Looking For Advice on a "Major" Decision

[jamie_1930]

For the past couple years I've been going to Monroe Community College doing their Associates program in Engineering Science, and now it's time to transfer. I have one more semester and can go to either Mechanical Engineering or I could go to Electrical Engineering (or possibly Micro-Electrical (RIT's program)), and right now I keep switching back and forth between the three.

I was originally set on Mechanical, but I'm pretty good at Electrical and I've been struggling with some of the Mechanical stuff. I've also been thinking that Electrical would have more opportunities (job wise) and more money. However I really like Mechanical, but doing robots and other projects over the past few years I find myself spending more free time working on Electrical stuff. and the cycle continues like that, so I was wondering if anyone wanted to throw in there two cents.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Jamie,
If money is at the top of your list, I am afraid you will be disappointed down the road. You should pick something you will be happy doing for the rest of your life. I went through a EET program at Bradley University thinking I wanted to go into manufacturing. I started working part time for a TV station while at school and that is where I stayed. I recently celebrated forty years at the same station and have loved most of the time here. It really seems like just a few weeks ago that I started. That is what doing something fun can bring you. Would I have been happier working for more money? I don't really think so. Right now, I can retire anytime but I am in no hurry. I work with great people, I am doing fun stuff and it is challenging to come up with solutions when faced with a limited budget (I work in Public Television). My son went through ME at Bradley and is working for Underwriter's Labs in the HVAC area. I tell him he gets to blow up stuff and blame someone else. How fun is that? He gets to travel all over the world and meet other engineers working on the latest designs. I hope he is happy because it sounds like a lot of fun.

[EricVanWyk]

This is actually a really good problem to have. 90% of engineering is talking to people, half of whom are other engineers. Being interested in EE and ME will be very helpful talking to the 'other' side. Hold on to that interest!

I'm happy with my decision to go electrical. For me, three things stand out:
1) Analog (and especially switched-mode) allow for a relaxing amount of math. It is really satisfying to know a design will work over all sorts of parameter variations.
2) Digital (especially computer architecture) has layers and layers of black boxes. Going up and down this hierarchy and understanding how each layer supports the layer above has helped my general system analysis. Now I know that if I don't understand something yet, it is a matter of slicing the problem up into manageable chunks.
3) Schematic design for boards becomes a game of adapting your problem to a problem someone else has already solved. Sometimes this can be frustrating, but it can also be a fun game of making puzzle pieces fit by any means necessary.

I'd shoot for an internship as soon as possible. This will tell you if the day-to-day is what you are looking for.

[billbo911]

Jamie,

I too, like Al, went through a EET program some 30+ years ago. Once I graduated, I went to work for a tiny little company, GE. You might have heard of them. (Yes, "tiny" is a joke.) The pay, while not being huge, was sufficient.
The best part was, I was challenged every day. I was able to use my skills on both electronic and mechanical systems. That is something that made the job VERY enjoyable.
I now work in a related field, but has NOTHING to do with my original degree. I now administrate and manage and maintain the computer systems (servers, workstations, archives etc.) for the Cardiology Dept. for Kaiser in northern California. Again, I am challenged every day and it is work that is interesting.

The key is, and Al mentioned this, do what you really like to do! You will find that the money really is not the key. It is nice, but trust me, if the work you do is not enjoyable, no amount of money can make it worth it.

Choose the field that brings you the most satisfaction.

[DonRotolo]

What Eric said^^. Also:

Don't worry so much about the money: Those who like what the do are passionate about it; Those passionate about what they do are good at it; Those good at what they do make more money doing it.

MEs need better math skills. Microelectronics design (design of semiconductors) is not (IMHO) a growth area in the industry.

Learn how to write well, using very few words. Get good at explaining things. Get excellent people skills. And have a good work ethic. All of these will make you successful in whatever you do.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

Learn how to write well, using very few words.

I understand and emphatically agree with the "learn to write well" part, but I'm not sure I understand (or agree with) the "using very few words" part. Perhaps you could elaborate (use a few more words ) to explain your intent.

[DonRotolo]

I guess a good way to put it would be to write succinctly. If you can make your point in 27 words, or in 5 paragraphs - the 27 words is better. As a professional writer, I find it is much more difficult to write concisely than verbosely.

Two data points:
* Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
* "I have made this longer than usual because I have not had time to make it shorter." - Blaise Pascal *

Others acknowledge that a long story (or whatever) is easier to write than a short one.

[thursam]

If you find yourself continuously turning towards something, then I think it's a sign that you should do it. And you really shouldn't think about this decision too hard - if you do you'll just end up stressing yourself out more than you already are.
Take the rest of the time you have before you HAVE TO make the decision and try a few things. Do some mechanical stuff, do some electric stuff, and see which truly makes you happier.
Like Al said - money isn't everything.