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Interested in becoming an Engineer

  • 29-05-2020 9:51pm
    #1
    Pacman2D
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    I currently have done a year in college unrelated to Engineering and I am thinking about not doing a second year.

    In the past, I was told I'd make a good engineer but as there is so many different types such as civil and mechanical etc. I am a bit confused to which one I should go into as maybe an apprenticeship.

    Can anyone provide any information about the various types of engineers, what they do etc?

    Thanks!
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭onrail


    Pacman2D wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I currently have done a year in college unrelated to Engineering and I am thinking about not doing a second year.

    In the past, I was told I'd make a good engineer but as there is so many different types such as civil and mechanical etc. I am a bit confused to which one I should go into as maybe an apprenticeship.

    Can anyone provide any information about the various types of engineers, what they do etc?

    Thanks!

    A first question is, which of the following interests you the most: Buildings/Dams/Motorways, machines/manufacturing , computers/software or chemistry/chemical plants?


  • #3
    Pacman2D
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭Pacman2D


    Out of all them I would have to say computers/software


  • #4
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Pacman2D wrote: »
    Out of all them I would have to say computers/software

    Well that narrows it down.

    Comp Sci. or electronics.

    Electronics has embedded programming and possibly some python now too


  • #5
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    or do a common year some where and dip your toes into them all. Trinity does a 2 year common year.

    I almost did computer engineering but picked civil in the end


  • #6
    Pacman2D
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭Pacman2D


    That might be something I’d look into. I would like to be more or less sure of the exact area of engineering I’m going into so trying abit of each would be a help


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  • #7
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭onrail


    godtabh wrote: »
    or do a common year some where and dip your toes into them all. Trinity does a 2 year common year.

    I almost did computer engineering but picked civil in the end

    Yeah +1 to that too - but clarify your interests and motivations before making the final choice


  • #8
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    onrail wrote: »
    Yeah +1 to that too - but clarify your interests and motivations before making the final choice

    I always want to work in civil engineering but had my head turned. computer science was good but lecturer was poor. A better lecturer who knows what would have happened


  • #9
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    godtabh wrote: »
    I always want to work in civil engineering but had my head turned. computer science was good but lecturer was poor. A better lecturer who knows what would have happened

    Youtube is the best lecturer


  • #10
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    youtube wasnt great 20 years ago


  • #11
    onrail
    Registered Users Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭onrail


    godtabh wrote: »
    I always want to work in civil engineering but had my head turned. computer science was good but lecturer was poor. A better lecturer who knows what would have happened

    Yeah, I entered an undenominated course with my sights on mechanical, but was convinced otherwise by a slick Civil presentation, and a relatively poor mechanical one. The lure of the Celtic tiger €€ probably played a part too.

    In hindsight, I should’ve stuck with my original preference, but hindsight to 20/20!


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  • #12
    mikhail
    Registered Users Posts: 3,863 ✭✭✭mikhail


    I changed my initial preference after a common first year in UCD too. It's a good opportunity to defer some of the choice until you have more information. The universities will generally give you at least a little help (more if you look for it) with the decision.


  • #13
    KeithTS
    Registered Users Posts: 743 ✭✭✭KeithTS


    Very much depends what you like and what you want from a career.

    A lot of colleges have common 1st/2nd year and it's great at showing you a little about each specialism but you should also look into what engineers typically do before committing to any courses.

    So many people I studied EE with dropped out because they couldn't believe it was mostly coding/maths/quantum mechanics as opposed to making a robot which could feel human emotion without having finished a semester. Saying that, those of us who stuck it out seem to have very rewarding careers with a lot of freedom/flexibility/opportunities.


  • #14
    Pacman2D
    Registered Users Posts: 56 ✭✭Pacman2D


    KeithTS wrote: »
    Very much depends what you like and what you want from a career.

    A lot of colleges have common 1st/2nd year and it's great at showing you a little about each specialism but you should also look into what engineers typically do before committing to any courses.

    So many people I studied EE with dropped out because they couldn't believe it was mostly coding/maths/quantum mechanics as opposed to making a robot which could feel human emotion without having finished a semester. Saying that, those of us who stuck it out seem to have very rewarding careers with a lot of freedom/flexibility/opportunities.

    Hi, thanks for your reply.


    Out of all the various types of engineering like Civil, Mechanical etc how much maths/ coding is used? Are they the same across all areas of engineering?

    Thanks!


  • #15
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    Pacman2D wrote: »
    Hi, thanks for your reply.


    Out of all the various types of engineering like Civil, Mechanical etc how much maths/ coding is used? Are they the same across all areas of engineering?

    Thanks!

    Electronics and computing has a reputation for having the most, but honestly it's no worse than higher level leaving cert maths IMO.

    There's a few tricky concepts, but you're mostly working with formulas and doing basic algebra, integration, differentiation and transforms.

    Then you can comfortably forget most of it when you get a job :D


  • #16
    KeithTS
    Registered Users Posts: 743 ✭✭✭KeithTS


    Padre_Pio wrote: »
    Electronics and computing has a reputation for having the most, but honestly it's no worse than higher level leaving cert maths IMO.

    There's a few tricky concepts, but you're mostly working with formulas and doing basic algebra, integration, differentiation and transforms.

    Then you can comfortably forget most of it when you get a job :D

    Totally agree here.
    It will involve a deeper understanding than LC maths and the complexity will increase, but, you'll be using the things you learn in loads of modules so it'll become second nature to you. I got through it so anyone can. Don't forget that you'll be taught this stuff as you go along, you're not expected to know it all before starting.

    A lot of this is going to be common across all disciplines. I wouldn't pick one over the other based on difficulty. All disciplines will involve tough concepts, but if you're studying something you enjoy or are interested in, then it won't be a chore to learn it.

    However, it should be noted that an engineering degree isn't a trivial undertaking, it takes work and you'll be cursing the business students who have 7 hours of lectures a week when you're in for 30-40 with labs but it's worth it.


  • #17
    mickdw
    Registered Users Posts: 23,252 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Civil Eng myself but would have probably been better suited to Mechanical or Electronic.
    Our course was heavy on hours alright going til 4 on a friday too with practicals that couldnt be missed while half the college didnt even go in on fridays.


  • #18
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    KeithTS wrote: »
    However, it should be noted that an engineering degree isn't a trivial undertaking, it takes work and you'll be cursing the business students who have 7 hours of lectures a week when you're in for 30-40 with labs but it's worth it.

    Definitely worth it.
    Work is interesting, incredibly varied, most people find a niche that interests them and get paid well to work in it.

    Engineers of all disciplines are usually in very high demand in Ireland and wages reflect it. If you don't like the corporate route, you can join any number of startups, you can stay in academia, you can consult, there's lots of avenues for someone with a genuine interest.


  • #19
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,204 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    Padre_Pio wrote: »
    Electronics and computing has a reputation for having the most, but honestly it's no worse than higher level leaving cert maths IMO.

    There's a few tricky concepts, but you're mostly working with formulas and doing basic algebra, integration, differentiation and transforms.

    Then you can comfortably forget most of it when you get a job :D

    In Trinity I did 3 years of full on Maths for the BA part of the BA BAI

    Here is the link the 3rd year maths class.

    https://www.tcd.ie/Engineering/undergraduate/pdf/MAU33E01.pdf


  • #20
    Padre_Pio
    Registered Users Posts: 4,876 ✭✭✭Padre_Pio


    godtabh wrote: »
    In Trinity I did 3 years of full on Maths for the BA part of the BA BAI

    Here is the link the 3rd year maths class.

    https://www.tcd.ie/Engineering/undergraduate/pdf/MAU33E01.pdf

    I had a maths module every semester too.
    It's tough, no doubt, but I never got more stressed over it than my leaving cert maths.
    Actually, because you're implementing what you're learning, it's easier to grasp the concepts than LC maths, which was taught in a very vague, abstract way.

    I never actually knew what integration was for until I went to college.


  • #21
    Turbulent Bill
    Registered Users Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭Turbulent Bill


    Pacman2D wrote: »
    I would like to be more or less sure of the exact area of engineering I’m going into so trying abit of each would be a help

    To echo some of the other responses, at least investigate courses which have an undenominated part before you specialise. It's never wasted time as lots of the basic science / maths content is common, and interesting jobs often span the disciplines.


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  • #22
    Lex Luthor
    Registered Users Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭Lex Luthor


    echo what most of what is said here, look at the course content and find something that you enjoy
    No point doing a course and not liking it as in the middle of winter when its dark, cold & wet you will find it difficult to motivate yourself to go in for it

    I graduated with a diploma (current level 7) in Electronic Eng almost 30yrs ago. At the time I was at a cross roads, didnt know what to do in terms of engineering, but had an interest in computing and programming and a fascination with electronics

    On the maths content in the course, I found it straight forward enough after doing honors math for the LC. Its just applied but its a lot of integration & differentiation if I can remember
    One module I found I used a lot since leaving was Digital electronics, learning about different numbering systems, binary/Hex etc but again it was something I enjoyed and when I worked in teams I was the go to person when issues cropped up that involved solving using it

    As I didnt think I would fancy sitting at a pc all day I chose electronics.
    My career has been varied, started off testing PCB's at a bench (as you do) and that migrated into doing machine maintenance
    It was much more interesting as it had some electronics, electrical, PLC, machanical, pneumatics etc which I loved the variety

    Next job had machines with all of the above but with robotics and involved the odd bit of programming to set them up which brought out that side of me
    Your career will find its own path once you graduate

    Many of my class mates I still keep in touch with
    We are all doing different things, many are computer programmers, some doing design in electrical, basically everyone doing what they enjoy and thats what I'll advise you to do the most

    best of luck and keep us updated on how you are getting on and if you need any advice


  • #23
    Slightly Kwackers
    Registered Users Posts: 619 ✭✭✭Slightly Kwackers


    Padre_Pio wrote: »
    Youtube is the best lecturer
    Highly debatable!

    There is much misinformation on Youtube!

    A lot of content is excellent, but you have to be wary.

    Best of luck with Engineering as a career. I can heartily recommend it.

    It's kind of important to realise that Engineering isn't just selecting a discipline and getting on with it.

    It's about making things better for people, acting in your chosen area with integrity, continually keeping abreast and improving your skills and knowledge and encouraging others to do so.

    When I went for my acceptance interview, I expected questions about Amps, Volts, and Ohms, it was nothing like that. The technical bits were hardly touched on.

    It was good, it gave me an enthusiasm for honesty and fairness that made decisions later in my career very simple indeed.


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