<p>I am in need of a large amount of guidance. I've been thinking of switching my major into something that would better suit my career goals, but I have no experience in what that major would be or if I'm even thinking!</p>
<p>Where do I begin? Currently, I am currently a civil engineering major with a concentration in structures and construction. I have always had an intense interest in design, structures, and constructing models. Growing up, I would create structures out of popsicle sticks. I even twisted my middle school science fair project into something that would allow me to construct a two story house out of plaster. Through my teen years this developed into the construction of houses in The Sims along with using whatever free software I could find online that allowed me to build construction plans. I could easily spend the entire day designing and creating. In the summers during high school I would wake up at 11 am and make creations until 3 am in the morning. It's what I enjoy doing. Now I've gotten more into making miniatures and eventually want to look into creating model train sets. </p>
<p>As I get deeper into my engineering coursework, I'm unsure if what I'm getting myself into will get me to where I want to go. Where do I want to go? That's a good question. I don't even know. I know I would enjoy working for a company that creates custom works for their clients. Have any of you guys seen the show Fish Tank Kings? Something like that where each client is a new creation. Or maybe a company that specializes in model train sets? I'm unsure. I don't even know what companies I should look at, who I can turn to for advice in that field, or if it is even a "field". I wouldn't mind starting my own company one day, as I cannot see myself working for an overly large company unless I'm in a specialized department. </p>
<p>So what do you guys think? How can I get into something hands on like what I'm into? Should I look around and intern at specialty shops in my area? If I change my major, what would I change it to? </p>
<p>The first thing that comes to mind is architecture. I have no idea if it’s a good time to go into that field, but the way you talk about the fun you had creating mini homes etc. brings architecture to mind. The other thing I think of is interior design-I think those fish tanks are related. My brother is a contractor and worked with a designer to create some built-in fish tanks for a client’s basement. I do actually know an interior designer who just struck out on her own. I will be seeing her this weekend and could pick her brain. </p>
<p>You have always struck me as a very bright young lady. I’m sure you’ll do well whatever you decide, but just from what you have posted you’ve always struck me as someone who would do well with the creative side of things. Good luck to you! </p>
<p>Does your college have a pre-architecture option for Civil Engineering? Can you add some art/design courses to what you already have? </p>
<p>Also ask yourself…just because civil engineering isn’t exactly what you want to do, is it a good foundation for what you want to do? I majored in electrical engineering but do not design circuits. But it is a good foundation for what I do.</p>
<p>So for fish tank kings…being able to understand the weight of all that water and what is needed to support it in a home…or what isthe pressure of the water on the tank and what size tank “glass” is neeed…those would do well to have the civil engineering background.</p>
<p>I’ve been happy being an architect. The money isn’t great, but as a sole practitioner the hours worked quite well with family life and you can work as much or as little as you like.</p>
<p>Sounds like you should look for interesting internships. I don’t know why you would need to switch majors, but architecture did come to mind of course. I think you need portfolios for that. Look into it over the summer. But mainly look for internships, even though it is late, you might find someone where your interest connects with theirs. Or you can be a gopher in an architect’s office to check it out perhaps, if you present yourself right. At least be able to shadow a couple, perhaps.</p>
<p>I have a relative who started his own pool cleaning business as a young man. It because pretty successful and he eventually got into custom pool design, I don’t really know how but he became fascinated with it. I know he had a pool in Architectural Digest. I believe he branched out into other construction.</p>
<p>What year are you? I think you said on another thread that you are 18 so did you just finish your freshman year? What about structural engineering? Is there such a thing as Industrial design and would that be more of an art school major? Do you want to design structures, home design, or smaller objects? Do you like the math part or simply the design work? That is, do you want to make pretty fish tanks or also determine the thickness of the glass and the size of the support system? From a job perspective, sticking with engineering is better than architecture. I agree with those that say you should look for an internship or at least network with some who do the kind of work you think you want to do and find out what they studied. </p>
<p>If you like your engineering courses, or at least find them tolerable, the most logical thing would be to stick with them and try to take some design classes as well. This will likely give you the most flexibility and income earning potential.If you don’t like engineering or find it too difficult, then look for other majors. </p>
<p>You sound like an interesting person. I think your education can be foundational rather than quite so specific regarding your career goals. Internships are good idea. Do you have any interest in toy creation or educational technology or software design (Sims-like)? Robotics? Nanotechnology? Seems as if there are many directions you could go, but get that degree first. </p>
<p>My son was very much like you growing up and ended up doing computer science BS, and is a software engineer. He also did sound and lighting design along the way. He is in the new product development department so gets to play and be creative some of the time. He does love programming and finds it creative as well.</p>
<p>To be honest, I don’t even know what civil engineering is, let alone “structures and construction,” but it does sound like some sort of engineering or CS might work for you. Then get yourself internships or jobs in an area involving miniatures or whatever else you are drawn to. You won’t really train for your specific job at school but you can get skills and show potential employers that you have what it takes.</p>
<p>Architecture is a hard thing to get into. New constructions are still in a slump, and even if you get a job it’s probably going to be the “boring” stuff, designing bathrooms for an office on a budget or something. </p>
<p>A lot of schools offer indisciplinary degrees right now. You could investigate your college offerings and talk to your adviser. It might be the right thing for you. My conservative me would say to stick with engineering and then branch out and do your own thing. </p>
<p>TALK TO YOUR ADVISOR. This the first and most important thing you can do. You need to find out from your school what directions are available to you and what opportunities exist. </p>
<p>Next- seek out your career advising center. Take aptitude and interest tests- likely free- from there and discuss options. </p>
<p>Architecture is an iffy field- my B-in-law knows this. Not everyone gets to have a stable practice in economic tough times.</p>
<p>Do NOT drop out of college. See the above people and consider your next semester courses. Perhaps try to get more general requirements instead of courses only pertaining to your current major while you figure out your path. Most entering freshmen either have no major or change their major once they start college. </p>
<p>Also remember that no one enjoys every course or aspect of their major or career. Do not spend time agonizing over decisions to be made or pursuing all leads you get here. Instead, enjoy your summer and the break from an intense college year. Unless you are on campus and have access now to seeing those campus people put this on the shelf for fall. You still have plenty of time to figure out what to do- some will even discover their path after college.</p>
<p>I agree with the idea of adding some design courses but sticking with engineering. There are many different directions to go with that combination.</p>
<p>Despite all of the gloom and doom about architecture, the only kid I know who went into the field graduated from Penn with an undergraduate architecture degree, worked at a famous firm in Denmark, and is now at a famous firm in NYC, two years out of college. I gather that this started because a prof was impressed with his work, possibly in a grad-level course, and mentored him.</p>
<p>A combination of luck and talent, I suppose.</p>
<p>Agree with the advice to see your advisor and visit the career services office.</p>
<p>There are plenty of careers where someone strong in math but with well developed visual skills can excel. Urban planning, transportation design, anything in the sustainability field (i.e. how to design products which are energy efficient but which don’t look so horrible or are so hard to use that people won’t buy them; how to build LEED certified housing or office space, etc.), etc. There are teams of professionals working across fields now to build toilets which will work in places without plumbing (a huge problem for young women in the developing world- they get raped on their way to the woods when they need to go) and teams working to build ovens which don’t give off carbon monoxide but are less polluting than burning chunks of coal. Driver-less cars. Robotic substitutes for seeing eye dogs.</p>
<p>The nexus of design and technology is a strong one- which if you’ve ever used a computer mouse you will understand immediately.</p>
<p>No need to have your entire life mapped out at age 19 or 20.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for all the feedback. I am starting to see clearer now. Don’t drop out and don’t change majors just yet. </p>
<p>I am currently a sophomore and starting my second year of college this fall. I have thought about architecture time and time again, but I’ve had teachers and parents tell me architectures a bit hard to get into, as you guys have mentioned. </p>
<p>At my university, civil engineering with a concentration to structures is as close as I could get to architectural engineering. We don’t have an architecture major for undergrad, only graduate courses. If I wanted to take courses with them I think I’d need approval from the director. An idea I had was to stick with civil engineering and work for an architectural company in some type of consultant work, but I have no clue what consulting engineers do. I guess I could shadow and look around? That sounds like a good place to start. </p>
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Awhile back I tried to get into creating custom items and mods for The Sims. I was pretty interested in that, but ended up crashing a computer so I haven’t gotten back to learning again. I took a class last semester on CAD, and I enjoyed that class. It came easily to me. </p>
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Thank you, wis. I’ll do this. I’m about to be switched advisors because come the Fall I’m being moved into the civil engineering department so hopefully with my new advisor, I can get specialized and knowledgable advice. </p>
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These are all things that interest me. I’ll add this to the list of places to look for internships. </p>
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This is part of the problem. As I get into the meat of my engineering work, I just feel trapped. I look at my schedule from now until the semester I graduate and I see things that are tolerable, but nothing that makes me excited for that one semester with that one class about that awesome thing that I’ve been dying to learn about. Because of where I am with my credits (i.e. all general education requirements have been filled, Honors courses take up free electives), adding in design classes might be a challenge, but I feel I can make space and it will be worth it. </p>
<p>Thank you guys all so much. You guys really helped clear of many of my scrambled thoughts. I’ll step back from making any hasty decisions and look into places where I can get some internships. </p>
<p>Way too soon to give up. Maybe MaineLonghorn will have some advice.
After freshman year is way too soon to give up- especially if the doubt is based on what comes later. Sounds like you have only just begun to explore.</p>
<p>If you are doing well and get some hands-on experience, this degree can lead to all sorts of possibilities. Young civil engineering grad D of friends did Engineers Without Borders. She took some of her training into the high-tech computer world while she job hunted. Now a rail design engr.</p>
<p>Niquii–have you considered a career in construction management? I know that University of Denver has a very good program (son’s roomie there was a construction management major). Take a look at the curriculum and see if it might be appealing to you, and then look around at various programs if it is.</p>
<p>Niquii, are there financial considerations here? As a transfer student (many folks are suggesting new colleges for you) , you will not likely get significant need based aid. Something to consider.</p>
<p>I still say…you academic advisor may be able to point you in the direction of a second major, or a concentration within your current one with career options that are pleasing to you.</p>
<p>Andecotal data point: My bff’s hubby is an architect. He has worked in custom homes,which he loved, but the market tanked so hard that he had to take whatever work was available. Let’s just say he was pretty happy for a long while to have even gotten back to drafting the fashion version of McD’s for malls around the country. He STILL isn’t back up to where he was. He does enjoy the side jobs but then you have the small business hassles of collecting etc. </p>