I’m a high school student now, and I have had a lot of trouble for the past two years trying to decide what I want to major in. I’ve decided that due to my strong ability in math and science, I would probably succeed in Engineering. However, beyond that I have no idea which branch. I enjoyed physics, and like biology, and I didn’t particularly love chemistry, but I think that’s mainly due to me having awful teachers. I also know that a lot of majors involve subjects that I haven’t even really encountered in high school. So all this being said, what are the differences between the different Engineering majors out there? What jobs pay the highest, and have the most jobs available? What specific subjects do they cover? Even just a short description of the main majors would help. I also wouldn’t mind suggestions of other majors outside of engineering, that also pay well and have to do with math or science. I’m sorry this is such a broad question, but any info would be greatly appreciated, as I don’t want to end up in a dead end job that I’ll hate for the rest of my life.
gee, if only on the internet one could look up descriptions of engineering fields…
During my technical writing class last semester, we had to use this website: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm which is the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It gives descriptions of some engineering fields, including short blurbs on that list and more in-depth explanations when you go into the tabs for an individual field.
For example: “Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations.”
I found it quite helpful. It also has median pay values (not entry-level – don’t expect that much right away), but pretty much all engineering disciplines pay well, so I don’t know if picking based on that will be too fruitful.
A few of the more common disciplines might be mechanical, electrical, chemical, and civil? There are even more than are listed on that page (mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil, computer / software, petroleum, nuclear, energy, aerospace, architectural, industrial, agricultural / biological, biomedical, environmental, and materials / metallurgical come to mind).
I really hate the answer of “let me google that for you” but your question sure points to it. So, why don’t you do some basic research and then come back with more detailed questions about specific engineering fields.
Don’t worry about your major now. Apply to schools that allow students to declare major by the end of sophomore year (not public colleges that have restriction on impacted majors like UCB, UCSD,…). After taking common engineering classes you will have more chance to know about your career interest. Also you may not want to major in engineering at all when you start college.
My school is one of those where you declare your major later, but the recommended academic plans diverge as early as freshman spring or sophomore fall. If I had wanted to switch (after freshman year) from biomedical to, say, electrical, instead of chemical, I would have been behind. EE takes more programming (I hadn’t taken any) and doesn’t take as much chem as I had already done.
For everyone confused, yes I’ve googled it, and plan to continue researching the different majors, but would like any help I can get. Most of the descriptions of engineering fields that I have found have broad descriptions, or don’t really mean anything. Like “chemical engineers apply chemistry to solve real world problems…”. That doesn’t exactly give me any idea if it would be something I’d enjoy as a career. I’m looking for any “insider information”, or if anyone has good sources for better descriptions than what I’ve been able to find.
This also includes hidden things such as “biomedical engineering is too broad of a field, you end up being a jack of all trades, master of none”. I’m just looking for any information about the different careers that isn’t easily found with a quick google search
It’s still better to ask direct questions such as “To chemical engineers on CC, what does a chemical engineer do on a daily basis as a new grad and are there specializations as one progresses in his/her career?”
Try asking those specific questions on the Engineering forum, where you’ll likely get some detailed responses from working engineers. There’s probably some threads on there too with some of the same info.
I’m sorry I don’t have it anymore, but when son applied to Iowa State University for engineering they sent a brochure that had a nice summary of the different engineering disciplines. Maybe check out their website and see if it’s there.
By the way, asking on CC is a valid form of research!! Just ignore those types of comments.
I like chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream the best, myself. 
(This is what long-time posters on CC write about when this question comes up for the millionth time. No one engineering field is the “best”.)
Besides the descriptions of the work and work environment, the BLS website has the info you requested on pay and job outlook.
I’d suggest summer engineering programs and E-days at your local colleges and universities.