Degree advice?

[Dous]

So I am seeking the opinions of others with this one!

I went to UNCC (still am for now) to obtain a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I went after this degree thinking I would enjoy it, but that is not the case. Way too much math for me, and I did it mostly because my parents wanted me to and I convinced myself that it was right for me.

I am leaving and going back home at the end of this semester and will take some classes at my local community college.

But, I don't know what degree I want to go after....I hate math, so the less the better, I struggle way to much with it. Working behind a desk and a computer don't appeal to me. I wouldn't mind going into Federal Law Enforcement, but I can't get a straight answer as to what degree to obtain.

I want a practical degree that will net me a job, but I want to be able to enjoy my work.

So any ideas? Sorry if this is so vague, but I am really at a loss. I came here being sure that I wanted to do mechanical engineering and to have it not work out has thrown me off.

Thanks for any insight guys!

 

[H2O_Doc]

Sounds like you need to look into a criminal justice degree.

Any classes you like in high school? Any "dream jobs" when you were 8 years old? Those answers might guide you.

I wanted to become a biologist so I became a biologist. Extremely happy for it.

 

[Dous]

Sounds like you need to look into a criminal justice degree.

Any classes you like in high school? Any "dream jobs" when you were 8 years old? Those answers might guide you.

I wanted to become a biologist so I became a biologist. Extremely happy for it.

Well the thing about criminal justice is, there is no fall back. That degree has no practicality anywhere but law enforcement.

 

[H2O_Doc]

There is always a masters after in forensics. Hugely interesting and employable.

 

[rfuree11]

If you are looking to go into the feds, depending on the agency, you don't necessarily need a CJ degree. Also, keep in mind that a lot of the positions give preference to veterans, so unless you are planning on going into the military, you will be battling with a lot of them. For example, the US Marshals recently had an online test to determine eligibility for the written test, and unless you were a veteran, you weren't even considered. Law enforcement jobs also take some time to get, especially on the federal level, and a CJ degree may pigeonhole you and not allow you to get a higher paying job on the civilian side.

Here's my story, which very well may freak you out. I started off as an ME in college, hated the math, decided I wanted to go into either local law enforcement or the feds and switched to CJ. Getting a local job in MA is a more difficult than most locales due to the state civil service laws and getting federal job is VERY hard without military or prior law enforcement experience. My fiancee is in a good job locally so moving for a local law enforcement is out of the question and I was lucky enough to get a good job out of college and have been with the same company for five years, but with the job market the way it is now, you may not be as lucky when you graduate. If I had to be honest with myself, I probably wouldn't have picked CJ if I had to do it again.

 

[Dous]

There is always a masters after in forensics. Hugely interesting and employable.

Hmm yea something to consider!

If you are looking to go into the feds, depending on the agency, you don't necessarily need a CJ degree. Also, keep in mind that a lot of the positions give preference to veterans, so unless you are planning on going into the military, you will be battling with a lot of them. For example, the US Marshals recently had an online test to determine eligibility for the written test, and unless you were a veteran, you weren't even considered. Law enforcement jobs also take some time to get, especially on the federal level, and a CJ degree may pigeonhole you and not allow you to get a higher paying job on the civilian side.

Here's my story, which very well may freak you out. I started off as an ME in college, hated the math, decided I wanted to go into either local law enforcement or the feds and switched to CJ. Getting a local job in MA is a more difficult than most locales due to the state civil service laws and getting federal job is VERY hard without military or prior law enforcement experience. My fiancee is in a good job locally so moving for a local law enforcement is out of the question and I was lucky enough to get a good job out of college, but with the job market the way it is now, you may not be as lucky when you graduate. If I had to be honest with myself, I probably wouldn't have picked CJ if I had to do it again.

Thanks for the advice, yea I am thinking of avoiding the CJ degree, I don't hear too many positives about it. My brother got his degree in CJ and is work for ICE...Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But it's still mostly deskwork.

Working for the Fed's was just one idea, so straying from that would be OK

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

This is a tough position to be in because it is nearly impossible to figure out now what you think you will be happy doing for the rest of your life. I was uncertain which track I wanted to follow as well and went through a few years at community college to try and find my way. I enjoyed my marketing classes and always got good grades, so chose that as my major.

Now that I've been out of school and part of the work force for nearly a decade, I want nothing to do with marketing. One problem that I am running into, is that a lot of people think marketing and sales are the same thing, especially if you are searching on monster.com or similar. This makes it very hard to find worthwhile jobs in my field unless you have a good network of colleagues.

Now that I have a better understanding of what I really like and what I'm good at, I wish I had listened to my family who recommended engineering to me. At the time, I struggled more with math and didn't think I wanted to go through that many math classes. Come to find out, my issue with math classes was that I was bored because they didn't move fast enough for me.

I can tell you from my personal experience life is a little more fun if you're doing something you love. The tradeoff sometimes is financial security. Life is pretty expensive wether you like going to movies or traveling the world, it all costs money. A job in engineering can provide great financial security and still be fulfilling. Numerous industries hire engineers, and there are a lot of different things you can do with that degree.

All that aside, people say, "the grass is always greener on the other side." Whether you're a Marketing Director or Mechanical Engineer, it is easy to think you could be happier if only... The reality is that you determine your own happiness by accepting your life the way it is or making it what you want it to be. My end game is to teach at the college level and I consider the jobs I have to live through in the meantime life experience to share with the students I'll be teaching. So, regardless of what you r degree is is, you can always go back for your teaching certificate and make that your career.

FWIW: I have a friend who got his degree in Criminal Justice and he is a salesman

 

[GMZ]

A degree in geo sciences/engineering would be very practical and probably net you a job, the world needs more resources everyday and the opportunities are worldwide. But then there is the math. Have you thought of an engineering technology degree? A little less math and more vocational.

 

[Dous]

This is a tough position to be in because it is nearly impossible to figure out now what you think you will be happy doing for the rest of your life. I was uncertain which track I wanted to follow as well and went through a few years at community college to try and find my way. I enjoyed my marketing classes and always got good grades, so chose that as my major.

Now that I've been out of school and part of the work force for nearly a decade, I want nothing to do with marketing. One problem that I am running into, is that a lot of people think marketing and sales are the same thing, especially if you are searching on monster.com or similar. This makes it very hard to find worthwhile jobs in my field unless you have a good network of colleagues.

Now that I have a better understanding of what I really like and what I'm good at, I wish I had listened to my family who recommended engineering to me. At the time, I struggled more with math and didn't think I wanted to go through that many math classes. Come to find out, my issue with math classes was that I was bored because they didn't move fast enough for me.

I can tell you from my personal experience life is a little more fun if you're doing something you love. The tradeoff sometimes is financial security. Life is pretty expensive wether you like going to movies or traveling the world, it all costs money. A job in engineering can provide great financial security and still be fulfilling. Numerous industries hire engineers, and there are a lot of different things you can do with that degree.

All that aside, people say, "the grass is always greener on the other side." Whether you're a Marketing Director or Mechanical Engineer, it is easy to think you could be happier if only... The reality is that you determine your own happiness by accepting your life the way it is or making it what you want it to be. My end game is to teach at the college level and I consider the jobs I have to live through in the meantime life experience to share with the students I'll be teaching. So, regardless of what you r degree is is, you can always go back for your teaching certificate and make that your career.

FWIW: I have a friend who got his degree in Criminal Justice and he is a salesman

All good advice, thanks! And yea engineering offers great job security, but I struggle way too much with the math. Teaching is a passion of mine, so that may be something to look into, although the money is not there

A degree in geo sciences/engineering would be very practical and probably net you a job, the world needs more resources everyday and the opportunities are worldwide. But then there is the math. Have you thought of an engineering technology degree? A little less math and more vocational.

Well, actually, I am in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I thought the same thing you did, it would be easier. Not the case, still go through physics classes, chemistry, and up to CALC III. Not my cup of tea

 

[NorCalBorn]

Well the thing about criminal justice is, there is no fall back. That degree has no practicality anywhere but law enforcement.

That depends. If you were to say combine it w/ some of the behavioral sciences and a few other courses you can easily roll that into a loss prevention slash analytics situation and there's tons of company's these days looking for just that. Then again it brings up the OP's desire to avoid a "desk job" which is a part of l.p. .

Enviro Engineering's a hotbed lately, all over, with all the supposed new development, re-development, oil fracking, etc-etc it's a good gig.

May I also suggest Surveying, yes there's math, and it's critical math but I know of 3 people i respect that absolutely love it.

 

[H2O_Doc]

If I could have turned either into a career, I think next to biologist I would have gone with either Ninja or freelance gynecologist.

 

[Sherwood4Runner]

I'd talk with a councilor at UNCC or Wake Tech (I'm assuming that's the community college you speak of). Figure out some general things you are good at/enjoy. For me that is business, entrepreneurial, languages, teaching/coaching, human interaction (sociology/psychology). A wide spectrum right? hah. So I've narrowed it down to a business/international business major with a minor in entrepreneurial studies, Spanish, Teaching, or Sociology.

When you set an appointment with the councilor come into the conversation with a few attributes that you enjoy/are good at.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Dous,

Take a Myers-Briggs test at UNCC. It is usually given at the Career Services Center. It is a set of questions that give you a broad overview of what careers could be best suited for you. Be as honest as you can be with the test questions. Then someone will review your score placement with you and at least offer some good guidance if not for now, then for the future. Don't be shy in telling them your predicament for they may be able to help you go at least in the general direction.

What were your strong subject areas in high school? Focus on them.

Math, at least in my early years, was not easy for me. I got scholarships in History and Poli-Sci to pay my way through college. Today I am an accountant so go figure. Don't give up so easily on the engineering; you may come back to it some time later in your educational pursuits.

Good luck.

 

[Thai]

Here is a good speech that everyone should listen to: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address - YouTube

Having shown that, I am more practical than most people. I do like what i do...but is that the main factor? I don't know. Sure, in the ideal world, doing what you like the best and being paid handsomely for it should go hand in hand. However, in the REAL world, this is not always the case...and more often than not, the exception rather than the rule.

My wife is a good example. She is a pharmacist...gets paid over $100k at a hospital job. (Working for Walmart/Target/etc gets you a bit more.) It is certainly not the most exciting job. So, yeah, my wife would rather do something more entertaining or something more interesting. Based on most idealist out there, she should quit and do something else, right?

Well, that is where the REAL world jumps in. Sure, the job is very boring...but she gets good money & health benefits out of it. MONEY may not buy happiness, but it sure does help a whole lot, esp. when you factor in your family well-being. If you plan on being alone all your life, then wonderful...but, with a family (or future family), having the means to live life comfortably is priceless! Her job allows her good vacation time and good hours for family. She can then use the vacation and good hours to do something that she really wants on the side. Sure, she has to "suffer" for 8 hours a day...but the rest of the time, she gets to do what she wants. In the end, she gets paid very well with excellent benefits, which leads to comfortable living for her family...and she still gets to do the things that she enjoys in life without running out of cash. THAT is priceless IMO.

I like my job. But, is it something that i spend hours of my free time to study? No. Is it a career that i initially pick? Nope. My job pays me well...my family lives comfortably. It allows me free time (and money) for my hobbies. So, both my wife and I use our job (not our first love mind you) to "pay" for our side hobbies...and keep a comfortable living.

My advice? Pick a job/career that you like BUT make damn sure that there is a future in it (aka good pay). So, although i love Steve Jobs video above, i am also practical and not a genius like Jobs or Gates or even my science teacher!

Make your decision in good health.

 

[1engineer]

So I am seeking the opinions of others with this one!

I went to UNCC (still am for now) to obtain a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I went after this degree thinking I would enjoy it, but that is not the case. Way too much math for me, and I did it mostly because my parents wanted me to and I convinced myself that it was right for me.

I am leaving and going back home at the end of this semester and will take some classes at my local community college.

But, I don't know what degree I want to go after....I hate math, so the less the better, I struggle way to much with it. Working behind a desk and a computer don't appeal to me. I wouldn't mind going into Federal Law Enforcement, but I can't get a straight answer as to what degree to obtain.

I want a practical degree that will net me a job, but I want to be able to enjoy my work.

So any ideas? Sorry if this is so vague, but I am really at a loss. I came here being sure that I wanted to do mechanical engineering and to have it not work out has thrown me off.

Thanks for any insight guys!

My degree(s) are in mechanical engineering. Yes, there is a LOT of math. My son is following in my footsteps and is a freshman in BSME. When I talk to him in the evening he invariably is doing homework in Calc or Physics or Chemistry. He is doing well though. A MET program still involves a lot of math. Have you given thought to some type of medical industry degree? Nursing or any other of those fields. My daughter is in her 3rd year of Nursing and she only had to take one statistics class. Anything medical is practical right now because there is a huge demand for health care professionals. There is several programs to choose from and if you like mechanics and machines there are programs for that in the health care field too. Good luck!

 

[fish0281]

I'll chime in here because I was predisposed to be an engineer and have a hard time managing the "boredom" that goes along with corporate engineering (also where 90% of the jobs are)...

Engineering school is almost NOTHING like engineering work. It's a hoop you jump through. I barely use arithmatic in my engineering work. And before anyone jumps in and says otherwise, I have worked in advanced technology, R&D, National Labs, startups, huge corporations, etc... I've dabbled in just about every genre of engineering (Mechanical I should mention). I actually like engineering school more than engineering work. The main reason I went into the field was my inherent need to understand the world around me and if your family is encouraging you to go the engineering route, I'd assume you have that same curiosity. So although we're opposite in a fundamental way, i don't think you should give up on it, yet.

Just remember this, just because it's hard now doesn't mean it will always be that way. Also, engineering degrees are pretty highly regarded and it's easier to go into a non-engineering role with a degree. It's impossible to do it the other way around.

Last bit of advice: it's all about the experience.

By the way, what year of school are you in? I found that the last year or two years started getting much more fun for me (no more calc or intro science classes).

 

[jdkilroy]

fish has some great points; last two years of your degree are all about the major not the pre-req's,

I got a little over 2 years into a EE degree and decided I wanted to bail and do anything besides chase electrons around. My adviser said, "No problem, you'll just need to add another year... " I decided to stick it out and graduate on time. I'm really glad I did. The degree (engineering) is worth a ton out there in the real world and unless you have something else that is really attracting you, I might try and hang in there.

Your undergraduate degree is just a license to learn. Few people use the specifics of their (undergraduate) degree in their day to day jobs; it provides you with a foundation of knowledge and the ability to acquire and assimilate the information you actually need, to do what you decide to do.

In addition; no one will be asking you what your GPA was when you're out there in the working world. The engineering degree provides you with a lot of flexibility when it come to looking for work. Its really about training your mind to think a certain way and I have rarely found that way of thinking a liability.

 

[jrm]

Dont choose now....wait

By focusing now your only eliminating possible choices further down the line. Wait and get your GE **** outta the way, and certified at the JC. It each of the GE categories take classes that interest you. Then when you move on to a 4 year school all you have take are upper level general and concentration courses. You could also do a minor and major at the same time. Also consider a job or internship in a field that interests you.

 

[Dous]

Dous,

Take a Myers-Briggs test at UNCC. It is usually given at the Career Services Center. It is a set of questions that give you a broad overview of what careers could be best suited for you. Be as honest as you can be with the test questions. Then someone will review your score placement with you and at least offer some good guidance if not for now, then for the future. Don't be shy in telling them your predicament for they may be able to help you go at least in the general direction.

What were your strong subject areas in high school? Focus on them.

Math, at least in my early years, was not easy for me. I got scholarships in History and Poli-Sci to pay my way through college. Today I am an accountant so go figure. Don't give up so easily on the engineering; you may come back to it some time later in your educational pursuits.

Good luck.

Yes sir, we do have that test, and I need to go do it! I am giving up on engineering for now, who knows maybe I will come back to it.

Here is a good speech that everyone should listen to: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address - YouTube

Having shown that, I am more practical than most people. I do like what i do...but is that the main factor? I don't know. Sure, in the ideal world, doing what you like the best and being paid handsomely for it should go hand in hand. However, in the REAL world, this is not always the case...and more often than not, the exception rather than the rule.

My wife is a good example. She is a pharmacist...gets paid over $100k at a hospital job. (Working for Walmart/Target/etc gets you a bit more.) It is certainly not the most exciting job. So, yeah, my wife would rather do something more entertaining or something more interesting. Based on most idealist out there, she should quit and do something else, right?

Well, that is where the REAL world jumps in. Sure, the job is very boring...but she gets good money & health benefits out of it. MONEY may not buy happiness, but it sure does help a whole lot, esp. when you factor in your family well-being. If you plan on being alone all your life, then wonderful...but, with a family (or future family), having the means to live life comfortably is priceless! Her job allows her good vacation time and good hours for family. She can then use the vacation and good hours to do something that she really wants on the side. Sure, she has to "suffer" for 8 hours a day...but the rest of the time, she gets to do what she wants. In the end, she gets paid very well with excellent benefits, which leads to comfortable living for her family...and she still gets to do the things that she enjoys in life without running out of cash. THAT is priceless IMO.

I like my job. But, is it something that i spend hours of my free time to study? No. Is it a career that i initially pick? Nope. My job pays me well...my family lives comfortably. It allows me free time (and money) for my hobbies. So, both my wife and I use our job (not our first love mind you) to "pay" for our side hobbies...and keep a comfortable living.

My advice? Pick a job/career that you like BUT make damn sure that there is a future in it (aka good pay). So, although i love Steve Jobs video above, i am also practical and not a genius like Jobs or Gates or even my science teacher!

Make your decision in good health.

Great advice thanks a bunch. Yes, I guess I would rather make enough money to enjoy my hobbies than have a really enjoyable job, an inconvenient truth

My degree(s) are in mechanical engineering. Yes, there is a LOT of math. My son is following in my footsteps and is a freshman in BSME. When I talk to him in the evening he invariably is doing homework in Calc or Physics or Chemistry. He is doing well though. A MET program still involves a lot of math. Have you given thought to some type of medical industry degree? Nursing or any other of those fields. My daughter is in her 3rd year of Nursing and she only had to take one statistics class. Anything medical is practical right now because there is a huge demand for health care professionals. There is several programs to choose from and if you like mechanics and machines there are programs for that in the health care field too. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice, yea the MET required more math than I was expecting, I suppose I didn't do enough research going into it. I really haven't looked into the medical field, but that is a great idea, and the job market looks great

 

[1engineer]

I'll chime in here because I was predisposed to be an engineer and have a hard time managing the "boredom" that goes along with corporate engineering (also where 90% of the jobs are)...

Engineering school is almost NOTHING like engineering work. It's a hoop you jump through. I barely use arithmatic in my engineering work. And before anyone jumps in and says otherwise, I have worked in advanced technology, R&D, National Labs, startups, huge corporations, etc... I've dabbled in just about every genre of engineering (Mechanical I should mention). I actually like engineering school more than engineering work. The main reason I went into the field was my inherent need to understand the world around me and if your family is encouraging you to go the engineering route, I'd assume you have that same curiosity. So although we're opposite in a fundamental way, i don't think you should give up on it, yet.

Just remember this, just because it's hard now doesn't mean it will always be that way. Also, engineering degrees are pretty highly regarded and it's easier to go into a non-engineering role with a degree. It's impossible to do it the other way around.

Last bit of advice: it's all about the experience.

By the way, what year of school are you in? I found that the last year or two years started getting much more fun for me (no more calc or intro science classes).

This is all true although I still use some Trig. I still get to design quite a bit. I did the corporate ladder thing for a long time until I realized that my true love was figuring stuff out. Took a new job about 18 years ago doing exactly that and I still am figuring new ways to solve old problems lol. Last two years though are the fun years in school. My son will be taking Statics next semester and I have him all primed up for some beam diagrams haha!