<p>I am currently an Electrical Engineering major at an ABET certified state school. I am about to start my third semester here, and have a 4.0 GPA. I only say this to point out that I'm not switching because I am failing out of classes, or anything like that. I know it will become more difficult, but I know I could handle it.</p>
<p>I am, however, very interested in the business side of things as well. I intend to get a business minor with my engineering major, and perhaps that is still the best thing to do. But, I have recently become interested in actuarial science, as it involves similar complex math but with business laws and things like that.</p>
<p>I am unsure how to decide between these two paths, because I know the actuarial route involves more statistics, and would benefit from a business major. And, engineering barely has enough room for me to squeeze in a business minor, let alone additional statistics, economics, and finance courses. I can't really even explore the option without adding a semester onto my engineering degree.</p>
<p>I've heard a lot of good things about being an actuary, with the only real downside being the exams; and having looked at the exams the material is interesting to me. But, I've also heard it's difficult to find a job right now, due to the economy and such - but in engineering I know my school's EE department had a 100% placement rate last year, so that concerns me somewhat.</p>
<p>If anyone has any advice on this matter, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.</p>
<p>I always recommend going after your interests, but you need to take this slowly - you don’t want to make a big change now and kill your chances later. Obviously, whichever way you go, if you pick correctly you will be set, but lets look at what your options are if you pick wrong:</p>
<p>If you finish your engineering program but hate it and want to be an actuary, I do not think you will have a problem getting into either actuarial or other business programs - it happens all the time.</p>
<p>If you switch to actuarial science but hate it and decide later that you would have preferred to be an engineer, then you are in trouble - switching to engineering from actuarial science is not an easy sell to admissions committees.</p>
<p>Of course that is just my opinion - I’ve never been interested in actuarial science and am hardly an expert. In any case, I would step cautiously. The fact that you are unsure and soliciting advice suggests to me that you should probably not jump ship just yet.</p>
<p>You can wait to get your business education in grad school…either through a MBA or an Engineering Management graduate program.</p>
<p>Now depending on your school you can get some business courses as an undergrad using a minimal amount of credits. Once again, I say depending on your school…</p>
<p>1) Some schools have a “Survey of Accounting” or “Accounting Concepts” type of course. Of course it will not be as in depth as the Accounting I & II that the business majors take but it will still give you some insight…all in ONE course.</p>
<p>2) Some schools have an Economics course that covers both Micro & Macroeconomics but is more math-based (using Calculus). That will give you economics knowledge in ONE course. Then again, since Economics is also considered a social science, just select Micro & Macroeconomics to satisfy your general education social science requirement.</p>
<p>3) Some schools will have “project management” courses which will at least give you the foundations of management: time-management, people/resource management, financial management, etc.</p>
<p>So what I am saying is that you can get some business background in just a few classes without having to extend your graduation.</p>
<p>Have you looked at Industrial Engineering (or if your school has it Operations Research)?Much of IE deals with engineering of business processes. I had to take several business courses like accounting and personnel management. Many of my classmates did a 6 year BS, MEng, MBA program and ended up with Masters in both engineering and business.</p>
<p>Check what other engineering displine your school offer that will allow you to double major or minor in business. S is double majoring in system engineering and economics. Some of the requirements overlap but still overloaded 3 of the semesters. While looking for intership, he feels he is probably better offer concentrating in one major to maitain higher gpa. Companies seemed more interested in higher gpa than having a double major or more credit hours. He was able to get an internship last summer in engineering but not in economics.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the responses! Sorry for the delay, it’s been a busy weekend and school just started back up.</p>
<p>As it turns out, I should be able to get a business minor with my engineering degree (luckily I have a few credits in business from my Post Secondary experience). So, I intend to take a few courses toward that minor next semester, so I can at least have something to compare. The only courses I took in Post Secondary were Accounting and Marketing, neither of which am I particularly interested in pursuing specifically. </p>
<p>Additionally, after my next semester, so long as I pass Circuits II, I can begin my Co-op over the summer, which would be very helpful for me to decide where my interests lie I’m sure.</p>
<p>Sadly, my University does not have an Industrial Engineering program, or I would definitely have considered it as a major. It does seem like a very good combination of business and engineering majors.</p>
<p>I do have an interest in pursuing an MBA later, so I think I will try to continue with the engineering degree. Being that the things interest me essentially equally (best as I can tell) it seems like the best thing to do for now. And, if that helps me get into a good, or at least better MBA program, that would be wonderful! I’m not really certain of the numbers, but I imagine someone from a top MBA program could quite possibly make more than an Actuary anyway, and that is one of my motivations =)</p>