Looking for academic guidance/advice/feedback for new engineering student.

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Good afternoon, engineering students!</p>

<p>Here's some background information. <a href="Important%20stuff%20will%20be%20bolded">b</a>**</p>

<p>After much thought, I've decided to change my major to engineering. Unfortunately, most of my credits didn't transfer over. No problem though. My first semester consists of:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>[3 Credits] CAD Introduction</p></li>
<li><p>[3 Credits] English 102</p></li>
<li><p>[4 Credits] Precalculus
<a href="GED%20holder,%20never%20took%20precalculus%20in%20high%20school.%20Had%20to%20withdraw%20from%20this%20class%20last%20semester%20because%20of%20work.">i</a></p></li>
<li><p>[3 Credits] **Principles of Macroeconomics* <a href="Online%20class%20for%20flexibility">i</a></p></li>
<li><p>[3 Credits] **Leadership*</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I'm currently at a community college, Gateway Community College in New Haven to be exact, that has transfer agreements with local ABET accredited engineering programs: University of New Haven, University of Connecticut, University of Hartford, and Fairfield University. </p>

<p>Due to my financial circumstances, I'm leaning towards transferring to UConn with hopes of living on campus (definitely want to be able to take advantage of all school resources).</p>

<p>Anyways, **I would like some input on the clubs/activities I'll get involved with.</p>

<p>Current clubs/activities are the following:**</p>

<p>Leadership</a> Development - Gateway Community College</p>

<p>This program really caught my eye. They offer a three credit course in leadership, which I signed up for.</p>

<p>> In this course, students will engage in an in-depth examination of the nature and importance of leadership concepts and principles as applied to organizational effectiveness. Leadership research findings, practice, and skills are emphasized in light of modern theories and applications. This course utilizes personal inventories, journals, service opportunities, discussion, and critical reflection to develop student leadership skills.</p>

<p>Along with the course, I plan to attend the Certified Student Leader program. This semester's program will feature a book I'm currently reading.</p>

<p>> The Gateway Certified Student Leader Program will take place Thursdays from Noon-1:30m in S109. The program will feature Franklyn Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People presented by John Vincze, Director of Business and Industry at GCC.</p>

<p>[Student</a> Government Association - Campus Activities Board (CAB)</p>

<p>The Campus Activities Board also caught my attention. My schedule allows time for an extra club and felt this was an opportunity to pad my resume. Getting involved with the college, in my opinion, is always a good look.</p>

<p>> The Campus Activities Board is a sub-committee within the SGA whose charge it is to successfully coordinate, implement, and execute a comprehensive calendar of social, recreational, educational, film, performing arts, service, philanthropic, and cultural events for activity fee-paying students at Gateway Community College.</p>

<p>As far as time for studying, I have set up my schedule in a way that allows me to have time in between classes/clubs to study at the library. I don't mind being on campus Monday through Thursday. I don't have any bills or anything, seeing as my weekends consist of baby sitting my nephew for a couple hours (in exchange for pay and rent). I've spent the last two years goofing off, and it's time to get serious.</p>

<p>If it's of any help, here are my experiences outside of school:</p>

<p>Ages 16-18 Two years experience of working at fast food. I always spin this in my interviews and highlight the customer interaction skills I've learned at the job.</p>

<p>Ages 18-19 Three month seasonal delivery position at a cupcake shop. Medical office experience (six months) thanks to a close family friend. Enrolled into community college. Got a job as an office assistant and peer mentor at the college's GED program (one year)</p>

<p>Ages 19-20 Internship at a cost management consulting firm thanks to a friend who is best friends with the son of the firm, & now that my internship is up, I'm looking to focus a lot more on my studies and campus clubs/activities. GPA is currently a 2.8, but I plan to have that up to a 3.0+.</p>

<p>I'd love some feedback on my plan so far!</p>

2

<p>Wow. A few observations:</p>

<p>1) You do not need to bold so much. We can determine the important parts pretty easily, and they are not always going to be the parts you think are important.</p>

<p>2) You did not give any indication about why you were switching into engineering or what made you interested/passionate about the field. That makes it hard to give advice.</p>

<p>3) You did not specify any particular field of engineering, and knowing the field(s) will also help.</p>

<p>4) You seem leadership/management focused to me. That is fine, but why then engineering?</p>

<p>5) It is almost always better to focus on the fundamentals. You are talking about clubs, you should be talking courses and study habits.</p>

<p>6) I do not personally like Stephen Covey (or, to be honest, most of his peers), what are you hoping to get out of this? Specifically?</p>

<p>7) Why CAB and not something like IEEE or some other engineering activity that will build your knowledge and exposure in your actual field?</p>

<p>8) Two years goofing off + no engineering/technical experience + 2.8 GPA = focus on your core technical education. You are putting the cart before the horse, figure out what you need to do (study techniques, constrained party-time, whatever) to make yourself a good engineer and get that squared away before you worry about your leadership skills. They can be picked up later when they will be more useful anyway, but this is your only real time to become a good engineer.</p>

3

<p>That makes a lot of sense. Thank you.</p>

4

<p>I agree that which clubs you belong to won’t matter. Focus on the academics.</p>

<p>In engineering, you won’t be accepted as a leader or manager unless you have technical credibility.</p>