I am currently a junior in high school. I want to have a career in some sort of engineering. It is a very interesting thing to me. So I know college is going to be tough and not easy at all. Saying this, what would be some tips for school and after school that would benefit and help me the most for my career and have success? I need to make up my mind on what kind of engineering to go into. Thanks in advance guys.

 

You need to be good at math. I am a embedded software engineer. Pay is good. Sometimes your brain will hurt though!

 

Im a senior in high school and for years I planned on getting my engineering degree. This year I changed my mind, lol. I am great at math, just dont enjoy it. At Texas A&M there engineering program is amazing, but tough. I would have been able to make it. But I figure why do something that I dont enjoy. Ultimatly im heading to law, so what I major in initially doesnt really matter. I know that you need to get into some intern program that allows you to start shaking hands with people. that way when you graduate your foot is already in the door and you have a head start.

 

It all depends on what you like. I loved math and physics. I never really like the dynamics side to physics, more the statics side. I picked civil engineering. If you like dynamics, fluids, etc. then go mechanical. You don't really need to fully decide now between a bunch of engineering majors because most have to take the same core classes (calculus, chemistry, physics, etc.). Just pick a good college that is accredited in engineering.

 

alright...i have calculus and physics next year for my senior year. I enjoy math alot. I just got a 27 on my ACT too.

 

See if your school has AP Physics and Calculus. If you pass the test at the end of the year some colleges accept that and you can skip it in college (you get college credit for it). It saves both time and money.

I did that for English, History and Calculus. It let me graduate college that much quicker. Most engineering programs end up with about 12-15 more credits than other majors.

 

im currently in trig AP and american history AP, next year will be english AP.

 

It all depends on what you find interesting as well. If you love to know how things work, and what makes the world turn, then you are more of a mechanical engineer. if you are like me, and just love to know how things are put together and why things stay or last as long as they do, structural (civil) engineering might be your thing.

Here at University of Texas - Arlington, your first semester you are put into a intro to engineering class. in there they explain what all the different types of engineers do, so as to help you choose what fits you best. My advice is to talk to a few engineers from each field, and see what they say.

 

well i would tell you to just take all the core classes your first year and make a choice before your second year. you will get a better feel for all the different majors after your first year. i was in civil my freshmen year and switched to construction management because of my large distaste for math. just pick the one that best fits you and have fun with it. take it serious but not too serious. most of all have a lot of fun cause it only last for 4 years, or 5 if you do it like me and switch your major and get screwed with classes. i do not regret it one bit though. once its over there is not going back!!

 

Take business courses, all I do is budgets now of my designs. It would be good to now how to price out your job

 

Take some English and speech classes---one engineer that I officiate with regularly says that his firm pays a premium for engineers that have excellent communication skills. They have had a problem in the past with engineers who were excellent in their field but had trouble communicating with clients, etc.

Just my .02...

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This is actually EXCELLENT advice. I deal with engineers on a DAILY basis on a variety of projects. In fact, I'm only a few courses away from being able to obtain a geological engineering degree but, I don't necessarily find it to be something that I really want to do or be...

Some of the engineers that I deal with and farm work to are fantastic communicators. One of which is a very high-level director of a very significant government agency. Another is ultimately over environmental compliance for a Fortune 10 (ten) company. Yet another is the Technical Director for another large corporation. All carry their PE license and actually utilize it to 'sign off' on various projects within their respective organizations. All of these guys are at the top of their game, are technically sound, and communicate in a manner that is not only professional, it's logistical, common sense, and understandable.

My point, the guys that I deal with on a frequent basis that communicate well seem to do the best within the particular sector in which I work (consulting).

While the world needs all levels of engineers - and needs more of them from what I can interpret from reading and such - the communicators tend to rise to the top of the pile when it comes to interactions with others.

 

derek, i think i might be going to UT arlington next spring. i gotta go check out living arrangements first and then make a decision. but most likely i will end up living in dallas just north of the airport.

 

thanks for the info guys...and i figured i would have to have communication skills.

 

Those who don't have communication skills become structural engineers. We just lock them in their office and don't let them talk to the client.

I am a roadway project manager with my PE. I market the jobs, present to the client, negotiate the fees, coordinate with the client throughout the project, coordinate all of the disciplines and subconsultants working for me, speak at public meetings, etc.

You can still be a great engineer without communication skills. You will just be more on the technical side. We have people like that who are very high up in the company. It all depends on what you like. Some people love the nuances and details, some love dealing with people and solving different types of problems.

In my field you will spend the first 5-8 years in the technical area and then move on to managing projects if you are good. We had one guy that was a great #2 and did not want to run projects. Some people just are not made for that or desire the responsibility. It takes all types to make a project successful.

Business courses help a lot in project management. I wish I would have taken more in college but my work has been great with internal training.