- #1
ZenOne
- 119
- 0
I was very gung-ho about a year ago and have undertaken what most of my peers consider insane course loads and as a result I have completed 3 semesters of Mech. Eng. in 2. However, after doing most of the meaty courses in my degree I think I HATE engineering.
This may seem like a sweeping generalization but the students do NOT want to know anything about WHY they are using an equation etc...but are fully content just memorizing it (seriously 99% of my peers are like this). I know some are going to say--"so learn it on your own"--well, sadly, a by-product of engineering education is a ridiculous amount of busy-work (useless assignments that 99% of students just use Solution Manuals for and ridiculously long labs and tutorials).
I've concluded that the mantra of the engineer is "doesn't matter why--just remember this"--I have heard this COUNTLESS times from tutors and TEACHERS alike.
I also went to shadow a couple of engineers and concluded that they use VERY LITTLE of the math that they studied--this is disheartening, to say the least.
I'm thinking of making a switch to pure and applied math and/or statistics. I've realized that the only subject that I consistently enjoy and want to learn more about is mathematics; however, I was wondering what the career options are besides graduate school--I would be doing a specialization (more credits than a major). I know that Statscan is a major employer of math graduates; also, being an actuary is possible with the aforementioned degree as well, however, what are the career prospects for such a degree long-term?
I keep hearing people talk about engineering jobs being super-stable etc..., however, during a few of my interactions with actual engineers they made it clear that it is not as rosy as people claim it is--they said they are subject to ageism (after many years one has too much experience, costs too much and is not worth the investment), they get pigeon-holed and have ridiculous working hours.
I have a 3.8 GPA BTW--so this isn't one of those "boo-hoo I'm failing posts"--any advice/insight would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
This may seem like a sweeping generalization but the students do NOT want to know anything about WHY they are using an equation etc...but are fully content just memorizing it (seriously 99% of my peers are like this). I know some are going to say--"so learn it on your own"--well, sadly, a by-product of engineering education is a ridiculous amount of busy-work (useless assignments that 99% of students just use Solution Manuals for and ridiculously long labs and tutorials).
I've concluded that the mantra of the engineer is "doesn't matter why--just remember this"--I have heard this COUNTLESS times from tutors and TEACHERS alike.
I also went to shadow a couple of engineers and concluded that they use VERY LITTLE of the math that they studied--this is disheartening, to say the least.
I'm thinking of making a switch to pure and applied math and/or statistics. I've realized that the only subject that I consistently enjoy and want to learn more about is mathematics; however, I was wondering what the career options are besides graduate school--I would be doing a specialization (more credits than a major). I know that Statscan is a major employer of math graduates; also, being an actuary is possible with the aforementioned degree as well, however, what are the career prospects for such a degree long-term?
I keep hearing people talk about engineering jobs being super-stable etc..., however, during a few of my interactions with actual engineers they made it clear that it is not as rosy as people claim it is--they said they are subject to ageism (after many years one has too much experience, costs too much and is not worth the investment), they get pigeon-holed and have ridiculous working hours.
I have a 3.8 GPA BTW--so this isn't one of those "boo-hoo I'm failing posts"--any advice/insight would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.