Degree path? 1

[pisc2bn]

I was aslo considering a chemical engineering degree, but specializing in cryogenics. Would that be the best path to take or should I look more to a mechanical degree? I am at the point of my education where I need to take my remaining credits from one college, so I want to be sure I am on the right path.

Thanks!
Sgt D

 

[monkeydog]

Sarge,

What do you want to do when you grow up?

What industry do you want to work in?

What do you see yourself doing in 5, 10, 20 years?

 

[FieldTeam]

Since you are open to suggestions, I say focus on Quality Control and/or safety.
You won't get pigeon holed with this cryogenics thing and your experience, safety and quality would be a plus when someone starts looking at your resume.

 

[pisc2bn]

When I grow up? ha ha. I cant say that there is anything specific I want to do. I enjoy cryogenics theory and my job. I have looked at NASA and they have very lucrative openings in technology dealing with cryogenics. I just need more documented education and knowledge. More importantly I want to enjoy my work and get paid well to do it. I am a little older (28 years old) than those who went straight to college after high school so I am also concerned that my age will limit me when I am competeing for a position with a company. I do have a lot of experience in general mechanical areas but I do not specialize in anything specific. Another obstical I have to overcome is I have to take my courses online due to me being stationed in Japan. I have found only one university that offers an online degree in mechanical engineering.

Sgt D

 

[IRstuff]

Well, I think that you need to determine your true goal in life. Asking strangers to select a career for you seems odd to me. It really doesn't matter what the career is or how much money people say you can make at it. If the job stinks, making lots of money is still secondary, because a stink job will make your quality of life miserable and stressful, thereby decreasing your life expectancy and possibly wreaking havoc with your home life.

Since you need to decide soon, you should pick a broad course of study, to maximize your choices and your utility to a future employer. While many jobs go to specialists, there is, and always will be, a need for generalists, those that can see the "big picture" and can fit all the pieces of the puzzle together.

Finally, your actual major may likewise be immaterial. I majored in EE, but haven't actually ever done a full-up design, ever. I got swirled into systems engineering and love it. I get to do all sorts of interesting things and get paid for it.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[monkeydog]

Sarge,
I would not worry about your age, you have experience and a proven disiplne in your work ethic, and desire to improve yourself while working (in service).
What I would worry about is getting the classes to transfer to the school you decide to attend.

 

[smegger61]

Don't know if you're still open to input on this but you have a couple of things to consider - i) where do you want to go to complete any studying and ii) is the subject matter available on a course at one of the chosen locations what you are looking for. Personally, I did a mechanical engineering degree as it gave a good grounding in several areas from design to stress analysis to thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and material science... I went in to the course wanting to do engineering design only to switch to material science as a favoured subject area. However, on beginning work I switched again to stress analysis and from there specialised in FE analysis. Hope this helps towards your choice of engineering course.