Here’s a little background information about me. I have always done well in the math and sciences. I have taken up to AP Calc AB in high school. I am now in my third year at a community college. I have taken Chem 1 & 2, Intro to Physics, Calc 2. This is to show that I am well capable of surviving in these classes. Although I like math and physics, I was trying to figure out if I would like the engineering aspect of things. After all, my job would not only consist of math and physics problems only. I took a robotics class at my community college, and it didn’t really interest me either. I am not interested in the hands on building of projects. If anything, programming was a little better but still not too fun. I might just teach myself programming.
I am really interested in business. So far I applied to colleges as an Accounting major. I also took accounting at my cc and got an A in the class. My goal would be NOT to work as an accountant, although my plan was to also become a CPA and work at large companies as maybe a CEO or CFO. I am ambitious, and know I can do well in anything I choose.
However, I keep thinking about engineering. Am I selling myself too short? I am a female too and I know the world wants more female engineers. Maybe the prestige of an engineer draws me to it. Am I only thinking of engineering in a closed minded lens? My brother is an electrical engineer and I always see him work with circuit boards, design robots and such. That stuff isn’t so appealing to me. Maybe there are other types of engineering that I haven’t looked into? Can someone please offer some input?
The most common ones I see are:
Civil Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
General Engineering
Nanoengineering
Environmental Engineering
If you’re interested at both then why not apply to schools that have engineering and accounting degrees. That way you can do a major/minor or a double major if you’re still interested.
EDIT: for a reach school, UPENN does joint degrees between Wharton and their engineering school and I bet that would get you a job wherever the hell you want.
There’s also Engineering management degrees at some schools that might combine some aspects of both degrees!
What aspects of engineering interest you? Do you prefer more application or theoretical learning? I have friends that got a bunch of different engineering degrees so I can try to help answer questions.
I wouldn’t want too much of a broad engineering degree like “engineering management” since I would like to specialize more in engineering if I were to get an engineering degree. I think the designing process would be more interesting. 3D printing also seems cool. To be able to design things and bring them to life is pretty interesting. I’m not too much of a hands on person. For example, when I see mechanical engineers putting cars together and getting down to the nitty gritty, that’s not my cup of tea. I rather be the person who designs things or leads the group. Ideally, if I became and engineer I would want to design/invent products that could be of use to our world. To do that, I know I would need some knowledge in an engineering discipline
"The interdisciplinarity field of materials science, also commonly termed materials science and engineering, involves the discovery and design of new materials, with an emphasis on solids. "
Look into Industrial and Systems engineering - Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, etc. There are business type aspects you can learn but it is still an engineering degree and you need to take all of the initial math and science that all engineers do. Penn and UVa have Systems Engineering. What is your state and what schools are you looking at?
I’m in California and I’m looking at state schools, like Cal State Northridge. I saw a video of someone designing Beats headphones and I’m interested in developing products like that.
I mean if you wanna design beats all you need to do is buy cheap headphones, pay a famous rapper like Dre to put his label on them, and then make money hahaha.
On a more serious note if you’re in CA you can also look at the WUE exchange schools. My brother just got into UNR and he’s going to go there for materials science. SJSU has tons of engineering programs but they’re hard to get into, and there’s some other ones. Off the top of my head CSU Chico, CSULA, CSULB, CSU Fullerton, and CSU Northridge all have a decent amount of engineering concentrations to pick from.
Industrial engineering is more about designing processes (e.g. logistics, manufacturing, etc.) rather than things. It is somewhat less common than other types of engineering. State universities in California that offer it include CPSLO, CPP, CSUEB, SJSU, and UCB.
3D printing would have various kinds of engineers (materials, mechanical, electrical, computer) working on it. Designing head phones would also involve various kinds of engineers.
Do you think it is foolish of me to leave engineering over accounting when I am capable of the math and science? I say this because I know a lot of students aren’t able to get through those classes and drop out.
Industrial and Systems was mentioned because the OP initially mentioned an interest in business as well. It is not all about manufacturing and logistics. It’s a very flexible engineering degree. Tim Cook , CEO of Apple , is an Industrial Engineer.
You can find the ABET accredited engineering schools in California by doing a search on ABET’s website. Also, good idea to run NPC’s for schools you are considering to get an idea of cost. If your community college has any articulation type agreements with the public colleges in California, you might want to look into that as well.
Accounting vs. engineering is a personal choice. Good luck.
You might see how your CC classes would actually transfer into engineering in your own state, assuming that is your plan, e.g. calc vs calc for engineers, etc all your classes should be check for transferring into the course you are planning on. I am not clear on you being in your third year at CC? Do you see yourself transferring into freshman year still with a 4 yr eng degree in fornt of you? Have you been at school full time for more than two years? Or is this just part time? Those classes might be only part of first year engineering degree.
I have completed my general education and have been going to school full time. To finish my lower division requirements for engineering, I would basically have to take 2 more math classes, 2 more physics classes, and 2 engineering classes. If I were to transfer then I think I would have 2 more years at a 4 year
Would getting a minor in either subject limit my chances of getting a job in the field? Both subjects have a lot of info so minoring would barely give me a good amount of knowledge.
If you end working in engineering in major companies (maybe the dirtier side) you could easily find yourself on the business end of things pretty quickly. You could do an MBA after a couple of years at work (choose the right company and they will pay your back your costs). The dirtier the engineering type, the quicker the trajectory for well qualfied women as there are still not enough women in those kind of companies (think big mining, big oil, resources industries etc). Your first problem though is really taking charge of your course plan and making sure you are lining things up correctly. You are in yr three of CC and you look like you just have freshman yr of eng classes.