Which Engineering Path Aligns Best with My Career and Lifestyle Goals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the participant's considerations for choosing an engineering path among Chemical, Electrical, and Mining engineering, taking into account career prospects, lifestyle preferences, and personal interests. The scope includes career planning, educational pathways, and industry opportunities.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • The participant expresses interest in Chemical, Electrical, and Mining engineering, highlighting starting salaries and educational timelines for each option.
  • Some participants suggest that Chemical engineering is a versatile degree, potentially more universal than Electrical engineering.
  • There is a question regarding the feasibility of completing an Electrical engineering degree faster than a Chemical engineering degree, with specific credit requirements mentioned.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of personal enjoyment and aptitude in choosing a field, rather than solely focusing on salary or placement rates.
  • Concerns are raised about the participant's commitment to Mining engineering, given their willingness to tolerate living conditions for a limited time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have differing views on the versatility and appeal of Chemical versus Electrical engineering, as well as the participant's suitability for a career in Mining engineering. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best choice for the participant.

Contextual Notes

There are varying assumptions about the job market and personal fulfillment in different engineering fields, as well as differing perspectives on the importance of location and lifestyle in career choices.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in engineering, particularly those weighing multiple disciplines and their implications for lifestyle and job opportunities.

SELFMADE
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Chemical - 3 years left highest starting salary. Big city school i like
Electrical - 2 years left 60k starting salary. Big city school i like
Mining - 2.5 years left 65k starting salary. Small city meh

I am interested in all three if you want to advise to chose the one I am most interested in. Seems like biotech is going to be the next big industry, chem eng might help me in that. Also I guess chem engs also utilized in mining industry. Right now I am going with electrical. Electrical also seems to be one of those universal engineering degrees that is useful virtually in all industries. Both are needed also if I want to eventually supervise and own my own factory. Mining: really good placement after graduation. I am kinda interested in moving to a third world country and do a mine. I could swallow living in hick small town for 2 years. All three is workable thus starting salary and opportunities are important.

Or should I stick with EE and go for Chem E and then MS in mining? Then I'd be 32. Mind you I am going for 26 this year. Yes, started college late.

I am not going to ask what I need to do cus you won't be able to answer.

What would YOU choose? and why
 
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How will you finish an EE degree so much quicker than a ChemE degree?
 
btw, I'm a ChemE, but that's due in part to my home province (Alberta = oil sands = I can make money without having to move).
 
General_Sax said:
How will you finish an EE degree so much quicker than a ChemE degree?

I have 65 credits left for EE degree

For ChemE maybe 85
 
I would go with whatever field I enjoyed the most and (hopefully) was best at.
 
Im a ChemE, I would say Chemical is equally "universal" as electrical, probably even more so. You really can do everything with it.
 
SELFMADE said:
Mining: really good placement after graduation. I am kinda interested in moving to a third world country and do a mine. I could swallow living in hick small town for 2 years.

I wouldn't choose this. You are going to be doing whatever job you choose for 40 years. If you "could swallow living in hick small town for 2 years" it really doesn't seem like you are that into it.
 

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