<p>My teachers at school have said I should really consider engineering in college. I know what engineers do, but I still don't have a real sense of what engineering is because I've never taken an engineering class. I thought it would be best if I describe myself somewhat. I've taken AP Biology (5 on APtest, 760 SATII ), AP Chemistry (5 on test, 800 SAT II, Some state awards for Chem), and AP Physics (taking this year). I've always been at the top in school in math classes, but not a year ahead like some other kids (my dad didn't want me to move up in middle school) so I am taking Calculus BC as a Senior rather than as a junior like the one year ahead kids. Here's some things I've noticed: my dad is a computer programmer and tried teaching me some programming, but I hated it because I felt it was boring,repetitive, and too much work. I do web design, but I enjoy the graphic/design part of it way more than scripting (I hate scripting/coding HTML and usually re-use a lot of code I already have). I excel in all my social studies, language, and writing classes as well. When I was little, I loved playing with legos. I'm lazy in the sense that I like to solve problems with as little effort as possible; quickest/easiest solution possible. I still think I'm math/science oriented though. My dad is a civil engineer who now works as a computer programmer and my mom is an accountant. I think numbers runs in the family.</p>
<p>However, I don't know if engineering would be the thing for me and I have yet to figure out how to deicde if engineering is for me.</p>
<p>Without knowing too much about it, here's what puts me off from it and what excites me about it:</p>
<p>Put offs:</p>
<p>-Tons of work and lots of stuff you'll never need (in words of my dad)
-Lack of social life and time to do whatever you want
-Job outsourcing
-HUGE amount of classes I;d have to take and lack of exposure to other areas of academics that I enjoy</p>
<p>Positives:</p>
<p>-I love that my dad is so adaptable in careers and can help me with any homework without even knowing exactly what I'm doing
-Engineering structures your mind in a really logical and problem solving oriented way
-Being intense can be really fun
-Financial engineering and ops research seem like a ton of money and nice jobs on Wall St</p>
<p>So I have no idea... maybe a minor or something?
I heard it's ridiculously hard to get into engineering unless you start as a freshman...</p>
<p>That's because everything starts out as a set of classes that go in a particular order. And all the cons and pros you listed I agree with. It is just something that only you can decide whether you're up to it or not. Kind of scary but that's the way it is. Being good at science/physics/math is no indication. I hate computers, seriously hated most parts about them. Took computer science this summer and figured out it was solely logic and basically had nothing to do with computers (except for a few parts) and loved it. Engineering classes are completely different from math and sciences. You know how the science portion of the ACT tests not your knowledge but your ability to read charts and tables and follow trends. My chemE class is the same way (except crazy hard and tedious, but sometimes it can be fun when it isn't just busy work and you're actually figuring out stuff). I say this all the time but I ended up liking science/math more in college than high school but that doesn't usually happen. So just think about which is more important to you and what you would rather learn. All those positives and negatives are serious concerns for both sides (I feel like I get to take no classes outside of science and engineering but my major is ChemE and my minor is BioE so . . . ) but you need to decide what outweighs what for you and what is right for you.</p>
<p>it's just hard to commit to an engineering school if I'm not sure it's what I want to do.... what's the best way to get a feel for engineering for someone who has never taken a class in it?</p>
<p>An engineering apprenticeship was available through the gifted department of our high school. It allowed small groups of students to spend one day each month at a different engineering businesss. Very helpful. Another option would be to see if you could shadow an engineer...maybe you could set this up through your guidance office or even through personal connections.</p>
<p>Since you mentioned "Financial engineering and ops research seem like a ton of money and nice jobs on Wall St"</p>
<p>Sounds like Princeton to me! If I were you, I'd go with economics as the major - probably a lot easier and holds up just as well for a business career.</p>
<p>It was the same for me. You could get better you could get worse. I mainly joined because my dad told me too at first and then I ended up liking it. I was going to do just chemistry and I'm glad I didn't do that.</p>
<p>I went into MechE after leaving the terrible major known as computer science. I always knew I wanted to something involving science but didn't want majors like biology or physics. Engineering seemed like the logical choice. I will be graduating in May and the one thing I have learned is that I don't like engineering from the viewpoint of academia. Once I had my first internship I never wanted to go back to school. The second thing I learned is that I prefer project work and facilities/plant engineering over jobs like machine design and research. For example, I couldn't work at a NASA research lab. I prefer heavy industrial environments over research labs.</p>
<p>In summary, I can't imagine having another major other than engineering. Liberal arts was completely out of the question.</p>
<p>It'd be great if you could call up some engineering places around your city and ask if they do tours or anythign ever (you'd be surprised).</p>
<p>Also, if there's a college or anything nearby, sometimes they'll have open houses and the like.</p>
<p>I truly don't like science, but I'm enjoying engineering, so go figure.</p>
<p>If you truly LIKE math (and not science) and want to make money, go for an applied math degree. Some schools have 'em and you make just as much as an engineering degree, and there's less physics involved.</p>