Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 11:54     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?


If not yet a senior, student should be looking now for a summer internship with a local tech firm, a local givernment lab that includes engineering (e.g., NIST, ARL, NSWC), or a local tech-oriented contractor (e.g., Lockheed, Northrup Grumman).

Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:22     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
My kid committed to a D3 with no engineering major. Plans to major in physics and then grad school in engineering.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:21     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:why wouldn't you want your son to get an engineering degree if he is saying he wants to? weird


The OP thinks that his/her child isn't really sure that they want to major in.

My kid is the same way. Says he wants to major in engineering or chemistry. I think he just knows that he doesn't like English or History due to the amount of reading and writing. I do think he would like some of the tech heavy business majors, like data analytics or information systems.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:16     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
-PhDs in social sciences use a lot of math so if he has an interest in economics , etc that’s something to consider (and a double major in Econ & math is often encouraged for top PhD programs)

Googling “careers if you like math & physics” & ignoring engineering & suggestions of previous posts

-actuary

-meteorologist

-geophysicist

Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:09     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?

There are a lot of types of engineering that are all very different. Have you looked into the options? Why do you want to steer them away from engineering?

Physics is a hard major because you really need a PhD and funding has been cut by the current administration and it's unclear if it will recover. The same applies for Chemistry and Biology-based majors (unless the goal is med school).

Math is another major, but probably most interesting for those who want to do more theory instead of application. Then you're into the less employable side of the field and need a PhD again. The applied math side doesn't have an advantage over engineering.

So what exactly is your goal?

There are plenty of places that will hire physics and math majors in place of engineers.


That's kinda "water is wet" statement... Hard to disagree with. There aren't as many jobs with BS in those majors than engineering however.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:03     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
why wouldn't you want your son to get an engineering degree if he is saying he wants to? weird
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 10:00     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?

There are a lot of types of engineering that are all very different. Have you looked into the options? Why do you want to steer them away from engineering?

Physics is a hard major because you really need a PhD and funding has been cut by the current administration and it's unclear if it will recover. The same applies for Chemistry and Biology-based majors (unless the goal is med school).

Math is another major, but probably most interesting for those who want to do more theory instead of application. Then you're into the less employable side of the field and need a PhD again. The applied math side doesn't have an advantage over engineering.

So what exactly is your goal?

There are plenty of places that will hire physics and math majors in place of engineers.

Sometimes they will. But when HR does salary comps for the offer package, they typically come out lower for physics and math majors than for engineers. You'll likely make more money if you just get an engineering degree for the engineering job.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 09:22     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?

There are a lot of types of engineering that are all very different. Have you looked into the options? Why do you want to steer them away from engineering?

Physics is a hard major because you really need a PhD and funding has been cut by the current administration and it's unclear if it will recover. The same applies for Chemistry and Biology-based majors (unless the goal is med school).

Math is another major, but probably most interesting for those who want to do more theory instead of application. Then you're into the less employable side of the field and need a PhD again. The applied math side doesn't have an advantage over engineering.

So what exactly is your goal?

There are plenty of places that will hire physics and math majors in place of engineers.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 08:52     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
PP is correct that there are many different engineering degrees.

Further, each degree has multiple specializations. Colleague who is a MechE works on spacecraft thermals. Within EE there is a wide range from power to circuits to chip design to semiconductor materials to communications to information theory and beyond.

With Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Math, if this is not pre-med, then most will need a graduate degree (often a PhD) to have many employment options.
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 08:42     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Math
Physics
Data science
Statistics
Computer science
A quantitative social science
Chemistry
Geology
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 08:23     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
General Contractor
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 08:00     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?


Radiologist
Tech consulting
General tech industry (physics major)
Innovation technology: start a company
Medical research (MDphD for the top)
Stem research and development (phD if you want to run the research)
Scientist in industry, midlevel(MS needed)
Professor
Quantitive finance
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 07:35     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Anonymous wrote:Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?

There are a lot of types of engineering that are all very different. Have you looked into the options? Why do you want to steer them away from engineering?

Physics is a hard major because you really need a PhD and funding has been cut by the current administration and it's unclear if it will recover. The same applies for Chemistry and Biology-based majors (unless the goal is med school).

Math is another major, but probably most interesting for those who want to do more theory instead of application. Then you're into the less employable side of the field and need a PhD again. The applied math side doesn't have an advantage over engineering.

So what exactly is your goal?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 07:35     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
What does he want to do after college?
Anonymous
Post 09/15/2025 07:25     Subject: Alternatives to engineering major?
Student answers “engineering” whenever asked his preferred major, but I think it’s his default understanding of what one does if they’re good at math / physics. Can anyone suggest other majors such a student should consider?