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.

I'm sorry, but that sounds unbearably boring. I'd much rather discuss literature or politics and I'm so glad none of my children had any interest in engineering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm sorry, but that sounds unbearably boring. I'd much rather discuss literature or politics and I'm so glad none of my children had any interest in engineering.

Engineers can discuss literature and politics as well when they get home from their 6 figure jobs where they are actually doing things that truly make a difference rather than just discussing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:engineering is kinda great because it hardly matters where you go - and it doesnt require a masters or further degree. and it's not that hard to get into a place like Purdue, which is maybe not "elite" but very good program.

If within the Top 10 - the school absolutely does matter especially for the recruitment from top employers for internships and that first job. I can attest to this. After that I would agree with you.

my nephew just graduated from MIT - which has to be among the best, if not the best - and first job out is 90k plus benefits.

depends on what kind of engineering, but I bet kids from Purdue in same field are getting same (ish) salary

Why not go into consulting or quant if he’s top of the class? Traditional engineering is a waste of a career.

Whereas quant is just a waste of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Engineering students have so many more options than other majors. There's the tech industry. There's the energy industry. There's defense. There's aviation. Every Fortune 500 company in every sector recruits and values engineers. And increasingly, that includes finance and consulting. Everyone from McKinsey to Goldman Sachs are recruiting engineering majors. Because that's where the talent is today.

Manufacturing
Construction
Pharma
Biotech
R&D

Great W/L balance too

[Anonymous]

Engineering covers a lot of ground - mechanical, civil, electrical, material sciences, chemical, aerospace, industrial, data science. Grads don’t have to take or pursue traditional engineering paths but have options including project management, consulting, analysts, etc. The same can’t be said of liberal arts majors including history, sociology, philosophy, economics, political science majors - they aren’t getting engineering jobs and have a more limited options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know a single unhappy engineer.

I’m one. There’s plenty of us unhappy enough to have quit or changed fields.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know a single unhappy engineer.

I’m one. There’s plenty of us unhappy enough to have quit or changed fields.

Doctors and Lawyers as well. Hence, such is life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I'm sorry, but that sounds unbearably boring. I'd much rather discuss literature or politics and I'm so glad none of my children had any interest in engineering.

To each their own.

[Anonymous]

A career shouldn’t be just about money. If you’re lucky, you will live a long life. Do something you love. It makes life much more pleasant.

[Anonymous]

There are so many type of engineers. And I personally think engineering can help scratch the creative itch some people have without having to major in fine arts.

[Anonymous]

I worked in a Civil and Structural Engineering office. Late nights working to meet deadlines were pretty common. Most of our male and female engineers were pretty reclusive.

One guy got his general contractors license because he found the civil and structural engineering work to be so boring and he could make more money as a general contractor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know a single unhappy engineer.

I’m one. There’s plenty of us unhappy enough to have quit or changed fields.

Doctors and Lawyers as well. Hence, such is life.

+1 lots of lawyers on here who hate being a lawyer

[Anonymous]

People who major in the fine arts (think film, drama) can be limited to areas such as NYC and LA. People who are history/poli sci/econ majors may be (more) limited to finance and government hubs such as NYC and DMV. Lawyers tend to be limited to practicing in states where they are licensed. Business, health professions, engineering- those degrees are the most portable? Just one theory.

[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.

sort of, you need to know how to use ai at all levels, an software developer not using ai is at a great disadvantage. AI isn't able to write all the code itself yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A career shouldn’t be just about money. If you’re lucky, you will live a long life. Do something you love. It makes life much more pleasant.

Says those born with money.