So here’s the situation:
I am currently in my 4th (yes 4th) year at a local CA community college pursuing an Associates in Math in hopes to finally be able to transfer to CSU Fresno. The reason its taking me longer is because I was rejected from CSU Fresno last year, when I applied for a mechanical eng. major (GPA of 2.3).
I honestly do find engineering interesting, more so than other majors that I was considering. But I’ve been questioning whether or not it’s truly for me, given my past lack-luster performances in math/science courses. It’s taken me 3 times to pass 1st semester physics; I’ve had to repeat Calc 2 and Calc 3, and have failed 1st semester Gen Chem. And it’s not only my major requirement classes: I’ve only managed to get B’s and C’s in my seemingly easy-A gen ed. classes. I know, there’s a huge work ethic issue here, as well as an inability to concentrate whenever I try to study.
Y’all might suggest that I consider another career path. But the thing is, I’m not too sure what I would choose. I’ve considered defaulting to business. I know accounting is a pretty stable career that can pay well, but I find the daily routine of accounting to be extremely boring. And I don’t necessarily have the people/communication skills to do something like marketing/sales or management. And anything liberal arts or ethnic studies is out of the question due to lack of legit interest and desirable career prospects.
So, I really don’t know what to do right now. The deadline to submit applications for Fall 19 is Nov. 30 (fat least for CSUs). It’s like my gut is telling me to stick it out with engineering, while at the same time telling me to consider something else entirely. I’m really indecisive and I kinda just want somebody to make these decision for me, cause I swear I can’t figure it out to save my life.
What is it specifically that appeals to you so much about engineering? Does your CC have a career center? Have you discussed what you’ve written here with your academic advisor? Have you fully looked into how “impaction” may affect your potential transfer?
Have you made a plan to diagnose what’s underlying your inability to concentrate? If you haven’t already seen your primary care medical provider about this, then I suggest you do, a.s.a.p.
the idea of solving real world problems by designing and building things using the principles of math and science just appeals to me. I just thought it would be cool to maybe design the circuitry, for example, medical equipment, or a robot. If I were to continue in engineering, I’d probably try to get either a ME (with a mechatronics concentration) or an EE degree, with hopes of ultimately getting into Biomedical Eng. I see myself working more so with THINGS as apposed to directly with PEOPLE. I’ve gone to career counseling, and after a lengthy assessment that took a few days, engineering, was one of the suggested careers that appealed the most to me, at the time. I also was suggested optometry, pharmacy, financial analyst.
As for my lack of concentration, I got evaluated by a psychologist, they’ve determined that I have a mild form of depression called Persistent Depressive Disorder, where lack of concentration, indecisiveness, and suicidal thoughts are some of the symptoms. . I’m signing up for regular therapy sessions to help with that.
How do you know that the day to day work of accounting is boring? Have you shadowed any accountants or done any informational interviews with accountants?
I have found that a lot of college students perceive accounting, specifically, to be “boring” because of a stereotype associated with the career field. Talk to an accountant. Honestly, accounting can’t be any more or less boring than certain types of engineering fields - if you’re interested in using math to get work done, accountants do that too.
Even if you did theoretically pass the classes you needed to get into an engineering program, I think you’ll find the competition stiff at any affordable option for you. California’s state university programs in engineering are all impacted, if I recall correctly. A 2.3 GPA is not going to be very competitive to gain admission with an engineering major. If you’re having to repeat the basic introductory/prerequisite courses, you’ll likely struggle with the engineering courses even if you do get into a program.
Legitimate, non-snarky question: do you even need to be in college, or think of pursuing a four-year college degree? There are other career fields that pay quite well and will allow you to have a middle-class lifestyle with a 2-year associate’s degree or equivalent vocational training. There’s nothing preventing you from returning later on, if you wanted, once you have a handle on your depressive disorder. There are lots of technical career fields that will allow you to work with things instead of people, and still involve tech and math/science.
Well I’m sorry. But I don’t find auditing, filing tax reports, or filling out income statements to be all that interesting. As for trade school: I don’t really see myself doing anything like welding, are craftsmanship.
I think you should stick with it but get evaluated for learning disability or attention disorder ASAP. Sometimes it can be diagnosed really late and undiagnosed learning disabilities (or even diagnosed ones) can lead to social avoidance and depression. Personally, I would not give up. Do you think you might have been woefully unprepared for college in your HS? My daughter is taking the same kinds of classes at community college and, honestly, most people are dropping out in Calc 1. Getting a C would be dreamy. If you have toughed out repeating Calc 2 and 3 and not weeded yourself out already when most people honestly don’t get through Calc 1 tells me there is a lot to your ambitions but something else is holding you back.
Look, I know a guy who almost flunked out of HS. Had to petition to go to the local commuter college after being rejected. Did horrible. Got kicked out. Petitioned to get back in. Did horrible until something clicked senior year. Miraculously admitted to Master’s at same school because a professor pulled some strings. Did great. Completed PhD. Now travels all over the world presenting at conferences because he runs a lab and is the world’s foremost expert in his research area.
Do you build circuitry in your spare time? Hang out at a makerspace? Engineering is also craftsmanship so think about that. Engineers weld.