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.

Engineering is such a broad term it doesn’t have a lot of meaning if someone says “I’m an engineer”.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Interesting -- I know a lot of unhappy engineers (former Silicon Valley resident)

The unhappy engineers I know live in SV, which is a place where: housing costs are even more ridiculous than here, CA state income tax is double VA, sales tax is higher, commute congestion is similarly bad, smog is worse (SJC is in a box canyon).

The ones I know living outside SV are virtually all happy. And the many engineers that I know who work remotely are very very happy.

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.

That has not happened as of now to any significant degree. Opinions vary on whether that will change. AI is way oversold right now.

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

Interesting -- I know a lot of unhappy engineers (former Silicon Valley resident)

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.

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.

The future is AI and Tech. We need bright minds to lead us forward.

Anonymous wrote:Why are there so many kids who want to major in engineering? When I take a look around among adults, those with engineering jobs don’t stand out as being more wildly successful or wealthier or happier compared to other professionals. Sure they do well and I respect them, but the outsized emphasis during college admissions doesn’t seem proportionate to the career outcome.

Did you wake up from a coma? Tech. Money.

I don't know a single unhappy engineer.

Anonymous wrote:Why are there so many kids who want to major in engineering? When I take a look around among adults, those with engineering jobs don’t stand out as being more wildly successful or wealthier or happier compared to other professionals. Sure they do well and I respect them, but the outsized emphasis during college admissions doesn’t seem proportionate to the career outcome.

Well that is incorrect but I am sure they appreciate your respect.

They usually get much higher salaries out of the gate than liberal arts majors.

Usually they have better math ability, as shown by coursework taken in high school and college. And standardized testing.

Often they learn some helpful computer programming basics in college. That can be mildly helpful.

The DMV has a lot of highly-paid liberal arts majors because of it's focus on politics, law, global trade, etc. It can be harder in other places to get your career off the ground with some of those majors.

My whole life, engineering undergrads have usually made $10s of K more in starting salary vs. English and Econ majors.

Don't assume your neighborhood is representative.

Jobs. Duh.

Why are there so many kids who want to major in engineering? When I take a look around among adults, those with engineering jobs don’t stand out as being more wildly successful or wealthier or happier compared to other professionals. Sure they do well and I respect them, but the outsized emphasis during college admissions doesn’t seem proportionate to the career outcome.