6 answers
Jade
Student
Farmington, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
333 views
Hello, I am currently an undergraduate for my 2-year college and I was wondering how I can choose which field I want to study for my Engineering degree?
I have a great deal of interest in mathematics, physics, and creativity. I have been looking into either aerospace engineering or mechanical engineering for my curiosity. If there are more fields out in the work force, please let me know.
Login to comment
5 answers
Kevin Barnett, MSEM, MBA, MSIS
Engineering Manager
8
Answers
Chesapeake, Virginia
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Choosing an engineering field can feel overwhelming! Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
1. Self-Reflection:
Interests: What subjects excite you? Do you enjoy problem-solving, building things, or understanding how things work?
Skills: Are you good at math, science, communication, or creative thinking? Different engineering fields emphasize different skill sets.
Values: What impact do you want to make on the world? Do you want to work on sustainable energy, develop new technologies, or improve infrastructure?
2. Research Engineering Branches:
Mechanical Engineering: Design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems (cars, robots, etc.)
Electrical Engineering: Design and development of electrical systems and devices (electronics, power grids, etc.)
Civil Engineering: Design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure (bridges, roads, buildings, etc.)
Chemical Engineering: Design and operation of chemical processes and plants (pharmaceuticals, food production, etc.)
Computer Engineering: Design and development of computer hardware and software systems.
Biomedical Engineering: Application of engineering principles to solve medical and biological problems.
Environmental Engineering: Design solutions for environmental problems (water treatment, pollution control, etc.)
3. Explore Further:
Talk to Engineers: Reach out to professionals in different fields (LinkedIn is a great resource). Ask about their work, what they like and dislike, and any advice they have.
Shadowing/Internships: Gain firsthand experience by shadowing an engineer or pursuing internships in different fields.
College Resources: Your college’s career center and academic advisors can provide guidance and resources.
Remember: It’s okay not to have everything figured out immediately. Be open to exploring different options and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.
1. Self-Reflection:
Interests: What subjects excite you? Do you enjoy problem-solving, building things, or understanding how things work?
Skills: Are you good at math, science, communication, or creative thinking? Different engineering fields emphasize different skill sets.
Values: What impact do you want to make on the world? Do you want to work on sustainable energy, develop new technologies, or improve infrastructure?
2. Research Engineering Branches:
Mechanical Engineering: Design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems (cars, robots, etc.)
Electrical Engineering: Design and development of electrical systems and devices (electronics, power grids, etc.)
Civil Engineering: Design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure (bridges, roads, buildings, etc.)
Chemical Engineering: Design and operation of chemical processes and plants (pharmaceuticals, food production, etc.)
Computer Engineering: Design and development of computer hardware and software systems.
Biomedical Engineering: Application of engineering principles to solve medical and biological problems.
Environmental Engineering: Design solutions for environmental problems (water treatment, pollution control, etc.)
3. Explore Further:
Talk to Engineers: Reach out to professionals in different fields (LinkedIn is a great resource). Ask about their work, what they like and dislike, and any advice they have.
Shadowing/Internships: Gain firsthand experience by shadowing an engineer or pursuing internships in different fields.
College Resources: Your college’s career center and academic advisors can provide guidance and resources.
Remember: It’s okay not to have everything figured out immediately. Be open to exploring different options and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way.
Minghao CHEN
38
Answers
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Minghao’s Answer
Hi! It's great that you enjoy math, physics, and creativity—those are perfect foundations for many engineering fields. Aerospace and mechanical are both solid choices with lots of overlap. Mechanical is broader, while aerospace dives deeper into flight and space systems.
You might also look into:
1.Electrical Engineering (great if you like circuits or tech)
2.Civil Engineering (for infrastructure and design)
3.Mechatronics or Robotics (blends mechanics, electronics, and coding)
4.Engineering Physics (if you're really into the theory side)
Try taking intro courses, joining clubs, or doing small projects—these can help you figure out what feels right before you commit.
You might also look into:
1.Electrical Engineering (great if you like circuits or tech)
2.Civil Engineering (for infrastructure and design)
3.Mechatronics or Robotics (blends mechanics, electronics, and coding)
4.Engineering Physics (if you're really into the theory side)
Try taking intro courses, joining clubs, or doing small projects—these can help you figure out what feels right before you commit.
Ashley Dunn
Project Engineering Manager
16
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
I am an aerospace engineer and love it, but I learned about a lot of other types of engineers after I started that I thought would have been awesome also. Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Engineering. If you like coding Software Engineering is a very beneficial in many industries, just about everything has software (warning, most engineers have to learn to code).
There are lots of options and many companies need engineers of all types and there is a good chance that you can go into a job that is a little different than your degree because you learn so much after you graduate and you may find something you like better.
You can always go back and get your Masters after you are in the workforce if you want to pivot a little or delve deeper.
There are lots of options and many companies need engineers of all types and there is a good chance that you can go into a job that is a little different than your degree because you learn so much after you graduate and you may find something you like better.
You can always go back and get your Masters after you are in the workforce if you want to pivot a little or delve deeper.
Ligia McLean
Manage International Sales
12
Answers
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Ligia’s Answer
Possessing an interest in engineering provides significant advantages for females. I am optimistic that more females will pursue careers in STEM fields, contributing their creative approaches to various domains.
Aerospace engineering presents a promising career path; however, it is important to consider future job opportunities. Large aerospace companies are situated in specific locations, therefore it would be prudent to evaluate these areas to determine if they are suitable for you. This specialization may restrict you to aerospace-related activities.
On the other hand, careers such as mechanical engineering offer broader job prospects across numerous industries, thereby expanding your employment options.
Additionally, biomedical engineering is an intriguing field where professionals develop products aimed at improving human health conditions. Interestingly, this discipline can overlap with Human Factors engineering, which is also highly valued within aerospace companies.
Aerospace engineering presents a promising career path; however, it is important to consider future job opportunities. Large aerospace companies are situated in specific locations, therefore it would be prudent to evaluate these areas to determine if they are suitable for you. This specialization may restrict you to aerospace-related activities.
On the other hand, careers such as mechanical engineering offer broader job prospects across numerous industries, thereby expanding your employment options.
Additionally, biomedical engineering is an intriguing field where professionals develop products aimed at improving human health conditions. Interestingly, this discipline can overlap with Human Factors engineering, which is also highly valued within aerospace companies.
Bryan Mayberry
Mechanical Design Engineer
14
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
It is good you are interested in mathematics, physics, and creativity as most engineering majors will use all three of those! There are definitely quite a few though so it will take some time to review everything and narrow down choices. I went to Penn State so I just pulled up the list of engineering majors from there:
Aerospace Engineering
Architectural Engineering (five-year program)
Biological Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computational Data Sciences
Electrical Engineering
Energy Engineering
Engineering: Alternative Energy and Power Generation
Engineering: Applied Materials
Engineering: Multidisciplinary Engineering Design
Engineering Science
Environmental Systems Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
Polymer Engineering and Science
Rail Transportation Engineering
Software Engineering
Surveying Engineering
For me, I narrowed down my list by two things.
1. I kind of hated chemistry and knew I dint want that to be a big part of my career, so that ruled out a lot of the chemical, bio, nuclear fields.
2. I also kinda hated the electrical side of things, so that ruled out electrical, computer, etc.
If you are truly down to aerospace and mechanical, I was in the same spot. The advice I read most was, if you are really all into flight, go aerospace as you can get a job in that industry more easily. But if you want some flexibility to be in multiple industries, mechanical is a better bet.
If you want to be more creative than focus on mathematic, you can look into mechanical design engineering roles that focus on CAD and 3D modeling.
Overall, take a look at school majors, see the course load, figure out if those classes are interesting and then also check some job listings to try and see what they say the roles are. Always have to keep in mind, you are trying to plan for your future job, not just what classes you find interesting.
Aerospace Engineering
Architectural Engineering (five-year program)
Biological Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Computational Data Sciences
Electrical Engineering
Energy Engineering
Engineering: Alternative Energy and Power Generation
Engineering: Applied Materials
Engineering: Multidisciplinary Engineering Design
Engineering Science
Environmental Systems Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mining Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
Polymer Engineering and Science
Rail Transportation Engineering
Software Engineering
Surveying Engineering
For me, I narrowed down my list by two things.
1. I kind of hated chemistry and knew I dint want that to be a big part of my career, so that ruled out a lot of the chemical, bio, nuclear fields.
2. I also kinda hated the electrical side of things, so that ruled out electrical, computer, etc.
If you are truly down to aerospace and mechanical, I was in the same spot. The advice I read most was, if you are really all into flight, go aerospace as you can get a job in that industry more easily. But if you want some flexibility to be in multiple industries, mechanical is a better bet.
If you want to be more creative than focus on mathematic, you can look into mechanical design engineering roles that focus on CAD and 3D modeling.
Overall, take a look at school majors, see the course load, figure out if those classes are interesting and then also check some job listings to try and see what they say the roles are. Always have to keep in mind, you are trying to plan for your future job, not just what classes you find interesting.