Any engineers or engineering students here?

[jamison]

I rather not explain my life story here, so let's just say that I am 19 and I plan on enrolling in some college courses within the next year or two.

I believe I am interested in engineering, but I have no idea what type of engineering at this point. If there are any engineers or engineering students here, I would be interested to know what exactly you do and whether or not you enjoy it. As a bonus question, do you live comfortably financially?

I am doing my own research, but first hand advice is always best.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Ameesh]

it depends on what kind of engineer but they, on average, live better then most.

 

[Stojakapimp]

well i'm an EE undergrad in my 3rd year, so I probably can't help you too much. Haven't really done any interning, so the extent of my hands on knowledge has only been in labs for classes.

I was pretty clueless about what i wanted to do when I came into college, but I liked math, didn't want to major in math, so figured engineering. Then picked EE because it was most impacted and I needed to sign up early.

As for the the material, it's pretty interesting. It's all new stuff so it's interesting to learn about. And so far, it's also come in use. My friends and I have built various circuits for cars and what not, so it's cool to actually see a real application being used.

Sorry that I can't help you much with post-college situations though

 

[Spamela]

i've worked as a software engineer for 20+ years &
work with EE's, ME's, and PhD scientists at a federal government
research lab.

feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

I'm a Freshman in engineering. Right now nuclear engineering looks the most interesting to me, so I'll probably end up doing that.

 

[DannyBoy]

Cool, now you can join this guy

 

[cheapgoose]

let's not forget about all the hot engineering chicks.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
let's not forget about all the hot engineering chicks.

pwned!

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: cheapgoose
let's not forget about all the hot engineering chicks.

See above ^^

Sex can wait... if you want to be an engineer...

 

[Ameesh]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
well i'm an EE undergrad in my 3rd year, so I probably can't help you too much. Haven't really done any interning, so the extent of my hands on knowledge has only been in labs for classes.

I was pretty clueless about what i wanted to do when I came into college, but I liked math, didn't want to major in math, so figured engineering. Then picked EE because it was most impacted and I needed to sign up early.

As for the the material, it's pretty interesting. It's all new stuff so it's interesting to learn about. And so far, it's also come in use. My friends and I have built various circuits for cars and what not, so it's cool to actually see a real application being used.

Sorry that I can't help you much with post-college situations though

why havent you done internships?!

 

[PowerEngineer]

First for the bonus question... yes, I'm reasonably comfortable financially (upper middle class maybe).

Working backwards... yes, I generally enjoy what I'm doing (most days).

What I actually do is manage people who monitor and control the electrical power system 7x24 (not exactly engineering is it?), but I also help program/support the computer systems that these people use. I'm also involved in making operating decisions requiring engineering expertise (real engineering!)

The unasked question: would I do it again? yes, I probably would. The things I have a knack for and like to do are all related to engineering and/or science.

Good luck

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: Ameesh

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
well i'm an EE undergrad in my 3rd year, so I probably can't help you too much. Haven't really done any interning, so the extent of my hands on knowledge has only been in labs for classes.

I was pretty clueless about what i wanted to do when I came into college, but I liked math, didn't want to major in math, so figured engineering. Then picked EE because it was most impacted and I needed to sign up early.

As for the the material, it's pretty interesting. It's all new stuff so it's interesting to learn about. And so far, it's also come in use. My friends and I have built various circuits for cars and what not, so it's cool to actually see a real application being used.

Sorry that I can't help you much with post-college situations though

why havent you done internships?!

You wanna hook me up with one?

I've been working at a fishery my first 2 years, and it's a great job...flexible hours and pretty good pay, so I'm hesistant to leave it. Plus it's for a governmental agency, so that might look good on apps. But I might try to intern over the summer or maybe sometime soon. Is it bad that i've waited this long?

 

[Hector13]

Originally posted by: jamison
I rather not explain my life story here, so let's just say that I am 19 and I plan on enrolling in some college courses within the next year or two.

I believe I am interested in engineering, but I have no idea what type of engineering at this point. If there are any engineers or engineering students here, I would be interested to know what exactly you do and whether or not you enjoy it. As a bonus question, do you live comfortably financially?

I am doing my own research, but first hand advice is always best.

Thank you for your time.

I graduated with a BS in industrial engineering and operations research (ie, "imaginary engineering"). It's good if you are very good at math and/or statistics but don't actually want to "build" anything (ie, you won't design buildings like a civil engineer or circuits like an EE). Here is a half-ass explanation of what the major is.

After graduating, I went straight into finance working on wall st. (the degree gives you pretty good flexibility).

Do I enjoy it: Yes

Am I well off financially: Very much so... much better than I ever imagined at this point (only graduated in 01).

 

[jaydee]

I am a Soph EE major just finishing up my first co-op with an consulting engineering firm working with Civil E's and Chem E's (which I've been working as) and I go to a school that's 50% Mech E's, so I'd say I'm pretty well rounded in the engineering field. I live ok, I'm going to have to take out my first non-subsidized loan for this quarter, but it should be my last as well. I feel confident that my financial situation will be in good shape upon graduation in a couple years.

My co-op, what do I do?

Civil E:
I work a lot with AutoCAD doing minor league stuff like text edits, playing with linetypes, ect. I've also taken United States Geological Survey (USGS) topography maps and converting cross-sectional areas to elevation drawings to see how (for example) a river looks and use USGS annual flood data to determine the predictability of flood levels.

Drawing elevations of a river using echo soundings over time (2-3 year intervals) to determine whether the river has accumulated deposition or if it scours over time.

Proof-reading technical papers before they go out as reports.

Assorted landfill stuff like Leachate Intercept Trenches (LIT's), the different layers, ect.


Chem E:
Reading/interpreting analytical data reports containing the amounts of mainly aromatic compouds.

EE:
Designing lights to go in a parking lot.



If you want elaboration on any of these, feel free to PM.


Hope this helps,
Jim

 

[alaniscool]

My advice to you would be to know that you enjoy engineering to an extent and not only in it for the money. I believe that the engineering field takes a certain type of personality and mindset to be successful in. I personally still enjoy it since I started working. However, I've seen people that don't enjoy the field burn out and eventually get fired. Ultimately, the pay will be good if you have a job...

 

[Dedpuhl]

Nuclear Engineering seems to have the highest pay to start off, but I don't know much more than that.



If you like math, go Electrical

If you like balancing equations, go Chemical

If you like designing machinery and stuff with moving parts, go Mechanical

If you like water, soil, or designing stationary structures, go Civil (graduated in 2002 in Civil)


CEs are generally the lowest paid to start off, but it's very easy to find a job since the field is so general.

 

[edro]

Nope. Nobody here drives trains or wears those funny little train hats.

 

[FrustratedUser]

I have a BS in EE and I like my work thank you very much.

I do:
Software - designing measurement systems
Hardware - Currently designing a Power supply + power distribution system for a Radio Astronomy receiver.

Howerver I do not work for a regular big company. I did that and it blew. No personal freedom, very strict structure. I was one of 5000 Now I am one of ~50 and it rocks.

 

[EagleKeeper]

BSEE & MS Computer Eng.

Enjoy work - cyclic - but this has been due to myself and style/area of work.

I would do it again with small tweaks if some areas/attitudes (20/20 hindsight)

 

[AbsolutDealage]

I would be interested to know what exactly you do and whether or not you enjoy it.

Graduated May '02, EE. If I had to give you one piece of advice - take internships every summer, and consider co-op.

I did not do either (could not find any internships, and I thought the extra year for co-op was not "worth it" given the job market when I started school). I should have tried harder to find internships, and I should have seriously considered co-op.

Because of the current job market (especially in the Chicago area), I do not have an engineering position. I am working at an engineering facility as an IS Tech (blech). Anyways, I should be moving up into a software/electrical position when an entry-level spot opens up.

a bonus question, do you live comfortably financially?

Right now, I do OK. I'm still stuck living with my parents, but I could easily afford a decent apartment. I'm saving for my wedding/house now, so I always feel like I'm a little poor, but of course that is not necessarily the truth. I should be much better off when I move up to engineering.

Hope this helps.

 

[nebula]

I think EE is fairly versatile. EEs can frequently do a lot of the things that Comp. Sci. people do, programming, etc.

I graduated in '97 with a BS in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. I knew my senior year that I wanted to do Software/Controls Engineering but I was tired of being broke and wanted to graduate. I've had some jobs where I was lucky enough to do some machine control and circuit design, but it was tough to actually get a job doing those things full time. I work full time and am going to night school to get my EE.

Do you like computers? Then I'd say EE. All engineering pograms are tough, but my friends in EE when I was in school the first time said EE was very tough. I guess it depends on how well you grasp it. Since I've had work experience, the classes are very enjoyable and not too tough for me. Maybe because I've been exposed to it before or maybe because I'm only going part time.

Money is good, but I'd bet it will even be better when I graduate (again).

 

[Ferocious]

I graduated with a B.S.E.E. degree and had very good grades. I even was initiated in the Tau Beta Pi national engineering honor society.

Good money, good employment opportunities, and it seemed a smart thing to do except for one thing.....I really did not like it at all...and now have nothing to do with engineering.

My recommendation.....do something you like doing if you possibly can.

 

[gluck]

I am a Computer Science graduate. I think if you wanna become an engineer take a major other than Computers Science but close to computers. What I mean by this is that don't limit your self by just going into Computers Sciences as a major, because its not easy for a programmer/software engineer (which you would become) to get into say electronics etc but alot of my co-workers have their majors in Electrcial, electronics etc and easily pick up computers and do pretty good.
My only advice here is that since computers is every where and inevitable now, pick such a stream that widens your scope and allows you to easily switch from one field to another.
I don't regret being a CS graduate just a bit frustrated when people from other fields jump in the competition.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
I'm a Freshman in engineering. Right now nuclear engineering looks the most interesting to me, so I'll probably end up doing that.

NO. If you want a life of absolute job insecurity and taking work wherever and whenever you can get it, and in general being treated like sh!t by your bosses, go for Nuclear Engineering.

Believe me, it isn't what you want to do. My uncle is in the field, is 63 years old, and nowhere near retiring. And he is a very, very intelligent man in many respects. He shied me away from nuclear engineering. It is a dead or dying field. NEVER get into a dying field.

 

[Compton]

I graduated in may 03 with a BSIE. IE really does stand for imaginary engineering. And I havent been able to find a job yet, I guess all the jobs are imaginary too. I'd look for a discipline that has lots of jobs in the area of the country that you want to live in. It seems like there's always lots of jobs in CE.