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What Type Of Engineering Is Right For Me?

Hey.
So, I'm very interested in pursuing engineering as a career, the problem is, I don't know what exact field of Engineering I should get into. I was think either Electrical or Mechanical, but I do not know if they will allign with my actual interests. Here are the things I'm most interested in:-

Aerospace Engineering - I would love to build Spacecraft, building them and making sure they run correctly.

Robotics Engineering - Building Robots to improve automation and all round human life.

I am also on the fence about Nano Technology, I bombed basic Biology so didn't pick it... My interest purely stems from movies which is quite immature I guess.

I'm not saying that this hypothetical form of Engineering has to involve all this, just that I can get into these fields. So, what will it be? Does it involve Applied Physics? Please Help ;-;

Thanks.

Reply 1

Trefonix

Hi,

These engineering disciplines are very different and also quite wide ranging. Good advice, I think, is to follow the vocational subjects that you find you most enjoy at the moment. You don't necessarily need to have a detailed road-map of your future career, only an indication of skills that you might need for such a direction. For example, you are interested in engineering. Therefore, you might be interested in related subjects such as Physics, Electronics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Design and Technology, etc. The number of engineering disciplines available are vast, and different disciplines lend themselves to different skills. For example, if you were interested in perusing research or design involving Aerospace engineering, Physics would be an important consideration. Similarly, if you were interested in Nano Technology, a comprehensive understanding of Biology might be very useful.
In summary, I think you should peruse subjects you enjoy most/have the greatest understanding and work your way into an engineering discipline from there as opportunities present themselves to you.

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

I'd suggest looking into courses in General Engineering if possible, as these will give you a "taste" of the major areas and allow you to specialise (or not) later in the course. Otherwise, I'd probably recommend Mechanical or Electronic/Electrical Engineering since it relates to both robotics and aerospace sectors and you can go into different areas of each with either background - however they are by and large pretty different in terms of content.

I would thus suggest not thinking about what broad areas/things you're interested in, so much as what content you have studied so far which you have enjoyed and been motivated to pursue. How have you felt about the electricity and magnetism content you've studied, and electric circuit lab sessions? Mechanics (in both A-level Maths and Physics), and thermal physics/materials? If you never want to see Ohm's law again, then obviously EE is a bad idea, and likewise if you find solving pulley problems in Maths tedious then you might find other core aspects of a MechE course less to your tastes.

You could also look at courses in Electromechanical or Mecatronic Engineering, which cover aspects of both EE and MechE, as well as Robotics or Aerospace Engineering, which will generally also cover aspects of both sides (as well as other areas for Aerospace). You could well go into a robotics role from an aerospace background and vice versa, depending on exactly what the specific role is, and potentially more general mechanical roles (probably less likely suitable for EE roles though).

Reply 3

Duncan2012

Mechanical, EE or a general course sound ideal. There might be opportunities to switch after year 1, and you'll be able to choose streams to specialise after each year. Good luck.