Should I major in engineering?

Tinuviel8
Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:00:28 +0000

“The main reason I want to switch into engineering is because I know that an engineering degree is generally of much higher value than a business degree and that undergrads who major in engineering generally have better job prospects than those who major in business I know I can handle the mathematics and I tend to be very studious by nature so I am confident I can handle the course work. Now, this isn’t to say I may not want to end up working in business one day, I may choose to go for an MBA down the road, but I think an engineering degree as an undergrad would be much more useful.”

You are correct.
The truth of it is that any engineer applying for the same/similar job as someone with a business degree, all else being equal, will be hired first- for the reasons you mentioned. They know what you are able to do, but just as important, an engineering degree proves your dedication and commitment. It proves these things much better than a business degree could do to with what a degree in engineering requires. It’s not just that you have to be smart; you have to be willing to put in/sacrifice all those additional hours- you have to be diligent.

So yes, if you can handle an engineering degree and are willing to make the commitment/sacrifices (time) for one, then by all means take that route. But do be aware that quite often you will be working well into your weekends while possible business major friends are out partying or doing whatever, but not needing to study for having any where near the same amount of homework/studying to do as you would with an engineering degree. You can think of it in this way: work very hard now in college (make sacrifices that other majors do not need to) to have security and an easier time later on; or choose the reverse… Personally I believe that the first is the smarter decision, representing only a few years in comparison to a lifelong struggle with work/uncertainty/far less opportunities etc…

It will serve you well whether you intend to stay in the field or not- you will have an definite advantage over your competition if trying to win over that job against others with an MBA with an engineering background. They know you will be capable and they know that you will be teachable.

It’s very good that you are considering this now.

And in response to the last part of the above comment, “Job prospects are cyclical. Just because there are better prospects now does not mean there will be in 4 years…,” engineering degrees have been and still remain some of the most valued, and certainly highest paid careers. The above poster’s comment serves as yet another reason why the engineering degree would be a better decision than a vague and uncertain degree in business.

“Just because you consider yourself nerdy enough to do engineering doesn’t mean you should.” This is an odd statement, and not very much relevant to the OP’s topic, but I still felt the urge to reply: I strongly disagree; college should indeed be about pushing yourself- if it’s not difficult then you aren’t really advancing/learning much now are you? What else do you go to college for? And in response to the ‘nerdy’ comment…call the engineering students ‘nerds’ now, but when they are happy with job security and easily paying their bills then others may wished they worked harder/chose a different, perhaps ‘nerdier’ path in college…

OP, If you have the aptitude and diligence/work ethic (although enough of the latter makes the former possibly not quite as critical), hands down go for it.