Stephen
If I would like to research in a particular engineering profession, which engineering field should I study in?
I am senior in High School and I have this passion to dig deeper into the problems of now. I like to think about problems and find new ways of understanding them. So I think it does not matter which field of engineering, but if I were to choose it would be Electrical engineering. #science #engineer #electrical-engineer
3 answers
Jaime Wong
Jaime’s Answer
Electrical engineering is a good field to look into. But as Todd said, you may discover new passions in college. I was really into Physics when I was in high school, and dreamt of becoming a physicist and working in a lab. But my parents thought being an engineer was a better career path (my dad was a mechanical engineer) and would give me more options, so I went to college prepared to study electrical engineering. I realized I was actually quite good at it, and enjoyed lab work tinkering with circuits and building cool gadgets. But what got me really excited was the network system graduate classes, where I could finally understand how the "internet" works. It was fascinating! Although I didn't go on to work for a networking company and went into hardware chip design instead (and later into software tools for chip design), I have this desire that persists to build something that transforms peoples' lives.
It does not matter which field of engineering you get into. Explore your options in college, find your passion, and make a career out of it.
Jaime
Todd Stahlnecker
Todd’s Answer
Stephen,
You never really know until you get there. I never thought I'd be an electrical engineer. All thru middle and high school, I was a gear head and would overhaul small block Chevy's, John Deere tractors, and motorcycles every summer. I was convinced that mechanical or automotive engineering was where I belonged but it was just a matter of exposure. You see, there were no electricians in my family and I had zero exposure to anything related to electrical engineering. It wasn't until I was taking my physics class as a senior in high school that I found I had a knack for being a sparkie.
But there's good news in this regard; There are so many types of engineering out there. We have mechanical, electrical, structural, civil, industrial, aeronautical, environmental, nuclear, computer, fire protection, and chemical just to name most of the major ones. When you enter an engineering college, you don't have to commit to any particular flavor of engineering for the first two years. During that time, you will be exposed to a lot of different types of engineering and you may find you have a passion for a particular endeavor. You never know. I now have three nephews that have become electricians!
Todd Stahlnecker
Marcio Trevizan
Marcio’s Answer
Choose the right career path on Engineering basically will be triggered by your passion. Mechanics, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, Industrial.
I've graduated on 1996 on Electrical Engineer, and since that, I was able to match the career I have chosen and work for companies on same segment: IT, Electronics, Telecom. Does not mean necessarily if you choose Electrical Engineer you need to work on same segment. But for sure, if it's your dream work in some of the big-techs and can match what you study and what you like, that's will be perfect.
Also, you going to see, after graduate, you will see that competition is high, and for sure a good way to make yourself more visible, as career moves, is never stop studying and learn new things. Do a MBA to get other abilities (besides the technical ones you going to get from Engineering), apply for certifications like a PMP, if you want to move on Project side.