I don't know which type of engineering I would like to study

[JoeFahey]

All my life, my interests have revolved around technology, science, math, and development. As a junior in high school, I have been trying to find a more specific area to major in for college. At this point, I know that I want to study engineering. Everything about engineering is covered under the umbrella of engineering. I simply do not know which type.

I could see myself studying anywhere from electrical engineering to aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. I visited Cape Canaveral in Florida this year, and NASA's facility just sparked my interest to look more into aeronautical and astronautical engineering. My friend and I share the same interests though, and he has gotten me interested in electrical engineering. These are just a few of the types that I have noticed, but I think that most other types of engineering would interest me too.

I've been looking for summer programs that would teach me the foundations of engineering, and help me in my decision. Do you know of any summer programs you would recommend for this?

With a major to study, you also need a college. I live in NH and have looked into RPI in Troy NY, and have taken a tour. It is a great engineering school. I also have looked into Stanford, Berkley, and other colleges in California. Of course M.I.T. would be a dream school, and I will most likely apply to that too. If you majored in engineering, what school did you graduate from, and do you have suggestions to look into other schools?

All input is appreciated! THANKS!

 

[minendo]

A good friend of mine studied Electrical Engineering at Purdue and now works for United Space Alliance. His office is on Cape Canaveral and he develops software and boards for the shuttles and launch pads.

 

[JoeFahey]

 

[Skiddex]

Just graduated from UW-Madison. great engineering school. i doubled in computer engineering and computer science

 

[Alphathree33]

I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

 

[imported_bum]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

Ok, now I need to hear some good stories about engineering. I'm looking at going into Mechanical Engineering.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

I found that description to be much more true of math professors than engineering ones. Although I can't claim my engineering professors were always the best at explaining difficult concepts, I never had a problem understanding them. Most spoke English as a first language, and the ones that didn't were good enough that it was never an issue. Some were actually pretty funny. You know you have a talent for teaching when you can get the whole class laughing on a regular basis on topics such as computer architecture and IC manufacturing.

All of this probably varies widely from school to school, however.

 

[Gibson486]

I am graduating from Northeastern as an EE. My advice would be to just take some courses and see what interests you. I originally went in as a CE and I got out of it after I decided that I really do not like programming. I thought that analog board design would not interest me, but it turns outto be teh feild that i enjoyed most (that and electromagnetics).

Just an FYI, however. From a person who has done 3 coops, I kind of regret taking engineering. I thought it was this great job where I got to design new things everyday. That couldn't be further form the truth. Engineering is about 10% design work and 90% testing and getting rid of bugs. On my final coop, I was put in charge of making an accessory for a future porduct. I finished the design in two weeks, but I must have spent 4 months tweeking it and cost cutting it.

 

[Gibson486]

 

[Gibson486]

dp....sorry

 

[KillerCharlie]

I was in a very similar situation to yours about 4.5 years ago. I came into a university with an all-around solid engineering program and started my freshman year as undeclared engineering. That's probably your best bet. I at first wanted to do electrical or computer, then I realized that aerospace engineering was exponentially cooler (in my not-so-humble opinion).

Four years later, I now design airplanes for Boeing. I chose this out of all the other places I interviewed - Lockheed Martin (satellite design), NASA (Johnson Space Center training astronauts and working in the Shuttle guidance and control group), Rolls Royce (designing jet engines), and a bunch of other places. To me, working on aircraft and spacecraft the level you do as an aerospace engineer is way more exciting than doing anything a computer or electrical engineer would do, but that's a decision you have to make. I have a friend (from my class) that is going to be one of the youngest people in the space shuttle control room, one that works with flight simulators, one that works on control systems on missiles, one that works on the JSF, and so on. Aerospace and mechanical engineering definitely give you the broadest range of disciplines you can work in with your degree.

As far as schools, I don't know much about the East Coast. The aerospace industry tends to love midwestern schools, but there are a good amount of people where I work from RPI. At the undergraduate level, I do not think it is worthwhile going to MIT or Stanford. Stanford doesn't even have an undergraduate aerospace program (despite the fact they're rated in the top 3 for it... hahaha). Those schools are great for graduate work though (I got accepted to Stanford but decided to work a few years first). RPI is an excellent choice. Like I said, I don't think there's necessarily that much more value in going to MIT or another school that's really far from home.

Don't panic over choosing an engineering field now. Most universities you can come in undeclared. Once you start school, talk to lots of professors and students about the different areas and drop in on a few classes in the different fields.

 

[Minjin]

I'm working on electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. I'd eventually like to lean towards aerospace but I want to have more of a broad background before I specialize. However, mechanical really appeals to me.

Here's one website that really swayed me:

Dpcars

Read the process of designing the DP1 from scratch. Amazing stuff.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Originally posted by: bum

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

Ok, now I need to hear some good stories about engineering. I'm looking at going into Mechanical Engineering.

I'm also going to do Mechanical instead of Computer.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

"Concepts like philosophy, love, spirituality, and god do not exist in engineering. It is strictly process-based memorization and application performed under the guise of critical thinking."
Sadly, I'm finding this to be the case. So much memorization to do, and so much of it can be done in a spreadsheet. I hear that things will get better after this year (I'm finishing year two of a 4-year mechanical engineering technology program), but it's tough to stay motivated. So much of it doesn't seem like it requires truly understanding the material, or solving unique problems - it's all just a lot of memorizing, and then plugging in numbers. Each problem can be broken down into simple components, and each one solved by memorized processes, or much more quickly with a spreadsheet.

But, I've done mindless, repetitive jobs in the past, for only about $10/hr. If that's what I have to do, I figure that I might as well get paid well for it.

If money weren't an issue, I'd probably be a philosophy major. Of course, no one gives money to people who can think. In this society, it seems too often that a lack of thinking will result in preferential treatment.

Concerning the difficulty in communicating - maybe I'll be a teacher. People do sometimes say I'm good at explaining things.
But then, I don't think I'd have the patience to teach regularly. I'm the sort who likes to explain things once, a "do it right the first time" approach.

 

[weezergirl]

i'd have to recommend EE as its the most diverse...you can work in the aeronautical/astronautical field AND MORE with an EE without being limited to those if you decided to pursue either as a career.

i graduated from ucla with an EE major myself and i now work for a space technology company.

 

[JoeFahey]

At this point it really looks like mechanical and/or electrical engineering are the best routes for me.are more broad, and after get a good foundation in them, I could move on to a more specific field such as astronautical engineering.

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: bum

Ok, now I need to hear some good stories about engineering. I'm looking at going into Mechanical Engineering.

I'd pursue a derivative of mechanical. Take a look at aerospace or aeronautical engineering, for example. Mechanical engineering is so concrete that once you learn a CAD package (computer aided design), your software will do all of the mechanical engineering (stress analysis, deformation, fatigue) for you. Therefore, your emphasis is on design, which is hardly challenging.

 

[spidey07]

I've tried to stay out of this thread, but i feel compelled to give an opinion...

Stay away from engineering. Engineers are the grunt workers and normally stay there. They're the low level "grunts", seldomly respected and always overworked and underpaid. They're like secretary's, but just a little higher in the food chain.

Get into Business and People/relationship management. This way you get to tell the grunts what to do. Engineers are schooled to take orders, that's what they do. Focus on communication and people/management skills.

OP - if you like all the things you described then go for a BA and specialize in those topics. From there you can quickly move to a product manager - knowing enough about the product but having the soft skills to make a ton of money.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: Alphathree33
I'm about to graduate from Computer Engineering.

About five years ago, I thought exactly like you do.

This is where I stand, five years later:

TEXT

The bitterness is sincere.

"Concepts like philosophy, love, spirituality, and god do not exist in engineering. It is strictly process-based memorization and application performed under the guise of critical thinking."
Sadly, I'm finding this to be the case. So much memorization to do, and so much of it can be done in a spreadsheet. I hear that things will get better after this year (I'm finishing year two of a 4-year mechanical engineering technology program), but it's tough to stay motivated.

I've rarely had to memorize anything other than some basic definitions of metrics and variables in my chemical engineering courses; as a matter of fact I've had so far only 2 classes (under chemE dept) that had closed-book exams (with both providing all the equations one needs to solve the problems). Other than the fundamental equations, which don't even count as memorized but more like second nature, I've always been taught where and how to look for facts and numbers.

Ironically (and in contrast) I do more memorization for other theoretical classes - at Berkeley it's nearly impossible (almost definitely none) to find a chemistry class that allows "cheat sheets" or open book/note exams at the undergraduate level - sorta a compliance requirement on Gilbert Lewis's side for him to be at Berkeley, supposedly.

Yes, engineering will get better later after the initial elimination process - once classes get smaller you will be with people who are more likely passionate about the subject to want to be in the classroom. This "process-based memorization" you speak of is a crude overgeneralization of the systematic problem-solving approach that separates engineers from scientists. I do have to admit that I wish we as engineers should be exposed to more theoretical stuff, but the nature of the major and the applied aspect of the disciplines do lead to the purging of the finer details and the minimalistic choice of curriculum. I'd have loved to be REQUIRED to take more quantum mechanics courses but due to requirements it's impossible - and yes, I emphasized "required" because while I can opt to take a class myself the heavy coursework bars me from doing what's considered "less essential".

Now about schools - once again I think it's important to select a school that isn't overly specialized for undergrad so you do have the chance of switching if needed. Most of the schools you listed are fine classes where you do get a blend of science, engineering, and some squishies. However don't overlook places like UVA, UW-Madison, UMich, CMU, or Caltech. One thing that plagues a lot of high school students is that people often rely too much on USNews statistics and treat the "lesser" schools as substitutes, i.e. Caltech is sub for MIT, Berkeley is sub for Stanford, etc. Once you get stuck in this mindset you're not going to be happy with the end results.

Edit: clarification and to stay more on topic.

 

[minime72706]

I was in much the same position two years ago. I had broad interests in civil, electrical/comp and mechanical(particularly aeronautical) engineering. Some of my parents friends work in the aerospace field, and recommended a BS in just mechanical rather then aerospace, as it leaves more doors open, and doesn't remove you from aerospace. I'm at Northeastern now, which I never would have thought about 2 years ago. I wanted to go to WPI or RIT, but went with Northeastern for the co-op program. Its a five year degree, but has 18 months working for a company, doing a legitimate job and getting decent pay. I'm closing in on the end of the first year, and so far have enjoyed every minute of it. For a concentration, as mentioned most schools first year is general engineering and you declare after that. So they introduce you to many different problem types from an array of fields. And most places its not too hard to switch in the second year.

 

[Strk]

I'd say try and narrow down what you really like. As you said, engineering is a pretty damn big field. When you think of engineering things, what seems to repeat the most in your head? Planes, cars, computers? Programming?

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I've tried to stay out of this thread, but i feel compelled to give an opinion...

Stay away from engineering. Engineers are the grunt workers and normally stay there. They're the low level "grunts", seldomly respected and always overworked and underpaid. They're like secretary's, but just a little higher in the food chain.

Get into Business and People/relationship management. This way you get to tell the grunts what to do. Engineers are schooled to take orders, that's what they do. Focus on communication and people/management skills.

OP - if you like all the things you described then go for a BA and specialize in those topics. From there you can quickly move to a product manager - knowing enough about the product but having the soft skills to make a ton of money.

To be fair, nearly all of the employees up to the top of a high-tech company like Intel are engineers.

Having said that, I may still elect to get an MBA if an EE career isn't going where I want it to after a few years.

In my admittedly limited experience via internships, I agree with what you say in regards to companies who hire engineers but don't produce anything that is really pushing the limits of technology.

For instance, I once interned at an appliance company. Do they hire engineers - yes. Are the engineers there working on ground-breaking technology? Absolutely not. Appliances aren't an active area of engineering research. There are not conferences held each year to discuss the latest in appliance technology. The engineers there seemed more along the lines of what you described.

That type of work did not interest me at all, which is why I decided to study IC design. Only time will tell if I made the right decision, as I'm still in school, but there's no question that IC design is a much more high-tech job than many other areas that may hire engineers, but don't have them working on anything remotely ground breaking.

Oh yea, at all of the companies I interviewed at, the engineers topped out at $200k+.

 

[neutralizer]

EECS at Berkeley. The program here is crazy and intensive. Also really cool.

 

[Tiamat]

Electrical and Chemical Engineering are very useful for NASA related fields. I graduated from Northeastern University with BSChE and am currently working for a lab affiliated with NASA for my master's research.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I've tried to stay out of this thread, but i feel compelled to give an opinion...

Stay away from engineering. Engineers are the grunt workers and normally stay there. They're the low level "grunts", seldomly respected and always overworked and underpaid. They're like secretary's, but just a little higher in the food chain.

Get into Business and People/relationship management. This way you get to tell the grunts what to do. Engineers are schooled to take orders, that's what they do. Focus on communication and people/management skills.

OP - if you like all the things you described then go for a BA and specialize in those topics. From there you can quickly move to a product manager - knowing enough about the product but having the soft skills to make a ton of money.

I disagree. There are a ton of mid to senior level managers that have engineer backgrounds. Business schools love to produce engineers with MBAs. But for this argument, let just set grad school education aside.

It is very easy to to get a 50-60k job out the door with an engineering degree. You typically top out around 100-150k if you do not pursue a management position. Even if you don't pursue a management position, you are still gauranteed to have a very comfy life (even if that means you are taking orders).

The same cannot be said for business degrees. Although business degrees have an almost unlimited potential in moving up the coporate ladder. The ratio between those who try to climb it and those who acutally make it to the top of the ladder is 100 to 1. Business degrees are typically easier to obtain than engineering degrees in college, therefore more competition in the workplace (where everybody has a business degree), therefore less chance to move up the ladder.

Yes the potential to be a CEO or CFO is so much greater if you have a business background as opposed to an engineering background, but most of that potential is never realized for the average white collar worker with your run of the mill business degree. You really have to have the necessary drive to become managerial material, not just the degree.

I know money doesn't define success, but it does define a comfortable and stable life for you and your family. With all other factors equal, your chances to have a comfortable life making 100k by 35 is a lot greater with an engineering degree than your chances with a business degree.