Any Engineers on here?

[WombRaider]

A chemE degree will make you mad cheddah, assuming you're actually good at it and not barely passing the classes.

 

[irishScott]

If he's interested in computers alone, CE would probably be the way to go. However, at my University (University of Delaware), CE is basically EE with a focus on computer hardware. The extent of this focus will vary depending on where you look, but in all cases there will be considerable theoretical/mathematical courses required. If he's not into physics/math, he'd have a hard time. CS would be more appropriate, but once again there's a good deal of math involved.

If he's into more "science in general" with a focus on computers, he could fit practically anywhere he has an interest. Personally, I'm a Computer Enthusiast, but I also love Biology. I'm currently a BIO/CE double major, and I hope to get into Bioengineering in Grad School. This field also encompasses everything from AI to Stem Cells to microfluidics to nanotechnology.

Point is: If he has multiple interests, it's fairly easy to combine them into some form of Engineering if you're willing to do the work. If not, there are only a few good options.

In any case, I'd say go Engineering undeclared at University with a decent Engineering school and explore the options. Get a job he actually likes.

 

[SludgeFactory]

The mad computer skills don't have much to do with engineering coursework. The best thing he could do is job shadow a bunch of different engineering disciplines for a summer in high school. If there's a local program that does that, it would be worth looking into.

"Hottest" or "in-demand" job lists seem kind of pointless to me, a lot of them aren't very believable, and they change every year any way. 15 years ago, petroleum engineering was regarded as completely dead on all those lists. Pick something you like and get good at it, bring a little social competence to the table, and you will be employable.

 

[SampSon]

Ask him if he knows what calculus is.

 

[LS20]

petroleum engineering is the hottest

 

[frostedflakes]

Originally posted by: eaj0010
If he really has good skills as in he can troubleshoot/fix/repair/build computers and setup networks and whatnot, engineering is NOT the way to go. I went to school and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree which I started as a Computer Engineer. Low and behold I was rudely awakened that engineering and fixing computers are completely different. He would be better off getting a degree in MIS. I know I would have.

I am now trying to find an IT based job as an engineer...no bites yet...very tough.

I'm just wondering how it took you four or five years to figure this out. I'd think by the time to got to your sophomore level classes that it should have been painfully obvious this curriculum has nothing to do with working on computers. I mean where did you think you were going to use calculus in PC repair?

 

[Gibson486]

Engineering (Electrical atleast)....man.....i wish I picked another field. I mean, it's fine....until you finish design and get to testing. You would think the design is the hard part, but that is actually the easiest part and fastest part. After that, it's testing and testing and more testing. 10% design, 85% testing, 5% whatever.

BTW, if he does choose engineering (any of them), here is one piece of advice:

You absolutley have to know how to program.

 

[hypn0tik]

<---------- EE.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Gibson486
BTW, if he does choose engineering (any of them), here is one piece of advice:

You absolutley have to know how to program.

I'm jacking this thread.
I am in a 2 yr community college, doing a programming associates degree (c++, Java, maybe even assembler). I love math and physics. Not a genius, just have interest in math/physics.
If I decide to be an engineering major after I finish community, my programming skills should come in handily?

 

[LS20]

many of my EE friends are doing programming work, or atleast programming is a big component of their work

programming, math, and physics, and EE are all complementary. sounds like it fits you

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Turin39789
No.


There are no engineers on these forums.

That is all.

that's exactly what I was going to say.

 

[ArmchairAthlete]

If he's into programming, the career prospects are great for those who are good (at least at my school). Companies have a hard time finding and keeping good developers.

EDIT: But you were pretty vague about skills. If it's cleaning off spyware and fixing problems he'll have to be good at math before he considers CS.

 

[imported_Imp]

Ugh... If you actually make it to graduation (25% at my school ~among top 5 in country~ don't), you gotta actually like what you do. Most of it is math, math and more effing math, especially electrical and computer fields. I'm in my senior year of a Civil program, and I know/heard of people who are making it academically, but just plan on going into business or whatever afterwards. Personally, I will probably stick with it, but I sure ain't that passionate about it.

Oh and I also have computer "skills" that amaze clueless people. Is this what you're describing? Cause it's gotten me jobs with IT, but has done close to nothing for my engineering stuff.

 

[Acanthus]

Major: Materials Engineering with a concentration in Photonics.

Minor: Nanotechnology

Whats hot: Materials Engineering, Photonics, and Nanotechnology

I agree with the above poster though, they pretty much kill any will for liking the job with all the math they cram down your throat Unless you are exceptionally good at math, it's frustrating to say the least.

 

[potato28]

I believe Engineer is an engineer

 

[Tiamat]

if he is also good with general engineering problem solving, he will be gold at many engineering firms (Mech, Elec, Chem, Civil typically). Many companies are involving themselves in modeling and simulation, complex computations, and other misc. things where someone affluent in programing can be of great assistance.

 

[overst33r]

nuclear engineering fa shole

 

[seemingly random]

Most electrical engineers I've known that have switched to s/w leave a lot to be desired. Most have the attitude - "Who needs structure; it works doesn't it?" - and these are very smart people. Having never designed circuits for a living, I can't guess why this is.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: nerve
Ayo Technology

QFT...

Social Engineering may be a good start for someone that needs a third party to look into their lives for them.

Sort of like asking what the best car is for a friend.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: moshquerade


shaddup you. i used the term, not him. he's got crazymadskillz actually.

a myspace page and a potato gun doesn't make one a programmer nor engineer.

 

[mrrman]

graphic design, computer animation(game design)

 

[Stiganator]

I'm a Biomedical Engineer

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Major: Materials Engineering with a concentration in Photonics.

Minor: Nanotechnology

Whats hot: Materials Engineering, Photonics, and Nanotechnology

I agree with the above poster though, they pretty much kill any will for liking the job with all the math they cram down your throat Unless you are exceptionally good at math, it's frustrating to say the least.

materials engineering FTMFTW!

i'm probably gonna concentrate on ceramics. we shall see though.

 

[imported_Tick]

Optical Science and Engineering student here.

Best advice I have? If you do not understand calculus you will fail. If you are not really good at math in general, you will fail.

 

[RallyMaster]

Do not tread my path. Don't throw away something more like a hobby and fun job in order to go into seriously deep crap known as Electrical Engineering. I go home every weekend and what I find most relaxing is actually fixing someone's computer or working on a car. Analyzing a circuit is not fun. Finding the fringe field of a capacitor, while easy, is not fun. Every step you take, you will regret it more. Every homework assignment you do, every test you take, a little bit of you dies inside. Every single day you spend as an electrical engineer, you will realize that whatever you design won't matter. Marketing matters. Your product will always be useless junk until marketing takes it and blows it out of proportions. Walk away from engineering unless you're truly passionate about it.