engineers get ITT!

[BraveUlysses]

No matter which engineering field you choose to get into, make sure your degree is ABET certified.

[TwoJ's]

Yep. And take and pass the EIT exam too.

[Aptyp]

We need an ME group on r3v.

BSME from NC A&T, hated class load, hated work, and miss it so much after graduating. You really have to have passion for this field.

While in school see if you can pick-up a double-major in math or physics. A lot of the engineering courses are equivalent to applied math/phys ones.

[TwoJ's]

Yeah, I actually got a BA in Math. Didn't take much, just linear algebra, a couple more calc. classes, set theory and three topology courses (that shit is nuts). When I originally came to college I intended on being a math teacher of some sort.

[kronus]

^^ topo is awesome. Knot theory is crazy.

Essentially EECS here, gradumacated last weekend and have had a job sorted since Feb :D

[Aptyp]

Yeah, I actually got a BA in Math. Didn't take much, just linear algebra, a couple more calc. classes, set theory and three topology courses (that shit is nuts). When I originally came to college I intended on being a math teacher of some sort.

I went with physics, only class I was short of was Astronomy, hehe. I went to school wanting to teach as well, but our math/phys department was fairly small, and one of the professors was my backyard neighbor. Besides, both of my parents are engineers.

[CorvallisBMW]

No matter which engineering field you choose to get into, make sure your degree is ABET certified.

Absolutely.

I graduated with BS degrees in Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering from Oregon State. Great school, small class sizes in junior and senior year means you really get to know your proffs (first 2 years is typical 200 person physics lectures, ugh). Also a great SAE team, we took first place at Michigan last weekend!! Woot!!

[Wh33lhop]

I'm about to graduate (BS in EE, UCSB), I'm not happy re: the jerb market I'm going into.

But seriously, if you want to be an engineer get ready for a potentially rindonk amount of your life being dedicated to doing labs in the later years. It's not always necessary but the really cool classes are pretty intensive.

[CorvallisBMW]

^UCSB is a good school too, that and UCSLO. My cousin in an ME student at SLO and he loves it.

[rwh11385]

Now I'm in BSME as well. Looking to design engines - either automotive/diesel or jet. My school has a strong FSAE team that I will become involved with. I have friends in more than a couple potential destinations so options are hopefully open. Different organizations or making friends in and outside of class can help with networking into internships or jobs, so don't always have your nose in a book.

It really is something you need to be determined to be. Could be tough or trying but don't give up if it is your calling, or distracted by other things. It is important to find something in life you are inspired by and have passion for. My gf works on a project similar to what I wanted to work on when I was a kid and it is very awesome. You can do really cool stuff if you are good at what you do and work hard for it. Doesn't mean you can't have fun too though.

[CorvallisBMW]

Also if you're really in to Aeronautics/aerospace engineering, look in to both UND and Embry-Riddle. Two of the best schools for that in the country.

[netcsk]

Graduate BSME for a bit over a year now from the University of Tennessee.

Working at Bechtel (largest engineering-procurement-construction firm in the US). I've been on a nuclear plant for right at two years (interned with them). Hardly glamorous work, but it pays the bills well.

Get in it if you feel like you'd enjoy it. Don't joke yourself if you're just thinking about making decent money. Otherwise, get into business and be the boss of the engineers.

[GaryE30]

If you WANT to enter engineering, then you might be good. It's usually the directionless hacks that pick engineering on a whim that don't make it past the first 1-2 years.
Just beware that you're getting yourself into something very different from the usual "college experience."
But in the end..

Quoted for truth. I just graduated from Clemson University a couple weeks ago in Mechanical Engineering. It sounds like you want to do engineering because you're at least interested in the subject. Most people don't know what they want to college for so its good you have an idea. Its definitely not a walk in the park. You have to put in the time and effort in order to succeed. Things will be difficult and you will take classes that appear to be super ridiculous but they are there to weed out those who don't have the drive/mindset to be an engineer. After that, the work load doesnt get easier, you just adapt and become better at it :)

I will say from experience, that I was driven to go to college due to my passion for automobiles. I always wanted to be an automotive engineer, but going to an engineering school made me think about what I wanted to do. The options for mechanical engineers are endless which is why I love being one.

Just a few examples of the things you can do (very small list)

automobiles, jet turbines, wind turbines, power plants, weapons industry, hvac, construction, automobile aftermarket or oem parts, pumps, .... the list goes on for miles!

Just going to the school will allow you to see so many options and really hone in your skills and interests and allow you to pin point what you may want to do in the future.

For me, I just got a job in weapons defense systems. Working with EOD for the Navy EOD Technicians. Pretty cool stuff. I worked for BorgWarner Turbos for my co-op and learned so much about commercial diesel turbo applications and turbo design.

Some advice, get a co-op (rotations between a job and school every other semester) or a few internships. An engineer who has no experience will have a hard time finding a job after graduation. Everyone wants the graduating engineer to have experience in industry.

Clemson is a beautiful place in SC. We have an excellent engineering program and you're only 1 hr from the mountains, the campus is on a large lake, the ocean is only 4.5 hrs away. If you have a free weekend, the trips you can take are endless (Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston, etc) I couldn't think of a better place to go after experiencing Clemson. (then again I'm biased :) )

[mrsleeve]

Graduated last June with a BSME from Kettering University, formerly General Motors Institute. .

The biggest regret in my life was not going there. I could have gone, they sent me shit for 3 years trying to recruit me. could not afford to go, so I just kept on working and said too hell with school.


That said I am really considering going back in 2-3 years and getting a degree in Petroleum Engineering

[BlueBMW]

I'm about 1 year into college taking evening classes, so just general crap so far. My eventual degree is tentatively civil engineering, but may end up being physics or similar. I want to get into the alternative energy field and its been a bit unclear what degree is most useful for that field.

I'm attending a state school at the moment, but it looks like I'll probably end up at University of Tennessee (since its local and cheap) or possibly Colorado State University (since I am from Colorado, and I've always wanted to go to CSU) But that school will be a bit more expensive.

I guess mrsleeve and I will cancel each other out. He'll be figuring out how to use oil, and I'll be figuring out how to not use oil! :D