Balancing Engineering and Science: A Personal Dilemma

[SeReNiTy]

Currently I'm enrolled in my second year of a aerospace engineering and science undergrad course. I'm seriously considering dropping the engineering aspect of my course as i feel it is a waste of time.

Problem is i feel if i do that i limit my career options later on, however if i don't i feel like i am cutting off my potential as i have to allocate my time between engineering and science.

Some advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[turbo]

Do you have an option to intern at an aerospace firm? If so, you could get a feel for whether a career in the field would appeal to you. If you go through life doing something that appeals to you, you will be happy and productive. It would be too bad to cut off that career track if the work fits your skills and temperment. My nephew did a similar internship one summer at a local paper mill, and they asked him back every summer, making it possible for him to make money to pay for school and learn the engineering business from the inside.

 

[J77]

What does the "science" part consist of?

Is it specific to, eg., Physics, Chemistry, Biology...

 

[SeReNiTy]

Do you have an option to intern at an aerospace firm? If so, you could get a feel for whether a career in the field would appeal to you. If you go through life doing something that appeals to you, you will be happy and productive. It would be too bad to cut off that career track if the work fits your skills and temperment. My nephew did a similar internship one summer at a local paper mill, and they asked him back every summer, making it possible for him to make money to pay for school and learn the engineering business from the inside.

I could try and get some vacational work, unfornuately most vacational work is offered only to 3rd year undergrad students or honours undergrad students.

 

[SeReNiTy]

What does the "science" part consist of?

Is it specific to, eg., Physics, Chemistry, Biology...

I'm planning to do a double major in maths and a major in physics, with the aim to do research in physics.

 

[turbo]

I could try and get some vacational work, unfornuately most vacational work is offered only to 3rd year undergrad students or honours undergrad students.

Yep, my nephew was on the Dean's List his freshman year and got an internship every summer. It helps to have a good GPA.

 

[SeReNiTy]

Yep, my nephew was on the Dean's List his freshman year and got an internship every summer. It helps to have a good GPA.

Currently I'm on the deans list but all the vacational work seems to be offered only to penultimate year students.

 

[J77]

I'm planning to do a double major in maths and a major in physics, with the aim to do research in physics.

You probably don't need the extra work load of AE then - in the UK, personally, I would advise people against doing combined degrees which cross faculties.

 

[SeReNiTy]

You probably don't need the extra work load of AE then - in the UK, personally, I would advise people against doing combined degrees which cross faculties.

Thats what I'm thinking as well, but the extra work load of AE allows for much better career opotunities later on. It is sort of like a plan b for me.

 

[J77]

Thats what I'm thinking as well, but the extra work load of AE allows for much better career opotunities later on. It is sort of like a plan b for me.

I've never been one to look long term - personally, I'd go for the smaller work load so you can concentrate to a higher level on the maths/physics, and enjoy your time at uni more!