<p>As a Mechanical engineering major at VCU I was wondering what would be a suitable and logical major that I can double major with ME. My other significant interests are electrical engineering, computer engineering, physics, and mathematics. I know there is no way I can major in all of these fields without spending extra years in college and tons of money, so I wanted to know which one would go with ME the best? I'm thinking electrical engineering, but I'm not sure. Would it make sense for me to do a minor in computer engineering and physics? Also, assuming I take 20-25 credits per semester and 15 credit summer courses, is it possible for me to graduate with 2 majors and 2 minors in 4 years or less? I understand that this will be incredibly tough, but I still want to attempt this. Eventually, I hope to get at least a master's degree in mechanical/aerospace engineering so that I can work for NASA or a related company like SpaceX. I don't know if its possible or not but if it is, can I get a master's in mechanical/aerospace and either electrical engineering OR physics? I know most everyone will say that I don't need to double major and double minor and/or get 2 master's degrees (if its even realistically possible), but I was thinking that doing this and doing it well will set me apart for everyone else when I'm applying for jobs. I mean if I was an employer, I would definitely hire someone who did a double major and double minor than someone who just had a single major (assuming everything else was similar in comparison) because it show a strong work ethic, a desire to seek challenges and be open to try new stuff.</p>
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<p>You might be surprised how other things besides your academics are relevant to real world experience. You know like, real world experience. I’m not saying don’t go for a double major if that’s what you’re interested in, but you’re just not going to find a job that requires you to know EE and ME. More likely, it will require specific knowledge in ME, up to the PhD level. You’d be better suited spending your time doing research with a professor or a summer internship than learning a ton of additional information you won’t use.
Especially during the summer it’s important to pursue internships/REUs to distinguish yourself from other applicants. A single major engineer with 2-3 internships will get the job over a double major engineer with no experience every time. Grad schools will take students with a 3.5 GPA and 3+ years of research than a 4.0 student with excellent GREs but no research experience any day.
Of course if you’re already taking 20-25 credit semesters AND doing research/internships, this advice is invalid. If you were, though, I’d doubt you’d be considering adding more to your work load.</p>
<p>^I agree 100% with TaciturnType. I would actually think twice about hiring someone with a double anything, because I don’t see the point for engineers.</p>
<p>I had a double major in ME and EE for a year and a half before I dropped the ME major - there is really no good reason to have so many majors and minors, especially all in engineering. Excel at the one you choose, get into a research lab, and go to a top graduate school. You will probably me more likely to get hired by NASA if you are really really good at your niche (ME, EE, etc) than if you had two bachelor degrees with two minors.</p>
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Not possible unless you plan on having little sleep and no social life and no internships and no research experience.</p>
<p>It appears you’re a rising freshman.
I think what you’re experiencing is the following:
-I don’t know what to do! There are so many fields I’m interested in. Working at X sounds nice, and working at Y sounds nice, and working at Z sounds nice, but each is in a different field. I can’t decide! I don’t want to let go of any options!
-I know! I’ll just major in every field and keep all my options open! Yay!</p>
<p>… WRONG. for now, keep an open mind about the different majors/fields. After taking a general engineering class and taking some college classes in physics/math/other requirements, you will have a much, much better idea of what fields are not for you and what fields are.</p>
<p>I agree with a lot of the others. If you have a passion for two areas go ahead and get two degrees but you have to expect that it will take you an extra year at the minimum and more if the degrees are both engineering. A popular combination at my university is Mechanical Engineering and Physics or Electrical Engineering and Physics. Most of the time the physics degree has more flexibility than another engineering degree so that it can be done in an additional year only. </p>
<p>Two engineering degrees are not a big plus in finding a job, a co-op program or the right kinds of summer internships are much more valuable.</p>