<p>I am in an engineering class in high school and I know that I want to be an engineer, but I don’t know what kind of engineering I want to do. What kind of engineer works at companies like Nike or Adidas and works on making shoes and sports equipment better? Or people in Apple and Sony who improve things like ergonomics and durability on electronics? What major would help me the most?</p>
<p>Many engineering fields have significant overlap, but I’d say that you’re talking about materials engineering. See here: [Materials</a> science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materials_science]Materials”>Materials science - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Thanks. Who looks at the design of something(example: a shoe) and tries to improve it(give better ankle support,lighter,etc).</p>
<p>I hate to break it to you but that sounds more like Industrial design. Some engineers do get an undergrad engineering degree, maybe in mechanical, and a masters in industrial design so you might explore that.</p>
<p>The word better has broad connotations .</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, material science would cover the actual materials, polymers, fibers, fabric, etc. Higher level material science courses require chemistry, sometime up to organic, also calculus, physics, etc. </p>
<p>If you mean better by the way the products are implemented, ie: visual and function, this could be construed as engineering design. This teaches you how to integrate and achieve your ideas. </p>
<p>Regarding ergonomics, this could be related to haptics- tactile touching of a product, the way it feels. </p>
<p>Overall, by your initial question, I would say you most likely want to pursue mechanical engineering. This will provide you with a broad spectrum of coursework and allow you to take courses on material science, industrial design or even engineering design. </p>
<p>Your first two years will generally be the same across most fields of engineering. The last two years provide you with the opportunity to schedule courses which interest you- allowing you to focus.</p>
<p>Thanks. What is mechanical engineering in a nutshell?</p>
<p>They don’t make the clocks, they make them better.</p>
<p>Mechanical engineering includes a wide spectrum of topics. The first two years in college will be filled with courses such as chemistry, physics, calculus, differential equations, etc. As a mechanical engineer you will also take courses such as statics, dynamic, thermodynamic and strength of material. The last two years you can concentrate on your specialty. These topics can include; mechanics, thermodynamics, mechatronics, structures, polymers, biomechanics, etc. There are tons of ways to focus yourself and your abilities.</p>
<p>Human Factors</p>
<p>Some programs are in engineering; others are in Design, Human Ecology (e.g., Cornell), Kinesiology (e.g., Indiana), or Psychology. Many of the programs in this area are at the graduate level.</p>
<p>[Board</a> of Certification in Professional Ergonomics](<a href=“http://bcpe.org/page/accredited-hf-e-programs]Board”>http://bcpe.org/page/accredited-hf-e-programs)</p>