Randomly enrolled in engineering

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

I have about 8 days before my university begins. The problem is that I randomly enrolled in electrical engineering.

I went through all the majors that I could and found that nothing interested me.

If I was to consider majoring in philosophy, politics, or psychology, I would have to get a PhD and become a professor to make any money. I may eventually get bored of the process and drop out and have to work for 10 dollars an hour. This is what my parents fear implicitly. I have read into philosophy a bit myself out of interest for a philosopher named Ayn Rand. Once I learned that most philosophy programs today reject her ideas and some penalize students for namedropping her, that many programs are “pie in the sky” denials of reality and have no practical application, I have lost my interest. I was considering psychology because it was so large a field, so I was considering the psychology relating to intelligence.

I went on a rant with my father, who encouraged me to major in EE, after he took me to visit a solar panel farm because I found solar panels to be incredibly boring. I picked this major not because I wanted it but because it is what is “hip” today. I was told to go into this field and then get an MBA.

I then discussed with my parents and they stated that I should consider being an attorney, which instantly gained my interest. To be a lawyer seems to be something that would interest me, but not something such as “Copyright law” or “criminal law” because I find those topics to be boring but instead perhaps those people who defend free speech or what they call a “constitutional lawyer.” I found that these people would probably make much less in terms of money. The person who would make more would have to be a sell-out who would engage in any case that he could, regardless of what he personally thought about it. Then I considered that lawyers may be eventually replaced, which is frightening. I heard that academia is also oversaturated.

Then I looked into this female Amy Peikoff, a philosopher. She did a BS in applied science. Then she got a law degree. Then she got a philosophy degree (Phd). This rather perplexed me, but I am considering going in the same direction, as I would like to mix it up. How many years do you think that each of these degrees usually takes? I am aware that a BS takes 4.

I am sorry that this is a discombobulated rant, but my college requires me to complete 141 units (I am entering as a freshman). If I take 15 per quarter (and there are 3 quarters) and perhaps i take 4 or 5 per summer, i can finish in three years. should i get a minor in anything? i found that a minor in my university (university of california, davis) will require only 5 classes). my parents were talking to me and suggesting software engineering or something and i was considering “computer science” although I only programmed a while back and was not very good at it.

To return to the main topic, how do I know whether or not I’m interested in electrical engineering? I am told that it is the study of electrons, but isn’t that extremely vague? how can one possibly know if they like something unless they have studied it for a year. for example, how can one possibly know whether they will enjoy observing valence electrons? to me, it is just a word. the same way one describes a “chair.” You tell me the characteristics of the chair but telling me that the chair has four legs has not allowed me to know whether or not I’m interested in studying it or not.

Thanks.

2 
       What are your stats like? Eng needs hard work and commitment, 50% plus will drop or be dropped. Usually eng kids are already the self selecting type, but kids with keen parents might find themselves in less selective programs. Your first year will look like any eng freshman year (for any suitably prepared student), do you like the look of your 4 yr plan? Do you like math, physics, chem, hard work?  Your chair is hard to build, and has more legs than your average chair. Your chair requires your commitment and drive to finish the build,it is not an ikea chair.

Minors are overrated, but any classes that will prepare you for the future of AI is to be encouraged even if they are not for a minor. 4 yrs is the least you can hope for for eng in UCs, I suspect.
Your parents see you have a desire to be earning good money?

3

Have you ever worked and held a job? Are you aware that most people have to work to earn a living and that most people don’t like what they do? You are lucky to have so many options. I don’t think your issue is if you like electrical engineering but rather your general perspective on work and your attitude.

4

You sounds like a guy who already knows everything there is to know, so why even go to college?

5

@sybylla My stats: 1300 SAT, 4.01 weighted gpa. average for this school i think.

@empireapple I did for a short period of time. I think I already have the attitude of “just do what is necessary for survival” but I keep hearing individuals tell me to “follow my passion.” I have no idea what my passion is, nor what I enjoy doing. they ask me why i picked “EE” and i just say that I thought it had good opportunity, which sounds very lousy of me to say.

I’ve taken classes, some AP, some college classes, and I have found that there was nothing that interested me. For example, one may ask, “Did you enjoy physics?” I just got it over with. I went through it and did not put in more effort than was necessary. I took Calculus in HS and passed the AP exam with a 3 and a C per semester. Then I took the class over the summer at community college and got an A. I didn’t enjoy mathematics more. It is just that I got through it. I was entirely indifferent. There is nothing that interests me.

6

“There is nothing that interests me.”

Then don’t waste money on college until there is.

7

IMO, if you aren’t sure what to major in, going into engineering is a poor choice since it leaves little room for taking a variety of courses. Maybe you should consider being undeclared: https://www.ucdavis.edu/majors/undeclared/

8

What do you want? What are your goals? You asked how you know if you are interested in electrical engineering, but if you don’t know what it feels like to be interested in something then I don’t know how we can help you.

Electrical engineering is not about electrons, or at least not much. It’s about math and physics and learning how to apply them in ways related to electricity and magnetism. If none of that sounds interesting yet, then you’re not interested.

9

The problem is that I don’t know if something interests me. There has never been anything in my life that has made me say “awh that is cool.” I have studied without amazement different subjects and enjoyed getting a good grade in those classes but I never enjoyed anything for any other reason. This extends from history to calculus. I may gain the impression that I’m interested in something for a very short amount of time but nothing has ever been enjoyable.

10

I think I am a robot. I took that MBTI personality test and got ISTP. For feelings v thinking, I got only 7% feelings, so I can’t feel emotions, like when a character dies in a book I can’t care at all. I have no attachment to anything. I have enjoyed nothing and there is nothing I can say interests me too much. I do not intend to give the impression that I am sad. I am not. I only do not have emotions unfortunately.

11

Myers-Briggs has been shown to be randomly generated junk with no scientific value. That said, if you want put any stock into that mumbo jumbo, Zip Recruiter lists Computer Engineer as the #1 job for an ISTP.

There’s nothing wrong with not having a passionate calling at your age. If you read Cal Newport’s best selling “So Good They Can’t Ignore You,” nobody at your age has passion. You don’t have enough experience to have developed it. He backs it up with lots of concrete examples, including Steve Jobs, who championed “following your passion.” He was actually a wandering soul trying to make a buck well into his career.

I’d advise you either enroll somewhere that you can have an undeclared major and then switch, or delay entry into college until you have a better idea what you want to do. A college education is ridiculously expensive these days.

As for engineering, if you don’t really have an attraction to math and/or physics, and just, as you said, “just got it over with,” then you’ll probably hate it.

12

Lifestyle is something to consider if you don’t have a passion. For example, do you think you’d prefer working in an office or working outdoors? Do you want a job that ends at 5pm or would you prefer to work occasional nights/weekends in exchange for more flexible scheduling? Are you interested in travel? Do you have expensive taste? Do you prefer reading/writing or math or ??

Answering some of these lifestyle questions may help you rule out some professions and, potentially, unearth others. For example, if you don’t enjoy reading/writing, you probably wouldn’t enjoy law school.

13

It seems like you have an overall lack of enthusiasm for college as a whole. This is probably not the best way to start out. It might be better to take a year off and work to get a better idea of what you might like to study. You don’t have to necessarily have a specific passion for a major but having some enthusiasm for learning new things would be beneficial to a successful undergraduate career.

14

I am going to read in between the lines here. It is usually harder to switch into then out of engineering. The first year classes for engineering and liberal arts are basically the same. Math, science, an English course… Not really much real engineering… Maybe a programming course or such. During the first semester meet with an engineering department or professor and discuss the different fields. In fact most universities have a 1 credit class that discusses all the engineering options. Also make an appointment with your counselor and learning services, career guidance counselor. They might be able to assist you in choosing something. Also… Make an appointment with the mental health department at school. They are there for a reason and will most likely be able to help you about the lack of emotions /interests. It can stem from something medical also. Depression /bi-polar issues etc. Nothing to be shameful about. All of these services and many more are free and included in your cost of tuition. I tell both my kids in college to use these and any other services they need and they don’t even have to tell me.

Keep in mind also that undeclared at most universities is the most common major. Maybe you’ll find your interests in sophomore year? Good luck.

15

It’s easier to stay in engineering and switch out than the alternative. Having said that, it doesn’t seem like engineering is a match for you. You’ve had the math and science and it doesn’t interest you. Something out there that you haven’t experienced yet might. Your described lack of emotion and empathy would concern me as a parent and make me wonder if there is an underlying cause/ reason. Consider talking with a school psychologist if you don’t think it is right for you to feel the way you do.

16

You need to decide what you really want. If you want to pay the bills and don’t care how you do it, engineering pays a lot of bills but those without a passion for it tend to struggle. But there is no rush, and going in without desire or a plan is a great way to use up a once in a lifetime opportunity. Seriously, if you screw up your first try at college, the second try is much harder.

So take some time, decide what you want, maybe see a therapist. Get it right.

17

Our S enrolled in engineering BUT he enjoys and does very well in math, physics and computer science. He wasn’t positive he’s stay in it but as others have mentioned, it’s generally much easier to transfer out than transfer in to engineering.

He got a degree in EE and his job includes piloting drones, robotics, wearable tech and project management. The pay is decent and his hours are good, allowing him to have enjoyable outside interests.

Engineering is one of the tougher majors and you really have to work to stay in it, getting through the tough courses and being with lots of folks who really like and do well in math and physics.

It sounds like you may benefit from getting some part time jobs or internships to get a better idea of what you are good at and may enjoy studying.