Career Path..=/

[Koing]

Originally posted by: DaShen
Engineering is on the upswing right now. Computer Programming is outsourced.

Nursing is a great profession though.

Just pick one and go Pre-med so that you can have options later on. Don't end up like I did in college. 🙁

Did you drop out of Medicine or something? Just wondering.

Koing

 

[vmacman]

Nope I just graduated from high school

 

[bondboy]

Originally posted by: vmacman
I dunno becoming an enginner kinda scares me..suppose i graduate and dont find a job around my area =[ i am living in san jose (silicon valley) and i would really hate if i had to move

You're in the bay area. It will be much easier to find an engineering job there than anywhere else!

 

[vmacman]

oops thought u were asking me haha

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
My dad is almost 60 and an EE, he's had his job since his late 20's and the only time he's lost his job is when the whole company actually shut down. Then he got another job with higher pay in a couple of weeks. He gets payed a lot for an engineer (86,000) because of his seniority. I'm thinking about dropping my dreams of CIS and going for Engineering.

86K is crap pay for a senior engineer in CA.

 

[ailetlvo]

Engineering is a very broad discipline, and there is lots more to it than the compsci rave that has everyone thinking they can program. You really should research all aspects of the field, and decide what you would like to do.

I wish I had decided from the start that I wanted engineering. Now, I pretty much wasted my first 2 years, so I've got 3 years left on a degree that I could have finished in 4 if I was focused. Time is very valuable.

 

[vmacman]

Originally posted by: ailetlvo
Engineering is a very broad discipline, and there is lots more to it than the compsci rave that has everyone thinking they can program. You really should research all aspects of the field, and decide what you would like to do.

I wish I had decided from the start that I wanted engineering. Now, I pretty much wasted my first 2 years, so I've got 3 years left on a degree that I could have finished in 4 if I was focused. Time is very valuable.

What is yur carrear right now?

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Man, I'd never spend deacdes of my life doing something just for the money. I'd rather be happier at my job and live more humbly.

Then again, I'm an English major who's in IT, so....

 

[flyfish]

Welding.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

Not if they specialize though, right?

 

[HBombToo]

I am an EE working in wireless and love it. I have about 20 years under my belt and it has been fun, very rewarding and the payoff has been beyond all my expectations. I truly wanted to be an engineer and IMO thats the only way you can make it through since any of the disciplines are very difficult.

Since you seem undecided I would suggest that you mix the physics and mathimatics in with some of the nursing classes and consider that a survey in your first semester. Trust me when I say at the end of calc and physics in your first semester you will know if you have the aptitude for engineering and want to continue.

HBombToo

 

[SamurAchzar]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

All of those other professions require considerabley more effort than being an EE. Lets put it this way - Engineering is one of the best white-collar professions in terms of effort/$.

Another benefit which no one mentioned is that the profession is ever evolving. There's no chance you'd be stuck for 20 years doing the SAME.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

Not if they specialize though, right?

yeah specialists make more money but they also require another 4 years or so of residency/training at a university hospital. Basically they dig themselves deeper into a hole of debt hoping to recover more when they get out. And of course the higher paying ones are more competitive and stressful.

I don't think anyone really goes into medical for the money anymore, the stress is too high and the demands are very great. My cousin is a doc, early 30s or so and on thanksgiving day while i was visiting he was getting calls on a child patient he's responsible for in the ICU needing a new liver, so your life revolves around your work. Since his wife is also a doc, their son goes to childcare/grandparents/nanny a lot, so even personal sacrifices are great. They get almost no vacation and their own medical/benefits kind of suck relative to even engineers.

then there is me as premed flunky turned EE posting at ATOT at work. LOL.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

but engineers do not make much at all in comparison. They top out at around 80 - 90k (and that is with several years experience), and you only get higher pay once you become a manager. If you really wanted to do something just for money, then do it the smart way and become an accountant.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

All of those other professions require considerabley more effort than being an EE. Lets put it this way - Engineering is one of the best white-collar professions in terms of effort/$.

Another benefit which no one mentioned is that the profession is ever evolving. There's no chance you'd be stuck for 20 years doing the SAME.

That's untrue. there are people who have done stuff like microwave circuits for their whole life.

 

[HBombToo]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

That's untrue. there are people who have done stuff like microwave circuits for their whole life.

Ya but Touchstone and Monte Carlo analysis are way KEWL!

 

[SamurAchzar]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

All of those other professions require considerabley more effort than being an EE. Lets put it this way - Engineering is one of the best white-collar professions in terms of effort/$.

Another benefit which no one mentioned is that the profession is ever evolving. There's no chance you'd be stuck for 20 years doing the SAME.

That's untrue. there are people who have done stuff like microwave circuits for their whole life.

That, as well as RF in general, are very specialized fields and probably have more to do with physics than with "traditional" EE. The other side is that, at least where I come from, GOOD RF/Microwave engineers fetch 1.5x-2x the average EE salary.

And even then, the environment in which they work has evolved quite rapidly. There are new demands for the products all the time. The core might remain the same, but the work isn't.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

but engineers do not make much at all in comparison. They top out at around 80 - 90k (and that is with several years experience), and you only get higher pay once you become a manager. If you really wanted to do something just for money, then do it the smart way and become an accountant.

lol, engs don't top out 80-90k, if you're even decent you make that within 10 years.

Before anyone complains 10 years is a long time, med students spend 4 years grad program and 4 years residency so they're 8 years behind before they see a single dime.

Don't even count benefits, paid sick/vacation, matching 401K, health/dental/vision/life insurance, free grad school if you choose to go. Docs get almost none of that and it'll cost you 10K+ to match on your own.

I'm not saying engs are high rollers, but it's not a poorly paid field.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

All of those other professions require considerabley more effort than being an EE. Lets put it this way - Engineering is one of the best white-collar professions in terms of effort/$.

Another benefit which no one mentioned is that the profession is ever evolving. There's no chance you'd be stuck for 20 years doing the SAME.

That's untrue. there are people who have done stuff like microwave circuits for their whole life.

That doesn't mean anything, the technology, design tools/methods, applications, etc. will not stay the same for a whole career.

What a microwave circuit engineer works on today will almost certainly be substantially different and weak sauce compared to 20 years later.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: SamurAchzar

I guess im overthinking about the future?

Yes you are. Do what you like, and consider yourself lucky to like something as solid and profitable as engineering. Hell, people who doesn't like engineering one bit enroll it just because of the money, so you're turning AWAY from it for the same reason?

Ummm, if you want to do something "just for the money", I can think of a number of better choices than engineering. Medicine, dentistry, investment banking, just to name 3 off the top of my head. I am kicking myself right now for not choosing one of those over EE, despite the fact that I find EE much more interesting. (I am an EE grad student)

depending on the field, there often isn't much money left in being a doctor and the hours are nuts.

but engineers do not make much at all in comparison. They top out at around 80 - 90k (and that is with several years experience), and you only get higher pay once you become a manager. If you really wanted to do something just for money, then do it the smart way and become an accountant.

What engineering company did you work for? Although my current outlook on engineering may seem bleak, I know what you said is not true in general. I received a job offer from Intel out of undergrad. I asked the manager who interviewed me there how the company was structured in terms of salary and advancement potential. She told me that engineers at Intel top out at $200k, and so do managers. To advance any higher, you have to move in to some type of executive management position. One of my dad's friends is a manager at Boeing, and told me their scale is pretty much the same.

Heck, I know of people coming out of my school with an MS getting offers of $80k, so I have a hard time believing what you are saying. Granted the jobs might be in expensive areas like LA, but still, I think your statement is misleading.

 

[HBombToo]

If engineering topped out at 90k I would have left the field long ago.

 

[DaShen]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
if you can handle the blood and guts, i would vote for healthcare/nursing

that can never be outsourced and with all the baby boomers over the hill, demand will continue to rise in health care

Pretty true, but it may make for a policy change in healthcare and insurance. Which might not be a bad thing.

 

[BigJ]

Nursing is one of the most in-demand jobs in America. There is a huge shortage in the US, and that number is only going to get bigger. There simply are not enough people to fill the demand.