If you are an engineer....

[elway4ever]

Hey everyone. I'm sure there are plenty of people who feel like i'm wasting their time but I hope at least a few will take the time to help me out. I am currently a junior (17) and am looking into possibly becoming an engineer. Areas of interest are computer and electrical engineering.

Basically I kinda wanted to open up this thread to anyone who is an engineer and can give me any input. It can be positive or negative. I'd love to hear more about certain divisions of engineering (eg. computer, electrical, communications) but i don't need an essay. but by all means if you have that much info i'd ove to hear. If you have a little time and know some helpful info id love to hear...

Bretto

MODS: If this isn't allowed please forgive me and completely delete the thread... thanks!

[OnePimpTiger]

This is certainly allowed and a great idea to find out more about different fields before you pick one.

I'm not an engineer, but just wanted to say a specialized field like engineering of some sort is the way to go. I have a general marketing degree and it has done very little for me. Especially in this job market, the more specialized you are, the better chance you have of getting a job. With general degrees, you're competing with a much larger pool of applicants, which obviously decreases you chances greatly.

Good luck whichever route you go!

[BCUS28]

I have an associates in electrical engineering. What I found is that one can get decent starting jobs in many different areas with this degree. About 8 years ago, I managed to get into a start up company growing crystals, which really has nothing to do with my degree- I'm just saying because I had a technical degree it got me in as a low level technician.

Now if you go even further, like BA, Masters, or PhD, you can go into a more specific area.

[11chaos]

You know you could possibly get the Military to pay for your college education. Just a thought.

[pr0phet]

GET AN INTERNSHIP. I can't tell you how many interviews I have had where the first question is, why didn't you have any previous work experience in this field.

[shortking98]

Engineering is a great choice IMO (of course it is because it was my choice lol). As a civil guy, I don't know too much about the computer science and electrical side specifically but I will say, if you are willing to work hard in college engineering can be a very rewarding field with plenty of opportunities. Good luck!

[msriflegirl]

GET AN INTERNSHIP. I can't tell you how many interviews I have had where the first question is, why didn't you have any previous work experience in this field.

That is VERY good advice. But it is very possible to make it just fine without co-op or intern experience (but that definitely makes things a little easier). I am an Industrial Engineer...I started off in Computer Science, but quickly realized that it wasn't quite what I wanted.

I would also recommend joining a student organization related to your major or a general Engineering organization, and this includes minority organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)...and NO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MINORITY TO JOIN. If you are not in the demographic suggested by the names of these organizations, please don't make the mistake that a lot of non-minority students do in thinking that you have to be in order to join. I worked with all three while I was in school. The resources that organizations like these provide are priceless.

Almost any Engineering discipline is great to get into, electrical and computer especially. Both of those will allow you to go into a wide variety of industries. If you get into a major and decide that it isnt for you, never be afraid to change majors...we do it all the time...lol.

I was a part of the recruiting team when I worked with Milliken and I did a lot of work with incoming students at NC State while I was a student there. Please feel free to PM me at any time. I have a ton of other stuff to say, but im trying not to make this into a novel...lol.

Good luck!