Roll call - Who all here are engineers?

[franz]

My Bro is almost done with his ME degree from N.C. State. So theres one in the family ;)

Sweet that's where I went. I start looking for a job in June, but it shouldn't be hard with the big 4.0 and the EIT exam under my belt.

[Z3Jonathan]

I'm a 4th year MechE student. 1 more year left. I'm on the 5 year plan since I've done 3 sessions of Co-Oping.

My advice:
-1st semester or two is going to be the hardest. You need be able to adapt to new study habits, teaching habits, and life in the dorms. Its easy to blame a prof as being "bad", but at the end of the day, YOU have to learn the material and earn the grade.
-First 2 years are a little frustrating since you are taking all sorts of core classes (Chem, physics, math, etc), but won't really be able to see how they apply.
-Find an engineering club/society/project that you enjoy, and get invovled. SAE and ASME are great organizations.
-Co-Op!!! Purdue has an excellent co-op program.
-A wireless laptop is a good idea. You can take it to the library to study, or meet with groups when you have to write lab reports.
-Work hard and Play Hard! That means get your studying done during the week, then get out and party on the weekends.

BTW, see http://www.rodmillen.com/

Jonathan

Wow, thanks for the tips! :up:
I think it might be a shock to have independence and all that jazz, dorms, etc.
I however, have near zero study skills, and leave things for the night before, but I will need to get back to the hardwork I did before becoming a slacker!
Chem, Physics, and Math should be all review from classes I took in high school, so hopefully I should get along fine.
I will hopefully find some clubs, and good study groups, and definately joining SAE!
I've heard good things about Co-op'ing at Purdue, but might not need it. I'm trying to get a Masters in 5 years, so I'm not sure if I can fit in Co-Op.
I'm absolutely getting a laptop with wireless internet. Purdue's academic campus is fully hooked up with it.
Purdue is known for the best parties in Indiana now. :D Just gotta keep a 3.5 GPA.

I hope an opportunity opens up when I'm about to graduate to allow me to work on projects such as Rod Millen. I kinda hope that I might spend some time making my own exhaust design for the E30, and maybe producing it. Just as an application of the principles I'm going to learn.

bwanac, I just assumed you were talking about RIT, sorry for the confusion.

IMO, Co-Oping is one of the best things you can do for yourself... especially in this job market. Its really the only way you'll see how the priniciples apply to real life, and the only way you'll get exposure to different areas of engineering within one company. My peers that have not co-oped, or done serious internships, usually have no clue what engineering is beyond a text book.

As far as a masters degree is concerned: Can often be hard to get in just one year. Usually if you plan for it, you can get a BS + Master's in 5 years or so. But, that means taking classes during winter and summer breaks. Therefore, it will be impossible to do any type of internship/co-op. Moreover, it isn't always a good idea to have a great deal of education (read: master's) and no work experience. Generally you end up not knowing what you're doing.

Only get your master's if you really know what you want to do it in. Many will say you need to get your master's if you want to go anywhere, and that's true, but its usually something you "grow" into, IMO (ie, work for a few years, then get it, that's my plan). If you're dead-set on say, fluid mechanics, then go for it. On the other hand, an engineer who doens't get anything beyond a BS, will eventually stagnate in their career. So plan on eventually getting a BSME, or MBA if you want to keep climbing the corporate ladder.

GPA: IMO, keep it comfortably above 3.0. Some people spend entirely too much time worrying about it, trying to raise it as high as possible. Find a level you can comfortable work at and stick with it. If you can generally swing a 3.5 each semester, go for it. But don't sweat yourself trying to get an extra tenth or so.

Most companies use it as a pre-qualifier. They will, for example, pitch all resumes <3.0. Beyond that, it usually doesn't make much of a difference. They aren't going to hire you over the next guy if you have a 3.5 vs. his 3.4.

[rwh11385]

IMO, Co-Oping is one of the best things you can do for yourself... especially in this job market. Its really the only way you'll see how the priniciples apply to real life, and the only way you'll get exposure to different areas of engineering within one company. My peers that have not co-oped, or done serious internships, usually have no clue what engineering is beyond a text book.

As far as a masters degree is concerned: Can often be hard to get in just one year. Usually if you plan for it, you can get a BS + Master's in 5 years or so. But, that means taking classes during winter and summer breaks. Therefore, it will be impossible to do any type of internship/co-op. Moreover, it isn't always a good idea to have a great deal of education (read: master's) and no work experience. Generally you end up not knowing what you're doing.

Only get your master's if you really know what you want to do it in. Many will say you need to get your master's if you want to go anywhere, and that's true, but its usually something you "grow" into, IMO (ie, work for a few years, then get it, that's my plan). If you're dead-set on say, fluid mechanics, then go for it. On the other hand, an engineer who doens't get anything beyond a BS, will eventually stagnate in their career. So plan on eventually getting a BSME, or MBA if you want to keep climbing the corporate ladder.

GPA: IMO, keep it comfortably above 3.0. Some people spend entirely too much time worrying about it, trying to raise it as high as possible. Find a level you can comfortable work at and stick with it. If you can generally swing a 3.5 each semester, go for it. But don't sweat yourself trying to get an extra tenth or so.

Most companies use it as a pre-qualifier. They will, for example, pitch all resumes <3.0. Beyond that, it usually doesn't make much of a difference. They aren't going to hire you over the next guy if you have a 3.5 vs. his 3.4.

I might not do Co-op, but I think I'd definately go for internships during the summer maybe.

I have 21 credits @ Purdue now because of APs, plus hopefully a few more from this year.....so I have a headstart which should help me get through BS + masters in 5. I might just be attracted to it now for the relative *bling* of a masters.....but I'd have a lot of free time if I didn't. I'm intrigued by business classes, and Purdue has one of the best business schools in Indiana , so we'll see. I'm also a capitalist at heart, and might want to run my own company when I'm older. So I dunno. But my mother has a Masters, and it did helped her. It'd help put me above all the other graduates.

As far as GPA is concerned: I don't really have a choice. I have free tution because of academic merit as long as I can keep up a 3.5 GPA. (Indiana Resident Top Scholar - top 150 hoosier applicants to Purdue) I've made 4.5 GPA throughout highschool (with weights), so hopefully I can keep it up. It translates to around 3.5-3.6 (not including weights), and that includes a few C's in English and French, which I do not have to take in college: just math, science, and a little general education.

[bwanac]

I want free tuition, I got comparable grades. Damn schools, give me my money!

I dont want to start a who is better war so I won't state mine, well maybe. Let's say I could have gotten free tuition as well. ;) :roll:

[DarkWing6]

I'm planning on becoming an ME. I am going to attend WSU next year and study ME, unless I can play baseball at Grand Canyon University, then I would get their basic engineering degree and get my masters in ME from a state school.

[Z3Jonathan]

I have 21 credits @ Purdue now because of APs, plus hopefully a few more from this year.....so I have a headstart which should help me get through BS + masters in 5. I might just be attracted to it now for the relative *bling* of a masters.....but I'd have a lot of free time if I didn't. I'm intrigued by business classes, and Purdue has one of the best business schools in Indiana , so we'll see. I'm also a capitalist at heart, and might want to run my own company when I'm older. So I dunno. But my mother has a Masters, and it did helped her. It'd help put me above all the other graduates.

If you're thinking about getting an MBA, don't bother staying an extra year for that. MBAs are easy enough to get while working full time (usually night/weekend classes or online) and most companies will pay for them.

An MSME is a little different. Generally takes 1.5-2 years to get. I equate getting a Master's to buying a Hayabusa: You don't go out and get one unless you know exactly what you want, and what you're going to do with it. Otherwise you'll kill yourself. Best to start out small.

Generally the jobs BSME's and MSME's are applying for will be different, so you won't necessarily be a step above everyone else... you'll be competing with all the other grad students. If you know exactly what you want to get into, its an industry that generally requires a master's, and you can find a professor doing interesting research, then it is a good idea. So, sometimes a master's can be a liability to finding a job. Planned right, it can work well (for example I have a friend very intersted in powerplant design that is getting his master's in that).

It generally takes until junior year to really figure out what engineering is about, and which areas you like/don't like.

Again, not to push Co-Oping, but Purdue's program is excellent. 5 semesters of working at a Fortune 500 company looks damn good on a resume. Employers recognize that you know how to adapt, hit the ground running, and where you strengths/weaknesses are.

One more caution. AP credits can be a double-edged sword. A few friends of mine came into school with tons of AP credit. Then, their first semester they jumped into Calc 2, Physics 2, Chem 2, etc. Makes the first semester or two that much harder. So, it could be worth sacraficing a few AP credits and re-taking a Physics or Calc course. English/language classes: avoid taking those... waste of time except lots of scenery to stare at (ie, hot freshmen girls you wont find in engineering).

[rwh11385]

If you're thinking about getting an MBA, don't bother staying an extra year for that. MBAs are easy enough to get while working full time (usually night/weekend classes or online) and most companies will pay for them.

Okay, good to know. I'll keep that in mind definately. :)

MSME........

It generally takes until junior year to really figure out what engineering is about, and which areas you like/don't like.

I should really not begin to worry about how I'm going to end college yet, but be excited about starting! I've just known engineering was my game in 5th grade, and I like to plan things out. I gotta do it one year at a time though, and just see where it takes me.

One more caution. AP credits can be a double-edged sword. A few friends of mine came into school with tons of AP credit. Then, their first semester they jumped into Calc 2, Physics 2, Chem 2, etc. Makes the first semester or two that much harder. So, it could be worth sacraficing a few AP credits and re-taking a Physics or Calc course. English/language classes: avoid taking those... waste of time except lots of scenery to stare at (ie, hot freshmen girls you wont find in engineering).

Don't worry, I've heard this advice before. I'm getting out of US History, English, hopefully government, etc. I am jumping into Calc 2, but have spent this senior year studying 3rd semester calculus, so I should have a jump on Calc 2.

I took AP Chem last year, and AP Physics this year, but am not going to go into their second years. I'll just be well-prepared for the classes instead of in over my head! There would be no way I'd ever want to get tested out of Physics (nor very possible at Purdue) and every freshmen more or less is required to take Chemistry. So I should be able to help some girls study because I should be comfortable with the material. :D

My first year should be review of 3 subject areas I've grown comfortable with, and then a freshmen engineering lecture course, and speech. So it shouldn't be too tough so I can become adjusted to college life without being bashed by books.

Thanks for all the advice man :up:

bwanac, I was overly excited when I got the letter telling me I got the scholarship. Me and a close friend both got it. He's #34 and and I'm #38 in a class of like 650, and SATs are strong. Let's not start the "who's better" fight......I hate when it happens in my math class.....like 5 people have 800's on SAT math section, including #34. Also, my ex had a 800 verbal, and likes to taunt me. NOT COOL! :evil:

[TheyCallMeDale]

Or I can go to Clarkson Uni where they have someone intering with BMW in Austria. But they dont have any females at that school. :P

Clarkson: Where the men are men, and the women are too!

Sorry I got to St. Lawrence University, ten minutes down the road from Clarkson and they're our rivals

[LikeCDoos]

I'm almost done with my 1st year at Cal Poly Pomona as a Computer Engineer.

[Z3Jonathan]

If you're thinking about getting an MBA, don't bother staying an extra year for that. MBAs are easy enough to get while working full time (usually night/weekend classes or online) and most companies will pay for them.

Okay, good to know. I'll keep that in mind definately. :)

MSME........

It generally takes until junior year to really figure out what engineering is about, and which areas you like/don't like.

I should really not begin to worry about how I'm going to end college yet, but be excited about starting! I've just known engineering was my game in 5th grade, and I like to plan things out. I gotta do it one year at a time though, and just see where it takes me.

One more caution. AP credits can be a double-edged sword. A few friends of mine came into school with tons of AP credit. Then, their first semester they jumped into Calc 2, Physics 2, Chem 2, etc. Makes the first semester or two that much harder. So, it could be worth sacraficing a few AP credits and re-taking a Physics or Calc course. English/language classes: avoid taking those... waste of time except lots of scenery to stare at (ie, hot freshmen girls you wont find in engineering).

Don't worry, I've heard this advice before. I'm getting out of US History, English, hopefully government, etc. I am jumping into Calc 2, but have spent this senior year studying 3rd semester calculus, so I should have a jump on Calc 2.

I took AP Chem last year, and AP Physics this year, but am not going to go into their second years. I'll just be well-prepared for the classes instead of in over my head! There would be no way I'd ever want to get tested out of Physics (nor very possible at Purdue) and every freshmen more or less is required to take Chemistry. So I should be able to help some girls study because I should be comfortable with the material. :D

My first year should be review of 3 subject areas I've grown comfortable with, and then a freshmen engineering lecture course, and speech. So it shouldn't be too tough so I can become adjusted to college life without being bashed by books.

Thanks for all the advice man :up:

bwanac, I was overly excited when I got the letter telling me I got the scholarship. Me and a close friend both got it. He's #34 and and I'm #38 in a class of like 650, and SATs are strong. Let's not start the "who's better" fight......I hate when it happens in my math class.....like 5 people have 800's on SAT math section, including #34. Also, my ex had a 800 verbal, and likes to taunt me. NOT COOL! :evil:

Glad to hear you're excited about engineering! IMO, generallly the people that suceed are the ones who have "had it in their blood"... the people who have wanted to do it since they were kids.

Re-taking Chem and physics is a good idea. What you learn in college will be different than high school. That and college is faster paced, and they force you to better recognize the applications of what you learn. I took AP Physics in high school, but re-took Physics I in college. It was an easy A (well, as easy an A gets in engineering), and physics magically all made sense in college... and didn't quite make sense in high school.

Jonathan

[Beej '86 325es]

I don't know how the hell you guys keep your GPA up that high in Mechanical Engineering. I scooted by with a 2.3, studying my ass off. In my graduating class of about 10-15 ME's, I think only one made cum laude (between 3.5 and like 3.75). I knew of a few guys in the program that were able to maintain above a 3.5, smart as hell, but most of them are just book smart and don't have a clue when it comes to real world application. I think they just knew they were good at math and couldn't think of anything else to major in.
I just got my diploma in the mail yesterday :) Only took 4 months. :nice:

[bwanac]

Or I can go to Clarkson Uni where they have someone intering with BMW in Austria. But they dont have any females at that school. :P

Clarkson: Where the men are men, and the women are too!

Sorry I got to St. Lawrence University, ten minutes down the road from Clarkson and they're our rivals

Yup! Basically ruled them out for that very reason. :P

AP classes, it has all been stated! :up:

[Z3Jonathan]

I don't know how the hell you guys keep your GPA up that high in Mechanical Engineering. I scooted by with a 2.3, studying my ass off. In my graduating class of about 10-15 ME's, I think only one made cum laude (between 3.5 and like 3.75). I knew of a few guys in the program that were able to maintain above a 3.5, smart as hell, but most of them are just book smart and don't have a clue when it comes to real world application. I think they just knew they were good at math and couldn't think of anything else to major in.
I just got my diploma in the mail yesterday :) Only took 4 months. :nice:

Mine is about 3.4... study my ass off, but also try to get hands on. I don't want to become one of those "smart dumb people"... altho my common sense has taken a hit after 4 years of engineering.

[MattE30]

I'm going to Purdue also, for ME. All I'm going to try to AP out of is chem. I''m not sure about co-oping right now...I got accepted to Kettering U. up in Flint, Mich. and everyone co-ops (3 months school, 3 months work), with no summer vacation. I decided not to go there. I might just intern, and study abroad (maybe in Germany since my German is good). In terms of scholorships, I got none from Purdue, no FAFSA, but a couple grant scholorships from companies. Robert...I hope you don't plan on partying every night, because if so, I hope transfering to a "gimmie" liberal arts major doesn't bother you :P I didn't take the SATs, I took the ACTs, but from what I hear, the SATs are rediculously easy....

[rwh11385]

Every night, no. Just the ones that end with "y" ;) But seriously, I'll party Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Sun - Thurs will be hardcore learning, hopefully.

I know I will have to pay attention though and work. One of my former Calculus classmates just got a 29% on his last test, and another Freshman I know up there dropped engineering. If study sessions and groups don't work, and push comes to shove, I'll just call up my dad. He didn't have much better to do at Rose besides have fun with his Texus Instrument and the ME books.

Dude, Matt.....i need to find a place to park my ride next year! My friend's brother has a place, but I don't know if I can pay him to let me park there.