Choice of Major?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi all. I'm an international student and I would be enrolling at Cornell Eng. School next year (deferred admission). </p>

<p>I need some advice as to which major I should take? Basically, I've narrowed down my choices to either ECE or ORIE. To be honest, my interest lies with ORIE as I'm more interested in something that has got more to do with business and finance. Besides, the work also sounds pretty interesting. </p>

<p>However, my dilemma lies in the fact that a degree in ECE (a "traditional" eng. major) would be more prestigious and deemed in higher regard as compared to ORIE. I've heard that ORIE is seen as an easier major which only students who cannot enroll in traditional engineering disciplines settle for. Other posts I've read on CC seem to agree on this and even my dad thinks so too.</p>

<p>Eventually, whether I read ECE or ORIE, I would like to take up a masters in financial engineering. Though Financial Engineering is a 'sub-branch' of ORIE, I heard the masters course is pretty acceptive of ECE grads as well due to the quantitative and intensive math background of its coursework.</p>

<p>Lastly, I wouldn't be working as a "traditional" engineer after I graduate so to speak. I am going to Cornell under a scholarship from the Singapore Airlines and would return to work in a general management trainee position. In that sense, it's not so much of the theoretical knowledge that's impt to me in my education but more of the other aspects of it, such as having an analytical mind, networking, building communication skills, broadening horizons etc. In this aspect, since ORIE is an engineering major that is more business-based, would it be more suitable?</p>

<p>Thank you all for your input in advance! =)</p>

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<p>I have a masters in OR. I went to Cornell for undergrad (but not in OR). </p>

<p>I think you have some misperceptions about OR. It's not a "business" degree. It's not easy (at Cornell). </p>

<p>And, despite the opinions of the occasional undergraduate CC correspondent, the world will beat a path to your door. The degree is widely used, broadly respected, and in high demand. It's as technical as you want to make it. </p>

<p>Aviation operations research is a substantial, well-established field. In fact just google the phrase and see what you find. </p>

<p>An OR degree will allow you to help Singapore Airlines make better decisions. It's all about multi-dimensional nonlinear optimization. </p>

<p>Of course, you will have to go through life knowing that you lack the respect of CC's undergraduate interlocutors. Fortunately, your compensation package will likely include couselling services to help you out... ;-)</p>

<p>As Cornell professor Richard Feynmann famously said, "What do you care what other people think?"</p>

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<p>Thanks for your advice redbeard! It's gd to hear positive things from another point of view. Most of my friends were like "What's ORIE anyway?" Haha. Which major did you study in undergrad anyway?</p>