A question for engineers?

Question

What is your area of focus (I'm mostly looking for Civil, construction, mechanical, etc. But I'd love to hear from anyone!)

And what skills and interests did you have in your pre professional life that lead you to choose this area of study/ employment? I'm debating possible career paths and was just wondering what you all were interested in before you became what you are, to see if we have similar interests.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I am a civil engineer, just graduated from college. I have known that I wanted to be an engineer since I was little kid and played with Legos all the time. I also liked to see construction sites and big engineering projects as well. I guess thats where I get my interest from.

Answer 2

I'm a Mechanical Engineer, also just graduated from College. I chose engineering while applying for college in High School, because a teacher gave a presentation about engineering and I was attracted to the fact that I could put my love for science and math knowledge to use for the world. It's not always true: you don't HAVE to be good at science and math to get in, but you do have to be able to apply them. And just so you know: the best engineer, no matter which kind, is good at a lot of other stuff, not only math and science but also language (speaking and writing), dealing with people, computers... you should identify your weaknesses ASAP and work on them while in College... you've got plenty of time, and you can use your electives to help you (you could take a Technical Writing course or a Public Speaking course, for example).

I chose Mechanical because it was closest to the field of aviation (which also attracted me... and still does). I wanted to design planes... and in a way, that's what I'm doing research on right now.

I do have some tips that should help you as you study engineering... but in the meanwhile, I think this answers your question. Hope it helps!

Answer 3

I'm a Civil Engineer that went into Land Surveying because I was fed up with all the BS in Civil Engineering. CE's are the lowest paid engineers out there and carry the highest liability costs.

I would recommend against Civil for the following reasons.

Civil Engineering depends on three sectors to get work. Federal/Government, Commercial, Residential.

Federal/Government Sector:
The Government is not spending any money on infrastructure projects because they have to pay for the war in Iraq and Billions are going over there for rebuilding. States are being burdened with more costs since the Federal government is not given them their share of the Federal tax dollars and it filters down to the county and local governments too.

Commercial Sector:
Companies are not spending on new projects since the uncertainity of the fate of the illegals, the skyrocketing construction materials costs, higher interest rates and the dead residential market.

Residential Sector:
Well, what can I say. It is dead as a door knob with the exception of a handful of places.

And no matter what you hear, there is no shortage of Civil Engineers. That is a lie.

"Many people have looked for evidence of a current shortage of engineers and they haven't been able to find any real signs of that evidence," said Michael Teitelbaum, a demographer for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

William Wulf, president of the National Academy of Engineering, said starting salaries for engineers seem generally stable -- neither rising dramatically, implying a shortage, nor falling, implying an oversupply. Wulf said the U.S. probably has enough engineers in sum, counting 70,000 to 75,000 graduates each year.

A study released in December by Duke University's School of Engineering reported that the nation "is currently producing a competitive number of engineers, computer science and information technology professionals."

I would look into Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering or Biomedical Engineering.

Answer 4

I am a Naval Architect, also known as Ocean Engineering. An OE degree will focus in work on surface vessels, subsurface vessels, coastal structures and oil platforms and structures.

I have always loved bridges and ships. I had a hard time choosing between OE and Civil Engineering. If you go into a niche field (like mine, or like Aeronautical Engineering) be sure you really love it, though. Otherwise, stick with the biggies: Mechanical, Civil or Electrical Engineering will allow you a much wider choice of companies and locations for employment.

Answer 5

well i left school and blagged a job as a trainee civil engineering consultant, my company put me on a day release course and i got trained up. After two years I got my ordinary certificate in civil engineering, I unfortunatley had to relocate to London so I got a job at another consultants in london, and have just completed the first year of my HNC in civil engineering. Il do a top up 2 year degree after.

Most the people at work say they wish they had the experience of learning and working at the same time rather than being thrown in at the deep end after uni, but each to their own. And which ever path you choose youl end up doing what you want if your good enough.

Answer 6

I am a civil engr.
when I graduated HS I just like math and physics
I never really don't know what course to take
I took first architecture. . . . but I quit after one semester
I proceed to civil . . .I was then a band member, my tuition is free
after 3.5 year I transfer school because I found out that my higher year level teachers are not good in teaching
It took me 3 years more to graduate because my father died
I took the board exam 2 year later after graduation
I work with the Bureau of land - 1 yr, . . Nat. irrigation-2 yrs,. .DCCD - 2 yrs,. . teaching in schoof - 25 yrs until now
I hope this will help

Answer 7

I always liked working on cars...repairing them, tuning them, etc., and was always taking things apart to see how they worked. (always had trouble getting them back together again)
After graduating H.S. I enrolled in college in electrical engineering, but didn't care for the electrical courses, so the school gave me an aptitude test and said that I should definitely switch and go into mechanical engineering instead of electrical. I did, and graduated and have had a very enjoyable and successful career as a mechanical engineer.
Just goes to show you, follow your interests and natural aptitudes.

Answer 8

I am an Aeronautical engineer.
I'd been in love with aircrafts even before my teen years and I just followed my passion. Never debated, never considered anything else.

As for skills, I was reasonably adept in math, physics, loved tinkering and solving problems. Also had the natural curiosity to know how things worked and all these worked in my favor.

Answer 9

i am a civil eng
when i was a kid i used to build stuff from any thing dosers mostly
i love big stuff like planes but i studied civil eng coz i wanted to understand how they build i wanted to know what make seilings from not falling
i have just graduated but 2 years ago i discovered that i have an extraordinary way of thinking i am working on my 3rd patent and civil eng helped me much its like physics to other sciences but to be honest i wish if i studied mechanical eng it makes u understand the world better coz much math involved in it