Is Mechanical Engineering the Right Fit for Me?

[pxavier]

Is Mechanical Engineering right for me?
I am currently a sophomore level mechanical engineer at a well known university. I applied as an engineer during high school, with “cars”, “engines”, and “automobiles” on my mind. As time goes, I struggle with all the work I’m being presented with, and currently I have a low GPA. I’ve been improving on this very much, however. But I’m starting to dislike engineering. I find myself wishing I hadn’t chosen it and had done Film, what I wrote my college essay on when applying for college. I’m also frustrated with the classes I’m taking: Calculus I, II, & III, Statics, Thermodynamics, Linear Algebra, Engineering Graphics/Computer Design, and of course, Physics and Chemistry. Those are the classes of which I’ve taken that relate most to Mechanical Engineering, and NONE of them are hands on besides the physics and chemistry labs. If you want to count computer design, then that also. There is only one engineering course dealing with automobiles and that comes senior year. The closest thing to an auto class would be the campus Baja club, designing baja buggies.
As for the other classes, like Writing, Psychology, Forensics, Music, and the such, I enjoyed them the most. i’m more of an outdoors person, and I HAVE to work with my hands, I dread and hate computer work… But if it comes to auto engines I wouldn’t mind being under a car, and designing them also while being on the field. I hear that Mechanical Engineers rarely do both? If so, then it definitely isn’t for me. Is this true?

I’ve found myself floating towards Biology now, thinking of majoring in that and minoring in Fine Arts and Anthropology for the heck of it (I love tattoos and archeology, so I figured I might as well learn about both.) My problem is that I don’t want to switch majors so late and regret it in the future.

What do you think? And what exactly would a mechanical engineer have to do with cars/engines? If I'm not on the field, then engineering's not for me.I want to have a calculator in my had a little less than a wrench.

I love animals also. I’ve had about 8 different pets growing up… Used to breed parakeets for the pet store and my neighborhood friends/family. Also, I REALLY love the outdoors, as much as movies and tattoos. So if mechanical eng. does end up right for me, I’ll still be able to work with those interests by taking minors related to those.

 

[Astronuc]

Only one knows what is right for one. One might check out the SAE.
http://www.sae.org/

If one does engineering, one has to do math and science (e.g., physics, chemistry, . . . ) courses. Chemistry would be used in understanding combustion or corrosion, which one could encounter in mechanical engineering related to transportation or power systems.

Designing is not necessarily engineering. A designer might simply use a CAD program for drafting/drawing a part. However, draftwork/drawing is not engineering.

One might look to see if there is a student chapter of SAE on campus. If there is not an automotive engineering program, then this is likely in the MechE department.

 

[pxavier]

Only one knows what is right for one. One might check out the SAE.
http://www.sae.org/

If one does engineering, one has to do math and science (e.g., physics, chemistry, . . . ) courses. Chemistry would be used in understanding combustion or corrosion, which one could encounter in mechanical engineering related to transportation or power systems.

Designing is not necessarily engineering. A designer might simply use a CAD program for drafting/drawing a part. However, draftwork/drawing is not engineering.

One might look to see if there is a student chapter of SAE on campus. If there is not an automotive engineering program, then this is likely in the MechE department.

So basically, I'd have to be intrigued by chemical processes and physical phenomena?

 

[Angry Citizen]

You might look into engineering technology instead. It's a more hands-on approach. Alternatively, I believe being a test engineer requires a physical presence, but you're not going to start that until you enter the job market.

 

[johnwilliam]

The decision should depend on your interests. Find out one that is interesting and you have enough confidence to move on.