I am giving up on ECE guys! Changing me major! Now atleast, if I work hard I can get the grades I want and still have a social life.

11/12/2005 7:41:48 PM

Cause college is all about the social life...

11/12/2005 11:59:52 PM

hand me a beer

11/13/2005 12:12:19 AM

And it is about Grades

11/13/2005 11:07:10 AM

You're hard work will pay off in the end


Engineering is twice as hard, but you'll be making 3 times the money. It's all worth it. I'm an engineer and living much much more comfortably than most of my friends (Who took the easy route in college)

11/13/2005 11:27:00 AM

bye

11/13/2005 2:08:07 PM

I don't blame you for changing majors. Get out while you still can.

11/13/2005 2:26:13 PM

PackBacker:

People have given me all types of advice. It seems like everyone believes in their own myths and urban legends passed down from Generation to Generation. Actually, it all boiled down to what I liked and turning psychotic. The future is inevitable. If I think it doesn't work out for me in the future, I can always come back. As of now, me working and my hardwork not paying off with the grades I want, I think it would be foolish for me to continue. People who have given me advice against changing majors have been mostly people who like to think inside the box. Although, I truly appreciate their advice and totally respect them for there support. I saw many doors through many lenses and it pushed towards venturing for something that I actually like. Others have told me to change Major to something else in which I might be able to do better.

Also, I guess it all boiled down to the type of values I have about academics. Inorder to like electrical, I have to have passion for it. I am going to spending 1/3 of my life dealing with work and my major should supplement my interest. Anyways, thank you for the support PackBacker.
[b][i]null

11/13/2005 2:44:18 PM

ECE isn't for everybody. Wanting to switch out is understandable.

11/13/2005 9:47:28 PM

I actually started out in ECE.... I hated it. Wasn't for me.


I did however end up in Structural Engineering, and I love it. I always loved lego's as a kid, so I guess nowadays I just get to play with big lego's at work


Do what you enjoy. All I'm trying to say is that if you really like the type of job you'd have in ECE, then stick it out. If you don't like that kind of work, go do something you would like.

11/13/2005 10:05:05 PM

I enjoy you comment, packbacker, how engineers make 3 times the money and it is worth it in the end. However, I have also considered changing majors because obviously electrical engineering is very hard. I am a second semester junior and I have a GPA of about 2.6 so my grades are not fabulous. In your opinion is it worth it to stay in because it worries me that I will go through all this and not get what I want because the jobs are not there or my GPA was not enough for a good job?

11/13/2005 10:34:21 PM

Thanks Specter and PackBacker, I really appreciate your advice

11/13/2005 10:34:48 PM

what do you plan on changing to with a 2.6

11/13/2005 10:38:02 PM

Quote :

"Engineering is twice as hard, but you'll be making 3 times the money. It's all worth it. I'm an engineer and living much much more comfortably than most of my friends (Who took the easy route in college)"

I wouldn't go that far. Most of my friends had a hard time finding jobs no matter their background. I work side by side with people who have more education than I do. There are also others with no college degree.

11/13/2005 10:39:51 PM

you can get a decent job without a high GPA...especially if you've got coop or internship experience under your belt. as has been said before, though, you have to enjoy doing something (at least to a degree), or all the money in the world won't make it worthwhile

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 10:40 PM. Reason : ]

11/13/2005 10:40:21 PM

Wow, why are people arguing with you. Only you can decide what you want to do with your life, and hey if you don't like ECE that much why put yourself through all that hell?

Seriously go do what you want to do.

11/13/2005 10:47:12 PM

Good point UberCool. Very nice said

you can get a decent job without a high GPA...especially if you've got coop or internship experience under your belt. as has been said before, though, you have to enjoy doing something (at least to a degree), or all the money in the world won't make it worthwhile

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 10:40 PM. Reason : ][quote]

Very nicely said, GREAT POINT!

11/13/2005 11:02:39 PM

Quote :

"In your opinion is it worth it to stay in because it worries me that I will go through all this and not get what I want because the jobs are not there or my GPA was not enough for a good job? "

I say it's worth it if you think you'd like that career. I wouldn't switch a major becuase of a GPA, personally. If you love what you do, the day you walk across the stage it'll all be worth it. Just to say you kicked it's ass is pretty fulfilling in my opinion. You can get a job with an engineering degree no matter what your GPA is.... if you make it through, people know you're a smart person. (I remember during my orientation. They said "Look to the person to your left. Now look to the person to your right. Only one of you will graduate with a degree in engineering.)


Like someone said, getting a decent job is primarily based on experience anyways from what I've discovered. Now, if you have no experience with a 4.0, you'll still be fine... but I've seen cases where people will hire a 2.5 GPA over a 3.5 becuase of experience. If you have a low GPA, you might try extra extra hard to get that internship directly related to your degree.... it'll help tremendously. Hell, if they're not hiring and you have financial help from someone (as in, don't pay your own bills), I'd even look into an unpaid internship with a great company... if anything that shows dedication. Try your damndest to build a great resume. GPA is only used for getting your first job or so after graduation anyways from what I hear... 4-5 years removed from school, no one cares any more and you just take it off of your resume

My advice would be that if you like the stuff you'll be doing in your career... no matter your GPA... stick with it. You'll be fine. If you hate it move on to something else.

4 years of total suckage and slaving away while your friends are out having fun is worth 40-45 years of being happy with what you do for a living.

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 11:16 PM. Reason : adsa]

11/13/2005 11:03:33 PM

^ Now that I will agree with. Having any sort of experience makes a huge difference. It also will help having contacts/references that aren't your family and the manager of McD's.

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 11:12 PM. Reason : .]

11/13/2005 11:11:27 PM

Picking a major related to your personal interests is extremely important. You'll get a lot more enjoyment out of your life if you find a job you truly enjoy. (Hopefully the job will be related to the major :spin. last, if you haven't already, talk to the folks in Virtual Advising ... they can probably help you pick out a new major, or stay in your current one.

Couple suggestions:
-Drop the number of credit hours you are taking per semester. You can do 12 per semester and then do 6 over the summer and still graduate "on-time".
-Coop! Coop! Coop! I think I would have gone nuts without taking two semesters off, earning $texas, and getting some experience out of it.
-Rethink study habits. Easier said than done, but makes a whole lot of difference.

Personal experiences:
-GPA is and isn't everything. Only a few employers are strict about the GPA ... most are happy with a 3.0 if you show extraciricular activties/etc.
-Salary isn't everything. There's definitely a comfort level, and that varies from person to person, but it isn't everything.
-Pick up a second major rather than changing your current major ... you can boost your GPA, get two degrees, AND help balance out your semesters a bit better.
-The job market IS out there. Don't be overly picky on your first job ... don't restrict yourself to a single city ... or a few companies ... or a specific job title ... etc.
-I think I applied to 100+ CSC type-jobs in a two month span over this summer. The CSC job market is suppoed to be as "poor" as the ECE job market. Again, the job market IS out there.

Good luck, again, recommend talking to Virtual Advising.

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 11:28 PM. Reason : .]

11/13/2005 11:24:54 PM

Quote :

"most are happy with a 3.0 if you show extraciricular activties/etc. "

Again, you should clarify.


We're talking about engineering here. 75% of the class has under a 3.0. A 3.0 is ridiculously hard in any engineering, much less ECE (One of the hardest, IMO)

I was in CE and graduated with a 2.79 working my ass off.... and I was still in the top 30-35% of the class. I did fine....

I know people with 2.2's getting pretty good jobs right after graduation. GPA and experience get you an interview.... personality and experience get you a job for the most part

11/13/2005 11:30:04 PM

ece doesn't get worth it until the 400 level classes

until then it's a 3 year sustained kick in the nuts

[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 11:33 PM. Reason : or 3.5 ]

11/13/2005 11:32:53 PM

My brother has a master's in ECE. He absolutely loves his job and he says it has nothing to do with what he did in school (At NC State)


He designs radar systems for fighter jets with Northrop-Grumman. Absolutely loves it. And he's making $texas doing it. He even said after graduation he wasn't sure if he'd enjoy it. The working world isn't at all what you do in school.


What you do in school is an elimination process to make sure you're willing to think and work hard. They just give you the basics and beat your ass for 4 years to make sure that you are dedicated to what you do. What you'll do on the job will have absolutely nothing to do with school more times than not. I learned about 10% of what I needed to know in school... and the workplace is a lot less stressful... plus you get paid to do it.

I guess it needs to be said that no matter what your GPA is, graduating with an engineering degree is few-and-far-between. Business degrees or sociology et.al. are a dime a dozen. Anyone can get that degree. If you can even make it through engineering, you're a very smart person and employers know it. (Despite what you may think... I know first hand how devastating engineering classes are for the ole confidence level But I made it... so to hell with all the Structural/Civil Engineering nazis in mann hall ). I'm not saying business majors are dumb or worthless... but lets face it, it's not rocket science. Engineering literally is






[Edited on November 13, 2005 at 11:45 PM. Reason : g ]

11/13/2005 11:35:49 PM

IF YOU THINK ECE IS HARD

YOU WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE

WE WILL MISS YOU

LIKE HELL WE WILL

Quote :

"A 3.0 is ridiculously hard in any engineering, much less ECE (One of the hardest, IMO)"

fucking lies, i couldnt do less work if i tried

[Edited on November 14, 2005 at 12:20 AM. Reason : . dont feed the kid bullshit]

11/14/2005 12:18:50 AM

^ I can confirm this guy doesn't do any work at all.

[Edited on November 14, 2005 at 12:58 AM. Reason : .]

11/14/2005 12:57:57 AM

i graduated 3.97 total GPA in ECE (3.95 major gpa)

one of the easier majors IMO, but then again I can't compare it to anything since i only got one major.

all you gotta learn is your trigonometric identities and you're set. maybe a little calculus and complex algebra... not a big deal

work hard, get good grades.

[Edited on November 14, 2005 at 1:30 AM. Reason : s]

11/14/2005 1:29:59 AM

If it helps at all, most real world jobs aren't going to require much of what you learn in school. All those theorums and identities will mean nothing. At any job you get, they will teach you everything you need to know.

11/14/2005 7:13:04 AM

^ Very true


Like I said, I use the easy basics (Like Statics or maybe structural analysis) where I work. None of that hard shit will ever be seen again. They teach me everything I need to know, and there's going to be a huge learning curve wether you're a 4.0 or a 2.0 student

11/14/2005 7:53:33 AM

Quote :

"one of the easier majors IMO"

its all relative. math and logic comes very easy to me, so ECE wasnt too bad. i would probably have a harder time in major like history or something, cause im not very good at remembering facts.

on the other hand, if you arent comfortable with math, then any engineering degree is going to be very difficult for you.

11/14/2005 8:23:34 AM

^

sober is like a walking brain

11/14/2005 8:49:31 AM

^^ goddamn right, i came in ECE but math definately isnt my strong points, took a business class and a COM class, did well and saw that that "kind of thinking" suited me alot more, and thats where i am today

PR major with a Business minor, and working on an internship that will hopefully make my GPA obsolete (it's good, could be better as usual, but experience > stats cause stats are for losers)

Changing from ECE definately made me enjoy college life more, my grades got better, found myself with more free time, and many more women in my classes

[Edited on November 14, 2005 at 9:05 AM. Reason : .]

11/14/2005 9:05:03 AM

Quote :

" that "kind of thinking" "

no kidding. thinking about easy problems is always going to be easy.

11/14/2005 11:11:48 AM

i loathe it yet i graduate in december

11/14/2005 3:54:03 PM

I love it... I didn't understand shit until I co-op'd. The only reason I got my FIRST co-op was because I was the only person that applied for the position... but then I made the absolute most out of my experience... that led to an absolutely awesome Co-op... made the absolute most out of that position. Now with a GPA thats probably 0.5 less than most people I'm interviewing with, I'm on even, or perhaps even advantaged, playing ground. And we are talking motorola/cisco/IBM hardware design interviews.

It took me all the way to my (first) senior year to break above a 3.0, I worked my ever living ass off to do so, but I still partied like crazy on the weekends. Now I'm graduating with a very strong in major GPA b/c I understand the concepts purely from work experience, And my job choice is being deciding pretty much on where I want to live, b/c I have excellent opportunities all over the place. The biggest thing for me, was knowing when to blow the weekend drinking and knowing when to spend an entire weekend working on that important project. The only regrets I have from my ECE degree is taking ECE451 instead of something remotely relevant to anything I'm going to be doing (like ece404 or even a com class)

Make the most of anything you do, work hard NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER SURRENDER.

11/14/2005 4:56:10 PM

do you feel worthless because you can't cut it?

11/14/2005 6:36:38 PM

I'm majoring in ECE and getting a CHASS degree. I am also finishing off my 2nd co-op term. I will be going back to classes this spring for my first semester (out of 4) as a senior.

I agree that ECE is quite hard and you can't really make it through unless you really have a passion for it, and if your are doubting yourself then you probably should switch. As you move up in the classes it does get more interesting though. I am in a similar situation to dumbass, I started off taking too many hours and established a crappy GPA, for the past 2 years or so I have been scoring 2.9/3.0/3.1 averages which are never enough to fluctuate the average above 3, I just get a little bit closer each time, I hope I can breach 3.0 during my 2 senior years too.

I like my 2nd major because it is starting to help lighten the load a bit. It is a lot of writing, almost like a major in the kinda stuff that you read in slashdot comments, I could spew out slashdot comments all day and not break a sweat, but I find I screw up many of my ECE tests and stuff. So what I do is balance my ECE classes with my STS ones so that I am not spending all my time racking my brain on math problems and can take a break and write stuff for the other classes. I really think I could do a bit better than I have been doing if I could just get my act together and stop wasting my time on the various things that I am addicted to.

11/14/2005 6:59:03 PM

^

yeah the weed will kill some homework

11/14/2005 7:59:02 PM

i bet he's addicted to MMORPG not weed

11/14/2005 8:01:15 PM

Do what you like to do, study what interests you, be happy and don't worry about all the miserable engineers who are giving you advice on here.

11/14/2005 9:08:31 PM

Haha, thank you wolfeee, you are too kind. I think everyone on here as good will and them sharing their struggle through has helped in a way. Engineering is for some people, it is just not for me. I would like to study the greatest invention of all time. "US!" The human being is the greatest piece of engineering to exist.

11/14/2005 9:26:43 PM

I mean I know I can do it. I just know I won't be happy doing it. It is too abstract, I need to do something that is personal and more beneficial to me and others.

11/14/2005 9:48:04 PM

Engineering is abstract? I think you're confused.

11/14/2005 10:06:30 PM

What do mean that I am confused. It is abstract, meaning, impersonal, detached, without personal feeling etc. Most of engineerings are theoretical and abstract. Explain to me what is confusing about it

11/14/2005 10:09:30 PM

switch to computer science.

it's easy and offers >= starting salaries than most engineering degrees.

11/14/2005 10:26:44 PM

eh gpa doesnt mean too much anyway from anyone ive talked to who's been in the industry a while and gets to see new hires come and go

[Edited on November 14, 2005 at 11:04 PM. Reason : .]

11/14/2005 11:04:12 PM

Quote :

"switch to computer science. it's easy and offers >= starting salaries than most engineering degrees."

Really? Cause all the guys I know with a CSC degree have told me that the only reason they got jobs was because of other non-CSC-related skills they had.

11/14/2005 11:12:30 PM

Quote :

"It is abstract, meaning, impersonal, detached, without personal feeling etc. "

Unless you're in 403 with Bilbro where there are "happy MOSFETs"...

Quote :

"The CSC job market is suppoed to be as "poor" as the ECE job market. Again, the job market IS out there."

I keep hearing people claim the job market sucks for ECE. I think the issue there is that there's a lot of people focusing in digital who aren't finding jobs as fast (or the jobs are tough to come by) while it seems like the analog field is in short supply of workers (though it's a lot harder).

But I guess like CSC, ECE grads of all specializations (and even those who take the "a little bit of everything" approach) are finding jobs somewhere so the job market's out there.

11/14/2005 11:14:16 PM

im going for sales engineer myself, lots more $$

11/14/2005 11:17:52 PM

^^

Bilbro is the man

11/14/2005 11:30:24 PM

Quote :

"Really? Cause all the guys I know with a CSC degree have told me that the only reason they got jobs was because of other non-CSC-related skills they had."

csc as a degree is just some text on a piece of paper. the interview determines whether you get the job or not.

technical degrees, like csc, ee,etc, open the first door to a wide range of technical jobs. your personal skill set, which sometimes has jackshit to do with what you studied in class, is what gets you the job given solid interview skills.

fwiw, joyce hatch told me 80% of graduates in csc from ncsu are getting jobs in industry within 6 months of graduation. that ain't bad.

Quote :

"im going for sales engineer myself, lots more $$ "

lots more $$??? questionable

depending on the company you work for, you'll likely end up traveling like a mf'er. wtf is the point making a lot of money if you cant even chill in your own mansion to enjoy it.

[Edited on November 15, 2005 at 12:00 AM. Reason : sk33t]

11/14/2005 11:54:22 PM