Sia
Minors for mechanical engineering IF...
Hello, I am currently a student of mechanical engineering outside the US. I am planning to join the US for a major in Mechanical engineering & Aerospace and I wish to do a minor. I am in level 2 and a have good knowledge in Autocad, programming language such as html and c and can use matlab. I am very good in my electrical modules (better than my mechanical modules) and maths. Can I have some advice if should be doing a minor in something and major in aeronautical , and if yes, could you kindly suggest me some?
#engineering #career #electrical-engineering #advice #mechanical
2 answers
Nicholas Miller
Nicholas’s Answer
This is my personal opinion on minors in college. They can be a lot of extra added work on top of your courses for your major, and they do not necessarily provide any benefit in getting hired for a job after college. I would instead suggest that you join a club or organization that will give you relevant experience in the career field that you wish to join after you graduate. There are plenty of computer coding clubs, robotics clubs, aerospace clubs that build rockets, and so much more. This hands-on experience will be much more valuable in helping you get a job, and it will likely be a lot more fun that taking additional classes for a minor. You will meet people in these clubs who share your interests. You will be able to connect with them, build a network that can help you with school work, and even become close friends with them. It is important to be well rounded and have valuable experience as well as education. Do be so focused and overwhelmed with school work and academics that you can't learn in other ways outside of the classroom. Here is a great quote that I hope you appreciate. "I never let school get in the way of my education." -Mark Twain
Best of luck!
Thank you so much mr Miller. I loved your advice.
Sia
Agree fully with Nicholas's answer, adding to that I would look at specific industries or organizations you want to work in and pick a minor in a field that makes you well rounded towards that sector. An example would be Mechanical Engineering + Finance with a view to working in manufacturing as an example, or Mechanical Engineering + Physical Education with a view to working in design or sports sectors. But there are countless combinations that help round you up.
Do go visit a few clubs also as its great for networking and learning new skills you previously would not have known you had an interest in and then choose a minor.
Joshua Amoah
Spruce Cox
Spruce’s Answer
Perhaps I misunderstand your breadth of interest in majors, but I advise you to select your major as soon as practical. An ME degree will give you a solid mechanical course of study that you can apply in any industry. Same with an EE degree. I chose ME for this reason even though all I ever wanted was to work in aerospace, which I did. However, if you’ve already decided that you want to focus on aeronautical or aerospace, then go for it. There will be no shortage of work in those areas.
Advantages in the workplace of graduating with any minor along with an engineering major vary with the minor, of course, but disadvantages are all felt by the student before graduation by adding more schoolwork to one of the most difficult and time-consuming majors on campus. The other option is to stay in school another semester or two to get those remaining classes, but now you’re into a fifth year. I do not recommend either option.
Instead, if you have the wherewithal to stay for a fifth year, stay for a sixth year and get a Masters degree in your engineering major (do not switch engineering majors between undergrad and grad school). A Masters degree will do much more for you than a Bachelor's (with or without a minor) in the workplace, such as higher salary, more job choices, and higher priority in the hiring process. I strongly recommend a Masters, and ask that you please consider it.