Not sure what to do with a career.
 

Im not so sure what I want to do with a career. First off, I go to Winona State. I am attempting at getting a degree in chemistry by doing there pre-pharmacy program. It requires about 4-5-6 years of school depending on what the availablity of classes are. I am thinking about changing it to automotive engineering next year, while transfering to mankato. Mankato is the only place in MN to offer the program. I have Alot of interest in both. But I would say more in the automotive, since it is dealing with cars. They both pay pretty well, and job outlook is good. Mankato is about 2000 dollars cheaper a year. I really dont know if i want to be doing pharmacy the rest of my life though? thats my problem. I dont want to decide this later on in life. So my questions really are, What do you guys think would be a better thing to do? Follow money/some interest or follow some money/lots of interest. Also does anyone know where exactly I would work? I asked someone at mankato and they said "like big auto companies(Ford, chevy, toyota) Does anyone have any experiance in any fields related to these?

-Colin

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

the automotive engineering degree they offer is like a very half-assed ME degree, honestly. if you go with it, expect to live and work in the exotic city of Detroit! ohhhh boy what fun!!

just suck it up and go for a full ME degree :). lots of base pay and TONS of interesting positions.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

I am going to be in the same boat next year. I think I am going to Major in ME, and maybe minor in electrical engineering or something, as I enjoy electronic's also.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

Just reading this i think you should become a drug dealer, they make a lot of money. Granted there is a risk, but in any new career there are risks involved.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

The company I work for (ATK) outsources some work for Chemists and shit casue we deal in propellants and thrust systems for NASA as well. I'm in A/P and I've seen what these guys make as both contractors and employees.

20 hours a week will net some of these guys 140k plus a year. You do the math. If you enjoy it, are willing to go to where the work is, and have patience to wait for your break it has TONS more potential than work in the over populated automotive world.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

Mankato's automotive engineering TECHNOLOGY program is very overrated. I graduated with a Minor in it last December. Most of the guys graduating the program are doing much less exciting jobs that they tell you to expect. Like; teaching at tech schools, mechanic, working for small engine companys, tech support for the big three.

Like the others said if you want to get into car engineering get a engineering degree, not a half tech, haf engineer degree.

With that said, its a fun and easy minor.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

/\/\ Agreed.
Your best bet is to talk to graduates or current students. Don't let the school give you the sales pitch. they'll tell you what there former top students are doing but what about the average students?

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

If you have the aptitude for auto engg, try out the Univ of Minnesota main campus for an ME degree. Speaking personally, I have a Bachelor's and Masters in ME and I've always, ALWAYS had fun. Granted, I get more fun out of my job than cash but that's my choice. Up to you dude.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

So what are the entry level/obtainable ME degree careers?

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

If you have any interest in an agricultural based, similar to ME, degree, I strongly recommend looking into agricultural engineering with a power and machinery emphasis. That is what I am currently in and my curriculum is nearly identical in a number of aspects compared to a typical ME curriculum. I need to get back to some mechanics of materials homework so I'll continue on with this later....

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

An engineering degree is what you make out of it, plain and simple. A mechanical engineer can get a chemical engineer's job, an agricultural engineer can get a nuclear engineer's job, etc, it's all about applying and selling yourself to employers. How you desire to concentrate your studies is what should be a strong foundation for what engineering degree you pursue in school.

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

awww fuck man. if that class in iowa is ANYTHING like it is here in AZ, god, its so bad!! its like statics, dynamics, deformable solids and Materials all in one big clusterfuck! gahhhhhh death to it

Re: Not sure what to do with a career.
 

I think im gonna stick with chemistry, since im fairly good at it. Plus i wont have to go through my maths again. I dont really remember a whole lot from calc 1. and when i tried to take calc 2 this year, i was like wow i cant remember shit. So yeah, Chemistry it is!

thanks guys,

Colin