Thought I’d get some opinions about the two options. My daughter is trying to decide on an undergraduate course of study when she enters college in 2016 and future job prospects. She is deciding between business (most likely quantitative side) or engineering (civil). She is doing a lot of research, visiting different departments. She likes math and science a lot and is very social. I know this is an engineering forum, but maybe some out there will have views on both? Or either. I personally have a general business degree and my husband has an engineering degree (not civil), so we have given her information from our perspectives.
Have you looked into an industrial engineering degree? It’s a quantitative business degree with a focus on working with engineers. Might be a good match.
@NeoDymium - Industrial Engineering is a good idea. I will suggest that to her. There is also the option of Industrial Distribution, which I assume is more business related, also. I don’t know the major difference at this point between the two.
Industrial and Systems engineers ARE engineers. Industrial engineering is not a business degree, but does have some overlap with business applications. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_engineering
Agree with Neodymium that it could be a good one to look at, since your daughter likes math and science and is social.
Here are some schools to look at that have Industrial. There are others as well (check ABET) .
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate-industrial-manufacturing
Looking at the whole 4 year curriculum and what classes are involved will also help. She will probably go to Texas A&M, but needs to pick a major at application time in the fall. Once in a major, it’s hard to change between engineering/business, so just needs to do some research. Thanks for the replies!
Texas A & M has Industrial Distribution so that is a good site to look at. It is housed in the engineering department but seems more business related (look at the curriculum). Industrial Engineers have to take all the math and physics stuff (calculus, differential equations,physics,etc. ) that any engineer does. Industrial Distribution majors look they don’t take all of those kinds of things. Also, the website says the average pay starting out is $52,000. Industrial engineers should be $60,000 +. The Texas A & M program does look good and looks like it is very well recruited.
Crossposted with the OP. Yes, look at the differences in curriculum to see what might work best. Good luck!
Texas A & M has both -Industrial and Systems Engineering, as well as Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. So, it seems like Industrial Distribution is more of an engineering technology type of degree . You definitely would not have to take all the advanced math or physics that an Industrial engineer would have to take . Since you say she will probably go to Texas A & M, it is good they have both things that you can explore. And of course, Texas A & M has all the other types of engineering, including civil, which you have mentioned. Texas A & M has the Center for Dredging Studies, which is part of Ocean Engineering, within the Civil Engineering Department.
Wouldn’t it be more wise, though, do get an engineering degree with the full required math, science classes as opposed to Industrial Distribution which has fewer math, science? Given the ability to do so, of course.
“Wouldn’t it be more wise”
Since she is really good at math and science, I would think so. Industrial Engineering is very broad and flexible as well. But some kids just might prefer something like Industrial Distribution.
Is there a reason she was looking at civil? Social skills and business interest are useful for many construction, project mgmt roles. I wouldn’t write off civil in favor of industrial if she has more of an interest in infrastructure than manufacturing, for example.
I don’t get the impression the OP has written off civil. I mentioned civil in post #7. The family just seems to be looking at options now.
Civil is just a starting point after eliminating a few she knows she would not like such a chemical and electrical. She has a friend in civil, too, and has some feedback there. She has an appointment with the civil department at A&M in July and will probably add IE and ID. She saw a flyer where the CIA was recruiting engineers for internships. She liked that idea…
Sounds like a good plan!
Texas A & M has a very good tool on their website. If you go to Texas A & M Career Services and click on "Prospective Students, " you can find the salaries and employers for different majors (of course not everyone reports).
For instance, average salaries reported in Spring 13:
Civil $58,663
IE 62,932
ID 52,995
For spring 14:
Civil 57,122
IE 61, 284
ID 57,122
So, all are well compensated. Signing bonuses are common in IE, not sure about ID and civil. It is interesting to look at the employers where Texas A & M majors end up as well , sorted by major.
Great info… Thanks…
You’re welcome. And these kinds of tools are helpful but not perfect. They are definitely good at giving you a good idea of what to expect in terms of salary. But not everyone reports and salaries can vary depending on region , I was surprised , for instance, to see the IE average salary going down some from 2013 to 2014 at Texas A & M. I checked the Virginia Tech post grad survey and that wasn’t the case. The average went up about $4,000 to $64,000. Hope the appointment(s) in July go well!
I don’t know that I have an answer for you but I felt like you were talking to me. My son goes to TAMU in civil with focus on environmental engineering. Up until the summer prior to his senior year he was going to be a business major. He is also strong in math and science. He changed his major choice when he met a young man who had just graduated from college in environmental engineering and was inspired by the possibilities. When he was thinking about business he didn’t have a clear vision of what he wanted to do he just felt drawn to business. But when he learned about environmental engineering it spoke to him. I don’t know if that helps but since the situation matched so closely I thought I would share.