Are You Serious?

[corrupt123]

Before I begin...

I'm 18 and in my final year of highschool. I'm pretty much doing only advanced courses at this point: this semester I have calculus, discrete geometry, and physics. Obviously, it hasn't been a very fun semester. I dont expect things to get much better between now and the middle of june. I dont enjoy it at all, I quite literally live waiting for friday.

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So I'm in my calculus class today after school working on some stuff with our student teacher. Keep in mind, despite being a "student" teacher, he holds a PhD and is an ex-prof for york U (and I think U of T). We were finishing up the problem and he asked me where I plan to go later, obviously he meant after I finish highschool.

I told him, as I tell most people, that I'll probably be going to university and then into some sort of engineering field. I like to build things, so engineering cars or airplanes or something along those lines. Anyways, long story short, we got to talking about my prospective career choice...

He told me that engineers, even the ones I mentioned (who design and build cars and airplanes and everything impressive and mechanical) dont actually make the bundles of money I had previously thought. Now, by bundles of money I mean a comfortable amount: low upper class or upper middle class. The low 6 figures I suppose. I always assumed they had made these decent wages because engineers have to do a lot of work. Hell, I do a few hours of mathematics per day right now in school and it makes me sick. I cant imagine doing it 9-5 monday-friday for the rest of my life without some good compensation.
But this isnt the case. He said out of university you're likely to make 30-40k a year, at best. Then, if you get your masters or PhD or whatever, and do more and more schooling, then you can make more and more, but then it becomes more work. The thought of MORE work than spending 8 hours a day punching numbers and solving equations makes me even more sick. I had always assumed I'd like engineering... I get to design and build cars, make decent money, and I'm good at it.

So what the hell do I do? I'm honestly lost. I kind of feel like all the effort I'm putting in right now isn't even worth it. I want a job where I can work regular hours (40 a week) and eventually make 6 figures,the sooner the better. Engineering obviously doesnt look like the route for me.

For the first time in my life I actually feel lost as to what to do with the rest of it.

[YnD]

Well once you get your "foot in the door" and get a few years of experience.

Engineers can make upwards of $60-$100k.

I'm basing this on headhunter sites that list the salaries and a discussion with a few of them for IT positions. Many of them do engineering as well.

Ian Martin, Eagle etc.

[nwwong]

Haha low 6-figures... I wish. You don't go into engineering for the money, you go in because you love what you do. Because honestly, if you want to go for the money, go into accounting, actuary sciences or a very good business school.

However, engineering does provide a decent living. Mind you, making 6 figures is not decent...it's pretty DAMN good. When I graduate, the min. salary I'll settle for is at least 45k. I expect to make over 50k. I'd say most fresh eng grads will make between 40-60k depending on company/position/discipline. Then after years of working, it may cap at around 80-100k. That's for most engineering position.

Now if your talking about managerial positions like a supervisor or engineering manager, than they can make more money depending on how high up the corporate ladder you are. Of course, those are more manager-type salaries and not engineering salaries since they don't really do as much of the technical work.

So yes, engineering will give you a comfortable life. But you won't get rich...typically.

And yes, I'm serious.

[gman]

So what the hell do I do? I'm honestly lost. I kind of feel like all the effort I'm putting in right now isn't even worth it. I want a job where I can work regular hours (40 a week) and eventually make 6 figures,the sooner the better. Engineering obviously doesnt look like the route for me.

For the first time in my life I actually feel lost as to what to do with the rest of it.

The keyword is "eventually". That goes with "if you are good".

[corrupt123]

Oh, no, totally agreed. I can be good at anything I put my mind to, and I already know I'm good at building things. Hell, I've been doing it for 18 years.

[clkt]

Hell, I do a few hours of mathematics per day right now in school and it makes me sick. I cant imagine doing it 9-5 monday-friday for the rest of my life without some good compensation

No offense, but you may want to reconsider engineering if you can't take a few hours of math a day. And high school calc is a piece of cake compared with what you learn in engineering math. I don't know anyone in engineering who dislikes or has trouble with math in high school...

[SamInfinity]

Before I begin...

I'm 18 and in my final year of highschool. I'm pretty much doing only advanced courses at this point: this semester I have calculus, discrete geometry, and physics. Obviously, it hasn't been a very fun semester. I dont expect things to get much better between now and the middle of june. I dont enjoy it at all, I quite literally live waiting for friday.

--------------------

So I'm in my calculus class today after school working on some stuff with our student teacher. Keep in mind, despite being a "student" teacher, he holds a PhD and is an ex-prof for york U (and I think U of T). We were finishing up the problem and he asked me where I plan to go later, obviously he meant after I finish highschool.

I told him, as I tell most people, that I'll probably be going to university and then into some sort of engineering field. I like to build things, so engineering cars or airplanes or something along those lines. Anyways, long story short, we got to talking about my prospective career choice...

[...]

For the first time in my life I actually feel lost as to what to do with the rest of it.

Honestly, if you go into engineering because you like the work and problem solving, then you're good to go. If you think you're gonna get rich by virtue of getting an engineering degree - think again. Having said that, it IS possible. Heck, it's possible to make figures doing pretty much anything? Basically, you have to be the cream of the crop, and you have to enjoy what you do. Trust me on this, I've heard it from others time and again - don't ever go into something because you think you're gonna be rich. You MAY get filthy rich, but if you don't like what you're doing, you're still gonna regret the decision you made.

[buy.A.gift]

Oh, no, totally agreed. I can be good at anything I put my mind to, and I already know I'm good at building things. Hell, I've been doing it for 18 years.

I have been doing it for 25 years, lol.
Man, this is life, and life is unfair.

[hobo134]

You'll most likely make 50-60k first year out 45 is kinda low balled, anyways ya you wont make big money unless you do management. You will most likely not be doing math everyday, lot of the stuff is pre-speced so you jsut follow them. Some jobs will require hard core math, but thats if you are doing something to the extreeme like robotic or engine design, You won't get a design job straight out really, most of the time you'll be the "smart guy" that solves problems. I can only speak on behalf of you going into mech, but if you go into mech you'll mostly likely get a job in manufacturing/production and there isnt much calculating there at all just making sure everything works well and your not losing time or money.

[alysomji]

All the engineers I know who are earning over $100K have MBAs and work for consulting firms or Fortune 500 companies as Consultants, Project Managers, Forecasters, etc.

[tombyman]

Coming from an engineering background myself I agree that you will definitely not get rich being an engineer but you will survive better than most other professions. You won't be close to what the doctors, lawyers, finance people get in terms of compensation no matter how good you are unless you start your own business.

On the bright side, I've known a lot of engineering ppl who went on to pursue higher education such as law, med school, dentistry, MBA and they tend to do better than the normal lawyers, doctors due to the analytical and problem solving background.

Bottom line is engineering is not a bad choice in terms of career but it is an even better choice in terms of stepping stones into other fields.

[GBA]

do what you love, not what you earn in coin. if you enjoy doing it, do it.

alternatively, finish a doctorate of engineering, and become a professor

[getmail99]

do what you love, not what you earn in coin. if you enjoy doing it, do it.

alternatively, finish a doctorate of engineering, and become a professor

I don't think he/she (political correct) enjoys teaching, he/she enjoys real engineering work. As other said, do something you enjoy, and it makes a decent money.

[thephenom]

Why would you listen to an EX-prof who seems to have "settled" for high school teaching? lol

Engineer makes a good starting salary, but depending on the company and how the org chart works, it might take a while before you hit the $100k figure. And the chances are, once you hit that magical 6-digits salary, you won't be designing anymore, but rather be managing people who engineer.

A lot of combo you see quite a bit now a days is an engineering undergrad + MBA. They make good $.

[volan]

Hell, I do a few hours of mathematics per day right now in school and it makes me sick. I cant imagine doing it 9-5 monday-friday for the rest of my life without some good compensation.

The thought of MORE work than spending 8 hours a day punching numbers and solving equations makes me even more sick. I had always assumed I'd like engineering... I get to design and build cars, make decent money, and I'm good at it.

So what the hell do I do?

Ha Ha Ha. I've been an Engineer for 15 years and I don't remember ever having to solve an equation for work. Sure, some fields of Engineering expect you to solve equations, but those would be the more theoretical side. Engineering is more about problem solving.

If you're thinking about compensation I can tell you that being an Engineer gives you a comfortable living. You won't be rich, but you'll be in the upper-middle class.

If all you're after is money then let me suggest sales. A friend of mine is a salesman for a company that sells compressors. He's already made $100k this year. Earnings potential for a good salesman is unlimited, but you REALLY have to work for it. This friend of mine works unreal hours and he's always on the road.

Another choice is Dentistry. Dentists make excellent money and schooling requirements aren't nearly as bad as say becoming a physician.