<p>I'm hearing way too many different opinions about the salary and job security of engineers (not that the former is a significant factor, of course haha). My parents say that engineers make average money and unemployment will be frequent for me, while others say that the money is good and employment will be fine. I know squat of the economy, and I've been trying to educate myself about it, but what's the scoop for engineers?</p>
<p>I think it really depends on what alternatives you are realistically considering! Engineering has good salary and reasonable security compared to something like 98% of all professions out there, but if you are interested and talented in one of the 2%… well then it doesn’t look as good!</p>
<p>I think it also depends on what kind of student you are, what discipline(s) you are considering, and what kind of products or work interest you.</p>
<p>Also, there are many different types of engineering, mechanical, civil, computer, or even financial. The job security and compensation depends over different time period. But, overall, the money is not thrilling, but decent, and job security is well above the average.</p>
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<p>It has become part of the (US) national discourse. As such, you should expect to hear a lot of opinions.</p>
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<p>Are your parents, close relatives, or good friends of theirs engineers? If so, then they are speaking from experience. While it should not necessarily govern your choices, you should at least consider what they have to say, and use it to help you make better career decisions (regardless of which career you choose).</p>
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<p>Guaranteed engineering jobs/careers for life are harder to come by now, because of the lackluster economy, the competition for employment, and the (relative) ease that jobs can be moved (as compared with, say, a generation ago). IMO, you should ask yourself if you still want to be an engineer, even if things don’t necessarily go your way all the time. Again, there are plenty of opportunities, but fewer guarantees.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking Computer Science/Electrical Engineering. Should have said that, sorry -_</p>
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<p>My uncle’s an engineer and they have friends who are engineers. One of them had been unemployed for months and my uncle’s been unemployed for a while, too (his major is specific, though). I don’t know if it helps that my dad’s a professor, STEM rivalries I suppose? haha</p>
<p>Don’t listen to them.</p>
<p>The job market is tough for everyone right now, and engineers have the least trouble finding a job. Almost every field of engineering tops the charts for highest starting salaries. People will say you can’t get a job without a 3.0+ right now, the same is true for any other major. Even then, sub 3.0 engineers still get jobs with smaller companies, it just takes a more strenuous job search. They aren’t going to be working for Boeing but they’ll eventually find a solid job as an engineer with a solid salary and benefits.</p>
<p>Let’s imagine the worst case scenario: You major in electrical engineering, then all of a sudden electricity becomes obsolete (yeah right). Now here’s how you look to employers in every other field: Strong in math, hard working, trained to solve problems, and smart. Employers look for those kind of hires. We live in an analytical world and you majored in being analytical and solving problems.</p>
<p>You can also go to almost any type of grad school or train into a different field because you have a very strong analytical background. Americans are terrified of math, and that fact makes you very employable.</p>
<p>If you’re 60 and you are lazy and haven’t been keeping up on new technology, yeah - you might have a hard time. There are a lot of those types grumbling about layoffs and such. </p>
<p>The only scenario I can imagine that engineering wouldn’t be a good idea is if you’re an awesome writer and poor in math/science. In that scenario would likely get a much higher GPA in a liberal arts major. You (might) be better off with a 3.5 in econ than a 2.5 in EE. Honestly, I think math and science are actually easier than liberal arts, it just takes a lot of time because there’s a lot of info to learn. If you’re amazing at writing you can sleep your way through a LA curriculum. Geniuses still have to put in the time in engineering, though.</p>
<p>I am convinced that engineering is the best field for anyone who’s good at math and science. If you want to be a doctor, go BME, and if you change your mind you have a solid career to fall back on, rather than winding up an unemployed biochem grad. If you want to be a lawyer, engineering will allow you to be a patent lawyer and get paid MUCH more than regular lawyers. Pharmacy? ChemE. If you want to be an entrepreneur, get some tech skills so you actually have some skill to turn into a business. I can go on and on. This whole paragraph assumes that you’re a good student. If you’re lazy you won’t get a great GPA in an engineering major. You probably won’t in a liberal arts major either, but you’d probably at least have a better shot.</p>
<p>I see a lot of people post here about ignorant stuff their parents said about certain job prospects. I am convinced that quite a few parents are pretty far out of touch with the current job market for recent college grads. I would especially avoid taking their advice if it’s about a field they have nothing to do with.</p>
<p>KamelAkbar, I’m average at Biology and Chemistry but I loved Physics (wasn’t AP though). I’m a great writer too and I’m one of the better AP Calc students (I mean top 10% of the students or so). Does engineering still sound good for me?</p>
<p>Math and physics are the most heavily used base subjects for engineering, and good writing skills are important everywhere. Biology and chemistry are less used (except obviously in biological and chemical engineering).</p>
<p>It’s all about how hard you are going to work. Some people don’t have the IQ for engineering but usually the ones who fail lack the work ethic. Most people who end up at a relatively good school have the brain power to succeed in engineering, so work ethic is probably the biggest cause for failure. Most of those people majored in engineering for the money, not because they had an interest in it. If you love physics, I say go for it.</p>
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<p>Sure, but if their parents do work in the field, they are in a much better position to advise their children (unless they’re just dead set against them going into that field), because they (ideally) know their children’s strengths and weaknesses.</p>
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<p>One’s a professor of virology and another’s a lab technician. I’m pretty sure that what they know of engineering is being on personal anecdotes.</p>
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<p>What type of engineering do your uncle and your parents’ friends do? Have you ever sat down with them and explained what your goals are?</p>
<p>It seems like your parents may have formed opinions of engineering based on your uncle’s and their friends’ experiences, not necessarily taking into account their personal circumstances (or yours). But before writing off their opinions totally, I think you should at least talk to the people who know you well who already work in the field, express your concerns, and see if they have any practical suggestions. However, be prepared to hear them say that they can’t offer you any guarantees.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in CS, Software Engineering pays well and there are tons of jobs for it (compared to other kinds of engineering, at least). It hasn’t been hit as hard by the recession.</p>
<p>More generally, I can recommend the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. The information is a bit dated now (still very useful and relevant for most purposes, though)… In any event, a new edition is coming out before too long, so you’ll have access to some more recent information soon. It’s online, by the way.</p>
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<p>Ok? “Quite a few” is definitely leaving room for exceptions. A lot of parents are also biased and love to push their own ideals on their kids. Even a parent in the field isn’t always (I am not saying never) necessarily going to be a great source. They might have had the same job for 20 years. They may have always dreamed their son would be a business man, running the company rather than working for the man. Who knows. People can be crazy, especially parents. Again, none of these are blanket statements.</p>
<p>Parents can definitely be valuable, but some high school kids don’t realize yet that their parents might not know everything after all.</p>
<p>Engineering is like a lot of other fields in that, if you’re good at it, you’ll always be able to find work. The companys take good care of their better engineers. The intelectual property that they represent is a major asset of the company. The not so good engineers, well, they may have some hard times. That would also include those engineers that don’t keep growing on the job, which it part of what I believe a good engineer must do.</p>
<p>Engineering salaries are usually some of the highest of any major coming right out of school. The downside is that salaries top out around mid-career (or sooner) unless one makes the transition to management. Moving to management is not something that every engineer is cut out for, too many introverted personalities, to much BS to put up with in management. In today’s environment, figure 50 to 60K to start; topping out around 150K in engineering.</p>
<p>Software engineering is where the job security is…especially if you hold a security clearance. As long as the USA has enemies, then these jobs are not going away. I know a Java developer who was just offered $200,000 and the position is not 1099 or independent contractor. It is a regular 40-hour-per-week job with full benefits.</p>
<p>…got me opening my damn Java book.</p>
<p>How are the job prospects for Aerospace Engineers? Is it still good to major in it?</p>
<p>I see it this way and I’m only a freshman in fall quarter but engineers are problem solvers. That alone is worth something I feel like.</p>
<p>Another question. It seems like engineering is one of the hottest majors out there, so I’d imagine the quantity of engineers will be so high, right? So what about the job outlook in thirty years (if that’s predictable)? Would there eventually be not enough jobs for the new guys?</p>
<p>There will be always jobs for qualified individuals with analytical backgrounds like engineering.</p>