The Million Dollar Question: Which engineering Major?

Kaelin · 05-23-2012, 05:29 PM

Brief Related Info:
- Just graduated high school last week
- Attending the University of Texas at Austin this fall for undergraduate in engineering
- Applied as an Electrical Engineer

Ok, so it might not necessarily be the million dollar question, but I understand that this is a question that MANY prospective engineering students encounter. First off, I'd like to state that I am not new to this question, by any means. I've wanted to pursue an engineering degree since about 9th grade. Ever since then, I've been intensively researching all the different engineering fields, what they entail, what they deal with, what kind of work is involved, etc. Also, I have talked to several engineers (Electrical, Civil, Petroleum). I have been so obsessed with the prospect of being an engineer and deciding on a discipline that I've spent some amount of time EVERY single day since my freshman year doing such research.

Despite all of this, I am still unsure of which engineering major to pursue. One day/week/month, I'll settle on something and almost feel at peace about it, but then something will change my mind. Most of the time, the thing that changes my mind the most is the creative ideas I come up with. I wanted to become an engineer because I'll see something or walk into a restaurant, building, business, environment, or group of people and think of some thing, device, vehicle, or software application that will improve the given situation or provide an entirely new model solution. Because of this, I KNOW that I want to be an engineer, but my problem is that every other idea I come up seems to be WAY too INTERDISCIPLINARY. I feel like I have to major in EE, ME, CS, and AeroE to successfully make the things I dream of.

If I can narrow down any of the interests I have into a few segments, I'd have to say that my biggest interests have always been computers (mostly consisting of, but not limited to, software applications), planes/spacecraft/aerospace industry, and robots.

- Computers: I took several programming courses at a local technical college while in high school and love programming, because come up with so many ideas for iPhone/Android apps and PC apps that both provide fun and improve businesses and communication abilities.
- Planes/Spacecraft/Aerospace Industry: I started launching model rockets with my dad when I was 5, I've had several RC Helicopters, I LOVE flying (I never get more excited than when I'm in an airport), I've even flown and landed a plane myself one time (with another pilot of course) after a bit of training. And... I've had this vision of flying cars since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Also, I took AutoCAD courses in high school and thought that it was just awesome.
- Robotics (this really ties in with the other two): I just love the prospects of the future of bionics, vehicles that fly/drive themselves (including cars, flying cars, and aircraft in general), UAV's, drones, and such.

I understand that many of these things really require TEAMS of engineers, and not just one, to be created. However, even so, I can't decide which aspect I want to work on.

Plus, one day I'll dream about working at NASA and the next day I think it might be cool to work for Apple. I love to program, but I also think AutoCAD is amazing. I can sit and design an object or think about the mechanical aspects of it, but then I start thinking of awesome ways to automate it or give it a screen with a GUI and an advanced AI brain. Computers seems to be where it all is, but I also like the idea of understanding physics, materials, and mechanics that can be made more powerful BY computers. I seem to like the prospects it ALL. It's actually stressful, simply because I have so many ideas, and I feel like if I choose the wrong degree that I'm going to be stuck with one field. ...which I know is narrow-mindedness, but I still get to thinking that in the back of my head.

I'd also like to point out that I don't plan on staying in a completely technical position for the rest of my life. Because of my big ideas and ambitions, (after some years) I want to eventually move out of a highly technical position (as an engineer) and move into a management position, beginning to move up and also start my own business to which I can guide more accordingly to my own visions.

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Maybe interdisciplinary fields like AeroE would be better for me?

Should I consider double majors (ME/EE, CE/AeroE, CS/AeroE, CS/ME, EE/CS, CS/CE, etc.)?

Will this troubling indecision subside as I start to take intro courses?

ucbalumnus · 05-23-2012, 05:37 PM

Intro courses may help you decide which subject you like to study most:

* If you like computer science or discrete math the most, that may point to majoring in computer science or engineering.
* If you like physics mechanics, fluids, and thermodynamics the most, that may point to majoring in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
* If you like physics E&M or math (calculus and differential equations) the most, that may point to majoring in electrical engineering.

Remember that robotics and airplanes use computers, so you may want to consider majoring in computer science or engineering but taking some electives in those areas. Or something similar majoring in one of the other subjects.

Kaelin · 05-23-2012, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the reply ucbalumnus. That's a great idea. When I go to UT for my advising session, I'm going to inquire about maybe one semester taking some of those different intro courses. I'm guessing I really just won't know until I delve into those areas and their respective courses?

I wanted to mention one more thing... So, would anything like Systems Engineering (or any other engineering major I guess) and the pursuit/plan of an MBA be beneficial? As I'm very much of a people person, I can see myself getting very involved in the business aspects of things later on in life.

NeoDymium · 05-23-2012, 06:27 PM

Aerospace honestly sounds like the best for you.
Keep in mind, you don't have to major in CompSci to program. Most fields program anyways and programming knowledge is a useful skill to have.

Kaelin · 05-23-2012, 07:07 PM

Thanks for replying NeoDymium. Honestly, my top choices have been among EE, CS, and AeroE, so that could very well be what's best for me. It's certainly more interdisciplinary than EE and CS. However, while I love programming and have very much taught myself up until this point (with the exceptions of a Programming Logic & Design and an Intro to C++ course), doing AeroE does seem to close (or at least make harder) the option for a career in something like OS design. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to do EE/CS and then maybe go into the aerospace industry (if I choose) and apply my knowledge of computers to it, still leaving me the option to choose a career strictly in electronics or software design instead. My question to you: Am I thinking about that correctly?

I know, I need to find out which one I love more, but it's hard to. I'm hoping my first semester(s) at UT will show me. And please don't hesitate to give me any insight or input from what you know. I can use all the insight I can get.

Kaelin · 05-23-2012, 07:10 PM

One more thing... Is an AeroE/CS or AeroE/CE dual degree feasible if I'm genuinely interested in both?

NeoDymium · 05-23-2012, 07:28 PM

Feasible (might take 5 years), but unnecessary. There is a fair bit of movement along fields possible and formal education starts to matter less than experience. You'd be better off doing programming related engineering work than taking more CS classes.
It's cheap to prove whether or not someone is a good programmer. It's very expensive to see if someone is a good engineer or not. Keep that in mind.

cosmicfish · 05-23-2012, 07:50 PM

I would be cautious with an aero degree. I started in aero, and part of the decision to jump to EE was the more stable nature of the industry. Professional aerospace work is often feast and famine, periods of very lucrative and exciting work alternating with periods of scrambling for whatever low-paying jobs you can find. Remember that software has the fastest update cycle, structures and engines the slowest - so a CS or EE will nearly always have work, aeros... not as much. I work in the defense/aerospace industry as an EE, and that side of the business is MUCH more stable and is currently also more lucrative.

Regardless, I heartily agree with the idea that you should use the intro courses to help you decide. You should also look at the relative requirements for the different majors and see where they diverge - in many cases, careful selection of math and physics courses can allow you to effectively defer the decision until your junior year or so without penalty.

I would avoid a double major if you can - they are rarely worth the extra time and effort. I know a few people who did this and none of them are in noticably better positions than the rest of us.

Kaelin · 06-12-2012, 01:55 PM

I'm going to bump this because I'm still undecided as of now. There are several great points above, an especially interesting comment by you, NeoDymium. So, would you say that even if I'm very interested in programming, that I should stick to an engineering degree, that it's more lucrative? I mean, I can see how this may be true. I started "scripting" around age 11 and since then have found programming to be very logical and easy to understand, for the most part. Even coming up with algorithms is a matter of a breaking things down into small steps. On the other hand, I haven't delved much into the world of physics or electromagnetism, seeing as there wasn't as much as I could benefit from learning those things as far as home projects, versus programming.

So... As I said, I'm still undecided. UT has a core area focus in EE of Software Engineering, as apposed to simply being a CS major. Maybe this is something to look into? Or should I simply go for a physics-heavy major such as MechE, AeroE, or a typical EE? I look at people like Elon Musk who've (although are simply geniuses in the first place) got physics and economics majors yet created a dot.com then went on to found Space-X. But I guess the important thing in his situation is that he rallied great minds from the appropriate fields to put that together, given he already had the money and resources from PayPal.

Anyway... I'm sorry to readers for my rambling on and my long posts. I'm really working hard to become an engineer. So anyway... No one has to respond to all of this.. I'm just spilling my thoughts left and right in hopes that people will respond with tips here and there. Thanks to anyone reading this...

NeoDymium · 06-12-2012, 03:46 PM

From what I've seen, skills > major. Granted, a degree comes with an amount of knowledge, but if you can demonstrate knowledge with an imperfectly compatible degree, you'll still be in the running for a job.
Physics is often simply "quantitative finance" although some schools start to offer Financial Engineering, which fill that role. Keep in mind people in finance with a little too much money on their hands may have other interests.
Even with the extremely cyclical nature of Aero (gets hurt more by busts), it simply seems to be a better fit than the others. Complement your education with EE/CS electives if you're interested.
Ultimately, experience trumps education. Of course you could get screwed if your potential employer decides to be a hard-ass (this happens during worse recessions), but it's not a killer if you gain good experience through university/work experience.

geo1113 · 06-12-2012, 03:52 PM

Kaelin, stop driving yourself crazy. Have some fun this summer. I like the idea of you being an engineering rather than a CS for the reason Neo mentioned. You applied as an EE so you will take the EE path the first semester. Go with it.

I guess my only question is why did you apply as an EE?

sax · 06-12-2012, 04:04 PM

Son has BSEE and BS Physics. He has found his ability to program and his physics background have set him apart at his EE job. He is in high demand within his company for problem solving.

Just get started . You will find your way.

blueiguana · 06-12-2012, 04:13 PM

Consider mech-e. The aerospace industry employs more mech-e's then aero-e's. During periods where the aerospace industry isn't that hot you are more marketable. I'm not familiar with the program but look if you can fit in a CS minor. You'll enjoy it since it's obviously an area of interest for you. I absolutely wouldn't worry about a dbl major.

Kaelin · 06-12-2012, 04:41 PM

Thanks a lot guys. I made this post a few weeks ago, and I'm not quite as worried as I was then. I had just been thinking too much. I was stressed mainly because I'm starting as a sophmore (because of dual credit courses), and so I was stressed at first by the thought of having less time to choose my path. Anyway... Geo1113, I did indeed apply as an EE major.

So.. Question... My interest in EE is mainly for that of robotics as well as software design (from the standpoint of understanding hardware), but is this something that a MechE or AeroE could do? ...maybe with a focus on control systems? I mean, I'm not interested in necessarily improving circuit boards or improving microprocessor design as much as I want to understand how they work enough to implement them in a system. At the same time, I enjoy the thought of coding and designing software to create a usable interface for such a system.

geo1113 · 06-12-2012, 05:46 PM

Kaelin, it does make sense that you applied as an EE. Having said that, one of my buddies is an ME and works on design and maintenance of control systems, and I know he has done some programming (couldn't tell you how much) so sure it is possible. I can't speak much to the AeroE.

I do get why these various ideas are floating around in your head though. You have a lot of good ideas. Gather the information and be as true to yourself as you can.