What happens to engineering drop outs?

That’s first paragraph is actually funny… Lol :joy:

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My D is starting out as an electrical engineering major and I guess what I want her to know is that it is okay to change her path if she finds that it isn’t what she thought it would be. My H started out in EE and struggled in some weed out classes–loved math, became a math major and actuary. He has a successful career and happy with the way things turned out. I did not know him during that time, but I am glad he had the confidence to not give up or feel like a “drop out” but look at it as a change in direction and thrive in his new found area of interest. It worked out well for him.

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Think you answered your own question but I find it interesting and funny that he found Actuary the “easier” path… Lol (it’s not easy)

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Two different things. Easier is relative. :wink:

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Thanks for the new comments on this thread. Still a relevant topic to us!

So many paths in life, some better than others. I’m all for changing paths as self-awareness grows and experiences create new insights. Hearing your retrospective views is valuable for a kid who is just embarking on his journey.

This summer, he spent two weeks at what I thought was going to be an engineering exploration program. He chose a project where he learned Python to develop a game. Hmmm. Not encouraging the game design path, but he did choose coding. Point is that flexibility to explore still seems to be a good thing for this kid. Leaning against programs that cut off CS degree from engineering school. Getting out of engineering seems to be easy enough at most colleges.

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That sounds like a great attitude to have and share with your son as he explores options in the future…the flexibility to change direction and not feel trapped in any path. If he has doubts, communicating with you/advisors/mentors will help so much instead of feeling there is only one path.

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I thought game development was a growing field. Do you think otherwise?

I’ve heard the job market is saturated. I have a friend who is successful in the industry and shifted over to animation to work with Disney. A major like mechanical engineering or computer science would be a broader base. Game design seems to be a niche field with niche schools. Maybe he’ll end up there anyhow. His decision of course!

Well Python can be used for lots of things besides gaming :wink: Nice that he had that opportunity.

Getting out of Engineering is indeed much easier than transferring into it due to the rigid course requirements / sequences. Just be aware that sometimes other “schools” within a university have GPA requirements for transfers… and freshman engineering students, especially struggling ones, often have a low-ish GPA.

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If you do switch, I suggest doing so as soon as possible. I graduated with only ONE free elective, because I switched late. It was “The Economics of Sports” and was easily my most cherished course. Only one free elective is despite being on a quarter system with 50% more courses than a semester system. This is despite a 5th year to squeeze in my new major. This is despite not even leaving the engineering department. I merely switched majors within engineering. Loved college, but I felt kind of robbed on the breadth of courses, due to the very strict, rigorous course schedule.

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