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Niha
Student
10
Questions
Updated
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How to find what interests me ?
I am a high school student interested in engineering and maths, but I am confused about which college major to choose. I keep joining different courses, but I still cannot find my real interest, and college applications are coming up soon. I feel stressed and unsure about what to pursue in the future. How can I choose the right engineering or math-related major, and what should I consider when making this decision?
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10 answers
jamie jefferies
General Business Mgt
2
Answers
Jersey City, New Jersey
Updated
jamie’s Answer
Firstly great question.....your degree choice will not restrict your opportunities over the long term. A degree demonstrates your ability to learn, apply those learnings and are able to commit and complete a challenging exercise.
When you recruit talent the degree that you have is one small data point on the selection process. It is an entry point, so choose a degree that interests you, but is broadly relevant to your objective or general direction, don't specialise to early.... but be open to opportunities or passions that appear along your education journey. Reflect on your strengths, and passions. Use the many resources that will be available to you at the university - fellow students, clubs, professors, mentors, resource groups etc.
When you recruit talent the degree that you have is one small data point on the selection process. It is an entry point, so choose a degree that interests you, but is broadly relevant to your objective or general direction, don't specialise to early.... but be open to opportunities or passions that appear along your education journey. Reflect on your strengths, and passions. Use the many resources that will be available to you at the university - fellow students, clubs, professors, mentors, resource groups etc.
Thank you for the advice.
Niha
Jezlea Ortega
Tech Architecture
102
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jezlea’s Answer
The stress you're feeling is completely valid, but here's something worth reframing. The fact that you keep exploring different courses actually means you're doing exactly the right thing, even if it doesn't feel that way. Finding what truly clicks takes exposure and experience, and every course you've tried has given you useful information about yourself even if it didn't spark an obvious passion.
Since you already know you gravitate toward engineering and math, you're actually ahead of a lot of people your age. That's a meaningful starting point because it tells you something real about how your mind works — you likely enjoy structure, logic, problem solving, and building or analyzing things. The next step is figuring out which flavor of that excites you most, and the way to do that is to get more specific about the moments within those subjects that felt the most alive. Think back across your courses and ask yourself where time seemed to disappear. Was it when you were writing code, designing something physical, working through a complex equation, analyzing data, or figuring out how a system worked? Those small moments of genuine engagement are more telling than any career quiz or college counselor recommendation because they reflect your actual wiring rather than what sounds impressive on paper.
It also helps to understand that most engineering majors share a heavy foundation of math and science in the first two years, which means you have time to get clearer once you're actually in college. Choosing mechanical, civil, electrical, computer, or any other engineering discipline right now is less permanent than it feels — many students switch concentrations or discover their real passion through coursework and internships after they arrive on campus. Picking the branch that sounds most interesting to you today and staying open to adjusting is a completely reasonable and common approach.
Since you already know you gravitate toward engineering and math, you're actually ahead of a lot of people your age. That's a meaningful starting point because it tells you something real about how your mind works — you likely enjoy structure, logic, problem solving, and building or analyzing things. The next step is figuring out which flavor of that excites you most, and the way to do that is to get more specific about the moments within those subjects that felt the most alive. Think back across your courses and ask yourself where time seemed to disappear. Was it when you were writing code, designing something physical, working through a complex equation, analyzing data, or figuring out how a system worked? Those small moments of genuine engagement are more telling than any career quiz or college counselor recommendation because they reflect your actual wiring rather than what sounds impressive on paper.
It also helps to understand that most engineering majors share a heavy foundation of math and science in the first two years, which means you have time to get clearer once you're actually in college. Choosing mechanical, civil, electrical, computer, or any other engineering discipline right now is less permanent than it feels — many students switch concentrations or discover their real passion through coursework and internships after they arrive on campus. Picking the branch that sounds most interesting to you today and staying open to adjusting is a completely reasonable and common approach.
Daniela Johnson Machado
Technology Analyst
4
Answers
Scottsdale, Arizona
Updated
Daniela’s Answer
I think you're actually off to a really good start. A lot of students feel pressure to have everything figured out, but you've already narrowed it down to areas you enjoy, which is more than many people can say. You know you're interested in math and engineering, and you've taken courses to explore those interests, so you're already doing the right things!
What helped me when I was in a similar position was doing a lot of personal research. I took online quizzes that matched my interests to potential majors, watched YouTube videos about different careers that seemed interesting, and tried to learn what people in those jobs actually do day to day. Sometimes a major sounds appealing, but the actual career looks very different, so getting that real-world perspective was helpful.
Once you have a few majors in mind, I would recommend looking at the program requirements for those majors at the colleges you're considering. The courses, concentrations, and opportunities can vary quite a bit from school to school, and seeing the curriculum often helps you determine whether you can picture yourself studying that subject for several years.
Also, try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make the "perfect" choice right now. It's completely normal for students to change their major once they're in college. Many people enter school thinking they'll study one thing and end up discovering a different passion along the way. Choosing a major now doesn't lock you into that path forever.
My advice would be to focus on finding a direction rather than finding the one perfect answer. Keep exploring, trust the interests you've already identified, and remember that your path can evolve as you learn more about yourself!
What helped me when I was in a similar position was doing a lot of personal research. I took online quizzes that matched my interests to potential majors, watched YouTube videos about different careers that seemed interesting, and tried to learn what people in those jobs actually do day to day. Sometimes a major sounds appealing, but the actual career looks very different, so getting that real-world perspective was helpful.
Once you have a few majors in mind, I would recommend looking at the program requirements for those majors at the colleges you're considering. The courses, concentrations, and opportunities can vary quite a bit from school to school, and seeing the curriculum often helps you determine whether you can picture yourself studying that subject for several years.
Also, try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make the "perfect" choice right now. It's completely normal for students to change their major once they're in college. Many people enter school thinking they'll study one thing and end up discovering a different passion along the way. Choosing a major now doesn't lock you into that path forever.
My advice would be to focus on finding a direction rather than finding the one perfect answer. Keep exploring, trust the interests you've already identified, and remember that your path can evolve as you learn more about yourself!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1452
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Niha,
First, take some pressure off yourself. You don't have to discover your one perfect career before college applications are due. A lot of students choose a major with only a general direction in mind, and their interests become clearer once they take actual college classes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also recommends using high school to explore interests and learn about different careers rather than feeling that you must already know your exact occupation.
Since you already know that engineering and mathematics interest you, that's a useful starting point. Now I'd stop taking random courses and start doing small experiments.
For example, spend a couple of weeks trying basic activities from different engineering areas:
- Mechanical: design or build something and learn basic mechanics.
- Electrical: experiment with circuits and simple electronics.
- Civil: explore how structures, bridges, or transportation systems are designed.
- Computer: try programming and problem-solving.
- Biomedical: explore how engineering is used in medical devices and healthcare.
- Industrial: look at how companies improve systems, processes, and efficiency.
Then ask yourself: Which activity made me want to keep going even when it became difficult? Which problems did I enjoy solving? Did I prefer designing, calculating, building, coding, or analyzing?
That's much more useful than simply asking yourself, "What is my passion?"
Also look beyond the major's name. Compare the actual courses you'll take in the first two years. Engineering programs generally involve substantial mathematics and science, and practical experience through internships or cooperative programs can be very valuable.
If you're still unsure when applications are due, consider applying to schools where you can explore before committing to a specific engineering specialization. Some universities have general engineering or flexible first-year programs.
And please don't feel like you're behind because you haven't found "the one." Your goal right now isn't to predict your entire life. It's to make a reasonable first choice and give yourself room to learn more about yourself along the way.
Best wishes!
First, take some pressure off yourself. You don't have to discover your one perfect career before college applications are due. A lot of students choose a major with only a general direction in mind, and their interests become clearer once they take actual college classes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also recommends using high school to explore interests and learn about different careers rather than feeling that you must already know your exact occupation.
Since you already know that engineering and mathematics interest you, that's a useful starting point. Now I'd stop taking random courses and start doing small experiments.
For example, spend a couple of weeks trying basic activities from different engineering areas:
- Mechanical: design or build something and learn basic mechanics.
- Electrical: experiment with circuits and simple electronics.
- Civil: explore how structures, bridges, or transportation systems are designed.
- Computer: try programming and problem-solving.
- Biomedical: explore how engineering is used in medical devices and healthcare.
- Industrial: look at how companies improve systems, processes, and efficiency.
Then ask yourself: Which activity made me want to keep going even when it became difficult? Which problems did I enjoy solving? Did I prefer designing, calculating, building, coding, or analyzing?
That's much more useful than simply asking yourself, "What is my passion?"
Also look beyond the major's name. Compare the actual courses you'll take in the first two years. Engineering programs generally involve substantial mathematics and science, and practical experience through internships or cooperative programs can be very valuable.
If you're still unsure when applications are due, consider applying to schools where you can explore before committing to a specific engineering specialization. Some universities have general engineering or flexible first-year programs.
And please don't feel like you're behind because you haven't found "the one." Your goal right now isn't to predict your entire life. It's to make a reasonable first choice and give yourself room to learn more about yourself along the way.
Best wishes!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
264
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Niha,
It's a pleasure taking this opportunity to respond to your question.
Your dilemma is understandable and many students encounter similar experiences.
Before we delve into some of the considerations for career choices, its important to reflect on the role of engineering in our society. Through out history, engineering has always focused on resolving of the pressing needs of society - medical facilities, transport facilities, manufacturing facilities, home appliances, clothing, entertainment facilities, processed foods & beverages, pharmaceuticals etc.
Career choices often come with challenges. Usually, our natural gifts/talents are excellent opportunities for crafting successful careers. It's also important to not only have interest in but also love and enjoy what we do so we can pursue it with passion, diligence commitment and perseverance. Addressing important human needs not only improves the well being of society, it also provides a potentially more sustainable pathway to financial freedom.
Engineering is a rather wide field of study and it's boundaries keep expanding all the time.
Traditionally, common branches include civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, structural, aerospace, automotive, nuclear, architectural, biomedical & software engineering. Others include robotics and AI. Areas of specialization exist within the main branches especially for those interested in post graduate studies.
At the level of practice, opportunities exist in such areas as design, construction, production & manufacture, maintenance, projects, utilities, consulting, research & development, teaching in institutions of higher learning etc.
Excellence should remain your overriding consideration in all your endeavors.
I hope this provides the basic information required to support your choice of career. Wish you the best of luck in your studies & career.
It's a pleasure taking this opportunity to respond to your question.
Your dilemma is understandable and many students encounter similar experiences.
Before we delve into some of the considerations for career choices, its important to reflect on the role of engineering in our society. Through out history, engineering has always focused on resolving of the pressing needs of society - medical facilities, transport facilities, manufacturing facilities, home appliances, clothing, entertainment facilities, processed foods & beverages, pharmaceuticals etc.
Career choices often come with challenges. Usually, our natural gifts/talents are excellent opportunities for crafting successful careers. It's also important to not only have interest in but also love and enjoy what we do so we can pursue it with passion, diligence commitment and perseverance. Addressing important human needs not only improves the well being of society, it also provides a potentially more sustainable pathway to financial freedom.
Engineering is a rather wide field of study and it's boundaries keep expanding all the time.
Traditionally, common branches include civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, structural, aerospace, automotive, nuclear, architectural, biomedical & software engineering. Others include robotics and AI. Areas of specialization exist within the main branches especially for those interested in post graduate studies.
At the level of practice, opportunities exist in such areas as design, construction, production & manufacture, maintenance, projects, utilities, consulting, research & development, teaching in institutions of higher learning etc.
Excellence should remain your overriding consideration in all your endeavors.
I hope this provides the basic information required to support your choice of career. Wish you the best of luck in your studies & career.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Niha
Rawan Hashim
Dartmouth Alum | Consultant
5
Answers
Springfield, Virginia
Updated
Rawan’s Answer
Hi Niha,
First, you are not expected to know what you want to do this early on. Many college students still don't discover their passion until after they graduate and beyond. However, what is in your control is the amount of time you dedicate to exploring the kind of impact you want to make. You can do this by joining different groups, reaching out to people you can shadow, researching the real impact you will have from your prospective major/career.
However, I will say that college admissions tend to like seeing an applicant's "niche." So, if your courses and extracurriculars have been focused on STEM, it would be best to continue demonstrating that niche through a unique story as to why this interest applies to you. If you find that, for example, you're also interested in a debate team or something more humanities/policy focused, that is also okay, as long as you apply it back to why engineering/math.
Overall, it's more about having a focused story that will make it easier for admissions to know your "why". This doesn't mean that you can't be interested in multiple subjects, but rather ask yourself how they intersect and form your story.
I hope this helps!
First, you are not expected to know what you want to do this early on. Many college students still don't discover their passion until after they graduate and beyond. However, what is in your control is the amount of time you dedicate to exploring the kind of impact you want to make. You can do this by joining different groups, reaching out to people you can shadow, researching the real impact you will have from your prospective major/career.
However, I will say that college admissions tend to like seeing an applicant's "niche." So, if your courses and extracurriculars have been focused on STEM, it would be best to continue demonstrating that niche through a unique story as to why this interest applies to you. If you find that, for example, you're also interested in a debate team or something more humanities/policy focused, that is also okay, as long as you apply it back to why engineering/math.
Overall, it's more about having a focused story that will make it easier for admissions to know your "why". This doesn't mean that you can't be interested in multiple subjects, but rather ask yourself how they intersect and form your story.
I hope this helps!
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Niha
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2749
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to know youbhave interest in Maths and Engineering.
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are many careers related to Engineering and Maths. In Engineering, there are many disciplines, eg Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc. There are other Maths related careers, eg Accounting, Banking, Financial Analysis, Maths Teachers, etc. You can find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Attend information sessions hisrs by Engineering department of colleges
4. Seek guidance from your mentor, school careers counselor, your parents, etc
5. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would lije to pursue
6. Explors the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. There are many careers related to Engineering and Maths. In Engineering, there are many disciplines, eg Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering, etc. There are other Maths related careers, eg Accounting, Banking, Financial Analysis, Maths Teachers, etc. You can find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Attend information sessions hisrs by Engineering department of colleges
4. Seek guidance from your mentor, school careers counselor, your parents, etc
5. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would lije to pursue
6. Explors the entry criteria of relevant subjects in colleges
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Niha
Kristen Jaccodine
High School School Counselor (Guidance Counselor)
20
Answers
Sussex, New Jersey
Updated
Kristen’s Answer
Hi Niha...
Great questions! It is okay to be uncertain about which area of engineering you want to study. It is a wide field that offers all kinds of opportunities.
First...ask yourself: if the classes you have taken do not interest you, what is it that you do not like about it? Sometimes writing down what you are not interested in helps you figure out what you are. It's okay to know what you do not like, even if you are good at it. Once you have the do-not-like list, what about engineering or math interests you? Try not to think of it in terms of a specific career, but more in general terms - like: I am interested in understanding how something works, or I'm interested in designing or building an engine or a bridge or a building.
Or, it could be - I really like solving problems and would like to use that skill to conduct research using equations or I want to teach math to others who may not understand it as well as I do.
Many colleges and universities provide prospective students with information about their different majors and the opportunities available. My suggestion to you - put aside the major question for a moment and look at the colleges you are interested in applying to. Items to consider: how far from home do you want to be, what size school do you want to attend, and do they have engineering (or math) as a major? *There are other items to consider when thinking about this, but this can give you an idea.
Once you have your schools - let's say there are five you are interested in applying to - review their engineering majors. What kinds of offerings do they have? Can you enter as a general engineering major without a specific focus? If you are uncertain if you want to become a mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineer, a mechanical engineering major can provide the background classes you need to enter the field of engineering. *You can always specialize later.
Do the same thing with the math majors offered at the colleges you are interested in - review the information on the majors and what kind of careers their students enter after graduation. What kinds of career paths can you move onto?
In terms of applying to colleges, depending on the college, you may need to declare your major (particularly with engineering) right away. That could be the same for math, but, it is another question to ask the college admissions officials of the schools you are interested in. If you do not need to know, then you can apply to the school, but not to the major. If you do need to know, talk to them about your options.
You are not alone in this and are taking the right step in asking the questions. Keep going with that. You know yourself better than anyone else does - you will know when you find the right fit.
Good luck!
Great questions! It is okay to be uncertain about which area of engineering you want to study. It is a wide field that offers all kinds of opportunities.
First...ask yourself: if the classes you have taken do not interest you, what is it that you do not like about it? Sometimes writing down what you are not interested in helps you figure out what you are. It's okay to know what you do not like, even if you are good at it. Once you have the do-not-like list, what about engineering or math interests you? Try not to think of it in terms of a specific career, but more in general terms - like: I am interested in understanding how something works, or I'm interested in designing or building an engine or a bridge or a building.
Or, it could be - I really like solving problems and would like to use that skill to conduct research using equations or I want to teach math to others who may not understand it as well as I do.
Many colleges and universities provide prospective students with information about their different majors and the opportunities available. My suggestion to you - put aside the major question for a moment and look at the colleges you are interested in applying to. Items to consider: how far from home do you want to be, what size school do you want to attend, and do they have engineering (or math) as a major? *There are other items to consider when thinking about this, but this can give you an idea.
Once you have your schools - let's say there are five you are interested in applying to - review their engineering majors. What kinds of offerings do they have? Can you enter as a general engineering major without a specific focus? If you are uncertain if you want to become a mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineer, a mechanical engineering major can provide the background classes you need to enter the field of engineering. *You can always specialize later.
Do the same thing with the math majors offered at the colleges you are interested in - review the information on the majors and what kind of careers their students enter after graduation. What kinds of career paths can you move onto?
In terms of applying to colleges, depending on the college, you may need to declare your major (particularly with engineering) right away. That could be the same for math, but, it is another question to ask the college admissions officials of the schools you are interested in. If you do not need to know, then you can apply to the school, but not to the major. If you do need to know, talk to them about your options.
You are not alone in this and are taking the right step in asking the questions. Keep going with that. You know yourself better than anyone else does - you will know when you find the right fit.
Good luck!
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Niha
Sreedhar Chanda
Mechanical Engineer
56
Answers
Kentwood, Michigan
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Niha,
Start a couple of engineering and math related courses in your local community college to gauge your interest. After a semester or two you should be able to narrow your interest and transfer your classes to a university to start a bachelor's degree in either math or in an engineering discipline of your choosing.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Start a couple of engineering and math related courses in your local community college to gauge your interest. After a semester or two you should be able to narrow your interest and transfer your classes to a university to start a bachelor's degree in either math or in an engineering discipline of your choosing.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Christian Juan De La Cruz Quispe
Administración de Contratos
2
Answers
Lima, Callao Region, Peru
Updated
Christian Juan’s Answer
Hello. You should value what you enjoy doing. While earning money is important, being a professional means doing things well, and that starts with you. I recommend choosing the path that makes you happy and enables you to do a phenomenal job. If you like mathematics, you are on the right track; both paths are excellent, so it is up to you to decide which one to follow and what you want to achieve. Good luck.
Thank you, Christian Juan!
Niha