Switch Out of Engineering?

ucbalumnus
Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:59:05 +0000

Tinuviel8:

who knows the actual situation, such as do we really have a shortage or excess of STEM majors?



Not all STEM majors are the same in job and career prospects.

[Post-Graduation Survey and Report | Career Services | Virginia Tech](http://www.career.vt.edu/PostGraduationSurveyReport/PostGrad.html)

Virginia Tech’s 2009-2010 career survey reports by major (% unemployed, pay level of those employed):

Chemical engineering, 22%, $65,000
Civil engineering, 33%, $50,000
Computer engineering, 12%, $65,000
Computer science, 17%, $62,000
Electrical engineering, 24%, $63,000
Mechanical engineering, 21%, $59,500

English, 32%, $31,000
History, 32%, $34,000
Philosophy, 67%, NA (only 6 graduates)
Political science, 33%, $37,750

Biochemistry, 31%, $36,500
Biological sciences, 35%, $32,000
Chemistry, 35%, $35,000
Economics, 29%, $48,000
Mathematics, 19%, $55,500
Physics, 32%, NA (only 13 graduates)
Psychology, 38%, $32,500



Tinuviel8:

You are right there really is no point to do it just for the job prospects



Correct, do not major in something you do not like because of the job prospects. However, be aware of the job prospect implications of your major, so that you are not surprised at graduation. If you choose a major with poor job prospects, you can try to be more aggressive about seeking internships, cutting costs to reduce debt, etc…