<p>Can somebody (preferrably students in AEM) elaborate a little on the AEM major (the classes, internship/research opportunities, job and grad school placement, professors, alumni network, peers)? </p>
<p>I am currently an IS (Information Science) major in CALS and unsure whether or not to transfer to AEM and do an IS minor or vice-versa. I like Information Science, but after one year I haven't found a deep affinity for web design and programming. </p>
<p>I have always been interested in business, but I have heard that the workload was very easy in AEM and that the material taught in classes lacked any real substance. For any AEM upperclassmen and alumni, how well did the major prepare you for the real world? Any suggestions on how to get the most out of AEM? Thanks so much for your help everyone!</p>
<p>I don't know why or how AEM got such a rep of being super easy. I've never heard an actual AEM major that did WELL in the AEM program(3.5+) say it was easy. Difficulty is all relative and AEM couldn't be the hardest major because of the nature of it. That nature being similar to liberal arts majors. I think it arises from the fact that kids at Cornell need to inflate their ego. They were rejected from HYPS and need someone to make them feel better.</p>
<p>I am in AEM and at least twice per month someone will say that they know someone from AEM and that AEM is sooo easy. Then I'll ask them if they have ever taken an AEM course. The answer is 90% no. The other 10% have taken an introductory class, like the 600 kid AEM 220 (which is now AEM 1200 I believe now).</p>
<p>I've taken business courses at other schools and in my first semester in the AEM program I learned far more than I learned in other business courses. That sentiment is common among transfer students both internal and external. The upper level courses are difficult and are substantive. Internship opportunities are abound.</p>
<p>So the rep that AEM is super easy is a hasty generalization, the same as a stereotype. Just completely misleading. Like I said I've never met someone who said the major was easy who actually took a course or if they major in it did well and said it was easy. Another thing, my experiences have all been empirical because I've taken classes outside of the AEM major and have gotten A's. In fact, out of all the credits I've taken, sciences, language classes, cas. The only two B's to bismirch my record are from AEM. Thus everything I've presented is empirical and not a hasty generalization. I tried to be as impartial as possible too...:p</p>
<p>Agree 100% with TehRahk. There is a lot of jealousy among the Cornell population -the AEM students are in a very selective program, land great jobs, have incredible networking opportunities, work hard (if they want a 3.5 or above), and aren't as stressed as they are. I do, however (as an employer) look to see that the AEM (and all) applicants challenge themselves. That being said, I suggest that you keep the IS major and double major in AEM. You would make a very interesting job applicant.</p>
<p>I'd first take couple intro AEM classes (maybe start out with a minor in AEM) just to get a feel of what the program is all about. </p>
<p>I am majoring in atmopsheric science ... and before, I would have never thought to take business class. Now, I actually enjoy business because AEM program here allows you to think about business concepts that can apply to what you do. So now, I'm learning how business and meteorology relate. </p>
<p>and intro classes for AEM maybe easy ... but 300 and 400 level classes are no joking matter.</p>