<p>It's about mid semester of my freshmen year and I'm more than a little stressed out and starting to doubt myself. I've always wanted to be an engineer and never had any back up plan because I assumed I didn't need one. Now in my engr 101 class we are starting to use pro-e. I've never used any computer programs like this before and I'm struggling. We've only had two classes bases on pro-e, with one more to go, but I feel overwhelmed. I mean by the end of the class I was able to finish the assignment but I had to have lots of help along the way. </p>
<p>My concern is that I won't be able to handle engineering because I'm not good at these programs. </p>
<p>Also, I've never been a tinker-er. I've never worked on cars or anything like that. I'm concerned that I won't have enough hands-on experience to be an engineer. </p>
<p>I am, however, doing well academically. I have all A's so far except for chemistry which is a B. Ive joined some engineering clubs that i really enjoy. Im good at math and science, so I thought it made since to major in engineering. I still want to, I think it's a fascinating field, lots of career options, good pay, etc. I cant imagine myself doing anything else...</p>
<p>But there's that nagging feeling that I should have a back up plan. Maybe I'm overreacting. Idk. I just know I'm super stressed and I need to figure things out soon because I have to schedule next semester on November 4.</p>
<p>You say you’re good at math and science, but you have a B in introductory Chemistry. While a B isn’t necessarily a bad grade, if you tried really hard and could only muster a B in Chemistry, that might not bode well for Chemistry or other science majors.</p>
<p>If you’re confident you like math, a major in math can prepare you for careers in engineering, IT or academia in virtually any STEM field. That being said, you will need to figure out quick how you want to spin your math education… coursework/minors and experience/research will help a lot in making your plan a reality. Unless math grad school or teaching K-12 is on the horizon after getting your BS, you’ll want to have some hooks on your resume.</p>
<p>Some options you might consider if you choose to go the math route…
- CS/SwEng/IT - lots of job opportunities, but it might not be something you’re particularly good at
- Economics/Business - Actuaries do pretty well for themselves, if that’s your thing
- Engineering - with a few engineering courses and a technical background (plus something to make you stand out of the crowd, like an internship or something), this could make it possible to compete for engineering jobs (and you don’t have to take all the classes, just the ones you want).
- Natural/Physical/Social Science - this will make you look good for graduate school in your subject</p>
<p>Then again, if math is something you like, you might just stick with it. Assuming that you don’t like the math idea, and if engineering and science aren’t looking good either, business could be a good bet. Major in something good and do well, make connections, get experience, etc. and you should be OK. Business majors differ significantly in terms of how much technical and mathematical stuff you’ll need to do, so there’s more room to find something that works for you.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. No I don’t plan on majoring in chemistry. I guess a b isn’t bad but it’s just not my cup of tea. When I said I was good at math and science I guess I really meant in high school lol I never had a b. Ever. Lol. And I have no interest in business lol. Idk. Maybe math or math ed or something. Or maybe I’ll stick to engineering. Idk what kind though…</p>
<p>this is exactly how i was last year…don’t give up!! i really struggled my freshman year with all the huge intro classes and computer classes (i really despise computers), and i was very very close to dropping engineering because of those computer classes. just think of them as something you need to get through. no matter what you major in, there will be those one or two classes that you’ll hate that you just need to get through. don’t let a few bad grades deter you from engineering. my freshman year i had horrible grades, and i went into sophomore year still considering switching out of engineering. and i dont know what happened this year but everything just seems to click and I basically have A’s in all my classes. at least give it till the end of the year and see what you think. and as for picking a specific engineering major, i’m a first semester sophomore and i’m still switching around so you have plenty of time. good luck, work hard, and don’t let any dumb computer classes get in your way!!</p>
<p>My gosh. What I read is you have all As except one B in engineering. Now you’ve had just two of three classes on something that you struggled with (yet still managed to complete the work). </p>
<p>And based on this you are doubting if you should be an engineer? Seriously? Do you think only those that are successful engineers never ran into any sort of wall? </p>
<p>I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that maybe this is the first time you’ve encountered ‘not getting something right away’? You know, if you doubted yourself and reconsidered your path each time in life you ran into a bit of a hurdle, I think you’d run out of places to go in the maze you’ve created.</p>
<p>Just work through it! It’s a good experience for you since it sounds like its new to you.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your input. I think I’m gonna stick it out, maybe go for mechanical or civil… I guess I’ll figure it out after I talk to my adviser later on today</p>
<p>“You say you’re good at math and science, but you have a B in introductory Chemistry. While a B isn’t necessarily a bad grade, if you tried really hard and could only muster a B in Chemistry, that might not bode well for Chemistry or other science majors.”</p>
<p>You have GOT to be kidding me right now. This is why people hate this site, because of people who think that a B = failing. Honestly, the above statement is terrible advice.</p>
<p>In the real world (and not CC) a B is a very good grade for the “weed-out” courses that occur during freshman year. If you have all A’s right now, you are doing great.</p>
<p>And for anyone else who thinks one B is a warning to not doing engineering, you need to seriously reconsider the advice you are giving.</p>
<p>Don’t stress out so much. ProE is not all there is to engineering. It is just a tool. And like any tool, it takes practice to use it. And more practice to get really good at it. Besides, some engineers may go their entire career without using it (like me).</p>