I am a current engineering student who is contemplating to switch to the ETID department. I was thinking MMET or Industrial Distribution. The reason why I was wanting to switch is because I do not know how much difficulty I can handle anymore. I was wondering if I would be better of switching in the ETID department and get better grades or stick to my major and graduate with a gpa around the 2's (I'm predicting I might probably graduate with a 2.5). I'm still currently taking sophomore level classes and because of a rough semester last spring, I used up all my Qdrops so I have to make sure I won't be failing any of my future classes.

Would I have better chances in getting a job if I do well on MMET or ID? Or should I stick with engineering even though I may end up with a low gpa at the time I graduate?

Thanks in advance!

1. Thinking about switching is a good sign that you should go ahead and do it. It's hard enough to get an engineering degree as it is; if your heart isn't in it your chances drop even more. I've known people who struggled with the material as freshmen but still succeeded in earning a degree, but it's tough.

2. Job prospects are fantastic in ID. You'll make less than a true engineering student as a new graduate, but I think the average is still in the low 50s. Virtually everyone has a job when they graduate. I can't speak for MMET, but I haven't heard anything bad about their employment statistics.


Some of it depends on your actual major and what you want to do when you graduate. Job prospects and pay vary by specialty, and so does difficulty.

Thanks for this insight Ulrich. I'm still not yet fully decided if I should switch, but lately it seems like I've been leaning towards switching to another major. I just want to make sure that I'm not contemplating on switching just because of the stress. I want to make sure that if ever I switch that the major would fit me more as well.

Anymore insights out there?

Also have to consider how much switching will delay your graduation date.

How much can you bring up that GPA? A 2.5 in engineering is better than a ~2.65 in a tech degree. Has too much damage been done that you likely wont see that much of a jump even with B's and A's?

Also remember that GPA will only help land you your first job, afterwards your experience will be what gets you your second job.

The stress will pay off in the real world.

@The Pilot

I have already considered the delay that I'm getting into for graduation. I actually am already delayed in my degree plan as I am supposed to be in the upper division classes of my major this coming fall. But because of the bad semester I had this spring (I was practically failing all my classes halfway through the semester), I ended up using the last of my qdrops to try to salvage the classes that I decided to keep. I ended up still failing one class and passing the two classes that I didn't dropped. I am in the process of retaking the failed class this summer along with another class that I dropped last semester. I am currently still struggling with the concepts however. I am quite sure there's still hope in passing these 2 classes despite of the struggle since my professors right now are pretty lenient with the grades.

I particularly know that even I pass this classes, it will only get tougher. With no qdrops to use anymore, I'm quite scared. My gpa is down to 2.2 from a 3.2. I am determined to do the best I can to raise my gpa, but I also have to prepare for the worst case scenario. I was hoping that I could get my gpa up at least to 2.5 by graduation.

With these thoughts, that's why I was wondering if I may not be cut out for engineering, and was thinking if I'm better off changing into some major in the ETID department. I still want to pursue engineering deep inside, but it feels like I can't seem to keep up.

If you want to be an engineer, study hard and do it.

If you don't, switch ASAP. That's the short answer.

I did 2 years of business, switched to engineering, struggled mightily for 2 years (was very lazy), and then kicked it in gear and finished out strong. Believe the grades got down to 2.5 or a little less and ended up graduating with a 3.1. You can do it if you decide it is what you want.

Do you feel you have devoted as much time as possible to your studies?

What does one do with an Engineering Tech degree?

Anything one does with an ME degree

That being said don't move in MMET just because you think its easier. You still have a lot of classes and the quality of students going through the program has really increased lately.


Are you getting bad grades because you don't know how to study or because you aren't smart enough?

For 3/4 of the pay?

If you say so...

MMET won't get hired by XOM or Encana to do of any of the primary upstream disciplines. They do hire MEs.

That's is true, there still are a few companies that will not hire mmets for some of the engineering roles, especially right out of college. I do work in o&g though, and it has not been a hindrance to my career yet.

And if he is bumping around a 2.something gpa exxon is not going to be his place of employment anyways

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Do you feel you have devoted as much time as possible to your studies?

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Firstly, thank you @aggie028 for sharing your experience. It really made me think through more about weighing my options. I really appreciate it.

I'd like to say I am trying hard to fully devote the time to my studies. However, procrastination still gets in the way from time to time, and to make it worse I let some personal issues interfere with my focus since fall of last year. I am fighting so hard to overcome it and when spring semester came, I thought I already had resolved that issue. It turned out it became worse once triggered with stress. I had to see a counselor regularly from then on to try and work out that personal issue as well as trying to improve my study skills to battle procrastination. I can say I am doing progress one step at a time, and hopefully it won't interfere with my future semesters anymore.

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That being said don't move in MMET just because you think its easier. You still have a lot of classes and the quality of students going through the program has really increased lately.


Are you getting bad grades because you don't know how to study or because you aren't smart enough?

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I understand. I am looking to switch to MMET not because I thought it may be easier, but because I was thinking that it may be a better fit for me. From what I have understood, MMET compared to ME is more of a "hands-on" degree-- that you are able to work more on the applications, whereas engineering is more theory heavy. Along my journey with pursuing engineering, I realized that although I may be interested in theoretical and the application aspects of this technical field, it seems that my interest is leaning more on the "hands-on" aspect of engineering. With that said I really don't think of MMET as an easier degree since the classes that I need to take and the degree itself is entitled to take the FE exam along with the engineering majors.

I also heard about the trend of acceptance of application has lately. I guess it's getting more competitive to get in the program.

Honestly, I keep asking the question that you asked to myself everytime I face the struggles. I thought I had the decent amount of intelligence to push through with engineering, but I am doubting myself big time seeing the grades I have gotten. Like I mentioned in an earlier post I have a bad case of procrastination combined with a personal problem that kind of interefered with my focus and motivation. I am having trouble getting my focus and motivation back it seems.

Thanks for your input everyone! I hope to hear more from you.

Have you considered a career in construction ie Construction Science? There are a few people I've heard of with COSC degrees that get into the O&G industry along with railroads. Just my two cents.

[This message has been edited by Corps_Ag12 (edited 8/1/2012 4:53p).]

No I haven't considered Construction Science yet. What department is it under? Or is it a department by itself?

[This message has been edited by espii10 (edited 8/1/2012 7:53p).]

Architecture department.

terradactyl,

You work for an operator as drilling, completions, production, or reservoir engineer? Not saying it cant be done by any means - just not that common for someone other than mechanical, chemical, pete, or civil from what I have seen.

Espii,

Maybe you mentioned this and I missed it, but what specific kind of engineering are you currently in? Industrial engineering? I have a BS and ME in industrial engineering and if you are an IE major, it gets easier once you get into the junior and senior IE classes. I agree with what someone said about the stress will prepare you for the real world.

Anyways, I just wanted to say that ID is very similar to IE. A coworker of mine was ID. I make more than him, but I also have a masters. I'm not trying to be rude, but if you really want to be an engineer, buckle down, work hard and finish the degree strong.

Hi RP,

I am currently in the PETE program. Some of my upper level friends in the department say that too. Actually it is the pre-requisites that are killing me. I already have taken 2 PETE classes last semester and passed it. I was quite surprised that I did pass those classes and still I am struggling with the other non-related technical classes. I still have a couple of non-related classes and am not sure how I will fare on it. I really want to finish school with this major. I am all for buckling down and fighting my way in this road, but my current performance and the fact that I do not have anymore qdrops left scares me and gives me a high risk gamble to deal with.

Thanks for your reply, your words gives me the encouragement and hope to push through somehow.

Just curious if you got into PETE as a freshman or as an internal/external transfer as I know it's pretty competitive. I do know PETE's that have gotten jobs with low low GPA's because it's a pretty sought after degree if they have the right connections.

In your situation it sucks, any other department would have a reasonable advisor who could help you and tell you good information, Maggard however is an *******.

Good luck with whatever you decide is best.

You can surprise yourself, during my first few weeks as a freshman in engineering I thought I was for sure going to switch out. Sometimes you just got to push through and often it'll get better as you become a better engineer.

[This message has been edited by AgCrag (edited 8/2/2012 3:15a).]

You will have more options if you stick with engineering. Think long term and you will make the right decision.

I agree if you could just survive PETE unless it's absolutely killing you and just land a crap job out in the field for your first few years you could eliminate the GPA from your resume and say you wanted to simply experience the field.

I kind of want a chance to work upstream with my MEEN degree.

If you feel like its too stressful and you can't do it with your Q-drops anymore it may be best to switch. Not worth it to go through life miserable.

espi,

Well I can't speak for PETE but we never used ANYTHING from statics/dynamics, thermo, materials, electrical at all in IE. I struggled with them, it sucked and was hard, but I busted my butt and survived with mostly B's. I made mostly A's and a few B's in my upper level IE classes after that. There were times when I wanted to quit, but I'm glad that I didn't now that I'm in the real world. I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other...just telling you my story. I really, really wanted the engineering degree so I stuck with it. Anyways...good luck either way you go man.

I always wondered why the industrials were in our thermo and other classes. I'm guessing just to help pass exams after graduation? I'm not complaining though, I always loved industrial kids in the classes, they always helped with the curve :-P

You don't use too much freshman/sophomore material in PETE upper level, but it's good to be able to handle the work load in those early classes to do well in upper level...

On the bright side if you can pick up your work ethic for upper level you can just put major gpa on resume instead of cumulative. Just got to buckle down if you really want to do it. But if you're not willing to put in the extra time and effort, don't waste your time.

hmm AgCrag, just like why I always wondered what the mechanicals were doing in our engr econ class (ISEN 303)...not one of them understood net present value or anything else for that matter lol...anyways I'll stop right there with the engineering nerd bashing; don't want to derail the thread for espii

Ouch - engineers don't understand NPV - Aggie engineers??

No, RP is just trying to justify his IE existence... ME's understand NPV just fine- at least they did back in '02...

NPV is for the financially illiterate where I work

We don't have to take ISEN 303 so I'm just as confused as you are

ISEN 302 on the other hand is another story. I think that Imaginary Engineering class is required for us

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Just curious if you got into PETE as a freshman or as an internal/external transfer as I know it's pretty competitive. I do know PETE's that have gotten jobs with low low GPA's because it's a pretty sought after degree if they have the right connections.

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I got in as an external transfer from a community college. I kinda wished though that I started at the university as soon as I got here in the US. I know a lot of people say it is harder that way in terms of rigor in the schedule and task load, but I think it would keep my butt from slacking off and not get overwhelmed in my future classes.

Some people have been telling me that PETE graduates may experience more competition in getting jobs, since a lot of people are trying to get in the field and since there will be an increased amount of graduates, the companies will get the advantage of choosing the cream of the crop? Does anyone know if this is true?

@Petengr

At some degree, I feel quite comforted in knowing that I won't use much material from the sophomore/freshman classes. I guess if I really want to get this degree, I just have to scrape my butt more, really work hard and do my best. Hopefully, I level up somehow and get better grades.

For the rest of the posts after Petengr's:

Lol. This conversation seems to always happen a lot ain't it. I guess it's also something that isn't new to me as I always encounter situations like this in common classes that engineering majors take.

As for me, I view it to each of its own. Engineering as a body is a broad field that's why we have different engineering specialties I guess. I respect each discipline equally as they face different challenges in their own field of specialties. Some people may find each aspect difficult than another. Some people who are blessed to be as well rounded as they can be find engineering classes easy enough.


[This message has been edited by espii10 (edited 8/3/2012 11:26p).]

I'm sure a certain PETE academic advisor just loves you.