<p>So I will be attending Stony Brook University in the fall and have no clue what to major in. I made a list of potential majors that seem really interesting and things that I'd enjoy: Chemistry, ChemE, Math, Applied Math, MechE, Engineering Science.</p>
<p>So what I'm concerned about is.. how do I find out which one I want to do?? I am looking at course sequences for all of these majors at my university and almost each one requires some sort of introductory course in the first semester...
Engineering Science (intro to eng sci, and C progr. for engineers)
ChemE (intro to chemE, will eventually need the C programming course^)
MechE (engineering computing and problem solving I and then II)</p>
<p>Anyway, how can I possibly figure out which one I want to do? It seems if I start with one of these and decide to do another, I will be far behind. Sophomore year starts quite a bit of the major-based courses.
I feel like Chem, Math, and Applied M would be the least of my worries since I can probably fall back on either of those.</p>
<p>tb0mb93, if it makes you feel any better, I am 55 years old and I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. For your particular situation however, do an analysis and figure out which of the majors would be hardest to catch up. Lay the classes out on a spreadsheet and figure the sequence out and which one would put you farthest behind if you decide to change majors. Do the pros and cons of each field and rank the fields as potential careers. Also, call the Stony Brooks’s academic advising center and tell them what you told us. They have seen this all before. They can also guide you towards resources which can help. Make sure you sign up for any orientation programs.</p>
<p>It is difficult to know what you want to do with the rest of your life. And most people change careers a couple times, but using the resoue=rces at hand and doing your homework will make you more likely to get pointed in the right direction.</p>
<p>I’d say ChemE encompasses every major you posted whereas the others not so much. Also the highest paying in most cases if that means anything to you.</p>
<p>Advice: like pretty much anyone else would say- just get in and experience it all until you find something you like. no need to decide right away</p>
<p>If you have an interest in a particular discipline already, you can declare a major. I don’t remember if SB requires a declared major on the application (I believe there’s an option for “Undecided”). But just pick any engineering major if you want to get into the engineering program. </p>
<p>If you can’t be sure just plan your first two semesters doing Calculus, Physics, chemistry and a couple liberal arts. In the mean time go join some engineering clubs and continue to explore your interest.</p>
<p>you might also want to visit your school’s career center -they are there not just to help you find a job after you graduate! Many schools offer seminars to explore different majors and careers either within the various academic dept or the career center.</p>
<p>This is also a good site for exploring careers in STEM fields:</p>
<p>studentengineer, I have a job that I enjoy, but there is more I want to do with life. I still take classes to learn new things and those new things will open up new directions for my life. I want to be ready for new opportunities (which I learned from my grandfather who bought into a travel agency when he was in his 70s). You don’t stop growing until the day you die. When you grow up and get a little experience, you might understand what I am talking about.</p>
<p>It is interesting geo, because people are so busy with their daily works and they have no time to think for themselves at all. I can’t imagine myself working as an engineer for twenty, thirty years. My personal preference is to teach high school students when I have enough money and have done enough to make myself feel like an engineer, probably around mid 30s. :]</p>