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I Don't Want to Do Engineering But Feel Constantly Pressured to Do So
RolenOakenbow
0 replies1 threads New Member
Let me start this off with some contextualization. I come from a heavily conservative Indian family, which means that while growing up, my parents have constantly been telling me that I need to study either medicine or engineering. From the moment I hit middle school, I faced a constant bombardment of IIT-JEE prep courses and general railroading towards the engineering world, especially as both of my parents are computer engineers. The catch? I've never been even remotely interested in medicine or engineering. From a young age, I've excelled at debate, which honed my research skills, analytical thinking, and policy exposure. I've always known that I wanted to do something along those lines, but growing up in South India, that was always out of the question.
After my sophomore year of high school, we moved to the US, and boy did it hit me like a breath of fresh air. I was introduced to a land of endless possibilities, and families that were supportive of their children no matter what field of study they entered. I was enamored, and began to think that maybe I may have a chance to study what I wanted. So one day my junior year I summoned enough courage and told my parents I wanted to study government, with a focus on environmental policy.
I was ridiculed and branded delusional for even bringing up such ideas. Liberal arts are for white kids, they said. What's this about you not liking math? That's not acceptable. Stop debating and focus on your studies.
When I began applying to college, I had the chance to apply to some very prestigious universities. My grades were great, I'd gotten 5s on all my liberal arts AP tests (think APUSH, AP Gov, AP Lang etc), and I had the extracurriculars to back me up. The moment I brought my idea to my father though, I was immediately shot down. "If you want to study government, pay for it yourself," I was told. Things got to a head when he refused to pay my application fee unless I applied as a prospective mechanical engineering student. At the time, I was financially dependent on my parents for everything, and had little sense of independence. I put my head down, allowed myself to be bullied into submission, and said okay. Maybe engineering wouldn't be so bad, I told myself. Maybe I could study environmental engineering, and it would somewhat align with the goals I had envisaged for myself.
My first year of college has been miserable. I managed to BS my way into a top engineering college on the East Coast, and I am struggling like I never have before. My grades have tanked because I am way out of my depth. Competing against kids who have studied multivariable calculus since the tenth grade and who are there because they want to be is both incredibly challenging and incredibly demoralizing. I feel like a fraud, and like there's nothing I can do in my situation.
To make matters worse, my university is divided into individual colleges. To feasibly transfer into my university's College of Arts and Sciences (to study gov), I'd have to submit a formal transfer request, for which I have nowhere near the required GPA. My grades are in the dirt, and I've been placed on academic probation because I'm just not able to keep up academically. I'm lost, demotivated, and in a rut.
I can't bring this up to my parents, because when I do, they give me the same stock responses, every time. "Engineering is hard for everyone. This nonsense about government is just an escapist fantasy." "You're an arrogant, ungrateful child who can't appreciate the sacrifices we've made for you." "If you're too stupid for engineering, there are always minimum wage jobs looking to hire." I cannot tell them that I have been depressed for the past three years, that I am absolutely miserable watching my friends live out their dreams elsewhere, that I feel guilty because maybe I am being ungrateful and throwing away a shot others would kill to have. But I don't know what else to do.
I really want to study government, and I really want to work in the public sector dealing with environmental policy in the future. I'm not a bad student, either. I had straight As in high school, and got really high grades in my writing and singular environmental policy class in college. I'm passionate about the environment, about political theory and analysis, and about civic engagement. I've recently been looking at withdrawing from the College of Engineering and reapplying to my university's College of Arts and Sciences, but I'm terrified that my low GPA disqualifies me from consideration. I've been looking at external academic forgiveness program at other universities, but I'm afraid my parents will cut me off financially and I won't be able to afford college anymore.
I'm terrified, you guys. What do I do?
Tl;dr - I want to study government but my parents have pushed me into engineering. Now I'm flunking college and I have no clue what to do. Please help
33 replies After my sophomore year of high school, we moved to the US, and boy did it hit me like a breath of fresh air. I was introduced to a land of endless possibilities, and families that were supportive of their children no matter what field of study they entered. I was enamored, and began to think that maybe I may have a chance to study what I wanted. So one day my junior year I summoned enough courage and told my parents I wanted to study government, with a focus on environmental policy.
I was ridiculed and branded delusional for even bringing up such ideas. Liberal arts are for white kids, they said. What's this about you not liking math? That's not acceptable. Stop debating and focus on your studies.
When I began applying to college, I had the chance to apply to some very prestigious universities. My grades were great, I'd gotten 5s on all my liberal arts AP tests (think APUSH, AP Gov, AP Lang etc), and I had the extracurriculars to back me up. The moment I brought my idea to my father though, I was immediately shot down. "If you want to study government, pay for it yourself," I was told. Things got to a head when he refused to pay my application fee unless I applied as a prospective mechanical engineering student. At the time, I was financially dependent on my parents for everything, and had little sense of independence. I put my head down, allowed myself to be bullied into submission, and said okay. Maybe engineering wouldn't be so bad, I told myself. Maybe I could study environmental engineering, and it would somewhat align with the goals I had envisaged for myself.
My first year of college has been miserable. I managed to BS my way into a top engineering college on the East Coast, and I am struggling like I never have before. My grades have tanked because I am way out of my depth. Competing against kids who have studied multivariable calculus since the tenth grade and who are there because they want to be is both incredibly challenging and incredibly demoralizing. I feel like a fraud, and like there's nothing I can do in my situation.
To make matters worse, my university is divided into individual colleges. To feasibly transfer into my university's College of Arts and Sciences (to study gov), I'd have to submit a formal transfer request, for which I have nowhere near the required GPA. My grades are in the dirt, and I've been placed on academic probation because I'm just not able to keep up academically. I'm lost, demotivated, and in a rut.
I can't bring this up to my parents, because when I do, they give me the same stock responses, every time. "Engineering is hard for everyone. This nonsense about government is just an escapist fantasy." "You're an arrogant, ungrateful child who can't appreciate the sacrifices we've made for you." "If you're too stupid for engineering, there are always minimum wage jobs looking to hire." I cannot tell them that I have been depressed for the past three years, that I am absolutely miserable watching my friends live out their dreams elsewhere, that I feel guilty because maybe I am being ungrateful and throwing away a shot others would kill to have. But I don't know what else to do.
I really want to study government, and I really want to work in the public sector dealing with environmental policy in the future. I'm not a bad student, either. I had straight As in high school, and got really high grades in my writing and singular environmental policy class in college. I'm passionate about the environment, about political theory and analysis, and about civic engagement. I've recently been looking at withdrawing from the College of Engineering and reapplying to my university's College of Arts and Sciences, but I'm terrified that my low GPA disqualifies me from consideration. I've been looking at external academic forgiveness program at other universities, but I'm afraid my parents will cut me off financially and I won't be able to afford college anymore.
I'm terrified, you guys. What do I do?
Tl;dr - I want to study government but my parents have pushed me into engineering. Now I'm flunking college and I have no clue what to do. Please help
This discussion has been closed.
Replies to: I Don't Want to Do Engineering But Feel Constantly Pressured to Do So
Engineers can do anything. I guarantee that if you are applying for an govt job against poly sci majors and you have a poly sci minor with an engineering degree your resume will be on top.
My advice, go to your parents and tell them politely but directly that engineering is not for you. Politely but clearly, tell them that your grades in the engineering classes are not good and that if you are forced to remain in engineering you fear you will fail. Tell them how you have discovered that the better-performing engineering students had taken more high school classes that prepared them better than you. Politely but helpfully, tell your parents you don't want to waste their money by flunking out of the engineering program. Then offer two or three majors you would like to transfer to.
Prior to this meeting, compile a list of jobs you are confident you can land with degrees in those three other fields. Have a list ready of notable people who do those jobs. Show your parents your future earning potential in those fields.
Tell your parents you love them and are not doing this to hurt them. Tell them you want to be in a position to earn good grades and make them proud, but that you cannot do that in engineering.
From the way you described the situation, I expect they will push back some. While maintaining your composure, reiterate your poor grades and the very real possibility of flunking out if you are forced to remain in engineering. State again that you want to make them proud by earning high grades.
You sound like a very mature young adult. I am certain you can pull this off. It will be painful. Your parents will be hurt and disappointed by your revelations, and maybe a little angry. However, they will be even more hurt, more disappointed, and angrier, if you go through another semester or year and end up on academic probation. The time for this discussion is now.
Prior to the meeting, have a list of alternate universities you might transfer to. Maybe if you go to a less-expensive school, your parents might agree to the switch in major. Worst case scenario, you can transfer to a school that is so affordable (probably a public university in your home state) that you can afford without their financial aid. Don't mention these alternative universities unless your parents lead the conversation in that direction. If they do lead the conversation this way, it is best for you to be prepared with options. Also, have a talk with your current university about whether or not they will allow you to change your major at this point. It will be good to know whether or not you have this option.
This is your future. Another year of poor grades is only going to make it more difficult for you at every option. It is in your best interests to talk to your parents as soon as you can do so face-to-face.
Good luck!
I would also recommend you speak to your college counseling center to get support.
We want to do the same to DS20. We want him to apply information science or an easy engineering major as he is not as motivated as his sister. We were surprised that his public HS GC supported us by saying that you don’t have to be an engineer with an engineering degree. But employers love to hire engineers for various other positions too, because of their problem solving skills, according to GC.
OP, your parents have the best intentions at heart. They just try to pass on what they know, what they have seen worked in life. Engineering is hard for everyone, that is true. But I believe you really need to build your confidence back up. No kid I know in our school studied MV calculus in 10th grade. As long as you work hard and stay organized, your grade will get better. You don’t really need to show your GPA on your resume anyway.
Best of luck!
If you had a different family with a different background culture, I would recommend leaving school for a break, and reapplying to a program that suits your talents and interests better (or transferring, but if you go elsewhere your GPA starts over). In order to do that you might have to take classes as an unmatriculated student and demonstrate, through A's in a few courses, that you can do the work in government (as opposed to engineering).
So you can decide to major in something acceptable to them or to find a way to pay for college yourself.
i am an engineer and I took AP Calc AB in HS and then took Calc 1 again in college and did just fine as an engineer.
I work in telecom as an analyst/solution architect which is not a detailed hands on job.
In your case I would pursue Environmental Engineering with Poli Sci electives.
Get tutors/go to Professor office hours if you need help.
If you have gen ed electives left take them in government area. When you graduate, you can eventually get a masters in public policy. Many grad programs don’t require your undergrad degree be in that area - something to research. You are independent for purposes of financial aide in grad school.
View your current school as stepping stone. Buckle down and get tutors and work hard to do the best you can.
Also, see what is available outside class in this area. At D’s school there was a sustainability group. There was even a non-academic certificate in it (similar to leadership programs). These would serve you well. Volunteer with an environmental group that lobbies. They are always looking for free labor. Go talk with career center. Likely you will have lots of opportunities to do what you want to in life. Seems like there is no point in wasting energy to change your parents mind. Good luck.
Because you are a difficult situation academically, and it would be difficult to switch to Liberal Arts, ask your parents if they will pay for tutoring (for math?) over the summer and during the school year. It's going to require more work for you to master the curriculum. Take a soft skills (how to study effectively and organize your time) class if you haven't already. A lot of students breeze through High School - especially after coming from a much more rigorous system like in India. Sometimes you just have to work through it. Engineering is not easy for anyone - especially in the top schools where they design the programs to make it nearly impossible to complete without teams.
I agree with the others about switching your engineering major - also look at Industrial Operations Engineering , or even a Project Engineering , or joint programs (e.g. Organizational behavior) if they have them at your school. The skills you will learn as an engineer - and most importantly the thinking process to deconstruct problems into manageable, solvable bits will serve you very well no matter what you do in the future. Engineers are hired into almost every conceivable area and have a sizeable advantage because of their technical knowledge and problem solving abilities.
There are actually schools that have this combination of engineering and public policy. Maybe your school can mimic this idea.
http://www.civ.neu.edu/degrees/ms-epp
I wouldn't double major but a minor will give you the knowledge.
I spent 10 years in the military, & met plenty of people there who, like me, actually believe in that sort of corny, old-fashioned view (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) of what the U.S. is about. And we volunteered for dangerous duty to demonstrate that we were serious about it. Yes, we have our flaws, but people from all over the world still flock here to get opportunities they can't get where they came from. I don't understand why people struggle to get here & then continue to embrace the restrictions they had in their native lands. Why leave relatives behind & move thousands of miles if things aren't going to be different?
I'd ask your father why he bothered to move to the U.S. if not to open up opportunities you didn't have in India.
OP- do some research online and present some of those people of Indian ancestry who have been prominent in your desired field. Finishing HS in the US I presume you have an immigration status not tied to school/work. Indian engineers seem to be a dime a dozen these days- Indians who excel in social sciences are gems.
btw- sons (and daughters) do disappoint parents. Our honors math major son added comp sci instead of grad school and works very successfully as a software engineer. Our hopes were the advanced degree given his abilities but have since learned he is likely better off. He is intellectually challenged and enjoying his work it seems. H's cousin got two masters in fields related to his current job- successful. Just because one is able to do the math/science does not mean they should. For me, an undergrad chemistry major, engineering is not that an esteemed/elite major (sorry engineers).
I like the last line in post # 17.
It sounds like you have an army of posters here who could help your cause. Perhaps showing them your thread will aid your cause. Feel free to PM any of us.