first year student needs advice

[cdrazic93]

I started a thread a while back in this sub forum labeled engineering school, might want to look at it.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

I started a thread a while back in this sub forum labeled engineering school, might want to look at it.

Yeah, we all piled on pretty hard. How's school going for you?

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Yeah, we all piled on pretty hard. How's school going for you?

Well i have to retake physics (or talk to the head of the physics department to get my teacher under some fire, longggg story). Calculus is...easier then physics. And thats saying something lol

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Well i have to retake physics (or talk to the head of the physics department to get my teacher under some fire, longggg story). Calculus is...easier then physics. And thats saying something lol

I had to take calc II twice. Don't let it get to you. Second time was a charm for me. It all clicked.

Physics is dirty math. Engineering is dirty physics.

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I had to take calc II twice. Don't let it get to you. Second time was a charm for me. It all clicked.

Physics is dirty math. Engineering is dirty physics.

Im required to go through calc 2, but i figured if i go through calc 4 (multivariable calc with calculus in CAD training apparently?) then itll make things easier.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Im required to go through calc 2, but i figured if i go through calc 4 (multivariable calc with calculus in CAD training apparently?) then itll make things easier.

Don't underestimate the value of your advisor & watch out for those prerequisites. Eye on the prize & best wishes!

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Im required to go through calc 2, but i figured if i go through calc 4 (multivariable calc with calculus in CAD training apparently?) then itll make things easier.

How is the chicks in the campus? When achieve remission of my disease i will try
to go too.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Teseo

How is the chicks in the campus? When achieve remission of my disease i will try
to go too.

Most of 'em are on the other side of campus taking liberal arts classes.

[Stang70Fastback]

SO many people end up doing something entirely outside of their major, it's almost like the point of college these days is just to prove that you are responsible enough to actually finish the damned thing.

I'm two years out of college, I have a Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, with a minor in Mathematics...
...and guess what I'm not doing? Aerospace, engineering, or math! I happened upon a job that was more interesting, and is actually making me more money than I likely would be making at an intro job in any of the above fields.

So in my mind, I'm now many tens of thousands of dollars in debt for "no reason." You'll find your way into what you want to do no matter what your degree is in if you try hard enough

[pushrod]

Originally Posted by andrew5826

i have no idea what i want to do as a career but i know i will involve cars in it someway and i will definitely need a decent salary

Engineer. Next question?

[Stang70Fastback]

My suggestion would be a general "Mechanical Engineering" degree. It allows you plenty of flexibility down the road. You do something more specific, like Aerospace, as was my case, and you end up with a highly specialized edumacation which doesn't translate very well to a lot of engineering fields.

[Canehda]

At the end of the day its not about what it says on your degree that matters, its how you present what it says. I highly recommend getting involved (even as a volunteer) with workplaces you strive to be a part of. As a third year student I've met people with a vast array of major combinations that want to be part of the automotive industry, what makes some successful and some not is their experience, look for volunteer/paid jobs that are part of the automotive industry.
Just as an example I have a friend who majored in psychology and sociology, he now works with a marketing consulting company that works with some big name auto manufactures, he started out doing general stuff but his employers realized that cars were his passion and now he solely works with two big name german companies, not only does he love his job, he also has quite a bit of money when he gets home.
What I'm basically trying to say reflects my first statement, its not the major that you choose, its what you decide to do with your major that counts.

[Tcoat]

I know that the predominant demographic here is what would be classed as professionals (engineers, It specialists, mid management, etc) all of which generally require a higher education so my next comment may not be well received but hear me out...
Although a college education at any level can certainly be great there is something to be said for a technical trade as well. I have no idea what the wages in the US are but here a Master Tech, Senior Millwright or Industrial Electrician can almost walk into any place and have a job. I know some techs that earn more money then most of the engineers working in the same plant. Now combine some well selected college with some advanced technical training and your chances of breaking into the auto industry can increase at least a little. I know engineers can sometimes look down on the tech crowd (don't deny it guys I work with it every day) by having training in both disciplines you can open many doors. As the OP did state he would like to have his hands dirty this may be a viable option.
Now once you are into the field you can take some business courses that can provide you with the stepping stones to a management position (if so inclined) or other such advancement options.
I know this system can work as I dropped out of high school and joined the army at 17 and when I got out at 22 had no plans and no real future. Eventually I went this route and today I get to tell the engineers what they can and can not do. This not an easy task I assure you but since I sign off on their project funding I always win.
At least you are young enough to change your mind without to much hassle.

[Freetime]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I know that the predominant demographic here is what would be classed as professionals (engineers, It specialists, mid management, etc) all of which generally require a higher education so my next comment may not be well received but hear me out...
Although a college education at any level can certainly be great there is something to be said for a technical trade as well. I have no idea what the wages in the US are but here a Master Tech, Senior Millwright or Industrial Electrician can almost walk into any place and have a job. I know some techs that earn more money then most of the engineers working in the same plant. Now combine some well selected college with some advanced technical training and your chances of breaking into the auto industry can increase at least a little. I know engineers can sometimes look down on the tech crowd (don't deny it guys I work with it every day) by having training in both disciplines you can open many doors. As the OP did state he would like to have his hands dirty this may be a viable option.
Now once you are into the field you can take some business courses that can provide you with the stepping stones to a management position (if so inclined) or other such advancement options.
I know this system can work as I dropped out of high school and joined the army at 17 and when I got out at 22 had no plans and no real future. Eventually I went this route and today I get to tell the engineers what they can and can not do. This not an easy task I assure you but since I sign off on their project funding I always win.
At least you are young enough to change your mind without to much hassle.

I agree! Many times, tech school is overlooked and it shouldn't be. I know electricians and plumbers making way more than some of our Senior IT people.
As a side note, everyone thinks "IT" is programming. There are many disciplines that use no programming or lite scripting in their day to day. I graduated with a computer programming degree and realized that I liked coding, but if I did it day in an day out in a cube, it was going to get old real fast.

I changed disciplines a few times and eventually ended up in Networking. Now I work on a team of 4 that bring internet/network connectivity to almost 20k people (university students and staff). I LOVE this work! I don't sit in a cube all day, I problem solve, I can work remotely, and my time is often my own to schedule.
All I'm saying is - fully explore any field you are interested in. Don't just rely on books, the internet, or (heaven forbid) what your professors tell you a field is like. They are often VERY wrong. Ask people who actually do the jobs.