How many of you were/are Computer Engineering Majors?

[Handle]

I got accepted into Computer Engineering at Waterloo, but decided not to go myself. So naturally I'm interested in reasons why people might have disliked the program there (btw, isn't systems design engineering the hardest program to get into at Waterloo?). I hear it's very rigorous and that moving every 4 months because of co-op is a pain. I hear it's also quite competitive, but with a low drop out rate.

As for an MBA, I'm actually thinking of doing an economics/engineering double degree, although it feels kind of redundant to get an economics degree then an MBA. I know they are not the same thing, but if all they talk about is money in for MBA programs, I'll be hearing about that for a long time.

 

[Ranger X]

If you have good professors, it'll make your learning more enjoyable. Unfortunately, I've only had cheesy professors that couldn't teach.

 

[LocutusX]

Too many people choose their university program with the idea of making a lot of money more firm in their mind than getting an education. That's too bad, but anyways...

I found economics to be both easy and absolutely useless in the real world. Which is why I stopped taking it after first year. Business seemed to be a bit more useful, but - IMHO - is the absolute pinnacle of bull$hit. The subject doesn't have any foundation that it's built upon, it seems to be constructed on the whim of the instructor(s). I really couldn't take any of that after first year as well. Economics, OTOH, although "useless" was actually something that felt like a "real" subject, capable of being studied. To suceed in business, experience is much more important than a paper certificate. I have met a lot of MBA holders while working at Hewlett-Packard and none of them really impressed me. Quite a few of the program/project managers impressed me, but these were people with x+ years of experience, who never really boasted about their MBA - and many didn't have one. In addition, the idea of getting your company to pay for your MBA is an excellent one, and there's another reason to pursue good full-time employment after your Bachelor's degree.

I can understand that because Engineering is so tech-centric, an MBA can be useful. Many of the engineers at my school don't even have a rudimentary knowledge of business which might come naturally to the rest of us who already have a stock portfolio, etc.

BTW I doubt that Sys De is the hardest to get into here. Although it comes very close - probably 2nd place. CompEng, SysDe, EE would be the order of "hardest to get in" with CompSci tied with EE in 3rd place, although its hard to make an accurate comparison because CS is in a different faculty (Math). I have friends who transferred from various other Eng's to CS and they claim CS is much more challenging, even though they might be taking 4 courses in comparison to 6.

 

[randomlinh]

Didn't read everything, but I'll throw in my opinion.

I'm a freshman at UMD, in the CE program. I'm talking from the POV of all my friends who are already here and doing something like that... and from what I can see, it's just hell.

For me, that has somewhat detered me, and the fact that I really don't know if I want to do engineering as a career. Originally, I wanted to do CE and minor in business, but there are no minor programs here, so it'd be a double major. But now I don't know, maybe CS/Business (there's some major for that... don't know what it's called) or just straight business.....

But my point is you need to find out if its what you want to do for the rest of your life. Yes, it has very nice potentials after you get out, your hard work will be paid for if you do well, but is that what you want to do for the rest (or most) of your life? To me, it wouldn't be worth it; yes, maybe i'd make a lot when I get out, but I'd probably kill myself if I hated what I did.

Well, that's my little view on this.

 

[MickySoft]

Can you guys help me keep this up at the top?

How do you keep it on the top???

Well, I am a CS and I just think that if you really like computer and are pretty good at math,
then go for CS. Circuits just give me the creeps....

 

[MiniThug]

I just meant help me bump it up if it falls, I need a good feelback of what the people on the board think about my questions. Thanks!

 

[LocutusX]

<< But now I don't know, maybe CS/Business (there's some major for that... don't know what it's called) or just straight business..... >>



They don't have that in Canada, but they do in the U.S. and I believe it's called CIS - Computing and Information Systems. Kinda like a lite version of CS.

 

[Handle]

LocutusX... you're definitely on the money about business smarts and owning stocks. If you have a stock portfolio (especially at this relatively young age) that you researched, monitor and understand, then you have a huge advantage on people who only learn theory. I know people who've taken courses where they have to learn about things like revenues, earnings, price-to-earnings ratios, book value, float, outstanding shares, warrants, bonds, common vs. preferred shares and they think it's boring and useless. Of course, if you follow stocks, it's not only useful, it's essential.

 

[HKSturboKID]

Well, I was a computer science major in High School and the only thing I learn are.

A S D F J K L ;

As for College....

Use left shift for letters in the right side of the Keyboard.
Use right shift for letters in the left side of the Keyboard.

 

[jmcoreymv]

HKSturbo, so did you have to pull any all-nighters to pass those exams?

 

[LocutusX]

LOL, I think I want to go to HKSturboKID's school.

 

[nd]

I use left shift always.

Perhaps after I'm finished with college I'll have worked my way up to using the right shift key.

 

[HKSturboKID]

I'll think I re-admit back to college.

They never taught us what that key does thats to the left of letter A.

btw....I did study hard on those exams.
Damn radioshack TRS80 PC are crap.

 

[navap]

I got kicked out from CE department several years ago. never regret yet.

 

[randomlinh]

why so?

 

[mosdef]

I am currently CE but I might switch to CS just to avoid all the additional requirements I don't want to have to deal with...

-mosdef

 

[MiniThug]

To The Top

 

[Valhalla2000]

So you think CE is tough? Just check engineering science @ U of T. I was there the first year and switched CE afterward. Eng Sci is not for normal people.