<p>I'm currently an undeclared major, and I am highly thinking of going into civil engineering. I'm very comfortable with math (currently taking Calc II, got a 5 on my AB AP test) and I LOVED LOVED LOVED my physics B AP class my senior year, specifically dynamics and Newton's 2nd law, sumF=ma.</p>
<p>But WHAT exactly does a civil engineer do? In terms of freeways, building, bridges, etc., do they make sure that they're built solid? Meaning that civil engineers analyze the situation, and design the structure so that it doesn't collapse?</p>
<p>Also, I've been fuzzy when it comes to civil engineering and architecture. To my understanding, an architect deals with the outer design of a structure (the aesthetics) and the civil engineer will make sure that it's built solid (the inner foundation).</p>
<p>I'm not artsy. In fact, I hate designing things and trying to make things look all pretty or whatever. </p>
<p>Would mechanical engineering be more of a suit for me?</p>
<p>I am about as unartistic (on paper) as you can get. I majored in Architectural Engineering, which is usually in the CE Department. I did that because I wanted to be a structural engineer for BUILDINGS - I didn’t want to learn about highway design or wastewater plants. I had to take a couple of architectural design classes that were very hard for me. I made a C in one, and I was typically a straight A student. But it helped me appreciate what architects do!</p>
<p>You’re right, architects figure out the look and layout of a building, and then structural engineers design the elements of the building that support it (foundation, beams, columns, bracing, diaphragms). We do calculations and draw lots of details. What’s challenging about it is that you have to be good at the math, but also practical enough to draw details that are buildable! You really do need to know the “nuts and bolts” of a building! It’s a good idea to get some construction site experience at some point, too. Good luck!</p>
<p>If buildings were a person, architects would design the face and the skin and the physical features, and how the person would look when all put together. Structural engineers would design the musculo-skeletal structure so that the person could actually stand up and resist falling over if someone were to push or jostle them. Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing engineers would design the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous system so that there would be airflow, electrical connectivity, and plumbing.</p>
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<p>I planned on getting a PhD when I was in high school. It’s okay to have personal goals regarding level of education, regardless of what profession you plan to go into.</p>
<p>I am seriously considering engineering, and I am tied between Civil and Mechanical. These last few months, I have been leaning heavily towards Civil, but I felt that my inartistic self would hold me back, which pushed me towards mechanical.</p>
<p>You want to establish a position, then get the degree that matches the position. Some people believe that more degrees is always better, but that’s not necessarily true.</p>
<p>When you increase the level of your degree, you increase the specialization. If you’re not exactly sure what you want to do, this is a really bad idea. For example, a B.S. ChE is a really broad degree that can work in a wide variety of fields and will be recruited by a variety of companies. An M.S. ChE specializing in fuel cells is a more specialized individual who only appeals to a handful of fuel cell manufacturers. A Ph.D. ChE specializing in the transport phenomenon of membranes in fuel cell applications is an incredibly specialized person who prays that there’s just 1 company looking for his expertise. If you don’t know what you ultimately want to do, the best chance is to stay broad. </p>
<p>Also, higher degrees can eliminate some positions. For example, I know one company that refuses to hire PhD engineers. The thought process is that their work is not very research oriented, so a PhD would get bored. They also shy away from thesis-MS graduates because their work is more traditional (as in classes) and not emerging (as in research) and thesis-based MS graduates are usually 2 years removed from classwork. </p>
<p>And not so much in engineering, but with MBA programs, you can price yourself out of a position. A new MBA with no work experience often falls into the Catch-22 of having too much education (and demanding too high of a salary) for an entry level position but not enough experience for a more advanced position.</p>
<p>The best policies with degrees is to stay at the functional level of your field (usually a BS in engineering, though it’s an MS in some areas, especially in some CE specialties) until you identify what you want to do permanently (either in your last year of college or while working).</p>
<p>And the intelligent student will decide to be flexible in their goals. I mean, I don’t have a PhD now, even though that was my goal at one point-- my job doesn’t require that I have one. The only reason I’d go after one at this point is if I decided that I wanted to do more research-y types of things. So, yeah, the OP should probably consider what his/her intended career actually requires, but then again, a lot of people change their minds about their intended careers, too, particularly if they’re evaluating their goals as high schoolers.</p>
<p>Best just to say to keep an open mind about education levels in the future, probably. It’s okay to have educational goals, but be flexible and make sure to consider the really good points you brought up about your education level fitting your intended positions.</p>
<p>I have heard that too much education can hinder your ability to land a job. I plan on going to school straight through my masters because I’ve always heard that it’s hard to come back to school once you’ve been out in the work force.</p>
<p>From my understanding, a masters in civil engineering (structural) will put me in a good position when it comes to job searching. It’s not as “specialized” as a phD, but it brings something else to the table compared to somebody who just has a B.S.</p>
It’s not going back that’s hard… it’s finishing up your schooling what’s hard…
When you have to go to school and do homework after 9 hours of work… and after 3 years, yet your school’s not done… it kindda gets to you…</p>
<p>That’s true if you take 20 years off, but if you start working, but after 3-5 years, it isn’t that bad. Besides, if you start working and earn your MS at night (easy to do, even from top schools), most employers will fully pay for your degree, books, and parking.</p>
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<p>That’s great if you know you want to be a structural engineer. What happens if you get that MS and decide a year or two later that you actually prefer Transportation Systems? That MS will really hurt you on the job market.</p>
<p>If you’ve figured out that Structural work is what you want to do with your life, go for the MS by all means. But, if you’re unsure, you might want to figure it out before you limit your options.</p>