<p>Hey All,</p>
<p>I am a freshman here at the University of Washington (UW, UDUB) and I am currently a pre-engineering major. I wanted to quickly go over my background, as I have always been surrounded with vast amounts of technologies and clubs related in engineering in high school. I was accepted to some top programs (Columbia, Carnegie Mellon and Berkeley) but for financial and family reasons, I decided to stay in my hometown state (Washington) and had received basically a full ride from the University (excluding housing, I am though soon to be covered for too). </p>
<p>Anyways, when people ask me what I am currently majoring in, I always say "Engineering", when they ask for a specific, I refer to Electrical, nervously. I have two big interests as of right now, I really want to major in Computer Science and even possibly go for a Masters (The UW has a 5 year masters program, similar to a 3+2 program), but I sometimes get nervous as I wonder what would the job security be like? Would I have to worry about my career later down the road? My second biggest interest is Bioengineering. In the past, I've always said I wanted to impact my community, improve the way we live and to combat bigger issues. I took an Intro to Bioengineering class over the Summer at the UW (before college started) and I really got interested with the program. Here at the UW, Bioengineering also is offered a 5 year masters program (3 years bachelors, 2 years masters, 3+2 program). Aside from all of this, I want to take on a minor with Business, mainly because I want to have something on my resume that can dictate I understand "money" and how money changes hands and what not. </p>
<p>Therefore, here are my questions. Which major do you guys think would be the safer route for the future? Let's say if I were to double major in Computer Science and Bioengineering, how does the job market for Bioengineering look like with only a Undergraduate Degree? Does having a Masters Degree improve its significance (University of Washington is top 10 in Bioengineering, according to USNews). What about Computer Science? Would the job market look as appealing as it is right now later in the future? Which field is said to have a consistent income (Not that I will make my decision based off of money)? I know these kind of things cannot be strongly predicted, but I would love to hear what others have to say on this matter of topic. And lastly, which route do you guys recommend me going? I really want to have that minor in Business essentially</p>
<p>Anyways, I greatly apperciate your feedback! </p>
<p>I don’t see the point of a double major, but what about choosing Bio-E as a minor. That might make sense for you because in the opinion of many it’s hard to get a substantive job or research position with a bachelor’s in Bio-E.</p>
<p>I should’ve mentioned this with the post, but there really is no minor for Engineering, here at the University of Washington. You mentioned that a bachelors in Bioengineering is not capable enough for landing a nice job, would you think the Masters make it any better? </p>
<p>I have another question, I was wondering how does Patent law look like? What if I were to lets say Major in Mechanical Engineering, minor in Business (which is an option) and also take some pre-law classes, how does the job availability for working with patent’s look like? I’ve been hearing mixed responses, just curios. </p>
<p>Thanks once again! </p>
<p>I’m not convinced that a minor is worth the extra classes. Many other engineers on these threads have also made similar comments. </p>
<p>These days you can showcase selected skill on courses via resume, LinkedIn etc. (In 1984 I had to retype each new master resume, then make copies.) You don’t need a minor on the transcript highlight the extras. So consider exploring areas of interest without committing yet to the goal of a specific minor. </p>
<p>There are no specific pre-law classes. Of course, an ABET-accredited engineering or CS degree is helpful as a prerequisite for taking the patent exam. A non-ABET-accredited CS degree can be used if you fulfill specific course work requirements listed in the general requirements bulletin linked from here: <a href=“http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/exam/grbpage.jsp”>http://www.uspto.gov/ip/boards/oed/exam/grbpage.jsp</a> . Admission to law school is primarily by LSAT score and college GPA; see <a href=“http://lawschoolnumbers.com”>http://lawschoolnumbers.com</a> . Law employment is generally thought to be quite school-prestige-conscious (for your law school).</p>
<p>All fields’ employment prospects can be affected by economic and industry cycles.</p>
<p><a href=“University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums”>University Graduate Career Surveys - #69 by ucbalumnus - Career Opportunities & Internships - College Confidential Forums; can give you some indication of employment prospects by major, subject to the caution above.</p>
<p>First, MS, yes, double major, no. Your second area of study will quickly become obsolete if it is not used. Pick the field you like best and go make a name for yourself. Familiarity with business practices, especially budgeting and project management, will help your career but not necessarily your job prospects. New grads will be expected to have demonstrable technical skills.</p>
<p>Second, CS at UW will have 100% employment but, like you thought, there are a ton of kids in the pipeline right now. No guarantees for 4 years out or 20 years out.</p>
<p>Third, a neighbor is a patent attorney and started as a Mech. E. He worked for a few years before going back to law school. Technical compentence is key for the tech intensive patent areas. Because the barrier to entry for patent law is higher than for regular law, the career can be very lucrative.</p>
<p>Just wanted to say I double majored. I only recently (December) graduated, but I don’t regret it at all yet. A masters in CS over a bachelors doesn’t do a whole lot for you. One of the biggest advantages is that it provides you another recruiting cycle in case the first one doesn’t work out too well, but it’s not a good thing to plan on doing a Masters straight out of undergrad. </p>
<p>When it comes to engineering patent law, most boutiques don’t care where you got your law degree, they do care that you have a solid engineering background.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies! So, to quickly summarize your advices, would a Masters in Bioengineering not be enough at the end of the day? </p>
<p>Another question, you guys also mentioned that a Masters in CS vs a Bachelors in CS really does not do a whole lot, what if I were to apply instead for Mechanical Engineering (specifically in Mechatronics) along with a Double in CSE? ( I may need to make sure of course load if that is even possible, as the other universities I was previously admitted to had a lot of students doing that). But I also do know that it is quite common to hear a student here at UW double majoring in both CSE and Electrical Engineering. From there, I would of course continue to raise my LSAT scores and what not. </p>
<p>If I were to go towards the law aspect, the UW has no real pre-law class to give me a solid glimpse at it would look like, are there any suggestions as to material or even books I can read that may have a nice solid background on how the field is today? I know it is changing constantly.</p>
<p>Thanks! (I am in the middle of finals week!)</p>