HELP me with my career choice please! 1

[joshyD]

I am 23 and am attending the local cc. I am seriously considering going into one of the many engineering fields. My problem is that I am unsure about my choice. Is it a stable field, ie; not many layoffs etc?

A little background. Was never really sure about what I wanted to do when I "grew up". Machinist looked fun so I went to a Vocational school for about half a year. I got bored so I decided to try out the work. That got boring, I also didn't like the rush rush get it done perfecly even though I was still learning stuff. Then Graphic Design looked interesting so I checked it out and went through my first year at cc, mostly general stuff. While taking some classes I found out that drawing, playing with pictures on the computer was very boring. This coupled with the fact that the field is highly competitive led me to Engineering. Am I looking in the right direction?

Any and all comments welcome.

-lost

 

[waterguy]

Before changing your field of study once again perhaps you should consider some career counselling (your College probably offers it as a free service to students)to assess your interests and aptitudes. There are a number of personality "type" indicator tests that try to assess where your interests lie. These tests certainly aren't foolproof, but at the very least they may give you a little insight into what might interest you, and where to start looking.

Having said that, engineering is generally a stable profession (like most when the economy is good) with good prospects. However, it can be as boring as any other job.

Although job stability and salary etc.... are important,they won't matter that much if you find your job boring and uninspiring. I think your best bet is to find out what suits YOU, and what type of skills you most enjoy using.

 

[MacCloed]

JoshyD,
I have been doing engineering work for the last ten years and about a tenth of the time it was boring. However, if you're still kicking around career choices, stability and salary ranges should not be your top priority. I definately agree with one of the other responses and check out your colleges' career counseling office. When they give you advice, listen with a little skepticism because these CC's usually receive their money from various sources that have certain interests and they may want to steer you into something you may not want. If you thinking of engineering, I will tell you that you had better like math, chemistry and physics, because I am an electrical engineer that uses those three subjects everyday and they are the base for an engineering education.

from the Highlands,
MacCloed From the highlands, MacCloed

 

[sstruble]

JoshyD,

The stablility of any position within a company is industry-sector dependent. However if you are good at what you do you will survive most down-turns a company has to deal with because you are more valuable to the company than someone phoning it in. The way you get good at your job is by having a passion for it. In Engineering you must have a passion for finding answers to difficult questions with little or no information. You also must be prepared for people to look to you for answers because as an Engineer you are "The Man". Understanding Math, Physics, and Chemistry is a must as well as being a strong computer user.

Steve S.

 

[ProcessServices]

During the time I was choosing my profession/career, I listed my personal motivations (subject matter, money, working environment, people, likes, skills, personal goals etc.) and prioritize them according to my principle in life. After which, I decided to pursue the profession that will give the motivation on the top of my priority list. For this reason, I was able to make the right decision for my profession has given me enjoyment and a rewarding career. It is true that at times I find my self at a point of complacency that I get bored of what I do. Since I still have in mind the things that motivate me why I pursued this career coupled with my innovativeness in doing my job, I am able to overcome boredom.

I agree with waterguy that engineering can be boring and at the same time rewading like any other profession. It all depends on the aptitude, motivation and character of the person.

 

[dmitchell]

Let me see if I remember this story correctly...

There once was a wise old man walking a road between two towns. He came upon a young man heading in the opposite direction. The young man asked the wise old man, "Sir, what can I expect to find in the town ahead?". And the wise old man replied, "What did you find in the previous town?". The young man thought a minute and said, "The people were very kind and generous. They were some of the finest people I have ever met." Then the wise old man said, "And that is exactly what you will find ahead." And they traveled on. Later the wise old man came across another young man heading in the opposite direction and was asked the same question and gave the same reply. Only this man's answer was different. He said that the last town was filled with cheats and liars and some of the worst people he had ever met. And the wise old man replied, "And that is exactly what you will find ahead."

You find what you are looking for wherever you go. There are check-out people at retail stores, janitors in office buildings, and assembly people in plants that are able to put aside the monotony of their everyday jobs and excel in their positions. Your dilemma might be more than what job you are best suited for. Do something you enjoy. Not for the stability or the money but because you enjoy it. If you enjoy what you are doing, and show an honest enthusiasm about it, the stability and quite possibly the money will follow. Good luck and I hope this post wasn't too corny for you.

 

[joshyD]

Thanks everyone. What great responses

This fall my classes are;

Gen. Chemistry, Gen. Physics, Engineering I, and College Algebra.

If I enjoy these classes then I would assume that I am close to the right track for ME?

Oh, dmitchell that analogy was a good one, I am going to try and remember that!

 

[therm0]

It's great to hear that you decided to enroll in an engineering program. I'm going into my final year of ME at the University of Manitoba, so here's my take on the courses you listed. I'll try not to be specific to each course because different people find different courses enjoyable. I think you'll probably enjoy parts or maybe even all of the courses that you listed, but for myself, I didn't really find any of my courses exciting until I got to the more design driven courses.

The majority of courses I took in the first few terms weren't really "engineering" courses, but provided the tools I would need in the design courses that I would take later. For example you may not get much engineering exposure from the College Algebra course you're taking, and may not really enjoy it but once you've learned the methods provided by that course you can use them as tools to help solve problems in statics, heat transfer, dynamics etc.

Like I said, I am still a student, but I've noticed that a desire to solve problems, as sstruble said, is the key. Anyone can learn subjects like math, chemistry and physics, but being able to apply that knowledge to a real problem and enjoy doing it is the key to being able to enjoy engineering -- or at least I hope so =)

 

[blmcghee]

joshyD,
The classes you are taking will be needed for ME but check with the 4 yr college on the Chem requirements. Several schools have dropped this class, reinstated it, and are reevaluating it. Basically, it seems the needed curriculum changes yearly. Therefore, just stick to what the 4 yr college requires based on your enrollment schedule. I would venture to say you are looking at the least 5 years if you don't have a foreign language,your English,and the Pre-calc.
Good luck with the classes and your future.

 

[joshyD]

As I stated in my original message I have already one year done, but that was for an arts degree. So I have my english done and some other classes that will cover my open electives.

A lot of the four year schools that I've looked into will accept me with full junior status provided I graduate from OCCC with my associates degree. It appears that my community college has a very good two year program.

I will be at OCCC for three years because the way the classes are schedualed and the fact that I'm a little behind in my math. Oh well

Thanks again everyone.

-Josh