Finding the ideal

<p>Some background:</p>

<p>I tested out of high school. In second semester of community college. Haven't discovered much about my likes or dislikes other than the fact that I love puzzles (mathematical or otherwise) and that I love to plan things out. </p>

<p>I have been considering engineering because I love to solve problems and design solutions to those problems. Ideally, I would like to be able to invent and create things, know how to generate electricity, know how to design strong buildings, design communities, and, most importantly, I'd like to have a wide scope of job opportunities; not limited just to engineering or... whatever my degree is most closely associated with. </p>

<p>I've talked to people and they have suggested mechanical engineering because of the wide general education involved, but other people have suggested civil. I'm conflicted in this area. I am open to the idea of graduate school.</p>

<p>I've tried to broaden my horizons beyond "core" branches of engineering (civil, mechanical, and electrical, I guess) but people have said that it's a bad idea... for whatever reason. If someone could tell me why engineering degrees outside those three are bad, that would be fantastic.</p>

<p>I'm open to all suggestions. Any guidance is helpful.</p>

<p>I can speak about mechanical because I am a ME. It is true that mechanical overlaps a lot of other disciplines. Many MEs work in areas that could also be focus areas of EEs, CivEs, ChemEs, material science, nuclear, aerospace, even welding. Mechanicals can go on to graduate school in any of these areas.</p>

<p>However, no major is better than another. It really comes down to what interests you the most.</p>