Switching from Business to Mechanical Engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

Hello,

I’m struggling with the decision to stay with my business degree or switch to engineering. I’ll provide some background information to help explain my situation…I’m sorry if this is long!

I am currently 23 and have about 1 year left to receive my bachelors in business with a concentration in management. I played baseball my freshman year of college (in FL) but was injured and ended up taking 2 years off. During this time I worked as an electrician’s helper and completed the first of four electrical certification classes. I went back to pursuing my business degree and playing baseball for my sophomore and junior year (in NC). Unfortunately, I was hurt again this last year and my eligibility ended so I moved back to Florida. I got a job as a manufacturing technician at a defense electronic systems company and am almost at my 1 year mark with the company. As I am learning more about the industry and working close with engineers every day, my interest keeps increasing. My dad was a mechanic growing up and I have learned a lot from him, as well as working as an automotive mechanic myself for a summer job. I love working with my hands/fixing things/etc. so I believe mechanical engineering would be a great path for me, and the money is definitely a plus.

I guess my questions come down to this:

  1. Should I switch to an engineering degree now? I was planning to enroll back in business courses this March but now the possibility of an engineering degree leaves me confused.
  2. Should I finish my business degree then work on an engineering degree? 2a. If this is the case, should I go for a second bachelors or a masters? Does anyone have an experience with this?
  3. I am currently working full time and know that an engineering degree will be intense, especially since it isn't (completely) available online like my business courses are. Do you think it will be possible for me to handle classes with a full time job? I don't mind taking only a couple classes each term, even if that adds another year.

Any information, suggestions, or experiences with this topic are greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help.

2

As a practical matter, master’s degree study in an engineering field requires undergraduate course work in math, science, and engineering that is not included in a business degree, so you would have to go for a bachelor’s degree, regardless of whether you complete your business degree first.

Lower level courses are often available at low cost community colleges, so you may want to consider getting them done there before taking upper level courses at more expensive four year schools.

Check if your local community colleges and four year schools offer courses at times that fit your schedule.

University of North Dakota does have on-line engineering degree programs, but some labs need to be done in person.
http://distance.und.edu/engineering/

3

Do some research. Your college career center would be a good resource.

Mechanical Engineering requires A LOT of math. You may prefer a path that allows hands-on work project work but does not require 3 to 4 years more of college. I know you have a lot of credits now, but the engineering course sequences often mean almost “starting over”.

4

The thing you describe that you love is tinkering, not engineering. Having that skill will certainly inform your engineering, thus producing more elegant designs, but a typical engineer’s life is much different, mostly applied math and various forms of paperwork (compliance, regulatory, etc.). I’m not dissuading you in any way. Before you commit 4 more years, and it will likely be 4 years since the curriculum is so sequential, learn what MEs do on a day in day out basis. You might also want to look into MET. Good luck.