8 answers
Robert
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Updated
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How hard is it to get an engineering degree?
I'm very interested in becoming an electronics engineering major and I'm curious about how hard classes are and what other classes I should take to help me succeed in getting my degree. #engineering #technology
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8 answers
Linda Schlosser
Technical Writer
7
Answers
Dulles, Virginia
Updated
Linda’s Answer
Most engineering subjects are pretty difficult, taking 4-5+ years of formal education. You not only need to be smart academically but you need to ha e good time management skills. PRoject management and leadership skills also help.
This doesnt mean it cant be done. You just "gotta want it" bad enough to work at it.
I suggest talking to several engineers in the field you think you like. Maybe get an internship to try it out. Some colleges put students in a restricted track and make you start over of you want to change tracks (majors) Start out with some general engineering meeting classes that will count toward several degrees. That way if you start out electronics and desire industrial looks like a better fit you dont loose tine (and money) switching.
This doesnt mean it cant be done. You just "gotta want it" bad enough to work at it.
I suggest talking to several engineers in the field you think you like. Maybe get an internship to try it out. Some colleges put students in a restricted track and make you start over of you want to change tracks (majors) Start out with some general engineering meeting classes that will count toward several degrees. That way if you start out electronics and desire industrial looks like a better fit you dont loose tine (and money) switching.
Rohan Balwani
Product Manager
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Rohan’s Answer
Hi Robert,
I majored in Electronics Engineering. The coursework was not easy but all the hard work paid off completely.
When I got into it, I thought about it this way - I have to work hard for 4 years to be comfortable for the rest of my career - which could be up to 40 years! In my opinion, an engineering degree is one of the highest paying degrees after you graduate.
As with most things, in engineering, you have to spend time on it to get better. Since you are already inclined to it, you should definitely give it a shot. Depending on the courses you take in college, you will also have the flexibility to apply for jobs in the electronics or software domains.
Along with your engineering courses, I would also recommend taking a few business and psychology courses to give you an all-rounded education.
All the best!
I majored in Electronics Engineering. The coursework was not easy but all the hard work paid off completely.
When I got into it, I thought about it this way - I have to work hard for 4 years to be comfortable for the rest of my career - which could be up to 40 years! In my opinion, an engineering degree is one of the highest paying degrees after you graduate.
As with most things, in engineering, you have to spend time on it to get better. Since you are already inclined to it, you should definitely give it a shot. Depending on the courses you take in college, you will also have the flexibility to apply for jobs in the electronics or software domains.
Along with your engineering courses, I would also recommend taking a few business and psychology courses to give you an all-rounded education.
All the best!
Ravindranath P
Software Engineer
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Ravindranath’s Answer
Engineering undergrad has the potential to be incredibly hard, but you can get through it with proper studying techniques. Also, you can help yourself by entering a major that you enjoy so that you will be focused on the end goal during the tough times.
The most important thing is to work SMARTER and not HARDER.
No engineering degree is going to be easy, but there are certainly ways that you can work smarter and do better in the long run. Here are my three basic tips for studying effectively:
Regardless of whether you have homework or not, spend 20-30 minutes EVERY DAY working through some problems. Math, in particular, is a subject that is best attained through practice and repetition.
Take advantage of the professor’s office hours to get one on one explanations. Bring the problems that you have worked through or some problems from the lecture and have him explain any details that you found confusing.
Create a study group. Get a group of 3-4 of your classmates together on a regular basis to study for this class. This will avail yourself of others to answer your questions. Additionally, in areas where you help them, you will gain a better understanding when you have to break it down to explain it to someone else. Having a study group will give you some added motivation to work harder since nobody wants to come to a study session and be ill prepared.
Keep focused on the end goal and you will get through this.
The most important thing is to work SMARTER and not HARDER.
No engineering degree is going to be easy, but there are certainly ways that you can work smarter and do better in the long run. Here are my three basic tips for studying effectively:
Regardless of whether you have homework or not, spend 20-30 minutes EVERY DAY working through some problems. Math, in particular, is a subject that is best attained through practice and repetition.
Take advantage of the professor’s office hours to get one on one explanations. Bring the problems that you have worked through or some problems from the lecture and have him explain any details that you found confusing.
Create a study group. Get a group of 3-4 of your classmates together on a regular basis to study for this class. This will avail yourself of others to answer your questions. Additionally, in areas where you help them, you will gain a better understanding when you have to break it down to explain it to someone else. Having a study group will give you some added motivation to work harder since nobody wants to come to a study session and be ill prepared.
Keep focused on the end goal and you will get through this.
Jonathan Sheriffs
Data Security
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Robert,
There are many options in the Engineering field (Electrical, Materials, Industrial, Civil, Mechanical, etc.), but all require strong mathematic and analytical skills. While there is some variation based on the type of Engineering, for the most part the material is difficult so the classes are hard. That being said, if you enjoy solving problems or improving "things," a career in engineering can be very rewarding and well worth the effort to master the subject. If you decide to pursue a career in the field, my suggestion would be to choose a school that specializes in Engineering which offers a variety degrees. This will give you time to explore the various specialties while you complete your core curriculum. Good luck!
There are many options in the Engineering field (Electrical, Materials, Industrial, Civil, Mechanical, etc.), but all require strong mathematic and analytical skills. While there is some variation based on the type of Engineering, for the most part the material is difficult so the classes are hard. That being said, if you enjoy solving problems or improving "things," a career in engineering can be very rewarding and well worth the effort to master the subject. If you decide to pursue a career in the field, my suggestion would be to choose a school that specializes in Engineering which offers a variety degrees. This will give you time to explore the various specialties while you complete your core curriculum. Good luck!
Ariel Powell
2
Answers
Updated
Ariel’s Answer
I can honestly say I'm truly glad I went into the electronics engineering field and received my degree as well. It's not going to be easy and it does require alot of patience, understanding and hardwork. Once I got my degree I knew the field was open for me to work in any field from healthcare to gaming. I would recommend starting early since you have an idea of what you would like to do look into programming courses on Coursera and even Udemy to get you started on what's to come. Also some schools also have free classes you can take also to get a feel of the course work as well.
Arin Ray
Solutions Engineer
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Arin’s Answer
Getting an engineering degree is definitely one of the hardest (and most sought after) degrees to earn. Be ready for hours of problem sets, reading text books, and memorizing formulas. You'll stretch your brain in ways you never imagined!
Luckily in today's day and age there are many online resources at your disposal to help you learn. I'd recommend even enrolling in free online courses like Coursera to supplement your learning.
Luckily in today's day and age there are many online resources at your disposal to help you learn. I'd recommend even enrolling in free online courses like Coursera to supplement your learning.
Ankitaben Patel
2
Answers
Updated
Ankitaben’s Answer
Hi Robert,
First of all, it is very valid question for student who about to peruse a degree course.
I did my regular computer engineering collage for (4 years of duration). After few years, i did correspondence course (2 year duration) for Master degree. Now in Nov 2020, I was able to finish another degree course (duration 1 year). All Three times, I had same feeling as you have. Until you start pursuing , it will be hard to determine which subject will be tough for you and which will not.
Which helped me most to address tough subject (which included electronics too), is strengthen the fundamentals. I went back to school books for calculus, basic electronics and physics fundamental. After that everything is digestible. In real world (industry), your practical knowledge and strong fundamentals will be your friends so focus there more.
A tip which is always working: For subject which I felt tough during study, I normally use multiple sources for easier explanation and write down in my own words and diagrams.
Hope this helps.
Find out which are the fundamental topics will be needed in degree course.
Are you having enough hold on those topics ? if yes, don't worry . Else, spend some time and understand those topics again.
First of all, it is very valid question for student who about to peruse a degree course.
I did my regular computer engineering collage for (4 years of duration). After few years, i did correspondence course (2 year duration) for Master degree. Now in Nov 2020, I was able to finish another degree course (duration 1 year). All Three times, I had same feeling as you have. Until you start pursuing , it will be hard to determine which subject will be tough for you and which will not.
Which helped me most to address tough subject (which included electronics too), is strengthen the fundamentals. I went back to school books for calculus, basic electronics and physics fundamental. After that everything is digestible. In real world (industry), your practical knowledge and strong fundamentals will be your friends so focus there more.
A tip which is always working: For subject which I felt tough during study, I normally use multiple sources for easier explanation and write down in my own words and diagrams.
Hope this helps.
Ankitaben recommends the following next steps:
Lucas Carraro
Software Developer
1
Answer
Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Updated
Lucas’s Answer
Hi, Robert!
I've graduated in computer engineering, which has a curriculum very similar to electronics engineering. It's hard to quantify difficulty, but engineering is definitely not easy, so you need to be prepared for a challenge.
The electronics field requires a lot of theoretical physics and math/calculus, which usually are the topics that people struggle the most with. However, despite of the difficulty, these topics are essential to understanding the practical aspects of the area. Sometimes it's hard do visualize the application of such theories while you learn them, but trust me, they are very important.
And, as a piece of advice, something you can start studying even before college is programming. It's not hard once you get the basics of it and most engineering degrees require a certain level of coding knowledge.
I've graduated in computer engineering, which has a curriculum very similar to electronics engineering. It's hard to quantify difficulty, but engineering is definitely not easy, so you need to be prepared for a challenge.
The electronics field requires a lot of theoretical physics and math/calculus, which usually are the topics that people struggle the most with. However, despite of the difficulty, these topics are essential to understanding the practical aspects of the area. Sometimes it's hard do visualize the application of such theories while you learn them, but trust me, they are very important.
And, as a piece of advice, something you can start studying even before college is programming. It's not hard once you get the basics of it and most engineering degrees require a certain level of coding knowledge.