But why? What turned you off? What did you hate? What did you find out that you did NOT know going in?
I don't mind a lot of school work and I love math and physics.
I don't mind a lot of school work and I love math and physics.
Glamorous? Nah. I picture being in an office in front of paperwork or a computer screen.
I don't see a problem with working very hard in school. I DO see a problem with working 50-60 hour weeks for the rest of my life, but I don't think that's something that ALL EE jobs end up entailing.
Even if it's hard, that's what's interesting to me. I don't like thinking that other people in world are the ones designing those kinds of things and I don't know how to. The things EE involves are the types of things I want to learn about.
If you're not sure you want to do engineering, do not blindly major in it. I've gone through the engineering program and I've seen friends drop out and I've seen many that graduated but they're doing something other than engineering. Many go to graduate school to get out of engineering.
Don't listen to your dad about engineering companies paying for your graduate school. The companies will pay for your graduate degree IN ENGINEERING or maybe your MBA. If you want to go to graduate school for something that you're truly interested in, don't hold your breath that your engineering company will pay for it.
Don't listen to your dad about engineering companies paying for your graduate school. The companies will pay for your graduate degree IN ENGINEERING or maybe your MBA. If you want to go to graduate school for something that you're truly interested in, don't hold your breath that your engineering company will pay for it.
Engineering is such a broad field and it is not all the same.
My school offers EE, CMPE, CE, ME, and Mechatronics (robotics stuff). Usually you'll see that the EE and CMPE majors hating the mechanics part of physics whereas the CEs and MEs hating E&M. It depends on what you really want to do, I personally find mechanics a bit easier to comprehend but after one E&M class it wasn't so bad after all.
<Civil/Structural Engineering here, well, I'm working towards a civil degree and plan to go to grad school for structural.
My school offers EE, CMPE, CE, ME, and Mechatronics (robotics stuff). Usually you'll see that the EE and CMPE majors hating the mechanics part of physics whereas the CEs and MEs hating E&M. It depends on what you really want to do, I personally find mechanics a bit easier to comprehend but after one E&M class it wasn't so bad after all.
<Civil/Structural Engineering here, well, I'm working towards a civil degree and plan to go to grad school for structural.
DT4K
Diamond Member
- Jan 21, 2002
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True. Why in the world would a company pay one of it's engineers to study art history or something. And if you are interested in grad school in a technical discipline, it's basically free anyway. Most schools expect you to do research or teaching and in exchange, your tuition is waived and you get paid a stipend.
If you think you would enjoy engineering, than apply for entrance into an engineering program. Just pick a school that isn't too specialized and has a broad range of other majors in case you change your mind.
It really is hard to figure out what you want to do. The only way to know for sure is to do some of it and see if you like it.
Originally posted by: archcommus
Okay so who here has graduated from EE and actually likes it.
I graduated EE and like what I'm doing. But don't fool yourself into thinking that you're going to design the next iPod or come up with the new Space Shuttle electronics. TOday I got to work on designing a replacement part for something that went obsolete before I was even born. And it was just a 7-segment display.
I wouldn't expect that type of glamorous work (unless of course I became very successful), but I sure would enjoy knowing how those things were made and work.
It's just very discouraging to not have even started yet and hear so many people talk about how terrible it can be and how so many people drop out. I just have to keep telling myself I'm not one of them. I know what the subject matter is, I can't see what part of it I really wouldn't like.
It's just very discouraging to not have even started yet and hear so many people talk about how terrible it can be and how so many people drop out. I just have to keep telling myself I'm not one of them. I know what the subject matter is, I can't see what part of it I really wouldn't like.
Well, atleast you aren't going in with delusions of grandeur. It's going to suck. The subject matter is hard (i can only comment on EE of course, though not saying others are easy), 95% of the teachers don't speak english, and everybody thinks that their class is the most important. Couple that with the hopes of having SOME semblance of a social life, and you're in for a tough 4 years. But I did it, and I wouldnt trade it for the world. You make some of you're best friends doing a Fourier transform at 4:30 in the morning.
examples? well, it depends on the course. You could have anything from basic circuit analysis (there are a bunch of threads floating around OT concerning these) to signal processing and linear systems where 1 problem takes roughly 6 pages of math ranging from Diff Eq to Fourier, or just plain algebra.
something like this is 3rd year EE, and it was pretty simple for me. Thats just the underlying theory, you'd have to apply it to the problem you're working on. I invested in a good eraser
Eh that looks alright.Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
examples? well, it depends on the course. You could have anything from basic circuit analysis (there are a bunch of threads floating around OT concerning these) to signal processing and linear systems where 1 problem takes roughly 6 pages of math ranging from Diff Eq to Fourier, or just plain algebra.
something like this is 3rd year EE, and it was pretty simple for me. Thats just the underlying theory, you'd have to apply it to the problem you're working on. I invested in a good eraser
Doh! I forgot I need to buy a TI-89.
Originally posted by: archcommus
Eh that looks alright.Originally posted by: Wonderful Pork
examples? well, it depends on the course. You could have anything from basic circuit analysis (there are a bunch of threads floating around OT concerning these) to signal processing and linear systems where 1 problem takes roughly 6 pages of math ranging from Diff Eq to Fourier, or just plain algebra.
something like this is 3rd year EE, and it was pretty simple for me. Thats just the underlying theory, you'd have to apply it to the problem you're working on. I invested in a good eraser
Doh! I forgot I need to buy a TI-89.
You can't use calculators. They make the algebra simple, but they want you to know how to derive the stuff.
1) Engineering is A LOT of work. If you are not prepared to do a lot of work don't look at Engineering. The subject matter itself isn't too demanding, but the amount of work needed to get good grades is tremendous.
2) If you enjoy math and science then Engineering is definitely one way to go.
3) I'm not sure if switching out and still graduating is possible all of the time. My gf was in engineering for her first year but she transferred out to specialize in chem. Unfortunately, a bunch of credits didn't transfer over so she was stuck in summer school for the past 2 years. Even with that, she might have to spend an extra getting all the required credits in order to graduate.
If you're switching from one type of Engineering to another type then it can be done without too many problems, but if you're switching your major entirely, be prepared to spend an extra year in school.
4) I am Canadian so I only applied to Canadian schools. I applied to 4 (Queens, McMaster, Waterloo and Toronto) with the intention of getting into either Waterloo or Toronto. The other two were back-ups. I ended up getting into all of them but chose to go to Toronto.
5) The fact that you know nothing about Comp. Sci shouldn't be a big issue. You can easily learn it on your own or take a beginners course that your university offers.
6) Your school should let you take electives that you want but there are a few things you should look into. I've heard that a lot of schools don't recognize minors that their engineering students get. For instance, if you want to minor is business and take the required credits the school might not recognize it. If that's something you're considering, make sure you check before you make a decision. Of course, they'll let you take those course but you'll have to pay for them and it will be out of interest. Also, see #1 above.
Edit: In case you're wondering, I'll be starting my 3rd year of EE in September.
2) If you enjoy math and science then Engineering is definitely one way to go.
3) I'm not sure if switching out and still graduating is possible all of the time. My gf was in engineering for her first year but she transferred out to specialize in chem. Unfortunately, a bunch of credits didn't transfer over so she was stuck in summer school for the past 2 years. Even with that, she might have to spend an extra getting all the required credits in order to graduate.
If you're switching from one type of Engineering to another type then it can be done without too many problems, but if you're switching your major entirely, be prepared to spend an extra year in school.
4) I am Canadian so I only applied to Canadian schools. I applied to 4 (Queens, McMaster, Waterloo and Toronto) with the intention of getting into either Waterloo or Toronto. The other two were back-ups. I ended up getting into all of them but chose to go to Toronto.
5) The fact that you know nothing about Comp. Sci shouldn't be a big issue. You can easily learn it on your own or take a beginners course that your university offers.
6) Your school should let you take electives that you want but there are a few things you should look into. I've heard that a lot of schools don't recognize minors that their engineering students get. For instance, if you want to minor is business and take the required credits the school might not recognize it. If that's something you're considering, make sure you check before you make a decision. Of course, they'll let you take those course but you'll have to pay for them and it will be out of interest. Also, see #1 above.
Edit: In case you're wondering, I'll be starting my 3rd year of EE in September.
don't be nervous! everybody is in the same boat as a freshman, so getting nervous wont help anything.
Seriously, try it out, if you dont like it, change to something else. It's not a big deal. I went from CS to Comp Eng before I decided on EE.
Seriously, try it out, if you dont like it, change to something else. It's not a big deal. I went from CS to Comp Eng before I decided on EE.
Drexel (UPenn touches it, pervert) is a good engineering school. I started out my life taking mechanical engineering there and then after I found out that working on computers was an actual job and it paid well, I switched. But it was a good program that keeps getting better.
The best part about the coop program, so you can see first hand if 'engineering sucks' or if it's something you'd like. No matter what school you pick, if I had to redo it, I would make sure I went to a school with a coop program. I know many engineers (and non-engineers) that said coop made the difference. Making 20k every 6 months while in school doesn't hurt either. I made the switch over the summer of my junior year. Engineering credits transfer into any other program (but don't expect English major math to transfer into any engineering credit (that always ticks the liberal arts people off when they change majors!))
My choice was between Carnegie Mellon and Drexel, and a couple of campus tours attracted me to Philly instead of Pittsburgh. I felt like Drexel people were 'more like me.'
Good luck!
The best part about the coop program, so you can see first hand if 'engineering sucks' or if it's something you'd like. No matter what school you pick, if I had to redo it, I would make sure I went to a school with a coop program. I know many engineers (and non-engineers) that said coop made the difference. Making 20k every 6 months while in school doesn't hurt either. I made the switch over the summer of my junior year. Engineering credits transfer into any other program (but don't expect English major math to transfer into any engineering credit (that always ticks the liberal arts people off when they change majors!))
My choice was between Carnegie Mellon and Drexel, and a couple of campus tours attracted me to Philly instead of Pittsburgh. I felt like Drexel people were 'more like me.'
Good luck!
Engineering is worthless. Ugly girls, and no job when you graduate. Take it from me, I'm an Engineer turned MBA, turned Tech Business meister. Be safe from the outsourcing!
I started out as engineering. As my GPA lowered, I switched into Economics and to be honest, I'm happy with the switch. I really wouldn't suggest doing it unless you are extremely sure you want to do it. Also with engineering, you're starting pay out of college will be pretty high but it's going to peak pretty soon unless you get an MBA.
The first year in college is pretty much just general education requirements. If you are really enjoying the math and the science parts of your general education requirement, shoot for it. If you are getting saddened by the lack of females in your math and science classes, it only gets worse the higher up you get in those type of classes.
I personally only applied to one school (University of Washington). I was going to apply to others but I was accepted early to UW and it was my top choice. I would recommend applying to at least three schools. Apply to one that you might have a smaller chance of getting into, one that you will probably get into, and one that you are sure to get into.
The first year in college is pretty much just general education requirements. If you are really enjoying the math and the science parts of your general education requirement, shoot for it. If you are getting saddened by the lack of females in your math and science classes, it only gets worse the higher up you get in those type of classes.
I personally only applied to one school (University of Washington). I was going to apply to others but I was accepted early to UW and it was my top choice. I would recommend applying to at least three schools. Apply to one that you might have a smaller chance of getting into, one that you will probably get into, and one that you are sure to get into.
I graduated with a MechEng degree many moons ago. I only found the first couple semesters to be the worst, then you develop study patterns and such. It's not as difficult as some people make it out to be. Landed a decent paying job only weeks after graduating. Still plenty of jobs out there.
unless you were trying to be extremely sarcastic, its untrue and unfair to the OP! well, the job part, atleast... ugly girls part is true.
The best advice I can give you is to find a job that you enjoy and then get the degree you need to have that job. That may sound difficult but a summer job at an engineering firm is going to let you know if you will like the job. Enjoying the work you do in life is far more important than the amount of money you make or the social status of the work you do. If you hate your job all the money in the world or all the prestige in the world is not worth it. Along these lines you will find your schooling is qutie a bit different than the job you will end up doing, engineering school is about teaching you to solve problems, it rarely prepares people for the actual work they will be doing. You end up learning a lot of theory and how things work and how to solve problems and then on the job you use that judgement and skill set to learn the actual job you will do. I can't tell you the number of engineers I have met that end up dropping out of the profession because they liked the schooling, the book problems etc., but ended up hating the work because they never took the time to find out what the actual job was about before graduating.
Wow, this sucks. Almost every thread I read on here about engineering says it sucks and its very hard work. Now I'd like to think that I am going to work hard and that I will be rewarded in the end. However, I honestly didnt have a good work ethic in high school. I really didnt do much.
I will be starting school in one week as a freshman at NCSU....engineering undeclared taking 18 hours Gahhhhhhh
I will be starting school in one week as a freshman at NCSU....engineering undeclared taking 18 hours
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