I am a 3rd year applied math major who transferred to Cal Poly Pomona this past winter. I basically screwed up my GPA in community college and I didn’t get accepted into the EE program. I am certain that I can get my GPA up to at least a 3.0 after this quarter however I heard that the EE program requires at least a 3.6 gpa to even be considered. I know I really want to be an electrical engineer or at least work in the field but from all the testimonies I’ve heard about applied math majors, it seems the general consensus is becoming a teacher or actuary which i really don’t want to do. I really want to work in the science field, helping further research or technological advancement. So, I don’t know what to do. I’m really worried about my job prospects in the future and even more, I feel like I’m wasting my time. I know I REALLY want to do electrical engineering. Even though I didn’t do well in my calculus-based physics courses (during my time at community college), I’m really interested and passionate about circuits.
In the financial world there is a saying that “past performance doesn’t reflect future performance”. That is true sometimes in engineering classes also but more often future performance IS tied to past performance. Subjects tend to build in one another. Why this relevation now that you want EE?
You seem to know what kind of situation you’ve gotten yourself into and I don’t believe anyone here can help you. If you can, take some of the intro classes in EE and see how you do if you are really passionate about it. Continue toward your math degree so you can at least finish that.
How dow you feel about embedded control systems? Things like microwaves, autonomous vehicles, refrigerators, aircraft flight controls, smart toasters, gimbal controls for rocket motors, pacemakers … you get the idea.
That ought to be a possibility, but will take some creativity to make it happen.
I was originally an EE major in community college but I was going through a rough time and made some poor life decisions. I switched to applied math because I didn’t get accepted into the EE program in my previous application (because of my GPA) and they accepted me as for math. Of course, engineering is a tough major. But if thats what I’m passionate about, should I really give that up? As for the two “engineering” courses I didn’t do well in, it was calculus based lower division physics (kinematics, electricity & magnetism) and I know that I didn’t do well in those courses because I was going through a rough time in life and I’ve learned from that and moved forward. We all know , in engineering, you can’t skimp on the homework/studying and thats what I did which obviously correlates to my performance. I understand the concern for future performance being tied to past performance but in my case, I know it was because I simply did not put in the work. And I’d like to think that I just proved that this is true, seeing that I got a 3.92 GPA taking 16 units of linear algebra, introductory mathematical proofs class, differential equations, and some environmental biology class this past quarter. I actually put in the work, filled up that homework %, and that practice turned into more study hours towards my exams.
However I’m surprised no one has suggested applying for EE in graduate school? I am definitely going to take your advice and enroll in an actual EE course to see if I really like it.
50N40W That sounds somewhat interesting but how does that relate to my current situation? What is required to be qualified to work in that field?
Most of the people I work with are EE or ME, but there are a few CS and a few applied math, and even a couple with more of an OR background.
In my case, understanding something about networks at a time when they were just beginning to put networks into cars and trucks was the gateway. Right now people are starting to pay real attention to security so I suspect that some knowledge of cryptography might be a marketable asset.
Beyond that, a background with enough physics to describe the world your devices interact with, enough electronics to read a basic schematic and hook up a scope and function generator without blowing them up, enough CS to write good, functionally cohesive code, and hopefully solid tech writing skills. Not all of this has to be coursework, as we also can learn via hobbies and raw curiosity.
You might not start at Boeing, Ford, GE, or PACCAR with that, but odds are again staying where you start. Lots of people start with contract engineering companies , and these can be incredibly rich learning experiences. You may work five very different tasks in 10 months for 3 different customers, but with each task, exciting or banal, you build both your resume and experience. “Contract to direct” is still a way people get on with companies.
The MS EE idea has merit, as I know one coworker who did a BS math and an MS EE.
50N40W thanks alot for sharing your advice. After doing some more research, I found out that my school’s EE department will automatically approve for major changes as long as my GPA is at least a 3.1 at the time of applying (fairly certain I can get it). Unfortunately, after looking at all the classes I’d have to take (about 1-2 extra years worth) and discussing it with my parents, I am simply going to finish this applied math degree and look into MS EE for graduate school (no idea how much more competitive it is compared to undergraduate admissions).
In regards to work after graduating, I’m definitely going to look into self-taught cryptography, at least, to be familiar with the terminology and concepts. I do have C, C++, C# , R, and MATLAB as programming languages under my belt so hoping that helps my resume at least a little bit. I do know basic physics of circuits and most things you would learn in lower division physics courses (will need to self-teach modern physics and optics). I have used oscilloscopes, function generators, RC circuits, power generators, and LR circuits. I also have basic knowledge of electricity and magnetism. Seems like I would have to dig deep to learn what general and specific electronics I would be working with in the field. Do you have any recommendations as to what I would look into?
I am definitely not expecting to work at some higher end tech company with my current resume as I’d expect those companies are either looking for really experienced people or graduates from top tier schools in the field. All I’m really just looking for is to be able to work in the field of EE (basically getting my foot in the door somehow) and gain tons of experience/knowledge from working with smart people in the field.
50N40W Thank you for your advice.
So I did more research and it turns out that I can change my major to EE after I get my gpa up a little bit more. Unfortunately, after looking at how many EE courses I have to take(would take an extra 1.5-2 years) and pressure from family to graduate as soon as possible, I’ve decided to take the BS applied math into MS EE route. That being said, again, my biggest concern is job prospects after graduation, specifically working in a science field.
Now in regards to background/knowledge, I have worked with oscilloscopes, function generators, RC-circuits, LC-circuits, and power supply. I can set-up basic circuits. I have basic knowledge of electricity & magnetism (includes circuits). I know C, C++, C#, R, and MATLAB programming. I can self-teach any extra programming languages and optics/modern physics if necessary. As for technical writing skills, in the field of EE, I would say I’m very weak because I do not know all of the terminology/concepts and I cannot write as technical as a MS EE could. I am going to look into self-taught cryptography.
I don’t care to work at these big/top tier engineering companies because I don’t think I’m qualified with just a B.S. degree. I’m sure you work with many MS/PHD graduates. All I’m looking for is a way to get my foot in the door somehow with an applied math degree. Looking at many of these job openings, so many of them require prior experience which I lack. Again, I really want to work in the engineering field, even if I’m not doing what the EEs are doing. I just want to gain that experience from working closely with very smart EE and translate that towards my resume/application for grad school. I don’t know how or if I’m even qualified to work in contract engineering.
The nature of my path is uncommon. I just wish there were people who knew more about this path that could give me more information
I think that you might want to take a look at Operations Research as a possibility (most likely for a Masters after completing your B.Sc in applied math). It is essentially using mathematical methods to solve practical problems. This isn’t EE, but does draw upon your applied math background and is quite an interesting field (certainly more interesting IMHO than being an actuary – I won’t badmouth teachers because what they do is so important).
Another option is to work hard to get your GPA up quickly and then transfer to EE, or to load up on as much EE as you can and try to find out if you can get enough to get into an EE Master’s program. I am concerned here that there is in EE and most engineering fields a pretty long list of “this course depends upon these previous courses, and is needed for this future course”. Thus a move to EE probably will take more time in university regardless of how you do it.
You will need to get your GPA up regardless of what path you choose. Your comment “I can get my GPA up to at least a 3.0” sort of scares me because I can’t imagine wanting to major in anything where it was hard to get better than a 3.0. There are lots of subjects where I would not have been able to get a 3.0, but it never occurred to me to major in any of them.
Hey DTG, thanks for your input.
I don’t know if I want to really do Operations Research although, it does sound interesting. The reason why I’m so fixated on EE is because the field interests me and I’m an electronics savy guy.
As for changing majors, I really can’t say for certain at the moment. I’m in a spot where theres pressure on me to graduate as soon as possible (end of 2018 is my expect graduation date for B.S. in applied math). I am 99% sure that I can get my gpa to a 3.1 (will be accomplished by the end of this year) which is the required GPA by my school’s EE department to change majors.
I know for sure that in the context of doing BS math to MS EE, I will need at least an extra year to complete all the undergraduate courses I didn’t take. Regardless, yeah, I know both decisions are going to require me to spend more time.
In regards to my GPA, the reason it was so low was during my time in community college was that I was going through a rough patch in my life where I couldn’t balance both school and the outside commitment I was doing and that affected my grades. After I invested all my time into school, my grades got alot better. I know I’m really good at math and I love differential equations. I’m also skilled at analyzing data and giving context to numbers. In regards to EE, I know its a hard major and I don’t expect to perform as well as I did in my math classes but I’ll enjoy it more because I get to learn practical applications of math and learn more about circuits.
“In regards to my GPA, the reason it was so low was during my time in community college was that I was going through a rough patch in my life where I couldn’t balance both school and the outside commitment I was doing and that affected my grades”
A bad year happens to many people. At this point you are still young, and a couple of years of much higher grades will make the point that you can do it (and is pretty much the only way to make this point).
Re: Programming. If you have a Github account, that will help show interviewers you know how to program rather than just know the language, which I’m sure you do.
I’m bullish on applied math as a long term proposition, and part of me hopes my DD would switch from CS. Seeing the physical world as a series of stochastic flows can be really useful when everyone around you is aligning reality with a pre-existing model.
The transportation industry is going after self-driving things in a big way, and if you can take living in Pittsburgh or Ann Arbor (for example), you might be surprised at what’s available. There are many mathy things yet to be invented. (Could a class in data structures and one in algorithms fit with your electives?)
Thank you @50N40W for your educational replies. I have been lurking on the Reddit Actuary forum and very discouraged at the complete saturation of the entry level positions.
Operations Research sounds interesting. I will check into that.
You are totally normal. Many kids switch majors. It is actually very common.
If you want to change your path to EE, then you should meet with your advisor and come up with a plan to get that done. If your in applied math then you obviously are good in math. This will go along way toward you reaching your goal. If the GPA requirement is 3.6 then do the calc to see if it is possible to make that. If not, then you might have to do the transfer trick and change schools. Grades generally do not follow and you will have a clean slate. Rock out a semester and get that 3.6 GPA!
@BingeWatcher " I have been lurking on the Reddit Actuary forum and very discouraged at the complete saturation of the entry level positions."
I was under the impression that the actuary field was still a good path simply because many do not accomplish it. Many might start out that way but then many drop or change course so they never actually get a few exams under their belt.
Why do you feel the entry level is flooded?
MassDaD68 I’m still undecided on whether I want to switch majors. Like I mentioned previously, my parents are concerned with the timeline. Their main counterargument is “you’re going to be older by the time you graduate if you go this route. No one will hire you when you don’t have experience”. I find it hard to choose that path when I consider how old I’m going to be and the lack of work experience I have. However on the flip side, as an applied math major, I don’t want to be a teacher or actuary. When I ask someone for a clear answer on what potential jobs I could apply for, I don’t get an exact answer so its so hard for me to be like “okay, if I want to work as this, then I should take these classes or self-teach this topic”. I’m very worried about my employ-ability in this major (I have applied for a summer undergrad research program for Math majors but I won’t know if I got in until the end of this month).