 

[Secretblend]

Engineering and deafness

Hello all, I've been reading this thread. It has been very interesting reading. After reading this thread, I decided to sign up so that I could learn more about my planned career.

I have been wondering about one thing. I am wondering how being deaf and being an areospace engineering would work? I intend to see it through regardless what happens and how hard it might be. I was just wondering how you guys would see it.

 

[Secretblend]

I'm surprised nobody has answered my post. Is it cause of being afraid of offending me? If so, don't be. I asked cause I am curious and would like to know what to expect.

 

[TVP45]

I worked closely with a profoundly deaf mechanical engineer. He had some problems, but nothing really career-threatening. Most decent companies will provide TTY phones, lights on the phone ringer, and other adaptive equipment as requested. Most aerospace firms are fairly decent folks and they generally have government-imposed requirements for EEO policies. You'll need a thick skin for the "under-the-table" crap you'll have to take from a few of your coworkers, but you surely know some sign profanity by now. You should do just fine.

 

[Secretblend]

I worked closely with a profoundly deaf mechanical engineer. He had some problems, but nothing really career-threatening. Most decent companies will provide TTY phones, lights on the phone ringer, and other adaptive equipment as requested. Most aerospace firms are fairly decent folks and they generally have government-imposed requirements for EEO policies. You'll need a thick skin for the "under-the-table" crap you'll have to take from a few of your coworkers, but you surely know some sign profanity by now. You should do just fine.

Thanks for the reply. It also made me laugh. I do know few signs I could use if I decide to.

As for your co-worker, How did he keep up in the meetings if he was in one?

Would it be a big deal if I am unable to keep up in meetings? How often are those meetings. Just stuff like that. I am not sure how the work environment is for engineering yet. Those are things that I'm interesting in learning more about. Do they record everything that happens at meetings that I could read to make sure that I did not miss anything that I might need to know?

Stuff like that is what I would like to know more about.

 

[TVP45]

Thanks for the reply. It also made me laugh. I do know few signs I could use if I decide to.

As for your co-worker, How did he keep up in the meetings if he was in one?

Would it be a big deal if I am unable to keep up in meetings? How often are those meetings. Just stuff like that. I am not sure how the work environment is for engineering yet. Those are things that I'm interesting in learning more about. Do they record everything that happens at meetings that I could read to make sure that I did not miss anything that I might need to know?

Stuff like that is what I would like to know more about.

Engineers spend a lot of time in meetings (estimated 25%), but much of the material will be provided on handouts and power-point slides. If it's a problem, you can request closed captioning. Are you in the US? ADA stipulates reasonable accomodation. Some companies will discriminate against you in hiring and/or in career promotions. Try to avoid those guys; look at federal civil service, NASA for example, or academic institutions, Univ of Texas at Austin e.g.

You can always focus your career on areas where hearing is less important, for example, CFD. Heck, half those people don't even seem to speak any known language!

Are you a member of SHHH? Here's a link that you might look at. Many of these folks might be of some assistance. The SHHH president a coupla years ago was a PhD engineer.

Oh, one more thing. I don't know how militant you might be about deaf culture, but you'll probably need to hide that (if you are) for the first several years.
http://www.shhh.org/

 

[TAHK15]

Hi. I've read most of the thread and I didn't find anything about mining engineering. I feel that mining engineering fits me, but I am not sure about what exactly they do. I did a research through google, but still didn't find anything specific. I don't know if this topic is dead or not, but I would really appreciate someone telling me what exactly mining engineers do. Thanks alot.)

 

[Feldoh]

Hi. I've read most of the thread and I didn't find anything about mining engineering. I feel that mining engineering fits me, but I am not sure about what exactly they do. I did a research through google, but still didn't find anything specific. I don't know if this topic is dead or not, but I would really appreciate someone telling me what exactly mining engineers do. Thanks alot.)

Well why do you think mining engineering fits you?

 

[TAHK15]

I think it fits me by what I know about it, but I don't know much about it. that's why I'm asking for someone who knows about mining engineering to tell me about it. Thx a lot to anyone who replys)

 

[Andrei001]

My uncle is a mining engineer and he specialises in underground blasts. So he spends a lot of time with explosives and he also travels quite a bit. This is the sort of job that will keep you away from you family and friends for weeks at a time. He is mid 40 now and he steel enjoys it. If you got time try some work experience and get the right information before you commit yourself to study in the field.

Hope this helps

 

[TAHK15]

Thank you very much for reply, that helped)

 

[Paulo Serrano]

Okay, I'm back after all this time (I asked a question long ago).

It's been a while and now and I'm going to start actually studying engineering next year. I have narrowed it down to two of the courses that are available in the school I'm planning on going to:

• mechanic engineering
• mechatronic engineering

I know a couple of you people here don't "believe" in mechatronic engineering, but if it's a course offered at the university I'm going to then obviously it's an actual kind of engineering. I want to be a robotics engineer, so I'm wondering which I should take. Naturally it should be mechatronic as it is the three necessary fields of robotics into one, but I'm looking for job openings for mechatronic engineers and I can't find that many.

Fyi, the University is in Brazil, but I'm probably going to look for work in Europe after I graduate.

 

[ice109]

Ok I've been reading this post because I've been seriously considering engineering. I am a sophmore in college and currently my major is math ed but i decided i don't want to be stuck with an Ed degree.

Here is my situation I really like math, and i think science is interesting but recently I've been shying away from them because i high school its (math) gotten harder ie trig. In high school in every science class i took i always got a As except in Chemistry I got a B- (barely). Now I am in college and i was an english major because it was real easy to me but it was soooo boring so i switched to math. I was thinking architecture becuase i used to love drawing, (and I am into all forms of art) but i realize i won't be designing great buildings all the time like the sydney aquarium. So somebody talked to me about engineering (more practical), and now I am considering it. My grandma said i would be another like another (uncle quinton) who is an electrical engineer because i would always try to fix things.
Do i sound like engineering material? If so what type? I am really into thinking of new inventions like hover boards or gadgets from like james bond lol.

 

[smatt_31]

Hello all,
My name is Matt. I am an older student as well as many that I have read about. Chemical engineering is what I am studying. This fall I should be starting pro school at OSU. The big question that I keep asking myself is do I want to switch to straight chemistry or continue with the engineering. I love chemistry and would like to continue working with it closely. I don't want to be stuck in a job designing how much cleaning agent needs to flow into a vat of wood pulp to make paper. I guess what I want to know is how much education is necessary before I can get a chance at some research?

Thanks

 

[jaypooner]

Okay, I am a freshman in college, and I was on the course of environmental engineering. After some thinking, I realized that this wasnt for me because I was always interested in alternative energy like solar, wind, nuclear, and all that stuff, and I also like stuff like transportation systems and mass transit so I changed my course towards electrical engineering. Was this the right decision or should I have changed to mechanical engineering?

For some background info, physics is very tough for me. It is very hard to figure that stuff out, but i find math very easy. It is just very natural for me to put the time into math more than physics. Also, I am interested in electronics, and once looked into the Informatics major but thought otherwise.

 

[faitswulff]

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

Job statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that engineering isn't going away anytime soon. Check out biomedical and petroleum engineer predictions.

Also, like nebuqalia said, engineers have two things going for them: mathematical aptitude and dedication. You can basically take these two traits and go into anything you want.

One more thing that wasn't mentioned is going straight into entrepreneurship. If you can solve problems, and you have the aforementioned traits, you can sell those solutions. Computer Science generally has this easier in terms of R&D, though. Yes, I'm looking at you, Google, Youtube, Microsoft...

It's a lot riskier, but you're not "working for the man" =P

 

[RufusDawes]

What do you think of Civil Engineering ? I have gathered some very negative opinions that go as far as to say it is not real engineering and that it is more boring than accounting. Also that it has very limited applications.

 

[jesuslovesu]

Internships/Coops

Hey guys, I will most likely have the opportunity to get an internship or co-op at my father's place of work. Unfortunately, what the engineers do there has nothing to do with what I would actually like to do. My question is would this affect me negatively if I were to get an internship in a field that I don't want to actually work in once I graduate?

I am majoring in EE, the work would probably be in manufacturing engineering (it's a machine company which employs EE to design the electrical systems, although I'm not positive as to what I would do exactly.)

My major interest in EE is physics related, I like electromagnetics and semiconductor manufacturing, unfortunately this internship wouldn't expose me to any of that. Could I still get a good job at a tech company if I were to take the internship?

 

[smarties]

Hi everyone

I am about to start my first year of engineering and would like to know if civil engineering is harder than electrical engineering in regards to the maths and physics work load? Which specialty offers better job prospects for the future?

Thanks in advance

 

[vandorin]

I just finished my freshman year of college as a psych major. Later on I had to take a physics course over the summer to help boost my hours from 24 to 28. But after taking that class, my whole view has changed. It was an hour and 50 min class, but my attention was always captured by the things we were doing. And one of the things that has really captured my attention is flight, planes/rockets(especially rockets!)/helicopters, and so I was thinking about changing my major from psychology to aeronautical engineering. I loved taking things apart as a kid and finding out how things work, and my skills in math/science aren't too shabby. Although physics was a tough class for me, I felt great after I learned how to solve the problems on my own properly, and was just hoping someone could let me know if Aeronautical engineering is a worthwhile field to venture into?

 

[Feldoh]

Aeronautical engineering is a worthwhile field. That's actually what I'm majoring in right now. Basically it's a specialization of MechE. As for career outlooks it's looking pretty good however you'd probably me more employable with a degree in mechanical engineering (sine it is a bit more broad), but if you know that you really want to work in the aeronautical/aerospace industry then I think that an aeronautical degree is what you want.

Although I guess you could say with most of the machines you described there are many engineering fields involved. Chemical and electrical engineers also work to design planes, rockets, and helicopters so there are a lot of options.