thinking of getting out of engineering

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>So I have been on and off about my major for awhile. Went from chemical engineering, to journalism/ premed, decided didnt want premed so I went back to engineering. I am doing alright in all of the classes (aside from calculus, just one bad quarter though) but really do not find much interest in the engineering, chemistry or calculus. </p>

<p>The classes I have loved the most were the brit lit class and Dante Inferno seminar. I did enjoy some of the research involved in my chemistry course, but found the overall work boring and repetitive. All of the tours I have taken indicate that engineering may not be for me. But I really am at a loss as to what I could study.</p>

<p>Wondering if I could get some feedback, just some thoughts.</p>

<p>Interests:
Slightly interested in alternative energy along with some principles of chemistry.
Writing. All kinds. Love writing creatively along with technical papers (for things like engineering reports, lab reports, etc. Been told by a few professors that I am pretty good at the technical portion.)
Literature- Very much into writing from the 19th and early to mid-20th century, just find it beautiful.<br>
People- Always had this interest in groups, like how certain people react. Also, have a bit of an infatuation with current state of morals in the world and<br>
I have been gaining interest in how different cultures interact, react, express certain things such as animosity or happiness. It is maybe a little weird.
Music- Come on we all love music, I don't wanna be a music major but I do feel it is a big part of interest.</p>

<p>For work I really do love something that is always changing. I want to find a job that I love to go to each day and am willing to work my ass for because I know it is a field of study I love. Money is really not a huge part, I would like to have enough to eat and sleep. Just really wondering if I am overlooking any majors.</p>

<p>I've thought about English, Sociology, Psychology, and been told I would maybe enjoy business...still in chemical engineering. Taking a psychology technical writing class (part of engineering curriculum) and have room for one more class which may allow me to figure all of this out. </p>

<p>Please, any suggestions would be amazing.</p>

2

<p>My initial thought would be for you to go go into Operations Research/Management Science/Industrial Engineering... Enjoying writing is very key to people who want to reach the executive level in a scientific background. I know several people with journalism degrees who are successful in business, and one in a scientific background. This line of education, however, would be accented greatly by an advanced degree MBA/MS Finance.</p>

<p>Psychology is an awesome compliment to an engineering degree. Many people can be an engineer, but if you spent any time with an engineer you'll see that not many of them make great leaders or managers. So, finding someone who understands the science and can actually channel it for a common good is actually quite rare.</p>

<p>I'm a ChemE now pursuing my MBA. I spent 10 years in the pharma/biotech industry and am now in biofuels industry, which is quite interesting and expanding. Alternative fuels and biochemistry are pretty new fields that will need people from all walks of life. Someone who can understand how not only the science but how to apply it will be key. Especially since biofuels are a low margin product at this point and require some savvy engineering as well as planning to make it profitable.</p>

<p>Hmmm... yeah, take a look at the 3 disciplines I mentioned (sort off all the same) in the first paragraph. They are all "engineering" in my opinion, but deal more with people and statistics rather than designs and science. I'll keep think on this one. I had dental implant surgery this morning and am kind of out of it from the meds.</p>

3

<p>On a side note; I got to Xavier University in Cincinnati for my MBA. Many of my alum work for Procter and Gamble because of which. I am noticing that a lot of Brand Managers have Industrial Engineering/OR backgrounds. So, it seems that this can lead to a marketing position as well, which sounds right up your alley. Though, you may find other aspects of the education more appealing. Just thought I'd throw that in.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
for things like engineering reports, lab reports, etc. Been told by a few professors that I am pretty good at the technical portion

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Being good at the lingo is a real asset in engineering. I've been told the same thing and I don't think I'm anything special, but good Lord the average engineer writes like a middleschooler.</p>

5

<p>have you considered economics?
just a thought, not a reccomendation</p>

6

<p>Replace MBA with psychology and i'll agree with this guy...</p>

7

<p>I obviously think an MBA + engineering degree is a great route, since I am doing that. I was merely trying to point out that his interests aren't completely out of line with a common degree or profession. Even psychology has a place... Music is just something that people strong in math enjoy.</p>

8

<p>@DavidOSUhurting1,</p>

<p>Since you like writing and technology, perhaps you could combine the two. Have you ever considered tech writing? There is also tech journalism.</p>