Choosing between Science and Engineering majors

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I just graduated from high school about a month ago and am now going to be going to Cal Poly Pomona in the Fall. My plans are to go there for 2 years and do my best so that I may be able to transfer to a UC like UCLA, UCSD, or UCB.</p>

<p>Now, for the main problem. I am having tremendous trouble choosing between a few science and engineering majors. I think that the pathway to choosing the correct major(s) would be to analyze my interests.</p>

<p>I am interested in the physical sciences. Specifically, I researched these majors in the field: Astrophysics, Physics, and Geophysics/Geophysics and Space Physics (long name for Planetary Science lol). I get pretty bored reading about Biology and anything related to it. </p>

<p>In order to graduate from my high school, I was required to do a senior project. My senior project came out to be at the top (not necessarily 1st place, but I am extremely confident that I was). </p>

<p>Now, I was only average performing, or so my grades said: straight C's in 9th grade, straight C's with a few B's in 10th grade, straight B's and a few A's in 11th grade. See a pattern? Looks to me that the derivative of the equation for my grades is positive =P. In 12'th grade, I knew I had to do something special. I had to do my extreme best so that I may get into a good university (I later realized that doing your best during one school year changes practically nothing, but it still wasn't a loss). Thus, while having 7 classes during the fall semester of my 12th grade year (two AP - calculus and government), I also took a college class (speech) to try to demonstrate my capabilities to universities. Along with getting a 4.16 gpa during both semesters of my 12th grade year, I got a B+ in the college class (horrible speech skills =P). That isn't all. </p>

<p>I thought that my senior project and large amount of community service would also help. Thus, I tried to make my senior project something out of the ordinary. It was composed of a 6 and a half page essay on the fate of the universe from a scientific point of view. There was another requirement: a tangible product. For that, I had to do something related to the overall subject of my senior project: Astronomy/Astrophysics. Thus, for the product I decided to build a telescope. I ended building my own 8 in. diameter, 6 foot long telescope through a tedious 3 months of non-stop work. This brings me to my next interest: building.</p>

<p>The second part of choosing my major: engineering (specifically Aerospace, Mechanical, and Computer or Electronics Engineering). I really like to build things. I loved to see the product of my hard work in building my telescope and having people awed and amazed when they look through it. I received a great amount of personal satisfaction and an overwhelming feeling of having accomplished a great task. I knew this had to be special. That is what brings me to engineering. I love science and math and I do very well in them, academically. I know that I would be good in engineering. The problem is...we cannot all do everything that we want. In choosing a career, I will still have to choose between the theoretical science and the engineering. Thus, I have to come to a decision between these two different fields for a major. </p>

<p>I have even thought of doing a double or even a triple major that is mixed with a few majors of both fields, but I quickly realized that that wouldn't change the story. These fields don't go very well together for one person. They go perfectly together in the working world and the engineers and scientists always work together on projects. But never has there been a person who was designated an engineering scientist or engineer/scientist. One person has not played the role of two fields. That is why I came seeking help here.</p>

<p>I would appreciate any advice or opinions from anyone that may or may not draw some relation to my problem. Thank you very much.</p>

2

<p>Wow.
This is sad.
I can't believe that my thread is already on the second page of threads...
I heard that this problem is always taking place.
I hear that it is pretty common.
Science (anything from Physics to Computer Science) majors switch to Engineering and sometimes Engineering majors switch to Science.
I can't believe no one has posted their opinion or any advice...
I'm starting to think that my problem is even <em>rare</em>, somehow...
I see great relation between Science and Engineering so I would have thought that sometimes people have a hard time choosing between the two......</p>

<p>Guess I was wrong.</p>

3

<p>Hmm... I'm currently a ChemE who has had serious thoughts about switching to science.</p>

<p>at the root of it, an undergrad major is grounded in mathematics, rather than science, almost regardless of which field you pursue. This can be a turn-off to some, and inspiring to others. In most cases, engineers are also required to complete projects where they design <em>something</em> for a grade.</p>

<p>In general, Engineers make what scientists create useful to the masses. In the work place, Engineers need to be flexible and problem solve. Scientists are hopefully innovative and think outside the box.</p>

<p>Rarely is this true :)</p>

4

<p>Well, I love math. So I am glad that math is going to be at the root of anything I may take on. But I thought that engineers design, create, manufacture, and spread to the masses or work on projects. I also thought that scientists just stay in their research facilities the whole time, haha.</p>

5

<p>The idea behind acquiring degrees is to become more versatile.</p>

<p>In general, engineers may be "out in the field" more than scientists, but either could function in either capacity for the most part.</p>

6

<p>Some science degrees are near worthless without grad school. I know this is true at least of chemistry. A chem E prof told me that if you major in chem, you can do quality control or teach highschoolers, if you want to remain in the field, while chem E's can do all manner of things, and still earn 20k more than regular chem majors. I think physics majors are far more versatile, and I know three offhand who seemingly function (or functioned) as engineers, though they are far beyond their college years.</p>

<p>If you truly love building things, go for engineering.
There are some scientists, I'm sure, who dont deal much with engineers, while others do so daily. Maybe you would want to be the latter?
Try to find someone, either an engineer or scientist, who commonly works with his counterpart (meaning, find say an engineer who often works with scientists) and ask them about the roles of each person and try to determine which role you prefer.</p>

7

<p>That is a really good idea, haha! I wish I could find someone like that...that would totally help in my decision process. I'm almost forgetting the science majors already because I keep coming up with the thoughts of working at NASA, JPL, working on the Discovery shuttle, working on planetary exploration missions, etc. and it makes me want to do Engineering because I know science is involved but I doubt that there many scientists if even a few that are part of those projects. I might be wanting to be like one of those scientists if it interests me, but first I need to find someone with that experience so that they may relate it to me.</p>

8

<p>Xcron, I would expect fair amounts of both physics majors and engineers working for NASA. My math teacher, a physics major, worked for NASA. While perusing the Cornell viewbook, I noticed a picture of two students working on a NASA project, one a mechanical engineer, the other a physics major.
I think something that would be in between is getting a physics degree but pursuing industry instead of academia. Though, judging by your desires, you'd be better served by an engineering degree, if you truly do want to do hands on work and all. I'd expect that scientists would do the more abstract work and engineers the more concrete work, but these distinctions are never so cut and dried in real life.</p>

<p>This may be helpful (I didnt really read it, only the accepted undergrad degrees) <a href="http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov/jobs/civil_service_jobs/career/page10.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nasajobs.nasa.gov/jobs/civil_service_jobs/career/page10.htm&lt;/a> .</p>

9

<p>I would say that if you want to be a pure researcher or academic, then major in science. However, if you just want to get a job, you are better off as an engineer. Engineers tend to have more stable and lucrative careers than scientists do with less schooling.</p>

10

<p>This is another aspect of the problem:</p>

<p>I want a lucrative job/career (I hope to make around 100k within 5-10 years).</p>

<p>I would like to do the research that Physicists do. I would love working at a Particle Accelerator facility and just bombard all kinds of particles on each other and take down what happened and analyze it, etc...research it.</p>

<p>I would just as well like to do the concrete work and build things or be one of the people at the Johnson Space Center who sit in a room that watches over the International Space Station and works on it consistently.</p>

<p>The link posted was only for Aerospace Technology jobs. It shows the variety of majors that are accepted for the job...which is pretty interested. Like Space Science and Geophysics can be combined and are known at some schools like UCLA, except that it doesn't name the major in this way, as Planetary Science. That is pretty interesting.</p>

<p>I believe that I would also get a lot of agreement from people that engineers could easily go up to 100k while scientists earn much less. I know a brilliant Astrophysicist and he only makes 90k at JPL, working on the Spitzer Space Telescope project. I want to have a job/career that I am going to like and that will be very lucrative...it's not a matter of greed or selfishness...but that I want an easier time with my life, and I want to be able to support my family and relatives that live in poverty-stricken countries. I also want it to be lucrative for a few personal reasons, which mostly include hobby-type things.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Does engineering sound more like what I really want to do? Or does becoming a Physicist along with a Planetary Science and Astrophysics degree and then becoming a researcher and pursuing some research that is very interesting to me but will not make me as much money as I would as an engineer be better? I like both variants...hmmmmm</p>

11

<p>Bring up my thread. w33333333333</p>

12

<p>im facing a similar dilemma in regards to which engineering degree i want to pursue.........i immediately eliminated chemical engr. because i thought it would be such a boring career.........i also eliminated mechanical,computer,aerospace, and nuclear engineering because ive never had any interest in those fields........im down to civil,architectural(i love buildings,structures) and industrial engineering(because of the business orientation)........now im down to architectural and industrial engineering......like you, i want something lucrative....... but i also want a degree which gives me a wide range of job opportunities and has flexibility.........i wish there was someone working in these fields that i could call..........</p>

<p>but if you want my 2 cents "DEFINITELY" pick engineering........you want to do something that you can incorporate your problem solving and analytical skills(you took AP calc in high school).....my strength and interest in math immediately lured me to the engineering field.....</p>

<p>you obviously want something you are good at......it would be a shame not to utilize your strength and interest in math for anything you pursue......"GO ENGINEERING!"..lol.......
.</p>

13

<p>wow....where is everybody?????.....</p>

<p>BUMP........</p>

14

<p>hhahahahahahaha, that is exactly what I wanted to know. No one relates to our dilemma man, sorry...haha.</p>

<p>You have a great point and my reason for being interested in engineering is because I love math, science, and building things. But I would really love to have a science career as well because I would still be able to do everything that I could as an engineer but more since I can also do scientific research while also building things. </p>

<p>I have a question for you: does your school really have a major called Architectural Engineering? That is CiE already...another advice...do a double major. You will be in great demand and you will have built up the skills of two fields: civil and industrial. That will be quite an amazing advantage for you in what you want to do. Man, I wish I was as far as you for deciding what I want to do. </p>

<p>I have to pick 2 or 3 out of these: Physics, Astrophysics, Planetary Science, ME, AE, Computer Engineering, EE, and Computer Science. I don't even know why I listed the last three...my brain still wants to hang on to that idea of having them. I don't even know what they are all about...lol. </p>

<p>My idea right now: PhD in Physics, BS in AE and ME. Get into JPL/NASA. Or do some science research, build stuff, have a lucrative job, and have fun. Haha.</p>

15

<p>Yeah my school has Architectural engineering......but im a bit skeptical about choosing that major because its an obscure profession.....and also it ONLY pertains to buildings.....</p>

<p>ive been entertaining the idea of double majoring .like civil and industrial..or Architectural E and industrial........but damn .......double majoring is a recipe for seclusion/no social life........ive been considering it because of this dilemma and i also know that it would give me so many job opportunities but the question is "can i handle it?" ....i doubt it......i want to join a lot of clubs and enjoy college.......so i dont necessarily think its the best thing for me..........</p>

<p>but wow.....you're going to find it so hard because you're just multifaceted.....you could rule the world with all those degrees lol!.......</p>

16

<p>Hahahahahahahahahaha, that would be rather funny if I did rule the world ^_^. Lol. Seems like you have an argument for not doing ArchE...since you don't want to do just buildings, but all kinds of infrastructure. </p>

<p>Double majoring or doing three majors like I want to, is not going to be extremely hard. You just have to expand your 4-year college plan into 5-6 years. But also, I am going to pretty much max out on classes, so I hope to do it around 5. Cmon, if you're a smart guy you will find time for a social life, clubs, and your schoolwork if you decide to do your double major in 4-5 years.</p>

17

<p>you know maybe you're right.....i think all the people who were strongly opposed to double majoring in two engineering fields- where all from ivy league schools(the curriculum is obviously tougher than normal)...........now that you mention it , im going to look into it.......i think you have to pay extra tuition......although im not sure....</p>

<p>so how much of your tuition is being covered financial aid?.......</p>

18

<p>X, if you want to make the $$$$"BIG BUCKS"$$$$ while you're young do an MBA after a couple of years of work experience in whichever engineering field you pursue.......
and then you'd either get into a management position in whichever engineering firm you were initially working for OR try and get an "I banking" job..........because seriously, an engineering career tends to reach its zenith after a while(where the salary levels off).......an engineer making 100k yearly is probably one of the few, lucky ones making that money......and by that time, theyre old and jaded....</p>

<p>i see engineering as a field that enhances your problem solving and analytical skills(vital qualities you need in i banking)......so thats my plan......</p>

<p>engineering degree=:(
engineering+MBA= $$$$:D $$$$</p>

19

<p>It depends on where you get your MBA from. There's so many MBA programs in this country that the only way that companies can discern one from another (as always) is through the specific college one received their MBA from. A harvard MBA or Stanford MBA (in general) are a lot more successful than an MBA received from your average school.</p>

20

<p>yeah..........you need to go to a top school.......</p>