<p>The GC at school always suggests that kids who are good at math & science consider engineering--he's recommended our son give engineering serious consideration. (Son enjoys sciences & math & computers & history.) I'd love to hear from people who are engineering students and/or have degrees in engineers about their experiences. Here are some things I'd love to have feedback on:</p>
<p>What specialty in engineering did they choose & why?<br>
What did they like most & least about engineering coursework?
Advice to consider in choosing whether to go into engineering?
Best/worst things about practicing engineering?
Grad school?
Other options considered/tried?
If you knew then what you know now, how would you do things differently?</p>
<p>When & where did/will you graduate?
Thanks!</p>
<p>There is also a whole group of engineering discussions under "College Majors". If you ignore some of the trolls who are sure they are going to make $100,000 after three years of engineering, there is some really good information from students and from "real life" people.</p>
<p>Peg
whose Husband with 25+ years of Engineering is not making $100,000</p>
<p>Hi HIMom,
I'll throw in my $.02 based on being married to an engineer and being mom of a S who will be a freshman engineering major in a few weeks.</p>
<p>What specialty in engineering did they choose & why? H=petroleum engineering in late 70s during the "boom." He says that mechanical would be a more practical choice as he had many mech eng friends doing the same work as he did when he worked for a major oil company. However, petroleum engineering is "hot" again as of late. S=electrical engineering b/c loves tinkering w all things electrical and enjoys math and physics. Very interested in nano these days. Amazing research going on..
What did they like most & least about engineering coursework? H=studied constantly - that's all I recall-
Advice to consider in choosing whether to go into engineering? Must be strong in math/science and be willing to study. Your S should take the hardest math/science load possible to prepare well for college (as well as to be able to test out of courses through AP testing)
Best/worst things about practicing engineering? You can make a good, upper-middle class living.
Grad school? H=MBA; highly recommends this after several years of working in engineering; S=plans to at least obtain a Master's degree
Other options considered/tried? H=now works recruiting and placing engineers in positions, so his years of engineering experience are very valuable.
If you knew then what you know now, how would you do things differently? Wow, H would have to answer that one.
Good luck to your S!</p>
<p>I'll do this based on DH...a practicing EE.</p>
<p>What specialty in engineering did they choose & why?
Electrical engineering. Came from an electrician's background and loved dealing with power. </p>
<p>What did they like most & least about engineering coursework?
Differential Equations...DH doesn't know anyone who loved that course the first time around. He was lucky enough to do well the first time. Many took it twice.</p>
<p>Advice to consider in choosing whether to go into engineering?
It's a very rigorous courseload beginning freshman year. DH's advice would be to choose a school that is NOT only engineering so that if you change your mind, you can change majors. Many entering "engineering" majors change their majors.</p>
<p>Best/worst things about practicing engineering? Lots of flexibility...you can work for a company, you can work for yourself, you can do consulting, you can work full or part time.
Best thing is the design work. For DH the worst thing is working with architects who don't know anything about the design/power needs of the buildings they are designing....and they don't seem to care. (We know there are some terrific architects out there...not meaning to offend them all).</p>
<p>Grad school?
Not essential, but getting your PE (professional engineer's) license is.</p>
<p>Other options considered/tried?
DH started out as a chemistry major. On a "break" from college he began his electrical work and that is why he changed.</p>
<p>If you knew then what you know now, how would you do things differently?</p>
<p>My husband would say NO. He went on the 12 year plan. By the time he entered engineering in the final round he was motivated and committed to the time need to succeed both in college and in the profession.</p>
<p>Note...don't expect to make $100,000 quickly. DH is a department head and he doesn't make that much after 20 years in the field in a high income part of the country. BUT he loves his work.</p>
<p>As an EE/CompEng, I agree with much of what has been said (especially the amount of work while in school), except:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>unless involved with consulting/public works/construction requiring government approval, a PE degree is not required. In the field of electronics, working in a corporate environment, which the majority of EE find themselves in, it is vitually unheard of to have a PE. Same for most MEs.</p></li>
<li><p>starting pay is one of, if not the highest of any major at the BS level. I'm a bit surprised by people who after many years of experience are still making less than $100K. I think it depends on type of engineering that you do - the "electronics industry" probably pays more than the "electoral (i.e., power) industry". However, unless you get into senior management (which engineering certainly allows), don't expect to make mega-bucks</p></li>
<li><p>My son is a junior in engineering now and one thing I have noticed from his curriculum versus what I experienced 30+ years ago was that they get you involved with hands-on, practical design work much earlier in the college experience now than they did when I was going through it. This is a very good thing in my view and not only makes the theory real, but also helps students know much earlier in their college lives if engineering is truly for them.</p></li>
<li><p>One word of caution: outsourcing/offshoring in the fields of electronic and computer enginering and computer science is real. It probably is not as bad as it is hyped to be as a long term trend, but something that should be considered. If this concerns your son, fields in engineering that would be least hit by this would be things like civil engineering which typically requires a physical presence.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Thanks--love the insights that have been posted & hope to read from more folks. Will share your insights with son & he would prefer to go to a school that has many offerings in case he finds his calling is NOT engineering.<br>
I've read that it's common for folks to switch majors up to 3+ times & son really isn't sure what he wants to study. Hoping he'll find out this year what he thinks of Physics (taking AP Physics C) & Econ (taking AP Econ) & Computers (taking AP Comp B), so that he can factor these things into his decisions.</p>
<p>Around here I know a lot of well-employed computer scientists and computer engineers (there are differences, but let's not go there today) who are making well over $100,000.</p>
<p>Also I'd recommend reading the article "Are You Deciding On Purpose" written by a career coach at <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/online/13/ldrplus.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fastcompany.com/online/13/ldrplus.html</a> One excerpt from that article:
[quote]
Most people aren't using their talents. They didn't choose their career; their career chose them. They got into a line of work because they had to get a job, or somebody told them they'd be good at a job. They were young, they started down a certain path, and they never stopped to ask what their calling might be-not just their job, but their real calling. Then before they know it, they hit midlife, and they're asking themselves, "Why am I doing this? Why did I start down this path instead of following my real talents?".