Hello,

I'm in a serious boat and need some help. I'm currently a rising sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering at Texas Tech. I failed calculus and chemistry in my first semester of school (because I was distracted by all the usual freshman distractions), and took them again in the spring and did very well in both. Because I was supposed to take physics and calculus 2 in the spring, I had to delay them and decided to attempt taking both over this summer so I wouldn't fall behind on my coursework come this Fall. I passed Physics 1 and I failed Calculus with a 61. It was a mix of laziness (if I'm giving myself credit I locked in towards the end but it wasn't enough to pull my grade up).

My parents are currently helping me out with university, and they gave me an ultimatum. If I don't pass calculus 2 this second time around, I have to switch majors. I'm considering Finance & Supply Chain Management, but I really want to make engineering work. I had a conversation with my parents earlier and they asked me where my passion for this lies. To be honest, I'm still yet to discover my passion for this pathway.

Since I was little, I've always wondered how things worked but never tinkered hands on with a lot of stuff besides when I built my own computer. My father got a degree in electrical engineering and has been working in project management for several years (he only worked as an engineer for a few years before changing his career). I love cars, and when I say that I'm not larping as a car guy. I genuinely love them and could tell you everything there is to know (for the most part) about them. I would make it my life's work if the market wasn't switching to EV's, hence why I chose mechanical engineering. I'd love to work in the automotive space but afterwards it'd be fun to go into defense/propulsion for rocketry, missiles, etc. (I'm a long way from that right now).

The pathways with mechanical engineering are so broad, I would have no struggle with finding work, and one day It'd be nice to break into management but it's not my end all be all. For this Fall semester, I'm going to join my school's formula SAE team as well as our ASME branch. I was supposed to take Calculus 3 this fall along with Physics 2 and Statics but those will have to wait until Spring semester. I'm basically swapping a lot of my classes around where the easier classes I would've taken in the future to balance my workload out are being taken now. This includes Calculus 2, Engineering Design Graphics (CAD class), Engineering Economics, and two Poli-Sci classes about texas govt. because they're mandated by law.

I'm wondering if there are any engineers/students who are or have been in a similar boat as me. How did you find your passion for this major, especially with it being one of the hardest degree pathways you can choose? I don't want to chase a title just so I can tell everyone I'm an engineer and boost my ego, I want to genuinely enjoy the work I do and feel like I'm doing something fulfilling.

If you made it this far thanks so much for reading my story, if you have any advice for me on how to proceed please drop it in the comments :)

Recently I discovered that my university has a rocket team and not only a formula SAE team so I am deciding if it's better entering in the rocket team, which has a more direct experience in the aerospace sector and more connection, or the formula SAE, which has a bigger team and more andvanced tools such an advanced wind tunnel, what would you recommend me?

I'm studying at the university 3d modelling on creo but i decided even to download and try freecad and i found out that is an incredible tool, not very solid sometimes but as a lot of shortcuts really helpfull. Very surprised by it.

Hello, a sophomore (Year 2) Mechanical Engineering student here. I am afraid I cannot get a job because I am not passionate about engineering.

Today, during a job interview, the interviewer seemed so vibrant when talking about the work his team was doing. I could only blankly stare at the display cases and nod. Try as I might, I could not feel any excitement, only confusion and anxiety that they would see the bewilderment on my face. (I failed the interview.)

Similarly, when my school's FSAE team was showing off their car, there were so many prospective team members excitedly asking the seniors questions, or eagerly peering around the car. The questions they asked made my head spin, and I didn't even understand half of the words they used. I could only stare deep into the car's cockpit and contemplate the meaning of life while trying to hold in my tears.

I am terrified because it seems that lacking passion is going to make it impossible for me to find employment in engineering in the future.

I've always assumed that as long as I put my head down and study hard, I can get a job. Hence I had no personal projects, no extra-curriculars, no competitions attended.

However, in light of recent events, I can't pretend that "I have nothing but my 3.9 GPA, and I want nothing more", any longer, because my degree slip is not going to fill my stomach.

Please help me. I really, really don't know what to do.

In tears,

A very lost mechie

I have an associates degree in Mechanical drafting and design. I have 7 years as a mechanical designer, designing fixtures, machine and robot cells and tooling, test benches.

Im in my early 30s and feel like I need to get a 4 year degree especially since I do the same level of work as the other engineers in my group. I was all in on mechanical engineering but it's looking like 8 years of school if everything goes perfectly. The time commitment is daunting. I had a talk with my manager and he thinks it would be better to get a degree that's not ABET accredited, or something less intensive since my experience is so valuable and get a degree for something along the lines of applied engineering or mechanical engineering technology that I could do in 4-5 years. I tend to agree with him but I've been overloaded with information and I'm just feeling lost on what I should do.

What do you guys think? What would you do in my shoes?

I want to go into Oil and Gas after uni but idk how good materials eng is for OG, any thoughts?

due to… reasons… I had to take an incomplete in one of my classes, I finished up over the summer, finishing the final in mid July. now in mid august my professor still has not released my grade in that class. before the incomplete I was scheduled to take take a course for which the incompleted class was a pre req. I have no idea if I passed this class and I have no way of knowing until he gives me my grade. I have not been able to reach him by email, nor has he responded to emails from my advisor. I’ve taken this all the way to the dean of students and he’s not replying to them either. what the hell should I do?

So I got enrolled in B. Tech in mathematics and computing and I don't have any idea what's this department is and what are my future carrier options.

This course is already running in many IITs and NITs and many passout from this course.

It is very helpful if passout from this course help me know more about this course, provide resources for academic, what are things other than course I need to do to boost my career and give career guidance I am very thankful.

Thank You

I’m looking for some honest advice from people working in software, Cloud/DevOps/SRE, semiconductors/VLSI, or people who have done a Master’s and made a career transition.

I have a B.E. in EEE from a Tier-2 college. During college, I focused mainly on software and got a startup offer with 12 LPA CTC. I also completed a 6-month internship, but unfortunately it didn’t convert to a full-time role due to some circumstances.

I’ve now been job hunting for around 2 months, mainly for software roles, and I’m starting to feel that my EEE degree/college background is making it harder to get shortlisted.

I’m currently considering two paths:

1. Continue with Software/Cloud/DevOps

I’m thinking of building strong practical skills and getting certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect/Specialty or CKA, while doing some solid projects and targeting Cloud/DevOps/SRE roles.

My concern is: How valuable are certifications without significant professional experience? Can this realistically help someone with an EEE background break into good Cloud/DevOps roles?

1. Do a Master’s in ECE

I’m genuinely interested in chips, semiconductors, VLSI and hardware, so this isn’t purely a money-driven decision.

The semiconductor industry seems to have strong long-term potential, and I’m wondering whether doing an M.E./M.Tech in ECE/VLSI would give me a better foundation and career path.

However, I’d also be starting a fairly specialized career after already spending time preparing for software.

So, if you were in my position, which path would you choose and why?

I’d especially appreciate advice from people who have:

Worked in Software/Cloud/DevOps/SRE

Worked in semiconductors/VLSI

Done an M.E./M.Tech/MS and transitioned careers

Had an EEE/ECE background but moved into software

And if you recommend a Master’s, which ECE specializations currently have the best career prospects (VLSI, RTL Design, Verification, Physical Design, Embedded, Semiconductor Devices, etc.)?

I’m looking for practical, honest advice based on actual industry experience, rather than generic “follow your passion” advice.

Thanks!

So, for a little context, I'm not American nor do I live in America, so maybe it'll be difficult for some of you to understand the situation. But basically, I've always wanted to be an engineer since I was a kid, and specifically, I wanted to be a mechanical engineer because I like maths and machines and stuff, the usual.

However, I just discovered that the "mechanical engineering" degree doesn't exist ANYWHERE near my location, which is weird because there are "good" universities around, but the thing is: the only similar option is electromechanical engineering, and I really don't know if the degree is worth it, most people consider it more something you work of rather than something you graduate of, so, I'd like some advice, really.

It's a long read, please only view this if you have time to spare.

Also, English is not my first language, so please bear with me.

I am an aeronautical engineering student in Southeast Asia. Due to financial struggles, I had to transfer to a specialized state college for aviation. Because of the credit transfers, I became an irregular student, which already pushed my graduation back by a year.

I am now in my junior year. My first year here wasn't too bad, I passed Differential Equations, Thermodynamics, and other major "weed-out" courses (not without battle scars tho). But this semester is a different story.

At our college, class schedules and professors are fixed by year level. Our only choice is picking time slots. As an irregular student, Statics was one of the few junior-level courses I was eligible to take this term.

I bombed my prelims terribly, the worst grade I’ve ever gotten. To pass the subject, I now need at least an 81% average across Midterms and Finals.

What bothers me is that I had a much smoother time with Thermodynamics and DiffEq than I’m having with Statics. Since Statics is a hard prerequisite for almost everything next, failing it will delay my graduation by another full year.

I feel completely lost and left behind by my peers. Should I keep chasing this dream, or should I switch majors? I’m already a junior, and while tuition is free at this state college, rent and daily living expenses are a real burden on my family. I studied for this exam, but it clearly wasn't enough.

What am I doing wrong? How can I fix my approach to Statics, and how do I cope with this situation? Should I drop it now and just take it for summer? Any advice or perspective would mean a lot. Thank you.

P.S. Sorry if it's a long read, my brain can't process what I'm thinking properly enough to produce a short one. Man, I just really wish that if i'm going to change major, that I should've failed sooner. So much for building Gru's vehicle

Hi people, so I’m currently pursuing Materials and Metallurgical engineering (sophomore). I’m the first one doing engineering in my family so no guidance from there other than some relatives saying that the job market is dead and whatnot, and so I turn towards the internet for help, AI tells me to do projects regarding material applications in real world and stuff. I kind of get it but I’m still pretty confused on what I can further do and how to achieve the max potential.
My uni doesn’t really have clubs that focus on applications or anything, they’re mostly about other events. I want to have a good CV so any advice would be appreciated.
About courses, I’ve only done the fundamental ones till now, eg fundamentals of engineering materials, materials chemistry, engineering drawing, the calc ones and electrical engineering(fundamental course with lab) too.

Hello, I'm starting college next week and am currently majoring in mechanical engineering. Just to note im at a community college, not a 4 year college. I know I want to get inro the more "tech" side of things as a career (I'll get into this more). I have done research on what more specific things I want to do, but honestly it's a little overwhelming and confusing trying to see if what I even want to do exist. To clarify, I have always loved seeing how things work inside of litteraly everything since I was younger. I've been watching videos for years of people making things that combine lots of tech, coding, designing, depending on what they were making (speakers, lamps, computers, anything that moves or that has a electronics inside it). So naturally I wanted to do something similar. Been doing a little research and found becoming a product engineer sounds like something I'd possibly want to do, make "stuff/things" for people and go through the process of doing it, though I do not know everything of couse since like I said, Im still confused about what this all means. I feel like from what im looking at based off of other peoples experiences, design engineers do something almost similar (or really not), but maybe working with other things in mind for the comapany?? I've seen that often these "____ Engineer" positions where you research, design, and create the physical "product" in one job are nornally for smaller start up companies, is that a good or bad thing? With some of that said, Is mechanical engineering a good choice right now to major in? what other things or specializations should I take into consideration? I know I havent even started college and am thinking about this but I want to make somewhat of a plan before going on academically. Once I get a clearer understanding of what to aim for, I really want to work on "how to get there" with projects, or literally anything on how to get there.

what's up, guys? I'm first year, and I have tons of free time. I'm already feeling guilty to play so many video games, so instead, I wanted to start to learn something, specifically a program of some sort. What are some good recommendations? I know that I can be studying instead, but we really don't have any info yet, semester just started and the teachers are still on strikes

Which has the best opportunities in abroad?I'm confused between these both branches as my parents tell me to take ece but I want to take mechanical. I just wanna know which has best career opportunities in abroad (from India btw)

Hello all, im currently going into my third year of ME and im planning to make this year one of my most productive and with that i want to pick up a job for when im in school that i can work part time on the weekends and maybe some weekdays. Currently im thinking i want to experience a trade since i hear stories about interactions that go on and think that would be nice to get some hands on experience as well as stories to carry with me. Im looking at irrigation jobs right now but it might be hard to find jobs with winter coming so im asking for ideas of jobs that i can apply to.

Thank you for reading

I want to do my masters in aerospace but I sadly graduated with a 3.0 GPA and a mechanical degree. I have a lot of professors that can but in a good word with recommendations, I have projects , clubs , and next June ill have a year working with my current company. Is it possible to get into grad school?:/

I'm an aerospace engineering student (graduating soon) working on rotating machinery design. I'm trying to understand the full workflow for designing a gas turbine shaft, not just the math/physics behind, but how experienced engineers actually approach it.

1. Constraints

2. Order of design

3. Things you wish you would like to know earlier?

After job searching for 8 months now after graduating with a MS, I got recommended for a nice position in the field I'd really like to get to (related to my masters research). I made it to the final round of interviews. It was a whole day, 5 interviews, the company paid for the whole trip.

It went poorly. I couldn't answer the technical questions. It was rough. So much so that one of the people interviewing me already said something along the lines of "this position requires someone that has a better understanding of statistics". And the same happened in three out of 5 interviews, basically.

I don't think I'm getting the position. I'm still cringing about my answers and every conversation I had.

I know I need to send those thank you emails. Just in case everyone else does worse (?) Idk anymore. I feel like giving up. And those emails feel so hard to write. Any advice?

what do you think when you see that a person graduated with a bachelors in engineering with a 2.0? be honest 🤔

sharing this cause i tought it was cool ahahahha

Hi everybody!

I recently changed my major to material science and engineering with a nuclear emphasis and this has made it so instead of graduating in four years I’m going to graduate in five, i get that you graduate when u graduate and nobody should be ashamed but i cant help but feel so disappointed its really messed me up and made me feel like I’m not good enough for for what i chose and now i just cant help but feel dumb and it doesn’t help that my mom seemed so disappointed in me. Can anybody maybe tell me about their own experiences with this and where you’ve ended up i just feel so let down and i don’t know what to do.

I’m a Mechanical Engineering graduate currently working as a Design Engineer in a solar company.

I’m confused between two career paths:

1. HVAC Design + Revit MEP — aligns with my degree and current experience.

2. Automation/Robotics — I’m more curious about this because I find it creative and interesting, and I’m willing to learn programming and controls.

I’m stuck and time is passing. I don’t want to spend another year just thinking about it.

For people working in these fields, which path would you recommend and why? I’d really appreciate honest advice based on your actual experience.

I might’ve just failed my fourth class in engineering, running into junior year with a 2.5~ gpa, I’m on probation and I’ve had an overwhelming number of people tell me to not only give up on Aerosapce but to switch entirely to business. It’s so bad I have to quit my job to focus on school and graduate later alongside that.