<p>I am currently a sophomore studying mechanical engineering...I have been at this "university" since 2009 and before that I completed my general A.A. at a community college....</p>
<p>So far my college experience has been less than great....when I transferred to a "major university" I had to fulfill 2-3 years worth of pre-engineering requirements so I basically wasted the prior two years at the community college obtaining my A.A. </p>
<p>I finally completed all of my pre-engineering requirements last semester...I was allowed however to take ME "major only" classes so that I wouldn't fall to far off track...</p>
<p>I just learned that it will be another 3-4 years before I graduate with a B.S. in ME which sounds absurd but due to course scheduling conflicts I can usually only take 2-3 classes per semester...</p>
<p>I'm getting really turned off by the ME program at my school and didn't know if it because of how the school set it up or if in general this is how the program is usually taught....It is very boring and dry. Everything is hands-off and I am more of a hands-on type of person...I joined my schools SAE Baja race team but found that it is also 90% hands off and 10% hands on...</p>
<p>Prior to enrolling at the university friends, family, and college advisers all recommended that I study ME because of my academic skills but I feel that I may have mislead myself in the wrong direction....My current advisers and professors tell me to stick with the program, of course b/c they work for the school...</p>
<p>Before I continue I'll tell you a little about myself..</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Very good at mathematics and sciences</p></li>
<li><p>I hate sitting behind computers and textbooks
(for long periods of time)</p></li>
<li><p>I hate cubicles/office jobs</p></li>
<li><p>I have the ability of assembling/dissembling/repairing almost anything without the
use of a service/repair manual</p></li>
<li><p>Very good at troubleshooting/diagnosis</p></li>
<li><p>I love the combination of being mentally and physically challenged at the same time..This is when I perform best and "outshine" others</p></li>
</ol>
<p>That being said I have grown to dread going to school because I'm sitting down all day and night studying behind a book or computer...I actually hate it enough to where it is starting to affect me physically and mentally....I do have tons of hobbies that I enjoy doing but even with them being used as a release they are not helping ease the tension/stress...</p>
<p>I feel lost and have no idea where I should go from here...I have spoken with school counselors and advisers with no help...I do know that If I complete the program that I could have my pick of career fields that I would enjoy but I don't think I can take much more of just "sitting around"...I have felt so unmotivated these past semesters that my grades have dropped dramatically....Not sure what to do</p>
<p>Have you thought about getting an internship or a coop to fill in the gaps? This way you can take all the classes you can and then when there is a weak semester you can do a coop and just skip that semester? Also, you would be making money. Alternating school and work might give you something to look forward too. Also, getting a coop would give you an idea of which road to pursue.</p>
<p>Thanks…One of my professors mentioned to me that she would try and find me a volunteer position in the robotics department at our school (assembling and troubleshooting) as well as helping me to find a co-op/internship locally…What I have been told by those who have taken internships and a friend of mine who is an ME-FE is that the majority of ME jobs are office based/oriented. I’m really hoping on finding a career that is more hands on…I will look into possibly finding an internship for this coming fall and spring that way I can take a break from school…I am an older student for being an undergrad, 29, and I think I’m just “burnt out”…I used to find the material interesting but now its like I really don’t care because I do not want to be a “research” engineer, i’m more geared for “practical” engineering…</p>
<p>For instance, in R&D I would be more interested in development/testing than I would be in the research portion…</p>
<p>I used to work for a civil engineering firm as a field technician and I loved it…However the pay was not that good and the residential/commercial markets are unstable, I got laid off and that is when I decided to go back to school…</p>
<p>For the meantime I wanted to get a better idea of what general engineering technology is…One of my professors told me that If I were to transfer to this program that it would greatly limit my opportunities…</p>
<p>Here is the difference between engineering and engineering technology:
[ABET</a> - Engineering vs. Engineering Technology](<a href=“http://www.abet.org/engineering-vs-engineering-technology/]ABET”>http://www.abet.org/engineering-vs-engineering-technology/)</p>
<p>Why would it take you 3-4 more years to complete the engineering bachelor’s degree if you have already spent 2-3 years taking pre-engineering courses, if you are a full time student? Or are you a part time student?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Right. You would not be an ‘Engineer’. You would be a Technician, which is a job you held and left previously. </p>
<p>I know what you mean, I am 30, and finishing an Engineering degree too. I used to be an Electronics tech in the Navy and really liked the hands on approach as well. </p>
<p>The thing I have learned is to get the bigger paycheck you need to be the thinker. Research is not always a bad thing, you just have to find the avenue that is right for you. I started out in EE and the thought of specializing in one subset of EE and doing that forever sounded horrendous to me. The research, to me, didn’t seem important. So, I researched all of the majors and found that I was really interested in IE (optimizations, time studies, operations research) I found this avenue to be a more practical approach and it worked for me. I also picked up a Coop and will be doing that in January. It will delay my graduation, but hey, im getting paid so its not as huge of a deal anymore if I am making 25/hr during the coop.</p>
<p>Now im not advocating IE or last minute game changers, but just be a bit introspective: Do you want to go back being a tech? Why did you come back to school? Are there other avenues that you can take? Are a couple years of agony, worth an easier rest of your life? Will you even like what you will be doing? Do you really know what you will be doing? (To be honest, I really don’t know what I will be doing when I get a ‘real job’, so that is a big reason for the coop)</p>
<p>Good luck man, I know this sucks.</p>