<p>hi im interested in an engineering major but im not sure exactly which branch of engineering would be best for me. i like to design things, make new things, stuff like that. im also very fond of math, science, and basically solving problems. i would rather prefer hands on work than just sitting at a computer/desk for hours. i was also thinking of architecture because i would like to design my home and stuff but idk, engineering seems to be more profitable. </p>
<p>any suggestions?</p>
<p>I don’t see any reason to decide right away, but there’s always architectural engineering. I don’t know a lot about it but I do know it is related to architecture and also includes elements of many other types of engineering.</p>
<p>Based on what you say I would recommend mechanical engineering. You can do the desk thing or you can do more hands on stuff.</p>
<p>My son is an engineering major and for the first year all the engineers take pretty much the same courses. In the first semester he took an Intro to Engineering course which goes over all the types. He decided on Mechanical by the way.</p>
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<p>If you like designing houses and buildings, consider a civil engineering major with an architecture minor.</p>
<p>Be aware that both majors’ job and career prospects are suffering greatly right now in the cyclical downturn, since the downturn was worst in real estate and construction. (Though it may be better by the time you graduate.)</p>
<p><a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm[/url]”>https://career.berkeley.edu/Major/Major.stm</a></p>
<p>But it really comes down to what kinds of things you want to design. For example:</p>
<p>Buildings, bridges, infrastructure: civil
Computer chips, power plants, communications: electrical
Machines and other mechanical devices: mechanical
Chemicals: chemical
Materials (generally solids): materials science
Nuclear power plants: nuclear</p>
<p>If you are not sure, start down the mechanical engineering track. It, ultimately, offers the most breadth in engineering and will, therefore, give you the most options down the line. Keep looking at the other more specialized areas. You may want to go in one of those directions later. As others have said, most of the classes in the first year or two are pretty much the same basic subject matter. The examples that they use may be different, that’s all.</p>
<p>This is the same advice I am giving my daughter, who is a freshman in “engineering, undecided”.</p>
<p>Ditto what HPuck says. I had this confirmed by a friend who got her undergrad engineering degree from MIT and her grad degree/PE from CalTech.</p>
<p>Hey DHS, consider checking out industrial design as well. It might interest you.</p>
<p>No one can really answer your question. By definition in all branches of engineering one can design new things, etc. The different branches are so disparate that you really need to investigate each one a bit to see what might excite you more than another. By this I mean that many people would get excited by EE but not ME or vice versa, CS but not EE or vice versa, civil but not CS or vice versa.</p>
<p>Regarding the ‘not sititng at a desk’ - you’ll probably need to get over some of that since in virtually all branches of engineering if you’re doing design and development you’ll likely spend a lot of time in front of your computer. This isn’t as bad as it sounds though since you’ll probably be so absorbed in what you’re doing it doesn’t matter so much that you’re in front of the computer as opposed to the old days of sitting at a drafting table or otherwise drawing up your designs whether it be mechanical, electrical, civil, computer science, or other branches. Depending on what you do you may also spend some time in some labs (ex: prototyping your new circuit design or mechanical chassis), will likely spend time in meetings, and may travel somewhat.</p>
<p>Use an example - like a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) - would you be more interested in designing the structure of it, the electrical circuits in the avionics, or writing the software that’s the brains of it that allows it to fly unmanned? You can come up with thousands of other examples (a car, a television, a huge building, etc.).</p>
<p>Think back to your physics class for more of an idea.</p>
<p>If you research it and still don’t know then in your first year make sure you take an EE course, a CS course, a MechE course, physics, etc. You’ll likely need to take most of these in your first year anyway.</p>
<p>I’ll suggest doing the basic EECS degree at the undergraduate level as you can move into any of the following:</p>
<ol>
<li>Computer Software - System or Application</li>
<li>Artificial Intelligence - Speech Recognition - Human Computer Interface</li>
<li>Computer Hardware - Design, System design - Software (Compiler Construction, OS ) - Multi CPU(GPU) super computers, space applications.</li>
<li>Telecommunication - Hardware (Design of Routers/Networks/Space communication) - Software (Android/Iphone based client/server applicaitons)</li>
<li>Electronics - Hardware (VLSI, Chip design, System Design) - Software (Device Driver, Embedded Software) </li>
<li>Electrical Circuits</li>
<li>Control System</li>
<li>Electrical Power</li>
</ol>
<p>There are more, and you will be surprised how many fields will open up for you with this degree.</p>
<p>our DD was deciding between arch and engineering - we too though architectural engineering, but turns out to be fairly narrow and there are few programs. The kind of engineering that is closest to arch is civil, specifically structural. It is generally more lucrative than Arch, AFAICT, but not as ‘artsy’ or design focused. Our DD decided to pursue arch - the program she will be attending this fall (after her gap year) in will have a one course “structural E for archies” requirement - she hopes to take some more engineering.</p>
<p>There are probably around 10 architectural engineering programs in the country. That was my major. It was perfect for what I wanted to do - engineer BUILDINGS. I didn’t want to major in civil engineering with an emphasis on structures, because I would have had to take classes dealing with subjects such as highway design that I had NO interest in. ArchE is a good major because you learn all about buildings. You typically have to take a couple of semesters of architectural design. I was terrible at that, but it gave me a real appreciation for what architects do. I also took courses in plumbing design, construction materials, and construction management. I went on to get my master’s in structural engineering.</p>
<p>Architecture and engineering are VERY different fields. I wouldn’t recommend majoring in engineering with a minor in architecture. If you want to be an engineer, major in it alone. It will certainly keep you busy for four years; in fact, it will be hard to finish in that time.</p>
<p>Purdue University’s website has a very good description of each kind of engineering (that they offer - many). I showed this to my DS and he immediately zeroed in on what is of interest to him.</p>
<p>You may want to be thinking ahead to working in R&D or product development in whatever branch you decide on. I too thought about architecture because of an interest in home design but found it wasn’t what I thought it was. Ended up as a ChE working in composite material and process development for aerospace. Worked with a lot of MEs and did a lot of prototyping. Always something new and interesting. Some days were at a desk, some days on the floor. Another family member was a BioMedE major who worked on developing miniature roto-rooters for the arteries with some some unimaginable rpms. So many fascinating options. BTW, a friend and fellow ChE did actually design the exterior style and interior layout of her timberframe house in conjunction with an architectural firm.</p>
<p>You might also want to post your question in the engineering forum, if you haven’t already. Lots of current engineering students and working engineers can give you their advice too (though it sounds like you are getting great advice here too).</p>
<p>[Engineering</a> Majors - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/]Engineering”>Engineering Majors - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>As an side, I always wonder about why kids say this about avoiding ‘sitting at a desk’. Especially as I have a worry that they are picturing something quite horrific…sitting in cubicle vs. being ‘out in the field’ (as one might imagine it…one sounds quite dreadful and the other quite wonderful). But the reality is different. And this desire, despite the fact that as highschool kids and 4-5 years of college they are essentially doing more ‘desk sitting’ than most occupations require, and probably few are working with their hands now. Those that want to use their cognitive skills, and have the cognitive skills, to get through engineering, are probably going to be doing so at least a part of the time at some kind of desk or computer. But I think this fear may not match reality. Students worried about sitting a desk should ask themselves how much they are currently working with their hands, or out in the field, and talk to people doing both in their careers.</p>
<p>If you look in the engineering forum, you should do a search on the topic. It’s been discussed many times. So many times, in fact, that we tend to shift the discussion to our favorite kind of ice cream when someone asks the same question.</p>
<p>thank you all, this is all very insightful 
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<p>i have another thought, i know AUTOCAD is becomming/was already a big program used in engineering but sadly our teacher doesnt really “teach” us and im worried how it will affect me when i go to college and people see that ive finished 3 years of engineer class but not actually know how to work AUTOCAD effeciently. </p>
<p>Situation of a typical class: he gives us a drawing (very simple) and we just draw it…OR we work out a chapter out of the book but alot of the times kids bs it and he doesnt notice so he still gives us an A</p>
<p>DHS2012, don’t worry about it. Not many students learn any kind of computer drafting before going to college. It takes a pretty long time to get really efficient at AutoCAD - it’s kind of like learning a foreign language. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years, and I’m still learning new things about it.</p>
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<p>I think it just depends on the person’s personality. It also doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be using your cognitive skills when working in the field. I have a bachelor’s and masters degree and I supervise construction projects out in the field. It’s been almost 3 years since I’ve been doing this full-time, plus a year of part-time work, plus 3 summers. I’m perfectly happy with the work I do and find it interesting and challenging everyday.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about Autocad. My son is in a similar situation as you but is abit behind you in high school…he’s taken everything he can fit in during high school and Autocad has been part of it, but it’s just software…if you think about it…and smart people can pick up software basics pretty quickly and like someone said you can take that software as far as you want in terms of learning the ins and outs. More importantly you need to get a taste of engineering classes and then decide where you want to go with the major in terms of specializing. I agree mechanical is a good general start. My entire family are MEs (except for me) and they have all gone on to specialize…one in power management, one in the digital world, one in manufacturing, one in optics…you don’t have to figure it out as a high school senior…</p>