Need some 'major' advice!

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hi there!</p>

<p>I've read the FAQ thread - very helpful! However, I still would like some advice on my situation.</p>

<p>Through high school, I've found that I like mathematics, physical science, and computer programming. I've narrowed my career interests down to three areas:</p>

<p>1) Infrastructure like highways, railroads, power transmission lines, pipelines, etc.
2) Aircraft/aerospace systems
3) Computer security</p>

<p>I know these areas are quite different, but I've had a little experience with all three and I find them all very interesting!</p>

<p>I'm considering majoring in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering; or computer science. Here are my thoughts on those areas:</p>

<p>Civil - I like the focus on infrastructure and the opportunity to work outdoors, but it doesn't seem to involve much math/programming and I'm concerned about the instability of the construction industry!
Electrical - I could maybe access all three of my areas of interest and I could see myself messing with electrical systems more easily than mechanical, but I didn't like E&M in my AP Physics B class
Mechanical - ME is just so versatile, but I'm only really interested in fluid dynamics
CS - I'd like the math/programming in the curriculum, but just writing code doesn't seem as 'real' to me as engineering...</p>

<p>While it isn't my ideal career, I plan to take enough courses to keep IT available as a fallback if things don't work out in other areas (thanks to GLOBAL-TRAVELLER for all your posts on this!)</p>

<p>So, what do you think I should major in?</p>

<p>P.S. For all engineers, how much time do you spend actually looking at a computer screen on a given day? I do all my programming on paper first because I get migraines from using a computer for too long without a break...</p>

2

<p>When producing a “system”, there are several “phases” that must happen:</p>

<p>Conceptual
Design
Development/Construction
Test/Validation/Verification
Deployment
Sustainment</p>

<p>The development and parts of the design phases is where most of the programming happens. That still leaves the other phases that are not as computer-intensive. the conceptual phase can be nice because you are brainstorming about ideas before going to the design phase (which may/may not be computer intensive).</p>

<p>So what I am trying to say is that there are other phases of systems development that does not require being on a computer for long periods of time.</p>

3

<p>

</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Civil engineering, or electrical engineering if looking at power generation and transmission.</p></li>
<li><p>Mechanical, aerospace, and/or materials engineering.</p></li>
<li><p>Computer science and math (cryptography uses a lot of math).</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>Thanks to both of you!</p>

<p>I think I could get the same satisfaction available from civil with a degree in mechanical or electrical if I chose to focus on piping or HVAC and power, respectively. And the others dovetail better with my academic interests.</p>

<p>My school does have an aerospace engineering program, but I’m not sure if I really want to get that specialized. Many of the really interesting aerospace opportunities seem to desire a graduate degree, and it seems like an ME degree could track into that with the appropriate preparation.</p>

<p>I’ve thought a lot about a math major but I don’t know if I have the talent for research mathematics and I’d really like the more applied problem-solving skills of an engineering major.</p>

5

<p>I would narrow the scope of what it is you want to work on. 1 and 3 have a lot to do with each other, 3 seems to be the odd one out if you don’t really want to be an aeronautical engineer. As GlobalTravelar stated decide what part of “system” you want to work in; development through implimentation and control/sustainment, and then pick the field that will give you the greatest opportunity to move into that area. </p>

<p>Civil will deal more with the physical structure
Electrical and Mechanical will be more focuses on functionality and operations
Industrial will be more involved with implimentation and control
Something like applied math can get you into conceptualization or any of the above
And there are schools that offer general Engineering degrees that lack a focus (i.e. Harvey Mudd) and may help keeping you niched</p>

<p>IMO, stick with something more general, like those degrees you are looking at.</p>

6

<p>Okay, I did a lot more thinking/research and consulted with some people I know well and I’ve clarified my ideas some:</p>

<p>I like the end product of civil but the work itself doesn’t interest me nearly as much. So that one is out.</p>

<p>Computer security isn’t something I’m passionate enough about to devote my life to, and many CS-related areas seem pretty open to engineers with a good computing background. So CS is out too.</p>

<p>Aerospace is very appealing. But I’m still not sure what it gives me vs. ME + aerospace tech electives, and I don’t want to close off other opportunities by becoming too specialized. Does that make sense?</p>

<hr>

<p>So, that leaves me with mechanical and electrical. In ME, I’m mainly interested in areas related to fluid/solid mechanics and controls. In EE, I’m interested in control systems and power.</p>

<p>ME would make aerospace grad school an easy possibility and it just seems to apply everywhere. However, EE has lots of aerospace applications and I find the other applications much more interesting (I’m more intrigued by power transmission than generation).</p>

<p>I’ve heard that it’s smart to major in a department that’s strong at your school, but I think mine is equally good in all of these. So that’s not much help?</p>

<p>Thoughts? I feel pretty good having things narrowed down to two (well, 2.5) choices, but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare my position a little more before orientation in two weeks.</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>Who says you HAVE to do research to major in Math? Many schools have applied mathematics or computational math programs (like yours truly majored in).</p>

8

<p>I think I’d rather do engineering than applied math.</p>

9

<p>The first year or two of course work is mostly common between EE and ME (mainly math and physics, but also usually computer science and/or chemistry); the needed math courses for a math major are included. In your second year, you will likely take some engineering courses like electronics, statics, and/or materials as well.</p>

<p>You can get a rough idea of what you may like better depending on which courses you like better. For example, if in the physics courses you like mechanics and thermodynamics (and the engineering statics course) better, then ME may be a more likely choice. If you like electricity and magnetism (and the electronics course) better, then EE may be a more likely choice. If you like computer science the most, then computer science, or a combination of applied math and computer science, may be your choice.</p>

<p>If you like math the most, then you may want to consider doing applied math.</p>