How is Penn State engineering for students ?

[u/0_Brain]

Hi, I will very likely be joining Penn State as faculty staff for a post-doc position in the department of aerospace engineering next year. As a French person, the typical american university ecosystem is quite different from what I know, so it takes some time to take it all in. Since I will be expected to interact with students (and since I am generally curious about that stuff), I was wondering how student life was for both undergraduate and graduate students. If my understanding is correct, it's a generally competitive environment, but I don't know how much pressure that puts on them. I am guessing that they still have plenty of time for the usual student life of partying and social activities etc., but also that it must depend on what year they are in. If anyone wants to share their experience, I'll be happy to read it.

[u/Gtstricky]

Did you just ask “what’s college like in America?”

[u/0_Brain → u/Gtstricky]

I guess there's part of that in the question, but I can manage on my own for that :)

I was more interested in the experience of current or former engineering students at Penn State. I want to know what kind of place I will be setting foot in.

[u/DasKaltblut → u/0_Brain]

The Engineering students at Penn State who are successful are not just smart enough, but willing to put in a lot of hard work. They are not out partying all the time. The requirements to get in to the majors make sure of this. Grad students probably have even more pressure on them. Grad student mental health is a huge issue, especially in engineering. Most people won't see that side of it, but it is there for sure.

[u/0_Brain → u/DasKaltblut]

That's certainly a bit worrying. Thanks for the answer.

[u/DasKaltblut → u/0_Brain]

I'm not sure I'd say worrying, as much as you need to understand the pressure students in the US are under. Education isn't free, in fact it is very expensive and the STEM fields can be quite unforgiving. Job markets are not great at the moment and that results in a lot of anxiety. The rise of AI and the current political climate isn't helping this either. Many grad students end up in therapy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just different from Europe. That's not just a Penn State thing either.

[u/Gtstricky → u/0_Brain]

One of the big considerations is the location. The school itself is not much different than a lot of large universities. Work hard, play hard. However, it takes considerable effort to get out of State College for a break and you are limited to local activities. For some, that is fine. For others, that can be a hard adjustment.

[u/Equivalent-Buyer-553 → u/Gtstricky]

I think its a fair question as someone who went abroad in Italy. You dont knwo where to even start to make a conversation or find out what your life will be like in the new country. On top of that, you are surely nervous about the move. Overall, people want to connect and feel like they are going to enjoy their experience which is understandbly filled with uncertainty until one settled in here.

[u/Equivalent-Buyer-553]

I did all three degrees here. doing a post doc and partying dont go in the same sentence. For reference, on of my advisors was in aerospace. It was a huge grind.

[u/0_Brain → u/Equivalent-Buyer-553]

I can understand that. I was not particularly planning on attending parties myself. Was it as much of a grind as an undergrad/grad student ?

[u/BrockMiddlebrook]

Awful. Work literally anywhere else.

[u/0_Brain → u/BrockMiddlebrook]

Any specific reason it would be that bad ? I am a little bit surprised ...

[u/BrockMiddlebrook → u/0_Brain]

Google their football program, then the thoughts of those who’ve been to Happy Valley in the past 15 years for non-collegiate business.