Transitioning Into Engineering from Biology

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Excuse me for the wordy post. First off, some background: I am a recent college graduate with a BS in microbiology from an average state school with an only okay GPA (3.34). I entered college not in the right mindset and chose a major mostly at random. Sometime in my 2nd year I realized I wanted to study engineering but it was already too late and I could not afford to spend more than 4 years at university.</p>

<p>Currently I am a research technician in a microbiology lab at my alma mater, and I have an additional ~1.5 years of undergraduate research experience as well (molecular cloning, protein purification/analysis, microscopy etc). I have come to the conclusion that I want to transition into engineering because I am longing for a more quantitative and applied career, rather than basic science research. I have begun taking background courses to prepare myself for entering into an engineering masters program (thinking mechanical right now) and I have found a few programs that will accept students without a BS in engineering (namely BUs LEAP program).</p>

<p>Now to my actual questions:
1. Given my background what sort of job (quality assurance, R&D, etc?) would be the best use of my time, both in terms of competitiveness for graduate school and for later job prospects as an engineer? I want to find a job that I am qualified to do, but that will also be an asset later on.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How seriously will I be taken in industry without a BS in engineering? Will I be competing with new BS grads?</p></li>
<li><p>As a non-engineering BS holder, would a more prestigious graduate program give me more validity as an engineer? Assuming I excel in my preparation courses, would I even stand a chance at gaining admission into a prestigious program?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I am serious about this career change and really want to be doing everything I can right now to support it. Thank you for reading that whole thing, and for any advice you can give me.</p>

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<p>A MS in engineering will trump not having a BS in engineering. Besides, you will have to basically get most of the BS level background just to get into a MS program, so not an issue.</p>

<p>Do as well as you can in taking the prerequisites for an engineering program. That will show that you can do the work and will be a major factor in which school you can go to. Given your lower undergraduate GPA, the MITs of the world may be a stretch no matter how well you do later (but who really knows). It doesn’t matter so much which school you go to as much as it does how well you do in school. I’ve worked with engineers from many, many different schools. </p>

<p>By continuing to work your current job, you demonstrate that you can work with other people, are responsible, etc.; all facets that are important to any future hiring manager no matter what the field. It also gives you an income until you are ready for grad school.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the advice HPuck. I’ll let you know how it all goes in a few years!</p>