<p>I just finished up my first semester in community college with a 4.0, and I want to have my major set so I know where to transfer. I've decided I want to be an engineer and I was wondering what engineering majors will be big for the future. I read some of the biggest ones will be biomedical, petroleum, environmental, nano, and computer engineering. Are there any other ones that will be big? I heard aerospace in particular will be hard to get into.</p>
<p>Chemical, Mechanical, and Electrical are the main three engineering disciplines. They are all pretty broad and have always been (and will probably continue to be) in demand.</p>
<p>Today Computer Science. Tomorrow, no body knows. Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial are probably the most stable relative to the number of graduates in these programs, while Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and (recently) Civil Engineering, swing in demand a lot more.</p>
<p>I’m pretty much in the same boat as you (except I finished my first semester at CC with a 3.76). Anway, I suggest you look over the description of all of them, and start to narrow them down as you work on your associate’s, or the amount of credits you need to transfer to whatever institution you want to go. </p>
<p>Typically, you’ll make the most money by either starting your own company, or working in the oil and gas industry. If you choose the latter, then Chemical, Mechanical, and Petroleum woul probably be your best bet to get into the industry. You could still get a shot at a high paying job with Comp Sci, Comp E, or EE though, because then you’d be qualified to work in the lucrative tech. industry. I suppose you could also do Industrial, and go to grad school for some sort of business degree, then you give business a shot.</p>
<p>I suppose it really depends on where you live. I mentioned earlier that getting into the oil and gas would be your best shot at making a lot fo money, but that primarily applies to people who live along the gulf coast such as myself. So, it really depends on what kind work you want to do…</p>
<p>Engineering is HARD. So pick a specialty where you have the most aptitude and interest. That will give you the best odds of doing well, qualifying for a good job after graduation.</p>
<p>Popular Science recently did a cover story and said Material Science/Engineering is the next big thing.</p>