How stressful is an engineering job?

Bestuck
Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:53:06 +0000

Hi. I’ve been reading this forum for a while now, though I’ve just registered. I’m 17, and in my last year of High School, so I’ll be applying for university next year. I’m from Argentina, so excuse me in advance for any language mistake.

I’m thinking of studying M&E eng (Mechanical electrical engineering). I’m going to put my university program, although I don’t think it differs that much from any in the USA. I’m not sure if it’s equivalent to an undergrad or graduate program. Anyway:



Basic Sciences:
Mathematical Analysis I - a
algebra
Mathematical Analysis I - b
analytic geometry
Mathematical Analysis II
Mathematical Analysis III
Numerical Methods
Representation Systems I
Probability and Statistics
Physics I
Physics II
Physics III
General Chemistry
computer I
Basic Technology:
stability I
computing II
thermodynamics
stability II
Representation Systems II
Knowledge of Materials
General Electrical
Rational Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics *
Applied Technology:
Machinery and Electrical Measurements
Heat Engines
Hydraulic Machines
Machine Elements
Mechanical Technology
Electronics I *
Electronics II
Electrical Installations
Industrial Facilities
Classic Control Theory
Control Theory II
Plants and Transmission/Distribution Systems *
complementary:
Systems Engineering and Socioeconomic
Introduction to Economics
Business Economics and Finance
legislation
Industrial organization
Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering
Specialization (orientation in industrial automation):
Control Theory III
Introduction to Robotics
servomechanisms *
Continuous Process Control
Control batch processes
Control Architecture.
Control System Components



First I was thinking about system software engineering. But then I came to the bitter realization that all I had to do was program (I know, I know, there are also other jobs, but all you so is read code). Anyway, I started to dislike that. I realized that I liked the career as for learning, but I wouldn’t want to make a living out of it (the same for astronomy or literature, I love those things, but reading books in my kindle or watching documentaries is more than enough, I don’t want to work doing that).

So I started looking at this career, read a bunch of posts, asked a lot of people about the day-to-day job and it seems fine. It surely attracts me more than 8 hours a day in front of a computer (I know that I’d probably will be doing that sometimes, but i’d also be designing 3D models, repairing machines, meetings, etc).

What I want to ask is this, for all the ME and EE around here: Is your job stressful? Do you like it? Do you go home and have the ability to clear your mind and relax? What do you think of my situation?

Thank you so much for reading this. Hope I was clear. Any response is welcome.

PS: For the sake of communication let’s assume that US jobs are the same as Argentinian jobs. They probably differ in one or two things, but let’s forget about that, at least for now.