College

LegacyUser

Right so here's my story,

I'm currently in my third year of college studying engineering. Here lies the problem. Like a lot of people I was clueless as to what I wanted to do after the leaving cert. I enjoyed maths and science subjects so was advised to study engineering without really knowing what it entailed. From the first week of college I knew it wasn't for me but was told and partly believed myself that it was more to do with the whole settling into college.

Two years on and I feel totally indifferent to the course. I've achieved firsts in 1st yr. and 2nd yr. more to be good at doing exams than being a good engineer so its not that I'm struggling. A point that a lecturer made today really made me think what am i doing in this course? He said something to the effect of: to be a good engineer you must have deep curiosity, knowledge and a willingness to work hard. The curiosity, for me just isn't there.

Every morning I wake up dreading going into lectures that I have next to zero interest in. I wish I could turn back the clock and go down a totally different route. For instance physiotherapy is a course that I would have major interest in and enough CAO points to apply for but I feel it's way too late in the day to start from scratch again. I would have wasted 2/3 years of my parents money which would burden me with guilt for the rest of my life.

I really cant see a career for myself in engineering and just wondering has anyone else encountered a similar situation.

LegacyUser

ConfusedDude wrote: »

Right so here's my story,

I'm currently in my third year of college studying engineering. Here lies the problem. Like a lot of people I was clueless as to what I wanted to do after the leaving cert. I enjoyed maths and science subjects so was advised to study engineering without really knowing what it entailed. From the first week of college I knew it wasn't for me but was told and partly believed myself that it was more to do with the whole settling into college.

Two years on and I feel totally indifferent to the course. I've achieved firsts in 1st yr. and 2nd yr. more to be good at doing exams than being a good engineer so its not that I'm struggling. A point that a lecturer made today really made me think what am i doing in this course? He said something to the effect of: to be a good engineer you must have deep curiosity, knowledge and a willingness to work hard. The curiosity, for me just isn't there.

Every morning I wake up dreading going into lectures that I have next to zero interest in. I wish I could turn back the clock and go down a totally different route. For instance physiotherapy is a course that I would have major interest in and enough CAO points to apply for but I feel it's way too late in the day to start from scratch again. I would have wasted 2/3 years of my parents money which would burden me with guilt for the rest of my life.

I really cant see a career for myself in engineering and just wondering has anyone else encountered a similar situation.

Yup, thing is, engineering is still a fantastic degree. It can really open doors, and not just in the engineering world either. If you find a field you want to enter, maybe look if there are masters courses etc to apply from after?

For example, I decided in 4th year that I would prefer business. Im now pursuing a masters in business, and in interview etc its constantly commented how the logical approach that engineers are taught is ideal for this industry.

It also looks great on a CV as people assume you must be very smart(whether true or not).

But bare in mind, no course is really all that like the job(broad statement i know... gonna be exceptions) they teach you the fundamentals required for the job, but its still completly different... Maybe get an internship and see once and for all if its for you?

With your grades a paid internship shouldn't be much problem, also it is somehting that will stand in your favour regardless of what you do.

1 it shows you are capable of working a job and not just book smart. Also it makes it look like you arent just flippantly just changing career path on a whim. You gave in a chance and it wasnt for you!

LegacyUser

i have similar issues with architecture. i don't have the same passion and curiosity as some people who i know will be good architects. i failed twice but keep going anyway because it is a good degree and i see it as a challenge. there's nothing else i would prefer to do so i see my difficulties and lack of interest as a more general problem. is physiotherapy something you are really passionate about? are you sure the coursework won't be just as monotonous, boring and make you hate to go to lectures. if you can i would stick at it for another year and a half, it's not that much time in the long run. engineers are very employable but theres not much work in physiotherapy at the moment. when you have your degree (which you seem to have no trouble getting) then the world is your oyster. what is it about physiotherapy that you like? maybe you could get into personal fitness or something instead. physios that work in a hospital generally treat old and dying people. do you enjoy the caring side of things?

token56

Hi there,

I'm a fellow engineering and I can understand your sentiments. It is definitely something which you have to have an interest in. It is possible to do well in undergrad exams without having that interest but when you go beyond that an interest is important. Not because you cant do well, you can but for a sense or personal satisfaction.

I would echo to the sentiments of others that an engineering degree is a very useful thing to have for opening doors into areas that are not necessarily engineering related disciplines. The most common one I think is engineers moving into more business related disciplines.

One question I have is what type of engineering you are doing because there will always be options there for you. If you are doing electronic engineering for example you could look to go into the biomedical side of things and physio type applications. I've a friend at the moment who is doing a PhD in such an area and its very good because you're not just focusing on the engineering side but learning about biological side of things too.

LegacyUser

You'd be surprised how little of your college work is actually applicable once you get out into the working environment. Everyone has to jump through these hoops in college, but in practice, you may find you come into your own once you're in the workplace.
My bro did engineering, believe me, you don't get firsts without having some sort of aptitude for the thing! Friends of his who were exceptionally clever, failed all round them. So fair dues to you.

petethebrick

Don't worry, an awful lot of people are in the same boat as you. It's hard to know exactly what you want to do straight out of school. Remember as another poster says that the degree in itself will open lots of doors for you. In fact a good engineering degree would be a big asset in almost any career field. So stick it out and in the meantime do some proper research into masters degrees etc that might interest you afterwards.

I myself studied computer science at undergraduate. I sort of knew after second year that I wasn't really interested in a career in it. My degree enabled me to teach english in Korea for two years. Then I did a masters in international politics and currently doing my PhD.