Will going to a UC really get me a job faster than going to a CSU? I want to know this because I’m planning to either go for UCI or to CSULB for Civil Engineering. Does CSULB have an engineering program better than UCI? Or is UCI better? I’m planning to get straight into a job after i graduate. Also, will going into CSULB with a 4.4 weighted GPA make me seem like i’m underachieving? Thank you.
As long as both schools have ABET accrediting for their Engineering programs, you will be receiving a comparable education.
Go to the school the best meets your academic/social and financial needs. As an Engineer, you can be easily recruited from both schools.
You can be a “big fish in a small pond” or a “small fish in a big pond”, your choice.
@Gumbymom why thank you for this. It has eased some of my worries.
@thegoat123 Ultimately, you should secure a great internship in sophomore/junior year that will lead to a full time job offer upon graduation. When competing for internships and full time jobs, the “university brand” does matter a lot to get in the door, but you still have to deliver in the interviewing process. Build a good resume. To do so, evaluate the opportunities at both schools and maximize the results.
Outsider experience but let me contribute what I can? My boyfriend is in engineering & engineering firms will recruit you, regardless of where you went (the school being credited is obviously the most important thing). Internships are going to get you farther than anything else.
My boyfriend, his brother, and their two friends went to CPP and they all currently have full-time jobs in engineering. My boyfriend and three of his friends majored in civil engineering, his brother did computer engineering; he and another friend are at the same private firm but in two locations in SoCal, his brother works for Lockheed, while their other friend works for SB County. Another friend of theirs went to SJSU for electrical engineering and works for a private medical company. I believe two more of their friends also attended CPP and CSULB and one works for an aerospace company up north, the other is a computer engineer for Kaiser. But before I forget! My bf and his friend studied civil, but they currently work in structural.
However, funny enough, the two guys who started up the private firm that my boyfriend & his friend work for both went to UCI and CSULB each. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to pass them along.