6 answers
Karla
Student
Laredo, Texas
2
Questions
Updated
411 views
What major for interests in sustainable/alternative/nuclear power engineering/generation, sustainable urban planning, architecture, research, material science, civil infrastructure...?
Hello! I am a high school senior trying to apply to colleges and figure out my major, but I feel very indecisive.
I'd like to have opportunities to research and develop new technologies and alternative energies!! Maybe even in a nuclear plant!? And also solutions to dealing with nuclear waste and stuff like that. I want to design efficient and environmentally friendly solutions to energy problems. As well as implementing electrical power systems in the world as well. And of course, chemistry is super interesting
I've also been creative my whole life, and growing up in a plain city, I really love looking at and, on rare occasions, visiting places with interesting, beautiful, and tall buildings, as well as appreciating inviting designs that promote sustainability and walkability and I would love to contribute to a more beautiful world in this way as well. So maybe architecture/architectural engineering would be good for me? I also am really excited about civil engineering labs (I hear you get to build stuff? Cool!!) I also have an interest in getting into the nitty-gritty of situations and hashing out the details as well as the big picture.
On an unrelated note, I've also had an interest in videogame design + programming, graphic design, and animation my whole life. Are there any good colleges with clubs like this where I can grow my skills in these areas, but still focus on engineering and do well?
Is there any other factors I should consider when picking a major? Or anything else I could look into to get to know myself a bit more and see what I really prefer? Any options to somehow do everything I just listed??
Also I am learning about hydraulic engineering and I really like the sound of it a LOT but AHHHH there's so much and ofc transportation but mostly you already know the rest of the stuff I wrote.. I know most of this points to maybe like Civil Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering and a concentration in Structural engineering,, but I really am going to be sad forever that I won't be a physicist or a energy engineer or a researcher or a hydraulic engineer or a nuclear engineer... Maybe I could do architecture in the future but yeah 😭😭
Also I really wanted to do physics for a while could I start my education all over again when I'm older and have a career and do research
6 answers
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
It's great to see your enthusiasm for a wide range of fields! Your diverse interests suggest that you have a passion for both science and creativity. Here are some steps and factors to consider when choosing a major and planning your academic and career path:
1. **Explore Interdisciplinary Programs**: Some universities offer interdisciplinary programs that allow you to combine multiple areas of interest. Look for programs like "Sustainable Design and Engineering," which blend architecture, engineering, and sustainability.
2. **Consider a Broad Foundation**: Starting with a broad major like "Environmental Science" or "Environmental Engineering" can provide a solid foundation in sustainability, energy, and the environment, allowing you to specialize later.
3. **Talk to Academic Advisors**: Consult with academic advisors at prospective colleges to discuss your interests and goals. They can provide guidance on programs and majors that align with your aspirations.
4. **Undergraduate Research**: Seek colleges that emphasize undergraduate research opportunities. Many universities offer research programs in areas like energy systems, materials science, and urban planning.
5. **Minors and Concentrations**: You can also consider pursuing a major in a related field and complementing it with a minor or concentration that aligns with your other interests.
6. **Co-op or Internship Programs**: Look for colleges with cooperative education (co-op) or internship programs. These opportunities can help you gain practical experience and explore different career paths while in school.
7. **Double Major or Dual Degree**: In some cases, it may be possible to double major or pursue a dual degree to accommodate your diverse interests. However, this can be demanding, so carefully consider your ability to manage the workload.
8. **Continuing Education**: You can always pursue additional education later in life if you decide to switch fields. Many professionals return to school for advanced degrees or certifications to pivot their careers.
9. **Clubs and Extracurricular Activities**: Research college clubs and organizations related to your interests, such as environmental clubs, engineering teams, or game development groups. These can help you explore your passions outside the classroom.
10. **Follow Your Passion**: Ultimately, choose a major that aligns with your true passion, as this will motivate you to excel in your studies and future career.
Remember that your career path doesn't need to be linear, and it's possible to transition between fields over time. Keep an open mind, be willing to adapt, and continue exploring your interests as you progress through your education and career. The most important thing is to follow your passions and work toward a future that excites and fulfills you.
1. **Explore Interdisciplinary Programs**: Some universities offer interdisciplinary programs that allow you to combine multiple areas of interest. Look for programs like "Sustainable Design and Engineering," which blend architecture, engineering, and sustainability.
2. **Consider a Broad Foundation**: Starting with a broad major like "Environmental Science" or "Environmental Engineering" can provide a solid foundation in sustainability, energy, and the environment, allowing you to specialize later.
3. **Talk to Academic Advisors**: Consult with academic advisors at prospective colleges to discuss your interests and goals. They can provide guidance on programs and majors that align with your aspirations.
4. **Undergraduate Research**: Seek colleges that emphasize undergraduate research opportunities. Many universities offer research programs in areas like energy systems, materials science, and urban planning.
5. **Minors and Concentrations**: You can also consider pursuing a major in a related field and complementing it with a minor or concentration that aligns with your other interests.
6. **Co-op or Internship Programs**: Look for colleges with cooperative education (co-op) or internship programs. These opportunities can help you gain practical experience and explore different career paths while in school.
7. **Double Major or Dual Degree**: In some cases, it may be possible to double major or pursue a dual degree to accommodate your diverse interests. However, this can be demanding, so carefully consider your ability to manage the workload.
8. **Continuing Education**: You can always pursue additional education later in life if you decide to switch fields. Many professionals return to school for advanced degrees or certifications to pivot their careers.
9. **Clubs and Extracurricular Activities**: Research college clubs and organizations related to your interests, such as environmental clubs, engineering teams, or game development groups. These can help you explore your passions outside the classroom.
10. **Follow Your Passion**: Ultimately, choose a major that aligns with your true passion, as this will motivate you to excel in your studies and future career.
Remember that your career path doesn't need to be linear, and it's possible to transition between fields over time. Keep an open mind, be willing to adapt, and continue exploring your interests as you progress through your education and career. The most important thing is to follow your passions and work toward a future that excites and fulfills you.
Naomi Touchet
software engineer—security research
2
Answers
Olympia, Washington
Updated
Naomi’s Answer
There's a lot of great advice here already!
I'd like to emphasize that it's completely feasible to kick-start your career in one domain, secure a job, accumulate some savings, and then gradually shift or acquire knowledge in a different domain down the line. If the domains share some commonalities, you may even discover a job that bridges both, facilitating your transition.
Might be helpful to brainstorm and focus on the intersection of:
* the problems I want to help solve
* the things I'm interested in learning
* what I'm already good at
* the type of work environment and lifestyle I enjoy
Best of luck with everything!
I'd like to emphasize that it's completely feasible to kick-start your career in one domain, secure a job, accumulate some savings, and then gradually shift or acquire knowledge in a different domain down the line. If the domains share some commonalities, you may even discover a job that bridges both, facilitating your transition.
Might be helpful to brainstorm and focus on the intersection of:
* the problems I want to help solve
* the things I'm interested in learning
* what I'm already good at
* the type of work environment and lifestyle I enjoy
Best of luck with everything!
Jose Serra
Software Engineering Intern
5
Answers
Bloomfield, New Jersey
Updated
Jose’s Answer
You have a broad range of interests. Just as I did when I first started in academia during my undergraduate portion. One thing I would suggest is to secure your place in a good university that nurtures your development in one field. You might ask why one field that is because once you have a bachelor's degree you can go back to school and get another degree maybe a Master's degree or another bachelor's leading you to fulfill your aspirations of working on those multiple years. I have an Associate's Degree in Physical Science, a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Data Analytics. Right now I am attending a university for a Master's Degree in Data Science. I do not plan to stop attending school and getting other degrees or even job opportunities that drift into other venues like Computational Neuroscience, Nuclear Physics, and so on. I would honestly tell you if you plan to do research aim to get a Doctorate Degree with a thesis, and work closely with professors and voice them your ambitions. I once worked with a professor who was a Web Developer and was doing research in Artificial Intelligence and she is still growing and is a kind and respected woman. She is a role model for doing many things in her time working. I believe that you got this!!!!
Mack Bailey
Manufacturing quality technical management
42
Answers
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Updated
Mack’s Answer
Wow! Karla, what a broad interest in numerous areas -- and, you seem very excited about all of them. That's fantastic, but it certainly complicates an answer AND there is no ONE right answer, as I'm sure you know!
So, assuming you are enjoying your science and math courses in high school and you are doing very well overall in school, your options are at least as broad as your interests. Here are a couple of thoughts:
First, I like to look at undergraduate degrees at your home state universities. If you can narrow down your in-state choices, then you might look for similar schools out-of-state, if you want. One option is Texas A&M. A&M has a couple of reactors which suggests a strong program in nuclear science and engineering. But it also has a school of architecture. It's a strong engineering and technology school and you will find most similar schools will have engineering AND architecture. Acceptance rate, average SAT scores, and rate of students receiving aid are high at A&M -- just something to think about.
A second option might be Rice University which is a bit more elite and could be more expensive. Rice does not have a nuclear engineering program, per se, but they seem to produce a high number of students going on to graduate school. With your broad interests, you may be better off not picking a specific area, yet, but pursuing a more general undergraduate degree like mechanical or chemical engineering. While in your undergraduate program you could take the opportunity to look into specializations like nuclear science, hydraulics, ecology, etc. Rice, as most other schools, has a "common core" of courses for the first year or two which makes swapping majors straightforward.
Before college, however, you may want to check with your high school counseling office. Often the counseling office has tools and resources to help evaluate a student's aptitude and capability for various careers. But, do not be driven by the results; use them as just another resource to help you decide what direction to take. And, of course, the counseling office should have lots of information about colleges.
Keep in mind that most engineering and technical work is primarily problem-solving. That seems to be the common thread in your interests. So no matter what area you choose, you'll be able to enjoy what interests you!
Oh, and I would be surprised if any engineering/technical college did not have a gaming club, program, major, or similar in which you could participate.
Best of luck!
So, assuming you are enjoying your science and math courses in high school and you are doing very well overall in school, your options are at least as broad as your interests. Here are a couple of thoughts:
First, I like to look at undergraduate degrees at your home state universities. If you can narrow down your in-state choices, then you might look for similar schools out-of-state, if you want. One option is Texas A&M. A&M has a couple of reactors which suggests a strong program in nuclear science and engineering. But it also has a school of architecture. It's a strong engineering and technology school and you will find most similar schools will have engineering AND architecture. Acceptance rate, average SAT scores, and rate of students receiving aid are high at A&M -- just something to think about.
A second option might be Rice University which is a bit more elite and could be more expensive. Rice does not have a nuclear engineering program, per se, but they seem to produce a high number of students going on to graduate school. With your broad interests, you may be better off not picking a specific area, yet, but pursuing a more general undergraduate degree like mechanical or chemical engineering. While in your undergraduate program you could take the opportunity to look into specializations like nuclear science, hydraulics, ecology, etc. Rice, as most other schools, has a "common core" of courses for the first year or two which makes swapping majors straightforward.
Before college, however, you may want to check with your high school counseling office. Often the counseling office has tools and resources to help evaluate a student's aptitude and capability for various careers. But, do not be driven by the results; use them as just another resource to help you decide what direction to take. And, of course, the counseling office should have lots of information about colleges.
Keep in mind that most engineering and technical work is primarily problem-solving. That seems to be the common thread in your interests. So no matter what area you choose, you'll be able to enjoy what interests you!
Oh, and I would be surprised if any engineering/technical college did not have a gaming club, program, major, or similar in which you could participate.
Best of luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Karla !
It is so heart warming to know that you have such a zest for so many things. I would like to give you some advice to consider.
I think that you should go for a Masters in Engineering. The degree would be Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or Master of Engineering (MEng). By the time you are most likely in your second year of undergraduate studies, you will probably figure out and narrow down a specialty to one or two types of engineering you'd want to pursue.
In order to get to know yourself more, I would suggest reading all you can about engineering. Familiarize yourself further with the individual things you like and take any related courses in high school. It doesn't matter if you are undecided about a major right now, you will discover that soon enough. Try not to worry about the future because we all take different avenues, different timing, different steps to get there and no two journeys are alike. You have a great deal of time to get to your future and you will never stop, the future always continues, so you will do yourself a world of good to take one step at a time. Don't forget to have fun. Regularly engage in your hobbies, recreation and entertainment.
When you have an interest in something that is general but has lots of subdivisions such as engineering, you will need to discover which niche is for you and that will be based on your education and experience. I was a theatre major and that is very general. Although I knew I wanted to focus on acting, there are so many subdivisions I learned about, too or that I could have gone into like writing, directing, teaching, lighting and sound, set construction, stage make up, puppetry, promotion and management, mime, dancing, singing, stage managing, costuming, the list goes on. So one day soon, you will learn enough about yourself that you'll see that there are the one or two aspects of engineering that you will decide on.
I hope that this is a bit helpful. I know that deciding can be difficult at times, but you have the advantage of time and resources and you should always reach out for opinions and advice. You also may want to discuss this with your high school guidance counselor.
Best wishes in all you do !
It is so heart warming to know that you have such a zest for so many things. I would like to give you some advice to consider.
I think that you should go for a Masters in Engineering. The degree would be Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) or Master of Engineering (MEng). By the time you are most likely in your second year of undergraduate studies, you will probably figure out and narrow down a specialty to one or two types of engineering you'd want to pursue.
In order to get to know yourself more, I would suggest reading all you can about engineering. Familiarize yourself further with the individual things you like and take any related courses in high school. It doesn't matter if you are undecided about a major right now, you will discover that soon enough. Try not to worry about the future because we all take different avenues, different timing, different steps to get there and no two journeys are alike. You have a great deal of time to get to your future and you will never stop, the future always continues, so you will do yourself a world of good to take one step at a time. Don't forget to have fun. Regularly engage in your hobbies, recreation and entertainment.
When you have an interest in something that is general but has lots of subdivisions such as engineering, you will need to discover which niche is for you and that will be based on your education and experience. I was a theatre major and that is very general. Although I knew I wanted to focus on acting, there are so many subdivisions I learned about, too or that I could have gone into like writing, directing, teaching, lighting and sound, set construction, stage make up, puppetry, promotion and management, mime, dancing, singing, stage managing, costuming, the list goes on. So one day soon, you will learn enough about yourself that you'll see that there are the one or two aspects of engineering that you will decide on.
I hope that this is a bit helpful. I know that deciding can be difficult at times, but you have the advantage of time and resources and you should always reach out for opinions and advice. You also may want to discuss this with your high school guidance counselor.
Best wishes in all you do !
Mike Rekstad
13
Answers
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Karla, your enthusiasm is infectious! Think about pursuing an Engineering Science undergraduate program. Penn State, for example, offers this as an honors major. It gives you a taste of various engineering fields, along with science and math. In the future, you might decide to specialize with a master's degree in a specific area, but don't feel pressured to narrow down your options too soon. In my company, we have teams dedicated to investigating future technologies, and they value a wide-ranging education and diverse experience. Best of luck to you!
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