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I am not confident of what to do next
I am science student who now thinks being a part of the business world is much better than my direct option- Engineering.
#business #management #engineering #international
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14 answers
Updated
George’s Answer
I don't think this is an either/or. One of the benefits of a science and engineering degree is how teaches you think about problems and to solve them. This sort of thinking is just as important in the business world as it is in the science world. I'd recommend that you add some business courses to your workload, and also to take some public speaking courses.
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Monica’s Answer
When thinking about switching your area of study and work, evaluate the motive behind it and try to understand the aspects you appreciate and dislike of the various paths you are considering. You want to align yourself as best as possible with what you choose in terms of the nature of work, how it interacts with your strengths and weaknesses, and how it aids in helping you achieve your long-term goals.
In addition to preference and goal alignment, keep in mind that choosing a direction does not immediately prevent you from pivoting or changing down the line. Of course, the more clarity you have earlier on, the more efficiently you can go about the process. However, being in the professional environment, you will frequently meet people who have an educational background that is different from the roles they take on. Just yesterday I was speaking with someone in a VP leadership position and she said that what you specifically did in a past role is not as relevant as the set of skills you gain from it. As you advance professionally, you will observe this more.
In terms of engineering and business, there is much intersection between both. I have professional connections and MBA classmates who come from electrical and software engineering backgrounds that are shifting to roles in business within some of the most coveted companies in world. Actually, their engineering backgrounds have made them more competitive candidates as they transition into roles in areas like supply chain and analytics.
Best of luck in your journey!
In addition to preference and goal alignment, keep in mind that choosing a direction does not immediately prevent you from pivoting or changing down the line. Of course, the more clarity you have earlier on, the more efficiently you can go about the process. However, being in the professional environment, you will frequently meet people who have an educational background that is different from the roles they take on. Just yesterday I was speaking with someone in a VP leadership position and she said that what you specifically did in a past role is not as relevant as the set of skills you gain from it. As you advance professionally, you will observe this more.
In terms of engineering and business, there is much intersection between both. I have professional connections and MBA classmates who come from electrical and software engineering backgrounds that are shifting to roles in business within some of the most coveted companies in world. Actually, their engineering backgrounds have made them more competitive candidates as they transition into roles in areas like supply chain and analytics.
Best of luck in your journey!
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Rick’s Answer
In many technical companies there are always 2 career tracks, a technical track and a management track. I started my career on the technical side, and worked in that areas for about 12 years becoming a subject matter expert in my area. This background gave me a very strong foundation for transitioning into the management track when the opportunity presented itself. The skills required in these tracks are different and its the fundamental question you need to ask yourself when determining which is right for you.
If your personality is one where your very technical and like diving deeply into specific projects, problems, issues and becoming a subject matter expert in a particular area then the technical track would make sense. If you enjoy having a very wide perspective managing multiple projects where you have full understanding on how all the pieces go together and the ultimate end value and goals then the management track might be the right choice. Keep in mind the challenges you will face on the technical side will most likely be related to the actual projects and technology your working on while you will most likely need to deal with more people issues, business problems, and organizational issues in the management track.
At the end of the day there is no right answer, it really depends on what's right for your personality and the type of work that motivates you the most. The good news is that it isn't a decision you need to make day 1. You can always begin your career on the technical track side, and then find opportunities to lead some projects to see how you like the management aspect and acquire those skills as you progress in your career.
If your personality is one where your very technical and like diving deeply into specific projects, problems, issues and becoming a subject matter expert in a particular area then the technical track would make sense. If you enjoy having a very wide perspective managing multiple projects where you have full understanding on how all the pieces go together and the ultimate end value and goals then the management track might be the right choice. Keep in mind the challenges you will face on the technical side will most likely be related to the actual projects and technology your working on while you will most likely need to deal with more people issues, business problems, and organizational issues in the management track.
At the end of the day there is no right answer, it really depends on what's right for your personality and the type of work that motivates you the most. The good news is that it isn't a decision you need to make day 1. You can always begin your career on the technical track side, and then find opportunities to lead some projects to see how you like the management aspect and acquire those skills as you progress in your career.
Thankyou very much sir
DD
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Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
Its very normal to not feel confident in your studies as it can become challenging at times and you can begin to question why it was in the first place that you choose a specific degree. What I always suggest to people is to think back and reflect why it was you decided to pursue a specific career path in the first place. Sadly many students tend to choose degrees for reasons like money, or easiness but in reality many of these people will want to change as the career path was never truly a passion in the first place. I will always suggest to people that when choosing a career you want to find something that you truly love and enjoy doing. Yes you have to take into account some of the benefits like salary and work hours and such but if its something that makes you happy then that trumps all the other things that the job can provide. Building confidence can be hard to build especially in school where you do bad on a few assignments and next thing you know you have a low grade and begin questioning things. In the end have the confidents that you made the right decision because its what you want and no one else.
Hope this helps!
Its very normal to not feel confident in your studies as it can become challenging at times and you can begin to question why it was in the first place that you choose a specific degree. What I always suggest to people is to think back and reflect why it was you decided to pursue a specific career path in the first place. Sadly many students tend to choose degrees for reasons like money, or easiness but in reality many of these people will want to change as the career path was never truly a passion in the first place. I will always suggest to people that when choosing a career you want to find something that you truly love and enjoy doing. Yes you have to take into account some of the benefits like salary and work hours and such but if its something that makes you happy then that trumps all the other things that the job can provide. Building confidence can be hard to build especially in school where you do bad on a few assignments and next thing you know you have a low grade and begin questioning things. In the end have the confidents that you made the right decision because its what you want and no one else.
Hope this helps!
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Munish’s Answer
I think I understand the dilemma you are in. You want to be managing business vs doing engineering. Think of engineering as a skill you are acquiring, which can be used to start a business in an area you are passionate about.
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Latheef’s Answer
Look at your strengths and what you are good at. This may be something you may have heard from your friends & families in regards to certain things you are really good at and appreciated a lot. I would suggest to capitalize on it, for instance if you are good leader in organizing things and have worked well for home or outside events, then use that towards management skills to lead the teams and get into the industry.
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Wael’s Answer
One option I would recommend for you to consider is Industrial and Systems Engineering. The discipline draws upon mathematics, computer sciences, and economics and blends both engineering and business skills. Industrial and Systems Engineering is considered a sub-specialty and not all engineering schools offer the program at the undergraduate level, with some offering it as a minor only. The program allows a student to be well rounded in applied mathematics, drawing upon the domain of operations research and mathematical optimization in particular. Career opportunities are diverse in such fields as manufacturing, services, or heath systems. Good luck with your future pursuits!
Exactly the major I studied and yet work in Experiential Marketing. Being able to tell a product or solution story - understanding it engineering) and communicating it (business) - is a highly sought after skillset.
Francine Grant
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Michael John’s Answer
The two career paths are not mutually exclusive, they are complimentary. Some of the most successful people I have met have undergraduate degrees in engineering of some discipline, and later became business leaders. You can always enter an MBA program later. A talent or passion for the discipline of engineering is a gift. A needed talent. Business acumen can be developed based on an engineering background. There are more than enough business people. There are too few engineers.
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Shelesh’s Answer
Not feeling confident is natural phenomenon whenever you have to make a choices that are difficult. Best way to move forward would be to collate as much information you can gather on what interests you and WHY ? and WHAT will it take to achieve that. Between Engg & Business, I believe while you can go deeper into one aspect but having knowledge of other is a very BIG Plus. Business acumen bolsters your WHY/Purpose while Engineering acumen would bolster your HOW (Rationality/Practicality). While you can make a beginning in either of these traits, what would help you to be open to learning, experiences, explorations and adaptability. Wish you the best !!!
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Patrick’s Answer
I think we all start out in the World wondering if we’ve picked the right career path. Then through work experience, picking projects that are right for you, you begin to put the pieces together and a path develops, of what interests you more, what you enjoy doing, what community that tends to create with your work colleagues.... This is where your portfolio develops, growth follows and you decide then what makes the most sense for you to pursue.
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Xiaoye’s Answer
"Business" is just one word. But it has so many different definitions. It could mean finance and accounting. It could mean marketing and/or product management. And it could also mean people management. Other than some specific ones like finance/accounting, the rest are all somewhat related and has its tie to science/engineering.
Take people management as an example, manager does not come from school directly. They often grown up as an engineer, or scientist first. Then get on to the management track, partly due to personal interest, and partly due to opportunities.
While for marketing and product management, someone might enter into it right out of school. But one has a solid subject field background, either engineering or science, will excel much faster on this track.
Take people management as an example, manager does not come from school directly. They often grown up as an engineer, or scientist first. Then get on to the management track, partly due to personal interest, and partly due to opportunities.
While for marketing and product management, someone might enter into it right out of school. But one has a solid subject field background, either engineering or science, will excel much faster on this track.
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Yangguang’s Answer
Indeed, hard to say which one is better. Each has unlimited potential, and it depends on how far you want to go or can go. So I think the right question is on which path you can go further. The best way is always trial and error. This is the technology era, having a solid science and engineering experience (not just shallow trial) early in the career can build a solid foundation for the future. And while in this field, you can eye and think business issues; an MBA can give you a spring board if you later choose the business path.
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Elizabeth’s Answer
I would suggest picking up an introductory business course and see if that interests you! Another option would be to talk with those you know or have connections to in the business world and ask them questions about their jobs and what they do on a day-to-day basis. Picking a field to study, and future career, can be difficult, so there is nothing abnormal about not feeling confident at some point. Aptitude tests are also a great way to see what might be a good fit for you. Best of luck!
aptitude tests about careers?
DD
Yes! There are some aptitude tests out there that are designed to show what careers are best aligned with your interests and strengths.
Elizabeth C
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Brian’s Answer
Both traits are valuable to any potential employee. If you are an Engineer, having business perspective on a problem allows you to design/define a solution that best meets a company need and ultimately addresses a customer's need.
Conversely, if you are running a business, having the Engineering background provides you with a perspective of cost/scope/feasibility of a solution to help drive the business.
The combination of these two skills is a home-run!
Conversely, if you are running a business, having the Engineering background provides you with a perspective of cost/scope/feasibility of a solution to help drive the business.
The combination of these two skills is a home-run!