<p>I've been deliberating over which discipline to focus on for my BS in engineering. I've changed my mind far too many times in college (recently returning to my original choice of engineering) and feel like I can't afford to waste any more time or money by changing my mind again.</p>
<p>If you made a decision between the different engineering disciplines, how did you choose?
I'm torn between Chemical and Mechanical engineering (although Civil somewhat appeals to me too). My university only offers these three disciplines as well as Computer and Electrical, although I'm not that interested in those two (at least I think I'm not...). </p>
<p>I shadowed my stepdad (a marine/mechanical engineer) at work a few weeks ago, and I've followed my dad (a chemical engineer, although a miserable, dull, controlling person that's not fun to be around) around at his work. Part of me worries that I'm just bored with engineering work and will only be enthralled by psychology and sociology-- but I don't think I should trust that kind of thinking. I think if I had more knowledge of the concepts engineers utilize to do their work, I'd be more interested in it. I like to analyze things (I'm constantly analyzing how things work, how people work, why things are as they are, and I ask endless questions all the time), I'm good at and enjoy math and the sciences, and I like doing work with tangible results. Obviously the salary and job stability appeals to me, but I also think I could do well as an engineer and possibly enjoy it. </p>
<p>I have until Monday morning to decide what classes I'm signing up for in the summer and fall, and if I choose the wrong classes for the fall semester (classes that are only offered once a year), I'll be behind a whole year if I decide to switch majors AGAIN. All that to say I'm a little nervous about making this decision. I wish I had more info on what life is like as an engineer in each of the various disciplines. I've done a good bit of internet research, I've talked with department heads at my school, I've chatted with a few engineering students as well as new engineers who just graduated from college, and I've followed my dad & stepdad around at work. As far as my dad and stepdad go, I was much more impressed by and interested in my stepdad's job, although that may be largely because my stepdad is a very dynamic, gregarious, fun, kind guy, and my dad's just the opposite.</p>
<p>I know MEs design, build, test various tools, machines, and operating systems, and their work is a lot more tangible than the work done by chemical or electrical engineers (you can feel the parts with your hands and physically see the products you're working on). It's my understanding that ChemE's use their knowledge of chemical reactions to design products and systems that produce those products and ensure product safety. My dad works for a smaller Shell plant, and so my exposure to ChemE work is limited to that of designing piping systems to convert crude oil to a marketable product (which sounds incredibly boring to me). But maybe it sounds boring because I see him doing it, hear him telling me about it--possibly, if it were my own work, I could enjoy finding better solutions to problems associated with producing marketable gas/oil. </p>
<p>Any tips for how to make this decision? I'm not sure I have enough real-life experience with things related to engineering to know what I'm passionate about. I've never really done any automotive work, nor did I enjoy chemistry labs (mostly because I was impatient with them, and things could go wrong, i.e. it was less cut-and-dry than just learning the concepts from the textbook).<br>
TBH, I'm most passionate about things that don't pay--psychology, music, people. But I'm a pretty well-rounded person and have many interests and potential to build on my many strengths, which include an analytical mind, strong math/science skills, and good work ethic.
Part of me wonders if I should even be considering engineering. But part of me thinks that's stupid and knows on some level that I'll do well at this; and my dilemma is mostly choosing which field to throw myself into. </p>
<p>Chemical is appealing to me because A) I began in Chemical 6 years ago (I took a few years off to work menial jobs...) and I can graduate faster B) it requires lots of science classes, which I enjoy C) its curriculum fulfills the prereqs I'd need to apply to a Master's or Doctorate program in Physical Therapy, which I've drawn to... could be a sort of backup plan in case engineering is too stale D) better pay E) could possibly be more interesting, if I get to work in the development of food products or commercial products</p>
<p>Mechanical appeals to me because A) it covers a broader spectrum and isn't so specialized, which would mean more job possibilities, which is very important to me B) I know several people who are studying/have studied mechanical engineering and it seems to have worked out well for them C) working with tangible problems seems like a more sane choice D) I like designing things, seeing finished products E) won't have to take Organic Chemistry 1 & 2! F) I enjoyed Cal-Based Physics 1...it just made sense to me. I've heard that the concepts covered in CBPhys 1 at least vaguely resemble ME areas of study.</p>
<p>Ideally I'd spend more time talking to engineers and observe them at work, but I've run out of time. I'll have to make a decision in a few days with the info I currently have. Any input or advice will be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>-Matt</p>