What's up with all the engineering majors?
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Anonymous
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So many of the kids at my child's high school and those from closeby schools are deciding to major in engineering. I'm curious as to why its become so popular, as it wasn't as common when I went to college in the 90's.
Do parents guide their kids towards engineering now because they think it will be AI-proof? |
Anonymous
It's a fad and will likely go away in the next few years. STEM jobs are most susceptible to the AI revolution. Expect to see a swing to mathy social sciences (Econ, finance, statistics) and the much maligned humanities (history, English, etc.) |
Anonymous
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I just saw an interview with an Engineer and he said that no one actually knows what Engineers do.
That to me is vague enough to coast thru life with the right job field and still seem important. |
Anonymous
The interest in engineering degrees primarily is driven by the realization that a solid engineering degree often (not always) leads to stable employment and a good income. The late 1990s Internet boom and subsequent tech growth of the past 25 years have led to a higher level of interest in engineering. AI are not be allowed to sign off on plans. Only a human PE will be allowed to do that, at least in this century. People who think engineering jobs are threatened by AI don't understand how much creativity is needed to solve hard problems in a cost-effective way. A critical skill in tech engineering jobs is the ability to think outside the box. AIs are only able to think inside the box. The US tech industry is by far the most creative. Places like S Korea or China are "fast followers", good at copying stolen technology, and ok at incremental improvement, but are quite poor at novel inventions. Humanities majors still will be needed, but mostly outside the tech sector. |
Anonymous
| Many wash out after the first year. |
Anonymous
| I think engineering is a major that can be suitable for many careers. If kids like science and math, but they don’t want to go into medicine, it’s a good choice. |
Anonymous
You just didn't hang out with the right kids in the 90s. |
Anonymous
| People are starting to realize that gender studies, art history, etc. are ridiculous waste of time. |
Anonymous
+1 2 of 2 engineers just graduating I know each had jobs lined up last fall. Good solid hardworking students, employed day 1. |
Anonymous
Seriously. What does one do with a degree in women’s studies? I know several girls with this major… |
Anonymous
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It's the new brag seniors tell family and friends...."I'm going to be an engineer" with $ signs in their eyes.
Only 50% make it to the finish line. |
Anonymous
Pretty much all the 2026 graduates in my DC's engineering class have jobs lined up. only a few are headed to graduate school for PhDs. Good reason enough. |
Anonymous
| It's great...until you spend your days breathing in carcinogens in a refinery or paper mill. |
Anonymous
| Engineers are born not made. |
Anonymous
I love my art history degree. Even though my graduate degree is in CS, I wouldn’t change my path at all. |