<p>Nah. I use multivariable calculus probably about as much as I use long division, now that I'm past the proofs and the constructions of the concepts. No cause for panic. I'm not particularly a calculus machine-- I have to look up the quotient rule every time I use it nowadays. =)</p>
<p>Aibarr I thought engineers have to use a lot of Multi Variate Calculus.</p>
<p>Well, we use lots of things that are <em>based</em> upon vector calc... I use gradients a fair amount, but it's not the intensive math experience that vector calc, the class, was. Yes, vector calculus is used, but I don't use it on a daily basis. It's sort of a means to an end.</p>
<p>Looks like VTBoy lost the battle. Btw, VTBoy UVA > VTech forever!</p>
<p>Confidential I didn't lose the battle. </p>
<p>Also I don't go to VTech.</p>
<p>Yes you did</p>
<p>No I didn't.</p>
<p>You cant debate when there are other opinions involved.</p>
<p>Its 1v1 or team v team.</p>
<p>....wait, someone lost? I was part of a battle? I just thought I was saying how much vector calc I used...</p>
<p>I am either incredibly confused or just not into forum-sparring, one or the other. Let it goooo.</p>
<p>Hi, I just came accross this post with a search on Google. There are lots of good info here. I was always told that engineers made a lot of money but I guess I was lied to. I guess if you invent something then patent it then yes you can become a millionare, but not by working for a company as an engineer.</p>
<p>I don't want to do it just for the money, but money plays a part in it. I love aviation more than engineering, but I also like engineering as it interests me, so I want to take a job as an engineer with an aerospace company and become a test pilot. </p>
<p>I think it is wise to combine what you like and get paid to do it.</p>
<p>There is no way the average engineering BS salary overall is around 100k, VTBoy.</p>
<p>interesting thread</p>
<p>jeffl, yes he is not talking about PhDs. He is talking about doctors/surgeons. Infact, i believe engineers/computer science grads a paid very little. Taking into account, the downturn in the IT/Engineering industry and outsourcing making things worse, i think its extremely difficult for engineers to find a job. Even when they do, they get paid very little around $55-60K. I mean, engineers work hard too. Why would pharmacists get paid $80k starting salary. Why do doctors make 100-150K/year.</p>
<p>what i don't get is that why do you pick on engineers. Why not all the other fields, such as doctors/surgeons/pharmacists...just because they work with real lives, they should get paid more??? What about lawyers who make 80-90K a year?</p>
<p>btw, PhDs enough money. Yes when they start off they make around 60-70K. But, when you become a full professor, you can easily make up to $150k.</p>
<p>I strongly believe engineers are underpaid, due to outsourcing thats become really hot in the last 4-5 years. So, i completely disagrre that engineers are overpaid...infact they should get paid more.</p>
<p>my apologies...i completely ignored the next 6 pages of the thread!</p>
<p>"what i don't get is that why do you pick on engineers. Why not all the other fields, such as doctors/surgeons/pharmacists...just because they work with real lives, they should get paid more??? What about lawyers who make 80-90K a year?"</p>
<p>Well, Pharmacists, Lawyers, and Doctors have more schooling, and all three of them are fairly hard to get into. All three are a MINIMUM of 6 years, but a JD usually takes 7 years, and an MD usually takes 8 years. And then there's residence.</p>
<p>There is much more schooling to become a lawyer, a pharmacist, or a doctor. I'm probably going into law AFTER my engineering degree; just to give you an idea of why they make more, on average.</p>
<p>yes i know they do more schooling. Ok, so lets say an engineer does more schooling, like get a masters or a PhD...then they should make more, right? No, they still don't even come close to pharmacists/lawyers. Lets talk about accountants, specifically chartered accountants. They go to school for 4 years(max 5), but they make lot more than engineers.</p>
<p>btw, yes doctors do go to school for 8 years, but the last 2 years are clinical practice for which they get paid(although its minimum...close what engineers would get as their starting salary).</p>
<p>so, there is no way i'm gonna believe that engineers are overpaid. Infact, they are underpaid! On top of that, their job is one of the least stable.</p>
<p>Yes, but it is still easier to get an engineering Master's Degree or PhD than it is to get into Med or Law school. You don't need a ridiculously high GPA to get into graduate studies like you do to get into Med and whatnot.</p>
<p>In Canada the salaries are MUCH closer. Actually, the average Chemical Engineer makes much more than the average doctor, and about the same as the average lawyer. Dentists up here make the most, since dental privatized. Publicized healthcare up here makes it difficult for doctors to earn the killing that they do in the states. That's why so many of our doctors move down there (and I don't blame them). Chemical Engineers in Alberta, Canada (where I live) average $93,000 a year. Chemical Engineers in certain parts of Alberta will average up to $100,000 a year CAD.</p>
<p>And that's combining BSc's, MSc's, MEng's, and PhD's. People with more advanced degrees will have a higher average.</p>
<p>Furthermore, accountants in Alberta average a minute $51,000 a year. I don't know the stats for all of Canada, but it would be higher for other places.</p>
<p>I don't agree that a PhD is easier than Med school. A PhD is extremely difficult...infact, i would definitely compare it to medical school, if not harder than medical school(i know a lot of people will take offense to this....but its my opinion). A PhD involves original research which is a lot harder than attending lectures or residency and writing exams.a PhD takes 4-5 years. So, if you think about it an engineer with a PhD has done more schooling than a doctor/dentist/etc, but gets paid less than half of what a doctor makes. There is no way a chemical engineers starting salary would be $100000. Its probably after 20 yrs of experience. A doctor already starts making 100K+ at the start, so by the time a chemical engineer starts making 100K, a doctor would have already been making that much for the last 15 years.</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that accountants make only $51000. I know a friend who just got his CA, his salary is probably close to $65000...thats more than what an engineer's starting salary would be(sometimes even more than engineers with 2-3 yrs of experience).</p>
<p>You just gave me one example i.e. chemical engineers in Alberta. But we're talking about all engineers. </p>
<p>You seem to be leaning towards the fact that engineers are well paid/over paid. But, you are working towards your engineering degree and after that why do you want to go into law? if they are paid so well, why not stick with engineering?</p>
<p>No no, you have me all wrong. I definitely think that Engineers are paid rather poorly, especially in certain fields. But there are definitely too many engineers to make a higher salary possible. Someone already noted supply and demand.</p>
<p>I shouldn't say that I'm definitely going into law. But I am definitely going to at least get an MBA and a master's degree. I am highly considering becoming a lawyer because I'm not sure if I'd like being an engineer, and because I want to become rich. Again, I realize that engineers don't make a lot, when compared with doctors, lawyers, and pharmacists. But if that's the case, why don't the engineers that are unhappy with their salary go into law or med? The answer: it isn't that easy. Most engineers can't get accepted into med or law.</p>
<p>And you said that getting a PhD is harder than med, but that isn't so in Canada. Med is exponentially harder to get into in Canada than it is in the states. Same with Pharmacy and other health professions. So I guess my side of the argument applies only to Canada, and not the states.</p>
<p>So my solution: If you are unhappy with an engineers salary, go into med or law. If you can't get in, then you know why doctors and lawyers are paid more.</p>