Petroleum Engineering or Environmental Engineering? PLEASE HELP!

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Hello! </p>

<p>I am currently a freshman at College of San Mateo (Community college in San Mateo, CA) and I am in a bit of a dilemma on which path to take:</p>

<p>Petroleum Engineering - Offered at CSU Bakersfield as B.S. Engineering with Petroleum Engineering Emphasis</p>

<p>Environmental Engineering - Offered at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Irvine, San Diego State, Fresno State, UC San Diego</p>

<p>If i were to choose Petroleum Engineering, CSU Bakersfield is the only college, besides Stanford and USC (which i will not even mention since I can't afford it) that offers this major. According to a proposal that I read from CSU Bakersfield, this major was recently created in June of 2013 since there are high demands for this engineering in the area of San Joaquin Valley. Overall, is it a respectable choice? Does the school even have a good reputation/academics?</p>

<p>Environmental Engineering, on the other hand, gives me a lot of options on which college to go to. Cal Poly SLO will probably my best best to go, since it offers the best engineering and cheaper in-state tuition.</p>

<p>Without a doubt, I will enjoy either of these majors not only of its job prospects, but because of its impact on my personality and interests. </p>

<p>Thank you in advance! Any help is appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Well first you want to check if this is definitely something you want to do. Imo petroleum and environmental engineering have very differing philosophies behind it which makes me question what your “personality and interests” actually are. I only say this because I had to choose between a Petro and Env majors and found that I honestly preferred one way of life over another. (Btw im not saying that one is 100% bad and the other 100% good or else I would not have considered both as a possible job). That aside, it is imperative that you check if the degree is ABET accredited. For example, you listed UCSD, which is surprisingly not accredited. Since you also mention new programs, I suggest you contact the school and see if they believe the major will be accredited by the time of your graduation. That should SIGNIFICANTLY narrow down your choices. In regards to CSU Bakersfield, if it is accredited, i personally think the choice is fine. Bakersfield is a hotspot for petro, and theres a good chance that they will have good connections, albeit it being new. </p>

3

<p>Honestly, I think you may like Electrical with an emphasis on renewable energy and work on solar and wind energy. Doing good for the environment and making energy.</p>