<p>The issue with that is the fact that you would need a ton of engineers in each area to give their two cents because the jobs are so diverse. You can’t really concisely sum up what goes on in a particular field of engineering better than listing all the possible jobs.</p>
<p>Something is better than nothing. Jobs are diverse, even within the same field, but we’d have to start somewhere. Job descriptions don’t really tell college students what the day to day life is like.</p>
<p>Computer Engineering/CpE, Computer Science/Electrical Engineering </p>
<p>For a discussion of these curricular/major options, see the following thread: </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1005392-cpe-ee-cs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/1005392-cpe-ee-cs.html</a></p>
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<p>Sweeeeet… It’s a transitive verb now.</p>
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<p>You want we should each start our own threads? Kind of an “Ask me about being a ______ engineer!” sort of thing?</p>
<p>I didn’t know that engineers are so smart…lol</p>
<p>"Three engineers and three accountants were traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three accountants each bought tickets and watched as the three engineers bought only one ticket. “How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?” asked an accountant. “Watch and you’ll see,” answered an engineer.</p>
<p>They all boarded the train. The accountants took their respective seats, but the three engineers all crammed into a rest room and closed the door behind them. Shortly after the train departed, the conductor came around collecting tickets. He knocked on the restroom door and said, “Ticket, please.” The door opened just a crack and a single arm emerged with a ticket in hand. The conductor took it and moved on. The accountants saw this and agreed it was a quite clever idea.</p>
<p>So, after the conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money, and all that). When they got to the station, they bought a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers didn’t buy a ticket at all. “How are you going to ride without a ticket?” said one perplexed accountant. “Watch and you’ll see,” answered an engineer. When they boarded the train, the three accountants crammed into a restroom and the three engineers crammed into another one nearby. The train departed. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers left his restroom and walked over to the restroom where the accountants were hiding.</p>
<p>He knocked on the door and said, “Ticket, please.”</p>
<p>@aibarr
Yes. We can pick a few hottest questions and let a volunteer engineer to answer them at their best, whenever possible. </p>
<p>If they can include a small description of the work they perform is even better.
We can think of this as a written interview.</p>
<p>Question about the GPA deal: when you guys mention a 3.0 +, and whichever other situations that are sort of generalized, are you talking about the overall GPA or the major GPA?</p>
<p>I work for a construction management firm in a field supervision role. Even though this isn’t engineering, I’m adding this here because many civil engineering majors do enter the construction management field. There are a variety of roles in this field, and each of them are pretty different. The following is just one aspect of construction management.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m a part of a team whose job is to manage construction projects so that they are completed on time, on budget, safely and in accordance with project contract drawings and specifications. It’s easy to summarize, but difficult to achieve. There are so many factors and so many stakeholders involved that there is never a project that is run perfectly. Every construction project is different and is subject to different conditions, so there are steep learning curves.</p>
<p>I spend time both in the field office and in the field. In the office, I write daily reports, which summarize the manpower, work performed and the weather. There are also weekly reports and monthly reports that I have a role in writing. Sometimes I also put together reports detailing work in place. </p>
<p>The more exciting part of the job is the work that takes place in the field. I manage trade contractors, meaning I coordinate work among them and plan ahead. I make sure they are meeting the project schedule, and if not, figure out a mitigation plan. With the contractor, we determine the best means and methods for doing the work. </p>
<p>Safety management is also a signficant responsibility. Part of my job is to make sure everyone is doing their job in a safe manner and following the safety rules (such as OSHA, fire code, my company’s safety code, etc). For risky work, I review the procedure the contractor intends to use. </p>
<p>There are lots of meetings, some formal, some informal. They can be with the client, the contractors, inspectors, internal team members, etc.</p>
<p>My hours are technically 7am-4pm, though I typically like to get in at 6am to prepare for the day (the trades begin their day at 7am). I usually leave around 4:30pm-5pm, unless it’s my turn to cover the overtime work. We also have a rotation schedule for Saturday work. On my current project, we also have a 2nd and 3rd shift going daily (with separate personnel), because some work can only be performed at night due to logistics or proximity to active rail lines and subway station. That’s not the norm though.</p>
<p>It is a pretty stressful job though. There’s a lot of money on the line and everybody is looking after their own companys’ best interest, which creates adversarial relationships. Arguing with the the trade contractor foremen and project managers is common. The reward lies with seeing the completion of the project, knowing you had a significant role in the process. I pass by my old projects sometimes and I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.</p>
<p>The economy has hit the construction industry hard, particularly the companies focused on general building construction. I have been recommended for a promotion 2 years in a row now, and still have not received it due to the economy. When things are good, things are really good. People shoot up the ranks, and there’s more work than we have the personnel for and actually turn down projects if necessary. The industry ebbs and flows with the economy.</p>
<p>The good news is that this job can’t be outsourced. You have to be on the actual construction site to do the work. Construction is also an industry that is not going away. Infrastructure will continue to decay and need to be rehabilitated and new buildings will continue to be built to accomodate the increasing population.</p>
<p>I love my job, though of course it’s not right for everyone.</p>
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<p>It is best for a prospective engineering major to have completed at least high school physics and chemistry. Computer programming experience is also desirable. If AP or IB courses are offered in these subjects and math, it is well worth taking them for better (compared to typical high school courses) preparation for university level courses, even though (except for math) they are not that likely to be accepted in place of the university level courses.</p>
<p>Of course, good high school course work in reading, writing, humanities, and social studies is also helpful for engineering students as it is for any university student. Again, AP or IB courses, if offered, can improve the level of preparation compared to typical high school courses.</p>
<p>Regarding adding a minor to an engineering major…</p>
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</p>
<p>Another type of minor is one which would be a supporting subject to the major. For example, a civil engineering major might do architecture minor. Or a computer science or engineering major might do an art minor if s/he is interested in user interfaces, animation, etc…</p>
<p>Thanks for compiling all this reference info!</p>
<p>What do engineering kids tend to minor in?</p>
<p>From what I have seen:</p>
<p>Math, physics, chemistry, computer science, psychology, foreign language, business minor.
Math is the most popular minor because usually an engineering student only require to take 2 or 3 more math courses in order to receive a minor. Depending on your engineering major, you may also take 3, 4 additional physics / chemistry courses to receive a minor in either disciplines. </p>
<p>Computer science also second-tied with physics and chemistry because fluent in computer science (and computer programming) can really boost your resume.</p>
<p>Getting a minor may or may not help you getting jobs. If you do it for self-satificiation, go ahead. But if you want to impress others, I think computer science minor is good.</p>
<p>Depending on your major. What are you in or thinking about? The most common major is Mechanical. Are you? </p>
<p>Examples:
Mechanical Engineers usually would like to have a dual degree in Electrical Engineering. Think of all the devices you use everyday. Are the many gadgets that are not electronically controlled these days? So Mechatronics is a a good minor if it is not your major subject. Another one very useful minor is manufacturing. Can you imagine you designing something really useful and let it sit on the computer screen and not have it made? Here you need manufacturing knowledge. Worse yet, when you design something without manufacturing knowledge, it might not be manufacturable. Either you will have loads of problems later on or the design might be scrapped.</p>
<p>If you are an Industrial Engineer, many students take a Business minor. IE curricula trains graduates to become manager of projects. Business knowledge is definitely helpful. </p>
<p>Please come back with another question after you tell me what engineering discipline you are thinking about.</p>
<p>RoboDoc</p>
<p>For Civil Engineering, ABET accreditation is VERY important!</p>
<p>AS for GPA - 3.0+ is the general rule of thumb. All experience is a positive. Think of it as you are building a resume the day you start college - all involvement, internships, undergrad research, student organizations add to the resume.</p>
<p>i also done my 12th class and searching the good engineering college
[Top</a> Engineering Colleges in India 2011 Top/Famous/Best 10/20/50/100 List](<a href=“综合亚洲伊人午夜网,伊人久久大香线蕉综合爱,亚洲人成伊人成综合网2020_主页”>综合亚洲伊人午夜网,伊人久久大香线蕉综合爱,亚洲人成伊人成综合网2020_主页)</p>
<p>How important are extracurriculars for engineering majors? If you have no ECs but a good GPA, will you still be able to find jobs upon graduation?</p>
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</p>
<p>The ability to land a job is dependent on the following factors in roughly the following order for typical jobs:</p>
<ul>
<li>networking / connections</li>
<li>previous work experience</li>
<li>academics</li>
<li>anything else that will make you look good in an interview</li>
</ul>
<p>what courses would you all recommend for a civil-hopeful?</p>
<p>is it wise to jump into that field projecting the next 4-5 years? should i get into something else? </p>
<p>(senior in HS)</p>
<p>If you are current senior in high school and enter a civil engineering degree program next year, then your likely first semester schedule will include (as advised by the civil engineering department at your school):</p>
<p>Math (freshman calculus or a more advanced course if you have AP/IB credit)
Chemistry and/or Physics (placement may depend on AP/IB credit in these subjects and/or math)
possibly a computing for engineers course with MATLAB
possibly a “what do engineers do in their careers” seminar
English composition and/or humanities or social studies breadth course(s)</p>
<p>If you are a current high school junior planning high school senior year courses, consider the following:</p>
<p>Math – should complete precalculus at a minimum; if you have completed precalculus, take calculus if available
Science – high school physics and chemistry are highly desirable to prepare for university level physics and chemistry; biology should also be taken (especially if an environmental emphasis is planned)
Computer science – it is always good to be familiar with computers
English and other subjects – as generally specific for preparation for university study</p>
<p>I have passed the AP English Composition test and I hope to pass Physics this year. I am also taking Calculus. Best case scenario I have to attend the seminar and the computing class. Would you say its a safe field to jump into?</p>