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What courses should I take?

I am going to college two years early and I now know what I want to major in. I want to major in Mechanical Engineering and minor or double major in Music. But, I don’t know which courses I should take to meet my high school graduation requirement and follow the career pathway of each major. What courses should I take?

#mechanical-engineering #engineering #music-production #music #course-selection #college

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Ken’s Answer

The courses that you take should relate to your interests and personality traits, as they apply to people involved in various career areas in which you might be interested. During my years in Human Resources and College Recruiting I have developed the following steps which might help to answer your question.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
Here are some sites that will help you to understand the wide variety of engineering applications and their requirements: ## https://www.engineergirl.org/ ## ## http://www.futureengineers.org/ ## ## https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43zVcmTJSKM ##
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Sam’s Answer

Hello Aalijah,


You will want to take as many math, science, and music classes as possible while in high school. You will still have to take the other classes needed to meet your high school's graduation requirements, like English classes, physical education classes, and whatnot. Outside of those, you should take math, science, and music classes, or if your high school offers pre-engineering classes, like CAD, take those instead of the math and science. If your high school allows you to use you elective credits to take vocational classes, like CAM or automobile repair, consider taking those. In these classes you will learn how to use hand tools and diagnostic equipment. I took a CAM class in high school, but if I could do it over again, I would have taken automobile maintenance and repair instead. I can't really comment about what you should do to develop your music skills, other than to say that you should take music classes.


Hope this helps,


Sam


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Patricia’s Answer

Hi Aalijah J. Mechanical Engineering requires a strong math background. I took some math courses in my college career path but mine is 'not so much' in comparison to yours. I will try to answer some of your questions (your high school guidance counsellor could also assist with guidance on how to meet all the criteria needed for your field) Sounds wonderful and fully challenging..

Engineering school admission requirements typically include a high school diploma with a full menu of math and science courses, plus humanities and computer studies. High school preparation should include geometry, trigonometry, algebra and calculus, plus physics, chemistry and biology. Most employers prefer a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering for entry-level mechanical engineering jobs. A bachelor's degree normally requires general classes in math, humanities, science, social sciences and engineering during the first two years, and specialized classes during the remaining years. The curriculum also incorporates the basics of other engineering disciplines, such as chemical, electrical and civil engineering. Typical studies include calculus, thermodynamics, physics, materials science, statics, dynamics and fluid dynamics, and laboratory sections. Many engineering degree programs also include internships. Here is a good link to travel on. Good luck and God Bless! http://work.chron.com/education-requirements-mechanical-engineer-6197.html

Patricia recommends the following next steps:

You might also want to try job shadowing through school programs. Maybe a summer or part-time employment to get some experience (I have seen programs such as that and students working for factories. The benefit of a paid job is 2-fold: a. you can earn money, which can help you learn save for your music goals or expenses. b. experience in your field goals.
You might try career-day programs, mentoring, and opportunities offered through your school to learn more about the world of work in Engineering (if offered)
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