Why is engineering major so popular?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s so much more fun and interesting than liberal arts. Engineering gives you real knowledge to actual solve problems- not just talk/debate about them as nauseum and get nothing done. Engineering is collaborative, not argumentative. The writing is straightforward, to the point, says what you mean. The classes are so interesting. The work is impactful and rewarding. Know anyone with a pacemaker or clean water running to their house? Or internet or a car? All that is engineering. Engineers overall are collaborative, smart, open-minded, and tolerant. They aim to make the world better.

This. This kind of optimism is not inherent to engineering; there have been periods when engineering was more rote and traditional and liberal arts was all about promoting a more just and free world. But nowadays liberal arts leans toward critique and protest and pessimism. And college kids are naturally drawn to optimism. (If you are not an optimist, why invest all those years in your own future?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because even a below average engineering graduate can land a stable job with a good pay. An above average English or art graduate? Not so much.

This.

[Anonymous]

My DS is interested in engineering. He is an average kid. I think for him the draw is that he would rather do math problems than read a book.

[Anonymous]

To kind of double-down on some PPs, "engineering" is the math/science version of "liberal arts." Yes, you usually have to pick a certain discipline but many of the programs include cross-curricular studies.

Job market is good/steady (at present) and the foundational skills learned in engineering school can translate into a lot of opportunity.

Having gotten my engineering degree last Century, I'm shocked it's now become a "hot" major. I would've been miserable in a LA or even business-centered program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s so much more fun and interesting than liberal arts. Engineering gives you real knowledge to actual solve problems- not just talk/debate about them as nauseum and get nothing done. Engineering is collaborative, not argumentative. The writing is straightforward, to the point, says what you mean. The classes are so interesting. The work is impactful and rewarding. Know anyone with a pacemaker or clean water running to their house? Or internet or a car? All that is engineering. Engineers overall are collaborative, smart, open-minded, and tolerant. They aim to make the world better.

😂😂😂

[Anonymous]

My kid actually wants to build and design things . . . namely bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

I wanted to write and argue for a living, so I became a lawyer. To each her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because even a below average engineering graduate can land a stable job with a good pay. An above average English or art graduate? Not so much.

Not anymore with AI taking away lower-level engineering jobs.

lol. This response was so predictable. I'll take what kid's parents majoring in humanities say for $200, Alex.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because even a below average engineering graduate can land a stable job with a good pay. An above average English or art graduate? Not so much.

Not anymore with AI taking away lower-level engineering jobs.

Wut? AI can’t sign and seal documents.

[Anonymous]

There has been a shift toward quantification and use of data across industries over time. Shows up, for example, as the popularity of the data science major. Engineering is popular in part because it involves applied math. Employers even outside of engineering value the engineering mindset for problem solving and applied math skills. And then there has also been demand for engineers in engineering fields and is CS. Engineering is a good way to get the first job out of college.

[Anonymous]

My son is interested in engineering because he likes math and physics and doesn't want a typical desk job. His uncle is an engineer, and he thinks what he does sounds cool.

[Anonymous]

To continue to compete and lead in the world, it is crucial that, as a country, we need to continue to develop and produce the best minds in science and engineering. Period!

[Anonymous]

Today's college kids are on a cusp. They don't know what skills or degrees they will need in four years, much less ten or twenty years. They don't know where demand will be. It will likely be positions that require hands, but most college bound kids will not make a hard switch from the positions we raised them to value. They will have to learn the new path for themselves because we cannot show it to them.

[Anonymous]

Because so many kids get flunked out of the engineering programs. They are big draws for the schools though so most wont tell students the fail out rates. Hot major does not equal diploma!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS is interested in engineering. He is an average kid. I think for him the draw is that he would rather do math problems than read a book.

haha, yea that's my kid, too, though is reading scores are super high, too (was a magnet IBDP kid with a 4.0).

But, they love math, like that's all they wish they could do. They are a dual CS/math major.

DC had to take some elective in a social studies category, so they were going to take some ethnic literature class. They thought it'd be easy. Then they realized that they would actually have to read those books for the midterms, and they balked. So, they switched out to another class. They said that they don't want to read a book for a class, ever.

Last semester they only had math/CS classes, and they loved it.

They used to be an avid reader, but for pleasure, not a class.

DH is an engineer. He's very similar. Bonus: DH is super handy around the house, and the neighbors (who are lawyers and doctors) love having him around because he's helped them fix things.

[Anonymous]

My son, a civil-engineering major, just finished his summer internship at a top 30 GC. They offered him full-time employment starting at $90k. I am relieved to have gotten him launched.