Has anyone here in college did a major degree switch into totally different fields?

[wasserkool]

After my prolonged exposure to the good people at AMD such as Hector Ruiz and his gang who are all electrical engineers, I am contemplating of going into the technical side of that field.

I have about 5 years of experience in the High-tech industry but it is in the finance, sales and marketing side. It is also that experience which inspired me to get an undergrad in business, focusing on finance, accounting and marketing.

Right now I am halfway done my degree and I am wondering if I should make the switch the EE after I finish the current degree. I will be graduating in 2007 and will be 21 years old. One of my local university (University of Toronto) offers part-time electrical engineering program but it takes several years to complete.

Or should I just try to make the switch now but that means wasting two years of undergrad altogether?

Also, my math and physics background is a little shady, will two years of self-studying brush it up a bit?

 

[cyclistca]

Well I went the opposite way. I started out studying Engineering. Decided after one semester that it was not for me. Looked at other degrees. Decided to do a Finance degree. I was able to apply some of my Engineering classes as electives. End up only spending an extra 1 1/2 years in University. No regrets.

 

[Bryophyte]

I started out as a pre-med major and ended up switching to botany. Both biology I guess, so it's not that dramatic of a change in fields.

 

[imported_vr6]

well during my 1st semester of my senior year, i decided to change to pharmacy from IS. I finished my IS degrees anyway since i was so close to finishing. Now i am 22 and are taking pre-reqs for pharm school.

I was an intern for an engineering company doing software development and IT work for a year. didn't enjoy it one bit, so decided to switch.

Its always better later then never i think, especially with life altering decisions.
good luck.

 

[screw3d]

Stick with business. Most are happier that way

(I'm being serious)

 

[minendo]

Started out in Biochemistry. Graduated with a Bachelors in Food Science.

 

[wasserkool]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Stick with business. Most are happier that way

(I'm being serious)

why did you say that? If you think all aspect of business are EASY, it is a myth.Accounting and finance are two areas of business education that require equal amount hard work.

 

[nageov3t]

I picked up a double major in English and Sociology, but they complimented eachother in my path to becoming a marxist literary critic

 

[Kalbi]

stick it with business and hire EEs to do the gruntwork while you are in your office putting

 

[wasserkool]

Originally posted by: Kalbi
stick it with business and hire EEs to do the gruntwork while you are in your office putting

??? what do u mean?

 

[Kalbi]

Originally posted by: wasserkool

Originally posted by: Kalbi
stick it with business and hire EEs to do the gruntwork while you are in your office putting

??? what do u mean?

Business Majors are in upper management while science majors work for them and do all the real work. It's great.

 

[wasserkool]

Originally posted by: Kalbi

Originally posted by: wasserkool

Originally posted by: Kalbi
stick it with business and hire EEs to do the gruntwork while you are in your office putting

??? what do u mean?

Business Majors are in upper management while science majors work for them and do all the real work. It's great.

riiight, ur making fun of non-engineering majors?

 

[grrl]

Originally posted by: wasserkool

Originally posted by: screw3d
Stick with business. Most are happier that way

(I'm being serious)

why did you say that? If you think all aspect of business are EASY, it is a myth.Accounting and finance are two areas of business education that require equal amount hard work.

I suspect he might be talking about being happier in their careers, not just in school. If money is your primary concern, engineering isn't the best choice. If that isn't your motivation though, then I would say follow your interests. At your age, I wouldn't be worried about 'losing' a year or two of your life getting a different degree.


I switched from EE to Economics and History, then got an MA in Education. I still like science/engineering/mechanics, but my math is weak and I wasn't willing to put the time in to succeed. I don't know how confident you are in your skills, but I'd suggest before making the change you seriously assess your abilities and how they might affect you in school.

 

[everman]

Just do what you like. I went from CS to finance, soon to be law.

 

[wasserkool]

thanks guys for the advice