Im a junior in high school and a prospective engineering student. im conflicted between mechE and electricalE as my number one choice of major in college, and id just like to ask a few questions regarding the two. If you were/are either of these majors, it would be helpful for you to state your school and major as well…
Which uses more math? (Im
stronger in math than science generally)
Which is considered more challenging?
Which is more hands-on in the workforce?
How much different are they really?
Which do you prefer (if any) and why?
Thanks, please feel free to add anything that i didnt address above
The amount of math will likely be similar. EE solutions tend to be closer to those measured in real systems- at least in low to moderate frequencies. Mechanical systems have many sources of loss (e.g. friction). The major you choose will be considered more challenging, since you and your friends will know that everyone in the other major is just a lightweight. While the disciplines are different, they are both so very broad that you can make of the job what you would like to (computer modeling, hands-on, or just scheduling and directing resources or bookkeeping system budgets) with either major.
I studied mechanical engineering as an undergraduate and took EE classes. Both are very good career paths. I’ve been in industry for 25 years and worked extensively with both engineering disciplines. If I were to go to college today I would probably pick an EE degree. In terms of where you choose to go to college good engineering schools will probably strong in both disciplines.i don’t think you can really say that one is more difficult. Both can be either very hands on or not depending on what industry and company you end up at
@Wje9164be If you dont mind me asking, where did you study? also, what have you been working on in your career? was engineering the right choice for you? thanks a lot!
Don’t feel pressured to decide MechE vs EE at this point. At most schools the curriculum is almost identical the first year. There are variety of job options for both majors.
My degree is MechE. DS is a senior EC E and DD is a former engineering student (switched to Econ). I helped them research many engineering schools.
Happysteve - It’s all about fit. The ideal for one student is not the same for another. For engineering, most schools that are ABET accredited will be fine. So look for schools that are a good fit and are affordable.
DS’s preference evolved to be small private STEM schools with undergrad focus. (But he was ok with other options too, if they made more sense financially). Many students prefer a university setting with variety of research options and classmates… and other majors if they change their mind.
On average, EE uses slightly more math than ME, but there are few average students - after completing core courses, you will pick in either discipline electives that will be more mathematical or less. If you pick more mathematical courses as an ME major then you will do more math than if you pick less mathematical courses as an EE major.
The only way to say with certainty is to ask EE/ME double majors, and I know exactly one - I asked him this question about a decade ago, and he replied that he found the EE a little harder because it was more abstract. But that is exactly one data point and so means essentially nothing.
Depends a lot on what you mean by “hands on”, and also on the actual job - the ME’s I work with are more hands-off than I am, but I know some EE’s who spend their whole day in the lab and others who spend all day every day sitting in front of a computer.
Well, similar in certain areas, but really pretty different.
Well, I graduated in EE and never regretted it. Simply put, I liked the work and the products better than my brief stint as an aerospace major. Not sure if I can put it any clearer, but think about the things you want to build, and think about the places where they are designed and built - which sounds better?
There are a number of colleges that have a week exploring between various engineering programs - University of Alabama, Purdue, etc. You can preview the school and also solidify your engineering interests.
The UA SITE program (Student Introduction to Engineering) students going into HS junior and senior year are eligible. The program is not advertised because there is high demand - they have three one week sessions. I imagine this is the case for Purdue and other engineering exploratory programs. Schools I am sure use it as a recruitment tool and also assistance for students to know more clearly their interests in engineering.