<p>Hi. I'm currently a senior in high school and feeling like I've really messed up my future. I'm 99% sure by this point that I'm attending my last choice school next semester: the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I'm also pretty sure that I'm going into engineering (not positive which field yet), and I was just wondering how different the opportunities will be going to UTK versus going to a good engineering school. </p>
<p>Sorry if this isn't the right forum or even website for this topic, but if anyone could offer some insight, I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>Don’t worry. You always have the ability to transfer to a better school if you chose, assuming you do well your first year or two at the university you end up at. However, I would say as long as you stay at the top of your class for whatever your major ends up being, you have a great shot at getting just as many opportunities as people at top schools. Just give it your all and good things will happen.</p>
<p>Thank you, aero kid. I am definitely hoping to transfer, but hopefully you’re right about having similar opportunities if I keep my grades up.
Jan2013, I’m leaning towards either chemical engineering, computer engineering, or maybe computer science.</p>
<p>Actually, you can do transfer up to when you are sophomore, 60 credits. But, the trick is you have to maintain high GPA above 3.0 cumulative (better if it is above 3.4)…Also, if you have trouble with your classes, there is always help…ask the TA, use youtube for classes, websites, etc…and you can always post any concerns, problems with your classes over here and lots of people will try to help you too. Dont worry and be happy.</p>
<p>Haha yeah I’m being a little over dramatic with the depressed thing. By opportunities I’m referring to job opportunities. A high-paying job isn’t necessary but would be nice.</p>
<p>I can tell you if you do computer science, you will have many great opportunities that is almost regardless of where you go to school, given that you do well in your curriculum. Bigger name schools do tend to attract big companies to career fairs, but often they still direct you to apply online, especially for internships. So basically, you shouldn’t be effected much by not being at a top school unless you choose an area that doesn’t have many opportunities to begin with. I will mention I kind of think in terms of internship opportunities when I say this and I realize getting a job is probably easier than getting an internship.</p>
<p>Just do well and you will be fine anywhere! Though, transferring to a top school is never a had idea! Good luck!</p>
<p>The school you attend only makes a difference for the first job you get out of school. If you kick ass at UT and kick ass at your first job you will have many doors opened. Just work hard and have fun.</p>
<p>Sure. Tennessee isn’t the most prestigious school, and isn’t even ranked high up there in engineering. I certainly wouldn’t be too happy going there. However, I don’t see why you must be depressed. If you’re happy with going into an engineering career, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a degree from Tennessee. What matters is what you put into your education, and, subsequently, your GPA and research/internship experience. Do you really think that most successful engineers went to top schools? Of course not. People go to state schools for a myriad of reasons, and even if bad grades is your reason that is no reason to fret. Just make sure to apply yourself at Tennessee and get a good GPA. In fact, there’s no reason to transfer whatsoever! Unless you hate the campus and social climate in general, you will be fine at this school. I think what make you depressed is reading CC a bit too much. I’m a student just like you, but please trust me; Tennessee is fine for engineering and, with a good GPA and a little bit on the side, you will land a great job. I promise.</p>
<p>1) Bigger company does NOT mean bigger salary</p>
<p>2) Anything you will apply for that ask income cares about your INCOME…not how big your employer is. Your AMEX card will swipe just like anyone else’s</p>
<p>3) Tennessee is a great school. The influence of U-Tennessee (or lack thereof) will depend on which engineering major. Like someone else pointed out, if is computer science, you can pretty much attend MIDDLE Tennessee State and be in a good position.</p>
<p>It’s a fallacy to believe that college can make or break your life. All it can do assuming you get good grades is to help break you into that first job. After five years hardly anyone will care if you went to Tenn or Stanford. In ten years no one will care.</p>
<p>I am a retired engineer who worked for a large aerospace company mostly involved with NASA projects. In my career I worked with engineers from many different colleges. The engineers that were the most sucessful were those that pushed themselves. College gives you a start and teaches you how to learn. If you think your education ends with college, you’re in for a big surprise (or forever stuck at doing entry level work). I learned so much more on the job than I did in school. </p>
<p>Make the most of your education at UT. Don’t go there with the mindset that you will transfer at the first chance, you won’t have a good attitude toward your work and it will suffer. Do the best you can do. Then apply to grad school at what you believe to be a better school.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, UTK may not be a powerhouse engineering school, but it isn’t like they have no recruiting either. You will be fine. There are enough recruiters on campus to get you a job and as long as you work hard, you can still get into a good graduate school if you choose to go that route instead.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the replies. I’ll try to have a better attitude about going to UT and like other posters suggested just do my best. I am excited about engineering and learning in general, and hopefully that will take me farther than a degree from a prestigious college would have.</p>
<p>Also, I apologize if the depressed thing offended anyone. I’m more disappointed than depressed and really should have chosen my forum name accordingly…</p>
<p>Your undergrad doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. All of the fuss that’s made over what school a person goes to, for the most part that applies just to grad school where schools are much more differentiated.</p>
<p>Plus you will likely change your mind about what you want to do. You may start out set on EE and switch to chemE if you find you like that better. I was all set to do compE until I realized I don’t care for working with circuits, I like physics much better.</p>
<p>For just about anybody majoring in STEM, the first year is pretty much the same. See if your school has anything like an “introduction to engineering” class where you do different labs, these types of classes are great and letting you get a teeny weeny nibble of what each major has to offer (though because some majors don’t lend themselves to hands-on projects, you’ll find these intro courses skew towards EE, chemE, and mechE).</p>
<p>Inexperience leads many high school kids to believe that college rankings and pedigree are the prime drivers to career success. Perhaps in some occupations this is true, but in engineering, it is not. </p>
<p>While it is very important to get in to a school with a decent reputation and accreditation, anything beyond that is purely for bragging rights. What matters most is your performance while in school. Keep your grades up, join a few clubs, get involved, and enjoy life! College is 50% hard work, and 50% having the best time of your life. And don’t underestimate that last part.</p>