I want to be an engineer

Josh, 

If you find that you cannot decide between two majors, say an engineering major and a journalism major, consider this:  If you start in engineering or math or any STEM major (bio, chem, physics), but find after one or two semesters that you don't like it, and then switch to journalism you will lose credit in your new major for only your engineering courses.  You will have picked up some math, science, literature and/or rhetoric, sociology, etc. courses, all of which are likely to serve as "general education" or "core" type courses in your new major (e.g. journalism, philosophy, social work, etc.)  You can probably still graduate in four years. 

However if you start in another major (but not a STEM major) and then after one or two semesters decide you don't like it and switch to an engineering or a STEM major, you will probably need five years then to graduate since you will not have taken prerequisite math and science courses for a sophomore-level student in your new major.  

IMHO if your choice of majors seems to be a toss-up, then engineering or a STEM major is the low-risk choice.  

Hi Josh,

1) Go find something that someone threw in the garbage

2) Take it apart

3) Make something new from the parts

4) That's it! You're an engineer  

99) Go find someone that will pay you to do it everyday

Hi Josh,

Forty years ago I had no idea what it took to be an engineer.

I started with tech school to get started in the business.

From there I had enough insight into the engineering activities, at least from an aerospace view, to look at what I wanted to do when I grew up.

My first degree was in Computer Engineering, hybrid hardware/software degree and my MS was in Computer Science, though I considered myself a Systems Engineer.

So first, figure out what you like to do.  Assess the skills you need and then find a way to get them.

Try to get work in companies that do the type of work you want to do.

That way you get an inside look at what it is like day to day.  It helps you to focus.

After that it is a matter of getting the skills, showing people you have them and creating a reliable work reputation.

That and luck can get you started.

DAB

Hi Josh,

Welcome to the E14 forums! That's a very large question to try and get answered as Engineering covers a very very wide range of disciplines, from Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Software, Systems, Aeronautical, Chemical, etc, etc.... There are many more I could list but I wont here, there are just so many options. Within those disciplines there is also lots of variation depending on the field you end up working in too. To take Electronics Engineering as an example (as that's my background) there is analog design, RF design, digital design, FPGA design, power supply design and many more and in some companies you specialise in just one or two whereas in others you'll have to cover everything, and then these can get split into further specialisms too, for example some people specialise in audio, others in sensing applications etc etc. As an electronics engineer you would likely have to do some embedded software although there is a complete discipline of software engineering for this too. In short, the options are almost limitless. If you like challenges and trying to understand how things work, if you like designing and building things, if you like learning, then engineering may be a good option for you

Best Regards,

Rachael

Hi Josh,

Also I suspect must of us like to problem-solve. For some that means examining products/systems/solutions and troubleshooting, for others it could mean designing these, and the work involved could be related to maths, software, electronics, mechanics and other fields. It is really varied.

If you're planning to go to college or a uni, then you'll soon find subjects you  enjoy and that may guide you to the type of engineering job you want to do. It means to some extent you can defer your decision on what you wish to do in work life, because the subject to be studied (electronic engineering, aeronautic engineering, mechanical engineering or whatever) is still quite broad although it could sound very narrow.

Just as an example, I studied electronics but the actual work I did was varied, some hardware, some software, some systems and test focussed and so on; it changed over time.

Furthermore when you eventually work (or work experience) you may have opportunities like being able to work in different departments in an engineering firm, to see what you like to do. So throughout your studies and during work, there can be many opportunities to try different things. And as Clem mentions, the learning never stops during your work (expect to do courses in-person or online or self study to keep up-to-speed : ).

Good Morning joshwants2beanengineer

     Firstly, I would take a skills inventory list of yourself. List alll the thing you like versus do not like. Then see how they match up with what engineers do. a good place to check out is http://typesofengineeringdegrees.org/ . BTW, I am a retired computer software and hardware engineer specializing in mainframe hardware like virtual tape and operating systems. One thing to know is that the job has become more clerical requiring English skills and writing. Sometime I have done public speaking and teaching as well. You should have a desire to learn constantly as retraining occurs often.Time management skills are definitely required to manage many projects that you may work on. A multitasking approach helps as well. I hope this helps you get a leg up on your peers. Do not be afraid of putting more about you here so others may help. Good hunting for that job of the future.

Clem