Dislike my major

[Bork]

I know this isn't as serious as most topics in here, but I have come to a point in life where I no longer want to be an engineer. I have one year left, and my scholarship only covers this last year. However, if I stick with engineering I get school paid for through PhD.

My problem is that I hate engineering... it is fun as a hobby but I feel like it doesn't give me any pleasure. I am wishing I had studied one of the hard sciences like biology, chemistry, or physics. But then again, I doubt I am smart enough. I hate to say it, but I want to see how the creator thinks. I want a glimpse into his mind and understand the beauty.

Any thoughts? What would you do?


Also, if you are wondering why a 24 year old is still an undergrad, it is 3 reasons: Transfered colleges, graduated at 19, and took a year off.

 

[eoe]

It would be a bad move to not complete your degree at this point even if you do decide to do something else later.

 

[Bork]

It would be a bad move to not complete your degree at this point even if you do decide to do something else later.

I agree 100%

 

[MariaRegina]

You could always complete your undergrad degree in Engineering. In this your last year, see if you can take a couple of electives to see what other fields interest you.

If you did well in Engineering, you should do equally well in the other sciences as math is used in all sciences.

You can always get a masters in another field. It might take only 18 to 30 units of undergraduate studies as a prerequisite for the new Masters, but this is worth it.

Alternative: see if the scholarship will cover a double major ... sometimes they will and then you can double major in Engineering and in the field you wish to pursue a Master's Degree. It is much cheaper to have a double major and then go directly into a Master's program as a classified grad than to be accepted as an unclassified grad, because the course fees are less for undergrads than grads.

Hope this helps.

p.s. I'm a graduate student. Never too late to learn.

 

[epy]

I want to see how the creator thinks. I want a glimpse into his mind and understand the beauty.

That is possible to some extent with or without a science degree.

My thought is pursue your dream, but carefully so as to not harm your wellbeing. The suggestions so far have been good ones. Keep it in your prayers.

 

[heron]

Bork, a lot of engineering students run across this -- the BSE degree is presented as creative and imaginative, but most of the drafting is over with in the first year, and the rest is theory/math/science.

Does your school offer a BTech degree? I know that the tech graduates have less respect in the workplace, but they
end up doing what most people enter engineering expecting to do. That might be a way to use the more credits than science.

Adding a minor in Physics or Chemistry might take you forever, but could prepare you for a new grad direction. I would try to find an advising department at your school that focuses on internal transfers. They will know the most efficient routes you can take.

You mentioned science -- what about imaging? There might be a way of closing out your degree, and starting a master's in your choice area. Just an idea... http://www.cis.rit.edu/content/view/36/119/

I'm not sure if I mentioned this to you in another thread... there are schools that take unusual amounts of transfer credit, and allow multidisciplinary degrees (engineering with science). The ones that come to mind are Empire State and Regents/Excelsior College. Others do that, with a minimum number of credits taken at the school offering the degree.

Paid through PhD-- wow, where did you find that!!!!

 

[Bork]

Bork, a lot of engineering students run across this -- the BSE degree is presented as creative and imaginative, but most of the drafting is over with in the first year, and the rest is theory/math/science.

Yea, I can agree with this. I have always wanted to build stuff, and did so as a hobbyist, but the repetitive nature of courses has bored me to tears and the courses aren't what I expected. Plus, they just don't spur my interest.

Does your school offer a BTech degree?

Nope, no luck.

Adding a minor in Physics or Chemistry might take you forever, but could prepare you for a new grad direction. I would try to find an advising department at your school that focuses on internal transfers. They will know the most efficient routes you can take.

I looked into a minor, seems i'd have to stay at least another semester. Not the best plan. However, I am only 3 classes away from a religion minor, lol.

You mentioned science -- what about imaging? There might be a way of closing out your degree, and starting a master's in your choice area. Just an idea... http://www.cis.rit.edu/content/view/36/119/

We don't have any special programs besides biomechancil at my university.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this to you in another thread... there are schools that take unusual amounts of transfer credit, and allow multidisciplinary degrees (engineering with science). The ones that come to mind are Empire State and Regents/Excelsior College. Others do that, with a minimum number of credits taken at the school offering the degree.

I have been looking at this, it seems like a viable option.

Paid through PhD-- wow, where did you find that!!!!

Use to be an overachiever

 

[Bork]

That is possible to some extent with or without a science degree.

Aye, this is true, but if anything it is another drop in the bucket about being fed up with engineering. I had already decided that engineering is not for me, but haven't decided where I want to go with it. Since I only have a year left, I was going to finish it.

My thought is pursue your dream, but carefully so as to not harm your wellbeing. The suggestions so far have been good ones. Keep it in your prayers.

Thanks!

 

[heron]

Overachieving, that's a worthwhile way to get free tuition!

The job will be much different from the schooling. Most engineers I know work on a very specific task, and become a specialist in their area. Underlying their efforts is a sense of purpose that goes beyond what exams and papers offer.

Taking intensive coursework for 5+ years a grueling process. It's common to burn out, and not have the original enthusiasm to keep motivated.

If you think there's a possibility you can stomach another year, it's worth finishing out the degree... not only for the credits, but it shows how you follow through with a task.

Barbara Sher wrote a book, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was : How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It.
I don't usually read her work, but she was very gracious with the idea of changing your careers throughout life. She suggests dividing up your plans into smaller increments, allowing yourself to accept several careers, and scheduling their order of pursuit.

With this in mind, you might find a job or master's program that allows you to build on what you know from engineering coursework. Steering in that direction will lead you to learn new things... which will continue to take you new places.

It's hard to envision exactly what you'll be doing ten, fifteen years from now. Steer, and keep paddling.




​

 

[heron]

I I have one year left, and my scholarship only covers this last year. However, if I stick with engineering I get school paid for through PhD.

Check your scholarship paperwork -- whether the scholarship included other obligations (like working for them, or serving certain populations with your engineering skills).

Also, check the limits of their definition of engineering... whether it includes areas like applied physics, macromolecular science, environmental sustainability, aerospace engineering...

I don't know if it was from the school or a corporation or foundation, but that could make a difference in your choices.

 

[Bork]

Check your scholarship paperwork -- whether the scholarship included other obligations (like working for them, or serving certain populations with your engineering skills).

I am allowed any technical or science field (besides MD) for grad school. I will have to look into unclassified graduate student to see if that is ok. I don't have to work for anyone, just maintain a 2.5 Only complications I can see is problems that arose from transferring schools, but that will be resolved shortly.

 

[MariaRegina]

Most engineering schools/grad schools want you to have at least a 3.5 in the major with a 3.0 in all coursework. There is also the GRE or whatever test they require.

 

[epy]

The job will be much different from the schooling.​

​

A retired public school teacher once told me that teacher training was largely useless. The actuality was worlds different than what the training made it out to be.

Perhaps a job in the field will work out, at least for a while.

 

[Bork]

Most engineering schools/grad schools want you to have at least a 3.5 in the major with a 3.0 in all coursework. There is also the GRE or whatever test they require.

Oh, I have above a 3.5 gpa. My scholarship justs says I have to maintain a 2.5.

 

[heron]

...so it sounds like you can take programs at other schools and keep your scholarship--that's great!

You can talk with grad departments early, and find out what they want you to take before you enter; that speeds up coursework once you're in.

Here's a program with professional concentrations in the graduate program (allowing more freedom of movement):

http://www.rit.edu/~801www/grad/masters.html

"For example, you might design an MS program that combines concentrations in communication, graphic arts publishing, and general business. Or, you might design an MS program with concentrations in imaging science, color science, and software development. Each program can be as unique as the individual pursuing it."