Could someone help me decide between finance and engineering, or something else?

Hi,
I’m an upcoming freshman at Northeastern University. I am currently enrolled into the College of Engineering (Undeclared), however, I am having mixed thoughts about this major.

This is because:

  1. I suck at physics and hate the subject in general, based on what I’ve been working with so far (AP Physics 1 and 2, failed both exams)
  2. The work engineers do doesn’t seem that appealing to me, such as designing/creating things or getting hands-on with things. (Excuse my ignorance, feel free to challenge that statement and educate me, it may change my mind.)

I simply applied to Engineering because I had many strengths in the math field, and thought it would increase my chances of getting in.

A bit about myself:

  • I’m more of a numbers and math guy. I’m comfortable with computers and whatnot. (I do not like Computer Science though, tried it out in HS and hated it)
  • Physics is definitely one of my worst subjects.
  • I have no experience with any finance-related classes, a friend recommended to me and it seems more appealing than accounting/management.
  • I’m not a guy looking to make a “difference” in the world.
  • I’m definitely not that creative either. I’m just looking for a well-paying career out of college.
  • Actuarial science seems a bit interesting to me as well, but I seem to like Finance more.

Should I give Engineering another shot? I did have a horrible teacher in high school. Or should I bite the bullet and switch to Finance? I kinda don’t want to switch my major to undecided. I’ve been putting off the decision of my major for a year now, I feel like I would be more comfortable/focused in school if I choose one major and stick to it rather than multiple.

Thanks!

You hate Physics and CS? Definitely stay away from engineering. Try finances, maybe applied mathematics if you are really good in math.

I agree with @WhenOthers. Engineering usually requires a LOT of physics. And your average engineering curriculum does involve a little bit of programming.

@WhenOthers @tusconmom
Thanks for the heads up about that programming bit, never knew that. Leaning more torwards switching to finance now.

What kind of jobs entail applied mathematics?

I was going to suggest a look at Operations Research … I didn’t look long at the Northeastern catalog, but with a BS in applied math, I’d think you ought to be able to go for an MS in OR. Doing it this way instead of with an undergrad in IE might work you around physics. And if OR wasn’t your thing, the right background courses ought to help with a career in finance.

Operations Research, in very crude terms, involves the modeling of systems … things as big as the disposition and allocation of fleets in the Pacific during WWII and things as mundane as a game of Risk. After WWII it was adapted to industry. The models take into account the probabilities of events, and establish cost - benefit relationships.

I think it’s kind of cool, but that’s just me.

To be blunt, I’ve found physics to be generally useful in life, but I can understand your angst.

If math is your favorite subject, consider that for a major.

Actuarial preparation is fairly similar to preparation for quantitative finance. See http://beanactuary.com/ for more information. Operations research, as suggested in #4, is another applied area of math and statistics that may interest you if you are not interested in computer science or physics.

However, some knowledge of computer science will be helpful in all of these fields.

Here’s a couple of websites that discuss careers in math:

https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~kouba/MathJobs.html
http://www.coolmath.com/careers
http://www.maa.org/careers

You can do a whole lot of things with math, and many of those careers are lucrative because higher-level math skills are in high demand.