<p>Hey guys I am a senior in high school and have a few question about engineering. I was recently accepted to Notre Dame and Georgia Tech and am wondering if the Notre Dame "name recognition" outweighs the fact that it isnt a very well known engineering school. However, GT is pretty much only known for its engineering. which is better?</p>
<p>Also, I think I want to major in mechanical engineering but work in the oil industry. I am from New Orleans. I dont want to work on the rig or anything but is mechanical a good degree for that or would chemical be better?</p>
<p>And finally, is an MBA worth getting right out of college or should one wait like 5 years to get it? What kind of extra money could it potentially give?</p>
<p>Both are good schools. The difference in name recognition will not likely play a huge role in your job prospects. Consider other things like cost, campus, distance, etc. Don’t make the decision based on prestige alone especially when it is really not a major factor.</p>
<p>Chemical and mechanical are both solid choices, but I see more people majoring in ChemE if they’re looking specifically get into the oil industry.</p>
<p>An MBA after graduation is not something you should consider right now. You will not likely get admitted to a good MBA program without work experience (2+ years), and an MBA without work experience is not very useful. It may be a good path to take in the future, but you will have to consider your specific circumstances and opportunities at that time. An MBA can be pretty situational.</p>
<p>Hi, Im a sophomore at Notre Dame, majoring in ChemEG.
If you know with great certainty that you want to major in engineering and you’re looking for a purely technical job right out of college, I suggest you should go to GTech because this school is more highly regarded in the industry.
However, if you want to dabble in some philosophy, theology or social sciences, Notre Dame is where you should go because all engineering undergrads here have to take some courses in these subjects. Moreover, Domers (ND alumni) are very loyal to the school, and from what I heard, the alumni network is phenomenal. This can easily help you land your first job and also open doors to other opportunities outside of engineering such as finance and consulting.
Campus life is also very important. The diversity at Notre Dame is terrible, and my friend, who is also from Georgia, doesn’t like it at all. In exchange you have many nice white Catholic kids who together create a sense of community and family. Yeah, you will get a warm feeling as soon as you step on the campus, but dont expect this school to be anywhere near UCBerkeley or some other more liberal schools.
Since I dont go to Tech, I can only offer my perspective at Notre Dame. I suggest you should visit both schools to get a gut feeling of where you want to be.
Congratulations, you can never go wrong with either of them.</p>
<p>The industry hires heavily from Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical (leaving out PetE because of the schools listed). The difference between the three is what you want to do at the refinery (assume you’re downstream). The Chemical Engineers will run the plant at a large scale. They design the process, monitor plant operation for efficiency, and undertake projects to improve plant performance. The Mechanical Engineers are split into two groups: rotating and stationary. The rotating group design and monitor compressors, turbines, pumps, and other equipment that move. They also establish the maintenance schedule on equipment. The stationary group design and monitor heat exchangers, they monitor corrosion, and they manage piping and material specifications. The Electrical Engineers design and monitor control valves and DCS systems. </p>
<p>Upstream is different, but downstream that’s how it works.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about your major as long as it’s Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, or EE you can find a job in the petroleum industry. If you’re adventurous you can take a job as a field engineer for your first assignment and basically work as a petroleum engineer too…</p>
<p>You can’t get into a worthwhile MBA program without work experience, so don’t worry about it now. The MBA is only really valuable if you want to work your way into management. As a Petroleum engineer, you’ll probably be making so much money, and moving so fast up the corporate ladder that you might be taking a salary cut to work your way into management. Besides, there are plenty of ways up into management without an MBA. There are literally hundreds of engineers with MBA’s who are not in management right now, so I wouldn’t worry about it too much.</p>