<p>Hi, I'm a 19 year old community college student who is very interested in going into the engineering field. I'm thinking specifically computer engineering or maybe electrical. My big problem is I am not prepared at all. In high school, I did not take very much math, my highest math was algebra II and I think I got a C. I don't feel like I am prepared for engineering like my friends are, who took precalc and trigonometry, and participated in after school activities such as Robotics.</p>
<p>My current plan, as it stands, is to complete an associates degree of science and then transfer to a four year public university, such as VCU, to complete an engineering degree. The thing I don't like about this plan is the time it will take. There aren't many courses I can take at the community college level that will go towards an engineering degree; at the most I can get maybe only two semester's worth of classes done tops. This means when I transfer I will have to probably spend 4 years there, which means I won't be graduating until I'm 24. This may sound stupid to some but, is that a big deal? I mean, the time it'll take doesn't bother me (I say that now at least), but will anyone such as employers care? Will I looked down upon by others if it takes me that long? I really think I can do engineering and I am fascinated by the subject, I just don't have the background set up to do so, so I want to get that at community college.</p>
<p>My other option is to just take courses at my local community college that will go towards an engineering degree, and then apply for a four year public university for fall 2012.</p>
<p>I know this all sounds pretty dumb, but I'm not sure I am either panicking over nothing or kidding myself to think I can do engineering. Any thoughts on this are very muchly appreciated.</p>
<p>Why do you want to do engineering? Do you enjoy math and solving problems, or are you just fascinated by its accomplishments?</p>
<p>I don’t see why you would need to get an associate’s degree. If I were in your situation, I would probably take community college math classes through the calculus series. Also take the pre-reqs for the engineering classes (usually 2 physics, english, chemistry, etc.)</p>
<p>I was going for an associates at a community college, and decided to transfer to a 4 year before getting my associates. It was a great decision. An associates means nothing in the pursuit of a bachelors.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about feeling unprepared going into an engineering curriculum. I was in a similar situation in high school in that I barely got a B in algebra II and learned virtually nothing in precalc/trig. But I ended up doing well in the calculus sequence and now find it to come easy since math is used so frequently in most engineering classes.</p>
<p>I agree that you can take the most common prerequisites to the engineering curriculum at your community college and it shouldn’t take 4 years for you to graduate at the 4 year university.</p>
<p>Employers don’t care if you take a little time to do some catching up, and 24 is definitely not too old to start an engineering career - I was 30!!</p>
<p>I was sort of in the same boat as you. I did Co-ops in high school instead of academics so I was a little behind. I started off at community college in pre-calc. I was always really good at math though so that helped. I stayed for two years there and got an associates. I actually would not recommend that because the associates required a few courses that didn’t count toward the engineering degree. I did it for a scholarship, but the scholarship ended up not being needed anyway cause of financial aid so I basically wasted almost a whole semester. I would find out specifically what courses will transfer and take all of those first since it will be cheaper, then transfer. I will be graduating 1 semester behind at my 4-year school, but I also saved about $20,000.</p>
<p>Same boat as you when I first begun my journey. Never focused on academics in hs only sports hah. Started off with algebra in CCC in so cal my first semester 2008 spring. Finally transfered spring 2011 as an engineer and it’s probably gonna be a while till I graduate hah. Just keep going. </p>
<p>@beta_fist: I’m not sure why I think I can do engineering. I’m into programming and solved a few of the project Euler problems in python, and I do enjoy math when I can figure it out. I don’t think I need an associates either, I was just confused about what to do and decided to do that for some reason. Basically I’m sort of lost and just running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off.</p>
<p>@noleguy33: I think your right, although I might have to check out a different community college than the one I planned on.</p>
<p>The following courses are pretty common at community colleges:</p>
<p>Calculus (one year sequence)
Multivariable calculus
Linear algebra
Differential equations
Physics for scientists and engineers (three or four semester sequence)</p>
<p>Check the articulation agreements between the state universities and the community colleges to make sure that you take the right courses.</p>
<p>Additional courses may include computer science, electronics, materials, etc., though finding properly articulated courses may be harder. You can also fulfill some of the typical humanities and social studies breadth requirements at community college before you transfer.</p>
<p>If you do all of that, you should not be too far behind after transferring as a junior (though if your community college did not have the computer science, electronics, etc. courses, it may take an extra semester or summer sessions).</p>
No. You can’t fix this anymore. So your only choice is graduate at 24 (or 25).</p>
<p>You are not prepared? You are prepared. Your mentality is prepared. I think the CC route is fine. Are you interested in making a digital component? CpE in general is about making computer hardware. EE is broader. </p>
<p>In addition, try to get a job in the meantime so you can gain more experiences, and be more valuable once you graduate. This can also be done by either participate in a research (such as robotics, which involves EE and CpE, assembling…), or personal hobby projects. </p>
<p>I entered college after graduating from high school, and I am into my third year. I wasted many days and I feel bad already. But as long as you are determined to make your dream come true, your future will be bright too.</p>
<p>I want to emphasize, again, that CpE program objects vary from school to school. Some think CS is less important, while some try to balance both.</p>
<p>I also think it is critical that you contact your dream 4-years U right now. Ask them what your options are. Graduate with AA or transfer after taking some courses at CC.</p>
