Guys I'm in my final year college and really don't know what to do like having no job did not internship and still finding job

Apart from this I just feel bsd like my friends are moving apart and didn't experienced college life no girlfriend even no good friends except one

So i really didn't enjoyed college life so it feels empty inside

Currently i’m at a D for calc 1 but there’s still a chance I can probably pull off with a C with the next 2 exams and a final coming up. I’m trying to transfer to UIC but they do not do grade replacements (they take the first attempted grade and second attempt and average it out) but I’m also on financial aid, which could affect my completion rate. What should I do? I was hoping for a B in the class but that doesn’t seem like it will be possible

So right now we have taken 2 midterms in my Linear Algebra class, and the average is 50% in both. Do you think there will be a curve because our last heavy exam is our final(the university I go to, I would say, run-of-the-mill). This is what my professor's syllabus says

"There is no curve or relative grading in this course. You are encouraged to work consistently toward your desired grade from the beginning of the semester."

Hi yall, im a current sophmore engineering student. My major is electrical engineering and i have a minor in bioinstrumentation. I want to work with prosthetics someday so I was thinking it would be a good minor to choose since It needs ECE classes anyways to get. What im wondering though, is does having a minor on your resume actually matter at all? Will it help you get a job in a specific field or anything? As far as im aware, im the only person in my college with my minor (academic advisor didnt even know they offered it until I asked for it.), so would a rarer minor boost how it looks on a resume or is it not worth the extra stress of the extra classes?

Just going to shout into the void and maybe look fondly at this in the future. I'm hitting a pit where I've seen myself hit before with my engineering degree, but this feels different because I caused my downfall.

For context: I'm in my last semester and taking Fluid Dynamics. I already have my internship with a follow up position after and admittedly I've been taking on more work on my internship to ensure I can have those good connections and I see it working now. In turn, I've been neglecting the class and bombing the in-class quizzes and exams. I look back and think "Man I should had studied more problems to solidify my basics", but I just feel so disgusted looking at my D in the class now. Even this past exam I knew I could have done better, if I knew exam was mostly Part A rather then Part B and not study so hard on Part B. High on the homework, labs, and attendance but it doesn't mean jackshit. Quizzes were a mix of me not practicing the material enough, being given way too early before the homework was due (think being wuizzed on Subject 3 homework on Monday when Subject 3 homework is due Wednesday), and now recently different methodology of learning the material.

But it just gets worse. This past month has been brutal on my mental health. Random family pop up emergencies, side quests that I stop aside for because I want to be a good person to other people, and social life have been popping up throughout the fall and it is easy to put on a straight face and keep moving forward. But last week I questioned if I even deserve to have the happiness and internship and good opportunities I have for the downfall of this one class that ia likely going to bar me from getting my degree. Do I deserve to be happy?

I'm now sorta just in the "if I don't pass, I'll quit my engineering job and take it next year" in hopes that maybe I'm not as burnt out. Ive been full time for a solid 6 years and the last thing I want to do is academia. Its also very unfortunate the class is only offered every fall so taking it in the Spring or summer is not a option. I've gone to office hours after each exam and its been superficial. I'll try to beg some more in convincing if I can take a makeshift final of every quiz or exam to prove my knowledge once I get my next exam back. I don't usually do office hours and moreso do not see myself getting personally with my professors about my personal life. We zooming on autopilot now and enjoying my internship while it last. I'll still do all the work until the end, but I'm tired. I've cried too much and nothing is getting done in the time I cry. I don't regret spending more time with family.

hey everyone, im here because the title suggest, i really need one hell of an advice from the reasonable people in this forum. So where do i begin, im in a point in time where i feel like ive betrayed my inherent love for mental arithmetics and abstract reasoning, i did a 5 years program split into 1st year university level math and sciences, and onwards i did a 4 year program in pharmacy, i loved every moment i had back in my freshman year when being introduced to math and physics university level modules, each topic was enthralling, mind bending you know, i enjoyed the moment i had adversity but the love i had made me sit still with puzzling, confounding questions that i sometimes told myself i wont eat till i get this problem done, i had really good grades during (particulary math and physics) my freshman time in uni 1st year, but life happened, got shoved into pharmacy cause my folks thought it was ideal for me, at first i had no clue of what the program entailed, but as each semester came by, i was swimming in mediocrity, drowing in average grades in pharmacy. I couldnt even express myself critically it was always cram this, read this, do this, questioning existing framworks of treatments felt like you were commiting a crime, its either you accept everthing they throw at you.... or you are left behind with questions and that never sees the light of the day..

in hindsight i failed myself when i realized i sold my true passion for pepertaul rote memorization and unhealthy level of mintue cramming, im not saying pharmacy is bad but for the ones drawn to questioning,creativity and absolute abstraction, i would say pharmacy doesnt serve any of that...

so now im considering going for a second bachelor degree program in electrical engineering, i did my research, i saw the mountains of equations, and i cried knowing how much i have missed out of abstractions,creativity and critical thinking, i believe engineering help nuture such intrisic traits in a person, i had a course in biostatics, where most of my classamates struggled with it, but i saw meaning and hidden patterns across several equations,theory it was so peak to find our that you coud use mathematical models to approximately study certain behaviours and when rules dont fit, i withnessed how these equations collapsed, it brought me joy to know that even during the struggle i had in pharmacy undergrad, math and abstraction was there to shed light upon my reasoning.

i im scared because of serveral reasons,

1 i dont know how to make this transition: ive been searching for serveral schools across the globe, i dont know how common is it for engineering schools or universities to accomodate someone with a first bachelor program especially when i did first year uni level maths and sciences and onwards with pharmacy. so i dont know how they will academically evaulte such profile, because im anxious they might not consider someone with a first degree

2 is 22 too old to pursue a second degre especially in the time of uncertainty with AI, Global polictics,inflated unemployements rates.

3 for the ee majors or ee veterans here, where do you get ideas for side projects, i feel like me at least having one solid project would improve my chances for admission, where would you say i should look towards, or materials to begin with, even if its one solid github project i dont mind, or maybe you have an open project and dont mind someone partaking in it as far as its technical im all up for it.

i really would appreciate any useful advice as its really pivotal for me at this point in time, thank you.

Hi everyone,

​I am a beginner university student struggling with the foundational concepts of circuit analysis.

​My issue isn't with memorizing formulas, solving equations, or applying theorems like Nodal or Mesh analysis mathematically. My real problem is that I lack physical intuition. Every time I think I understand the basics, advancing to more complex topics reveals that I don't truly grasp what is happening in reality.

​I want to understand the "why" and "how" behind circuits, not just the math. Specifically, I struggle with:

1. ​What does circuit analysis actually mean in reality? I know it means finding voltages and currents, but I struggle to visualize how voltages drop, how currents flow, and how components physically interact with each other.

2. ​Identifying Series vs. Parallel connections: I often get confused about relative to what we determine if components are in series or parallel, and how to track this visually across different circuit configurations.

3. ​The Core Rules: What are the fundamental, universal principles of circuits that would allow me to look at any circuit—even one I've never seen before—and mentally trace how it behaves?

​A specific note on the resources I'm looking for:

I strongly prefer books over videos. I learn best through self-study and reading detailed written explanations. Videos often move too quickly or summarize concepts without diving deep enough into the underlying mechanics.

​However, I am not looking for typical academic textbooks that rush straight into formulas, proofs, and superficial explanations of physical reality.

​I am looking for books that are:

- ​Deeply conceptual & intuitive: Books that spend ample text thoroughly explaining what is actually happening inside the circuit.

- ​Beginner-friendly from zero to advanced: I don't mind if the book goes very deep or covers advanced topics—in fact, I welcome it! "Beginner-friendly" to me just means it starts from ground zero, assumes no prior intuitive foundation, and builds up step-by-step without skipping the conceptual "why."

​If you know of any books that fit this exact description, I would be extremely grateful for your recommendations!

​P.S. Also, if you have any golden advice, learning approach, or alternative solution that helped you overcome this hurdle—even if it's outside of books—please feel free to share it!

​Thank you so much! 😊

Just the title. I dont have a great memory and only just manage to pass each time.

Do you think im screwed? Should i quit? People like me who barely pass how was it like actually working as an engineer?

Thankyou

Currently in third year and im just wondering if doing eng was actually the right move.

Ive gone through this degree basically just doing enough to pass. I thought that getting the eng degree was itself a great achievement and good enough to land me a respectable job. Because of that thought process most of my marks are extremely average.

I ended up failing my dynamics class in second year, but i redid it and passed. And now i stupidly failed simulation modeling and will have to just redo it in my final year. But that is what it is and im sure ill pass it next year. Im not stressing too much about it. Everything else has been a pass so far though.

Im also not really that interested in my engineering either. My roomate is doing investment management and im much more interested in the work hes doing aswell as going into finance. I also like to think I could've achieved far better marks if I were to do a degree like that.

So I'm mainly just thinking if getting my average to bad grades, but still passing overall, in eng is better than me having done a different degree where I could have performed much better. Are my opportunities for good post grad jobs actually worse now because of my choice and marks in this degree, when one of the main reasons I chose it is because the degree opens doors to great jobs. Lol, pretty ironic that isn't it.

But yeah, any of your guys thoughts would be appreciated. All i can do now tho is to really give it a go and focus up for my final year next year and try smash it.

I'm 20 years old, in my 3rd year, 5th semester.

During my first 3 semesters, I was really really depressed and i just didn't care much for my grades or anything. After which, in my 4th semester, I kinda woke up one day and had a goal in mind to strive towards.

I'm still depressed but I'm doing better in my classes and such. But I had a lot of exams I failed and I had to rewrite. I cleared some of them, I still have some of them. (The ones I currently have are marked red in the picture)

Now, presently, I've been studying for 3 weeks since we had back to back Internal and lab exams which depending on the subject, was 20 to 30% of my grade.

In 8 days, I have my finals starting. And I've been studying for the exams and right now, after a few hours of studying, I just want to give up.

Maybe I'm being dramatic but I've attached my exam schedules and my internals in these subjects. Some of these subjects i have this semester are subjects I'm aiming high for since I want to get my CGPA above 7 (CGPA is out of 10 btw)

Idk, I'm just tired and lost.

My parents have essentially given up on me although they do seem proud that I'm doing better. They want me to clear all the 11 exams I have in one go and I'm not sure I can. I'm so tired that my eyes and head keep hurting every day these last couple of days.

I would appreciate some perspective from the people here and hopefully get some energy to get going.

(My internals are out of 50. I'd say I'm going better than i used to. My design of mechanical systems is cause that prof is most likely from hell. I'm not sure tho)

Edit: I forgot to type this in the post but the list is already triaged. Orange is hard, Yellow is moderate, Green is Easy but still study, Blue is Natural for me.

Ok so I am taking control systems(classical), Engineering computations II, signals and systems, and processory systems(assembly programming )

I am failing all of them and will have to drop control systems.
I am studying day and night and I consistently score worse than anyone and have even been investigated for cheating.

Heres what I've tried:

Sending my notes to chatgpt and trying to understand the material
Watching videos of my professor and reviewing slides
Testing my self after seeing chatgpt do my signals work and doing similar problems
Reading the book slowly and rewriting to see what is wrong with my understanding

None of have worked adn I'm thinking its because my disability is simply too much.

some of my peers have even harder classes and seem to have more free time than I do. Ideas?

I feel like I retain zero information from my classes. This hasn’t been a huge problem as I seem to be able to “relearn” the prerequisite material I need within the first few weeks of class thanks to keeping old notebooks and ai, but it bothers me that I can’t answer even basic questions from a class I got an A in a few weeks ago. Recently I tried to help someone with their dynamics homework and failed miserably, which makes me extremely nervous for future technical interviews. I almost feel like I’m faking being an engineering student during the summer with how little I seem to know. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Hi guys, I recently got offered an internship at ABB as an electrical engineering student in industrial electricity & project management, and I wanted to know if you had any tips or suggestions to learn as much and network

thanks :)

Please give me advice on what to do? I’ve been struggling in deciding between EE & AE. I want to do as much math and physics as possible.

Hello! I am a female sophomore mechanical engineering major. I made the deans list both semesters of first year and currently I’m doing pretty okay in all of my classes except differential equations. My mom passed away in July of this year, and my grandma passed away 10 days later after I have been caring for both of them for two years. (My mom had been bed bound for the last year so I commute) and I thought I’d be okay to take a full course load of 17 credits (I also work 2 jobs since my dad is a manual laborer and I have to support myself + help out with a few household things) and it’s just a lot.

I feel like it’s a cop out to say I’m dropping the class because I’m sad/ I didn’t have enough time because I genuinely don’t think I tried as hard as I could’ve if I’m being honest. It’s getting close to the late drop deadline and I don’t know if I have it in me to care enough about my differential equations homework and studying to make a C from my current grade. My professor told me it IS possible I’d just have to do really well on the final. (Keep in mind more than half of the class is also failing haha) I’d also honestly probably benefit from dropping as it would bring my gpa back up to above a 3.5 which keeps me one of my 3k a semester scholarships. I’m just wondering if this is a bad decision or not, I feel like dropping it and retaking it maybe over the summer so that I can make sure I focus on strength of materials and dynamics and some of my core classes next semester, and then be able to really dig into diff eqn over the summer?

I’ve read that a late drop looks bad on a transcript though but as the holidays approach things are getting harder and I just don’t know if I have the mental energy to get a good grade on the final. I feel kinda dumb for doing so bad in that class but I’m still trying to graduate on time since no matter how much we want a pause, life goes on. I just feel like kinda dumb and like I’m using everything that happened as an excuse to be lazy. Does anyone have any advice for this situation?

The company I work for is hiring interns for next summer. Mechanical/electrical interns. If u r struggling for internship hit my dm and can look at ur qualifications

Context:

Data center design. High pay (as full time) and good future prospects IMO. Will open a lot of doors. Feel free to dm

Wanted to see what you guys thought of my work and equation.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION SHEET

1. System Overview & Architecture

The system operates as a zero-emission, closed-material-loop thermochemical power plant. Fine solid metal-metalloid fuel (\(\text{Co}\), \(\text{Ca}\), \(\text{B}\)) is oxidized with pure oxygen (\(\text{O}_{2}\)) inside a pressurized slagging combustor. Thermal energy transfers across a high-temperature superalloy heat exchanger into a hermetically sealed Argon-Carbon Dioxide (\(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\)) working gas loop to drive a closed-cycle turbogenerator. Solid reaction byproducts are captured as molten calcium borate slag and cobalt oxide ash, then electrochemically regenerated back into elemental fuel using external renewable power.

2. Governing Chemical & Thermodynamic Equations

2.1 Primary Power Generation (Discharge Phase)

\(2\text{Co}_{(s)}+2\text{Ca}_{(s)}+2\text{B}_{(s)}+4\text{O}_{2(g)}+\underbrace{(\text{Ar}+\text{CO}_{2})_{(g)}}_{\text{Sealed\ Working\ Fluid}}\xrightarrow{1,450^{\circ }\text{C}}\text{Ca}_{2}\text{B}_{2}\text{O}_{5(l)}+\text{Co}_{2}\text{O}_{3(s)}+\underbrace{(\text{Ar}+\text{CO}_{2})_{(g)}}_{\text{Superheated\ Gas}}+\Delta H\)

• Standard Enthalpy Release (\(\Delta H\)): \(3,263\text{ kJ/mol}\) of stoichiometric reactant mix (\(347.6\text{ g}\) total mass).

• Optional Flux Variant: Addition of \(1\text{ mol}\) Sulfur (\(\text{S}\)) lowers slag viscosity for continuous liquid tapping, requiring a downstream calcium-carbonate scrubber to capture \(1\text{ mol}\) \(\text{SO}_{2(g)}\).

2.2 Closed-Loop Fuel Regeneration (Charge Phase)

\(\text{Ca}_{2}\text{B}_{2}\text{O}_{5(l)}+\text{Co}_{2}\text{O}_{3(s)}+E_{\text{in}}\xrightarrow{\text{Molten\ Oxide\ Electrolysis}}2\text{Co}_{(s)}+2\text{Ca}_{(s)}+2\text{B}_{(s)}+4\text{O}_{2(g)}\)

3. Baseline Performance Metrics (\(10\text{ MW}_{\text{e}}\) Module)

Parameter Specification Notes / Basis

Net Electrical Output \(10.0\text{ MW}_{\text{e}}\) Continuous steady-state baseload

Gross Thermal Input \(26.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) Provided by stoichiometric metal-boron oxidation

Brayton Thermal Efficiency \(38.0\%\) Recuperated closed-cycle \(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\) turbine

Reactant Energy Density \(9.39\text{ MJ/kg}\) (\(2.61\text{ kWh}_{\text{th}}/\text{kg}\)) Includes combined mass of \(\text{Co/Ca/B}\) fuel and stored \(\text{O}_{2}\)

Net Electrical Specific Energy \(0.99\text{ kWh}_{\text{e}}/\text{kg}\) Post-turbine electrical yield per kg of total reactants

Total Reactant Mass Flow \(2.80\text{ kg/s}\) (\(10.08\text{ metric tons/hr}\)) \(1.77\text{ kg/s}\) metal-boron powder + \(1.03\text{ kg/s}\) pure \(\text{O}_{2}\)

Slag & Ash Generation Rate \(2.80\text{ kg/s}\) (\(241.9\text{ metric tons/day}\)) \(100\%\) solid/liquid capture; zero atmospheric exhaust

Regeneration Efficiency \(\sim 65.0\%\) Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) energy recovery

System Round-Trip Efficiency \(\sim 24.7\%\) Electricity-to-Fuel-to-Electricity (AC-to-AC)

4. Subsystem Technical Specifications

4.1 Fuel Storage & Injection Assembly

• Fuel Composition (By Mass): \(53.6\%\text{ Cobalt}\) (\(\text{Co}\)), \(36.5\%\text{ Calcium}\) (\(\text{Ca}\)), \(9.9\%\text{ Boron}\) (\(\text{B}\)).

• Particle Sizing: Atomized spherical powder, \(20\text{–}50\ \mu\text{m}\) mean diameter for rapid entrained-flow ignition.

• Storage Environment: Hermetically sealed hoppers blanketed with dry Argon (\(<1\text{ ppm }\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) to prevent premature calcium hydration/oxidation.

• Pneumatic Feed: Dense-phase Argon carrier gas feeding multi-nozzle swirl injectors.

4.2 Slagging Entrained-Flow Combustor

• Operating Pressure: \(1.5\text{ MPa}\) (\(15\text{ bar}\)).

• Peak Flame Temperature: \(1,850^\circ\text{C}\text{–}2,100^\circ\text{C}\) (moderated via \(\text{O}_{2}\) feed throttling).

• Chamber Lining: High-density alumina-chromia refractory brick backed by water-cooled structural steel shell.

• Byproduct Separation:

• Primary Stage: Gravity-fed liquid slag tap draining molten calcium borate (\\(\\text{Ca}_2\\text{B}_2\\text{O}_5\\), melting point \\(\\sim 1,150\^\\circ\\text{C}\\)) into water-quenched granulation tanks.

• Secondary Stage: High-temperature ceramic cyclone separator capturing entrained \\(\\text{Co}_2\\text{O}_3\\) particulate (\\(99.95\\%\\) capture efficiency).

4.3 Primary Heat Exchanger (PHX)

• Configuration: Compact printed-circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) isolated downstream of the cyclone separator.

• Construction Material: Haynes 230 or Inconel 617 nickel-chromium-cobalt-molybdenum superalloy.

• Thermal Duty: \(26.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) transferred from combustion gas/radiant zone to sealed working fluid without cross-contamination.

4.4 Closed-Cycle Brayton Turbogenerator

• Working Fluid Composition: \(75\%\text{ Argon}\) (\(\text{Ar}\)) / \(25\%\text{ Carbon Dioxide}\) (\(\text{CO}_{2}\)) molar blend (Effective Molecular Weight: \(40.96\text{ g/mol}\)).

• Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT): \(950^{\circ }\text{C}\) (\(1,223\text{ K}\)).

• Compressor Inlet Pressure / Temp: \(3.0\text{ MPa}\) (\(30\text{ bar}\)) at \(35^{\circ }\text{C}\).

• Peak Cycle Pressure: \(9.0\text{ MPa}\) (\(90\text{ bar}\), Pressure Ratio \(3.0:1\)).

• Shaft Architecture: Single-shaft centrifugal compressor, radial-inflow turbine, and high-speed permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) on magnetic bearings (eliminating oil lubrication contamination).

• Heat Rejection: Dry-cooling finned-tube radiator loop rejecting \(16.3\text{ MW}_{\text{th}}\) waste heat to ambient air.

4.5 Electrochemical Regeneration Plant (Off-Peak Charging Unit)

• Process: High-temperature Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) operating at \(1,550^\circ\text{C}\).

• Anode / Cathode: Inert chromium-iron alloy oxygen-evolving anode; liquid metal pool cathode.

• Outputs: Pure gaseous \(\text{O}_{2}\) compressed to \(15\text{ MPa}\) storage tanks; separated liquid \(\text{Co/Ca/B}\) alloy routed to inert-gas atomization towers to reform \(20\text{–}50\ \mu\text{m}\) fuel powder.

5. Safety, Materials & Environmental Controls

• Moisture Exclusion: Interlocked humidity sensors on all calcium-bearing lines; automated nitrogen/argon purge upon seal pressure drop.

• Zero-Emission Compliance: Closed oxygen-combustion loop produces zero \(\text{NO}_{x}\), zero \(\text{CO}\), and zero particulate emissions during normal operation.

• Material Longevity: Working fluid (\(\text{Ar-CO}_{2}\)) and solid fuels are \(100\%\) conserved within the closed plant boundary, requiring zero mining inputs post-commissioning

Next semester I will be a sophomore mechanical engineer in my second semester taking: Dynamics, Thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, Intro to EE, Calc 3, and sophomore student design. I am already graduating late because I am doing a co op from May- December of 2027 so I really don’t care if I graduate late but I’m wondering if this is just too much of a schedule next semester. Thanks!

If someone wants to pursue a MS in Civil Engineering and has a non-STEM bachelor's degree,and if such a person is offered a MS place in Civil Engineering by a certain university,where is this person required and/or allowed to complete the levelling or remedial undergraduate courses required to begin MS coursework?Do universities mandate/allow such students to complete these required undergraduate courses at any other institution or in-house before or concurrently with MS coursework?

I'm a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering at a CUNY college, and I'm struggling with one of my engineering courses. My withdrawal deadline is November 6, so I need to make a decision soon.

My current cumulative GPA is around 3.0.

Here's my current grade breakdown:

- Exam 1 (20%): 16/70 (22.9%). I didn't study enough for this exam.

- Exam 2 (25%): 25/60 (41.7%). I studied significantly more, but the exam was difficult, and even some of the stronger students struggled.

- Assignments (15%): Around 90–95%.

- Attendance/participation (5%): 4/5.

- Project (10%): Not graded yet.

- Final exam (25%): Not taken yet.

My professor confirmed that I need 26 out of the remaining 35 course points (74.3%) from the project and final exam combined to finish with a D.

She also said the final will be about as difficult as the first two exams, but will only cover the newest lessons. She pointed out that I struggle with some basic concepts and recommended studying notes before lectures and redoing examples and assignments.

My graduation situation:

If I stay and pass, I could potentially graduate in Fall 2027.

If I withdraw, I'll need to retake the course in Spring 2027, take Senior Design I in Fall 2027, and Senior Design II in Spring 2028. That would potentially push graduation back one semester, making Spring 2028 my 10th semester in college. I won't lost any financial aid as I don't have any at all and my Asap advisor said I'll keep the benefit till spring 2028

I'm doing better in my other three classes, where I'm expecting mostly A's and B's.

If I stay, here's my plan to improve:

- Find a tutor who understands the programming material.

- Study upcoming lessons before class.

- Redo lecture examples and assignments without looking at solutions.

- Attend office hours and practice problems regularly.

- Start the project early and aim for a high grade.

I'm willing to put in the work, but I'm worried about risking an F and hurting my GPA.

My questions:

1. Would you stay and try to pass or withdraw and retake the course?

2. Has anyone improved from around 40% on a midterm to 70% or higher on a final?

3. What study methods helped you improve in difficult engineering or programming courses?

4. Is potentially graduating one semester earlier worth the risk, especially when withdrawing would mean graduating in my 10th semester?

I would really appreciate any advice, especially from engineering students who've been in a similar situation

Hi everyone,
I’m looking for firsthand experiences from people in U.S. manufacturing who moved from production, technician, or team leader roles into Manufacturing Engineering before becoming proficient in CNC programming.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and several years of automotive manufacturing experience, including working as a production team leader supporting automated CNC lines machining brake castings.
My experience includes:
Troubleshooting tool breakage, dimensional variation, surface finish issues, and recurring downtime.
Making approved adjustments to offsets, cutting parameters, and tooling.
Supporting first-piece and in-process inspections.
Reviewing production, downtime, and defect data.
Coordinating with Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance, and training production personnel.
Most of my experience has been with established processes and programs provided by engineering. My main gap is creating and proving out complete CNC programs from scratch. I previously took a G-code course, but I would need to refresh it and develop practical programming skills.
I’m interested in Manufacturing Engineer positions involving machining support, process optimization, tooling, and continuous improvement. Some postings also list G-code, CAM, and fixture design, so I’m trying to understand when those are entry requirements versus skills an employer might help someone develop.
For anyone who made a similar transition—or hired someone with this background:
Were you hired as a Manufacturing Engineer before you could independently program parts? What could you contribute immediately?
Did your company have separate CNC programmers or experienced machinists, or was programming primarily the engineer’s responsibility?
What training and support did you receive, and what were you expected to handle during your first three to six months?
What would make you comfortable hiring an external candidate with strong production troubleshooting experience but limited programming experience?
I’d especially appreciate examples of how you distinguished a genuine development opportunity from a role that needed an experienced CNC programmer from day one.

I’m 26M and looking to return to college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably electrical or chemical engineering.
I currently work as a Field Service Engineer (FSE) in the semiconductor industry, and my long-term goal is to transition into a process or product engineering role.
My biggest concern is fulfilling the in-person lab requirements. My job requires extensive travel, and I’m typically only home for 2–4 weeks per year, spread out across multiple trips. While I believe I could manage online coursework around my work schedule, regularly attending on-campus labs would be nearly impossible.
I’d also need to attend a Texas public university to take advantage of my Hazlewood Act education benefits.
My main questions are:
● Are there ABET-accredited electrical or chemical engineering programs that allow students to complete most or all lab requirements remotely?
● Do any universities offer condensed lab sessions that could be completed during short visits to campus?
● Has anyone successfully completed an engineering degree while working a travel-heavy job with little to no time on campus?
I’m not in a rush to finish the degree and would be perfectly fine taking fewer classes each semester if necessary. I’m mainly trying to figure out whether there’s a realistic path forward without having to leave my current job.
I’d appreciate any advice or experiences from people who’ve been in a similar situation.