Mechanical vs. Materials vs. Environmental Engineering as a major

College Majors
1

Interested in all three majors and can’t decide which course I will like more/ prepare me for a job I want. I know for a fact I want a job where I can help the environment, and right now I am interested in green energy and/ or sustainable materials. Here are pros and cons of each major…

Mechanical:
pros- you can do literally anything with this degree, such cool opportunities with this major, some cool classes, combines chemistry and physics (i like both)
cons- don’t fit that ME stereotype where I am obsessed with cars and love to build stuff so won’t fit in completely with other students in class

Materials:
pros- love chemistry, flexible class schedule so I could take other classes in this major and also classes from diff majors if desired (ME or envE), cool research opportunities
cons- might be too restrictive of a major

Environmental:
pros- love chemistry, bio, and physics and has classes involving all of these, classes seem interesting, would fit in well with other students within major because all care about environment
cons- not sure if the way envE prepares me will lead me to a job I will love (my school focuses a lot of water quality health which isn’t something that interests me a lot), too restrictive of a major

2

I would say pick one to apply to college as. Then, you can explore classes more specific to each major and find your path that way. Don’t worry too much about paving out the future, it could change! Focus the one that you think you could see yourself doing, or do an internship with people in each of these majors to see which one you like best! Good luck!