I think that being an engineer (lots of different job options) is easier than surviving rigorous/rigid engineering academics. I really enjoyed my first 20 years as an engineer. (After a re-org, I had to retrain in a different field… … more of an analyst).
One of my kids stuck with engineering. The other switched to econ, with much more course flexibility. Both would probably be decent engineers, but only one has the required degree. Both are happy at their jovs, so all is well.