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Engineering Simple Guide to Engineering, Read here first before posting new topic

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TSGeminist
post Jan 31 2010, 05:03 AM, updated 11y ago

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Simple Guide to Engineering
This guide is meant for school leavers but may be relevant to current undergraduate students as well. Feel free to post any comments or questions here.

Who should study engineering?
If your first question is any of the following:

- Which is the highest paying engineering field?
- Which is the best engineering field to study?
- I like engineering but I hate math and I am not interested in a dynamic, ever changing environment
- I can’t even be bothered to Google the main branches of engineering so I’ll just post in the forum asking people about what is [insert] engineering subject

So, if your question is any of the above, don’t bother going into engineering. You’re much suited at something else. This may seem harsh but for yours and the futures’ sake, it is better if you don’t go into engineering.

The above aside, it is not always easy, especially for school leavers to perfectly pinpoint their interest in engineering be in mechanical, electrical etc. But if you have the following trait:

- You like taking things apart, i.e. you like to understand how things work etc
- You find solving a problem exciting and you can spend hours trying to solve a problem
- You enjoy learning, you always try to learn about new things and are always curious
- You have an interest in science based subjects, like math, physics etc
- You like getting hands on and wouldn’t mind getting your hands dirty

These are some signs that engineering might just be right for you although bear in mind there are other field of study that requires some of the same traits.

Which engineering subject should I go for?
It is usually not easy for you to be absolutely certain about what you want to do at this stage. Congratulations and good for you if you know what you want to do, so go for it.

If you don’t know, then you will have to start speaking to course consultants/seniors and look deep within yourself. Do you find mechanical parts, i.e. cars, moving parts fascinating? Do you find electronics interesting? These are some of the things you can explore.

Alternatively, after finishing school you will almost certainly have some free time at hand. Try getting work in a local small size firm, people might be willing to hire you if you don’t mind too much about the pay and would be more than happy to plunge into and get your hands dirty. I found a hint of my interest by working in a contractor firm as an errand boy during holiday.

Next Step
Once you have a rough idea of which field you like, a personal suggestion is always to avoid plunging too deep into it too quickly, especially if it is a specialised field.

What you can do, is start at the core engineering courses, e.g. E&E, mechanical, civil etc as a lot of times for degree level studies, you can branch into a more specialised area once you have completed your degree.

Starting at a core subject is much better than a specialised subject as throughout your course, there is a very good chance that your interest may change, and it’s not a good idea if you’re locked into a specialised subject at this stage.

I know some may *think* they are absolutely certain that is what they want to do, but my advice is still to start with a core course. You may take a slightly longer route by starting at core course, e.g. you spend an extra year. On the other hand, if you start off with a specialised course and decide to change later, you would have wasted a lot more time and effort.

Lastly, with a core engineering course, it would be easier for you to branch into other areas, even after you have started working.

Final Step
After you’ve made up your mind, go out and talk to people, especially your seniors. They may shed some new light on your decision. Also, speak to various course consultants in the university, for the sake of your money, they will try their best to help you (which is also a good reminder to speak to a few people, just like you wouldn’t trust the decision of one doctor alone, especially if you need to spend RM200,000 to follow their advice).

Frequently asked questions about engineering
I am interested in cars, buildings and robotics, what should I do?
First off, be aware that these are generic interests. A lot of people enjoy eating and food but not everyone is interested in how the food is produced etc. So keep that in mind.

Secondly, you can have more than one interest, but you can’t have more than one career at one time. Also, hold on to something or fall in everything. Think hard which is the one you want.

Oil & Gas/Nanotechnology/Renewable energy etc is really popular now and well paid, and I have some interest in it, so can I go for this?
Of course you can if that is what you like to do. However, if your decision is swayed by the amount of money you’ll make, then do so at your own peril.

Don’t forget it’ll take you four years to graduate, by that time anything could have happened and robots might have replaced all engineers out there, who knows? If you go down this route, you’ll end up with a degree in something you only have a vague interest in and no one would hire you. Good luck.

Alternatively, you might end up with something that you like and are passionate about and no one would hire you. I’m sure it’s clear which one gives you a better chance.

Should I go for Masters?
Yes, it is becoming the norm nowadays and my view is that it will become the new ‘degree’ in the future, i.e. the minimum education threshold before people employ you. Don’t forget Chindia is churning out tonnes of competent graduates each year, you’ll need all the advantage you can get.

I like [insert] engineering course, but I heard jobs are not available nowadays?
It’s true there are jobs out there which have been replaced because of new technology etc. This applies not just in engineering but in other dynamic careers.

As long as you like what you do and are good at what you do, your skills will be sought after and you can always carry your problem solving skills into another area. The real danger is when you graduate with a course that you don’t like.

This post has been edited by Geminist: Jan 31 2010, 05:20 AM
dreamer101
post Jan 31 2010, 06:01 AM

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All,

1) Google "MBTI Personality Test".

Take the test.

If you are one of those NT type, you probably suitable for engineering. 50+% of engineers are NT type.

If you are NF, it is probably okay too. 25+% or so is NF type.

In general, very few people with SP personality type like Engineering.

If you are SJ, engineering is probably NOT for you.

2) If you are SMART but you do not LOVE engineering, please do something else. You probably make more money doing something else. To be good engineer, you have to spend 20 to 30 extra unpaid hours beside your working hour to keep up with the technology. The ROI is NO GOOD if you just think about money. If you LOVE engineering, those 20 to 30 extra hours is a lot of fun. You won't mind.

3) Engineer prefer dealing with machine than people.

4) Engineer can spend hours and days working on a problem. And, they think this is FUN!!!

5) Some of the problems that I work on has NO ANSWER or I do not even know how to start. I LOVE the challenge!!!

6) Engineer like to solve problem. In young age, they probably play games that require a lot of thinking like chess, checker, monopoly and so on.. They like solving puzzles.

Dreamer

P.S.: A BAD doctor can ONLY kill one person at a time. A BAD engineer can kill many more. If you do not want to be GOOD engineer, do something else.

This post has been edited by dreamer101: Jan 31 2010, 06:07 AM
Xai-V-iaX
post Jan 31 2010, 12:59 PM

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I chose Engineering for the mere interest I have had in me since a child. Never looked back with my decision tho I feel you'll take time to fit in a job that really utilizes your Engineering skills...
deShinyDevil
post Jan 31 2010, 01:45 PM

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i'm kinda interested in this engineering disiplin but i duno which field i should go into, i like automotive and computer as well. any advice? and is the course offered in TARC okay?
december88
post Jan 31 2010, 03:50 PM

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rclxms.gif
I guess the staffs in lowyat.net are taking a step in the right direction since many engineering related topics are encountered in these past weeks.
I would like to suggest that someone can do a brief introduction to his/her engineering course e.g mechanical,civil and etc, to help fellow lowyat.net members to decide their engineering stream.
Anyway i hope this topic will be pin.
tanjinjack
post Jan 31 2010, 03:56 PM

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I am happy to help out on Mechanical section.
Will edit this post once I have more free time.
mivec3gs
post Jan 31 2010, 05:33 PM

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QUOTE(deShinyDevil @ Jan 31 2010, 01:45 PM)
i'm kinda interested in this engineering disiplin but i duno which field i should go into, i like automotive and computer as well. any advice? and is the course offered in TARC okay?
*
hmm, if u like automotive and computer... mechatronics will be an option for u though... icon_rolleyes.gif
nmb3rs
post Jan 31 2010, 05:41 PM

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QUOTE(Xai-V-iaX @ Jan 31 2010, 12:59 PM)
I chose Engineering for the mere interest I have had in me since a child. Never looked back with my decision tho I feel you'll take time to fit in a job that really utilizes your Engineering skills...
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like Xai-V-iaX.. i too had interest in engineering since a child... and now I am one rclxm9.gif
deShinyDevil
post Jan 31 2010, 06:45 PM

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QUOTE(nmb3rs @ Jan 31 2010, 05:41 PM)
like Xai-V-iaX.. i too had interest in engineering since a child... and now I am one rclxm9.gif
*
engineer in what field?
dreamer101
post Jan 31 2010, 08:43 PM

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QUOTE(deShinyDevil @ Jan 31 2010, 01:45 PM)
i'm kinda interested in this engineering disiplin but i duno which field i should go into, i like automotive and computer as well. any advice? and is the course offered in TARC okay?
*
QUOTE(mivec3gs @ Jan 31 2010, 05:33 PM)
hmm, if u like automotive and computer... mechatronics will be an option for u though... icon_rolleyes.gif
*
Folks,

Do not specialize at undergraduate level.

Go either with Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.

You can do automotive and computer with either those 2 degrees.

But, if you do mechatronics, you shut yourself off from many other traditional ME and EE areas. Plus, you enjoy very little advantage against ME and EE in either automotive or computer.

You have a lot to lose and very little to gain.

If you want to do mechatronic, do it at the master degree level.

Dreamer
Itaideska
post Feb 1 2010, 11:03 AM

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I'm currently studying engineering in Monash, and it was my 1st year and in total theres 8 units in a year i failed 4. I'm not sure if it's the distraction around me or is it me who is not suitable to take engineering. I Love maths, that's the reason i went into engineering. If i love maths, i LIKE physics. what else should i do beside engineering? And if i decide to stay in engineering.. what field do you all recommend?

really some help here.. as Monash ENG is a very expensive course = (
dreamer101
post Feb 1 2010, 11:10 AM

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QUOTE(Itaideska @ Feb 1 2010, 11:03 AM)
I'm currently studying engineering in Monash, and it was my 1st year and in total theres 8 units in a year i failed 4. I'm not sure if it's the distraction around me or is it me who is not suitable to take engineering. I Love maths, that's the reason i went into engineering. If i love maths, i LIKE physics. what else should i do beside engineering? And if i decide to stay in engineering.. what field do you all recommend?

really some help here.. as Monash ENG is a very expensive course = (
*
Itaideska,

<<i failed 4. I'm not sure if it's the distraction around me or is it me who is not suitable to take engineering.>>

Come on. Let's be HONEST here.

It is VERY SIMPLE. This is ENGINEERING. You EITHER understand what is taught in the class or you don't. If you UNDERSTAND what is taught in the class, how could you fail???

So, you DO NOT UNDERSTAND what is taught in the class. Why??

Did you try to LEARN what you do not understand or you give up??

So, what is REALLY going on here??

It was EITHER intelligence aka you are NOT smart enough. Or, you give up trying to understand the material.

Dreamer

P.S.: Once upon a time, I got an C in a class. It was MODERN PHYSIC aka QUANTUM MECHANIC. I was HAPPY to get an C because I was NOT smart enough to really understand all those relativity stuff.

P.S.2: The second C that I got is mechanic because the professor INSIST that we memorized all formulas. I did not have the time to memorize all formula

This post has been edited by dreamer101: Feb 1 2010, 11:13 AM
deShinyDevil
post Feb 1 2010, 12:29 PM

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QUOTE(dreamer101 @ Jan 31 2010, 08:43 PM)
Folks,

Do not specialize at undergraduate level.

Go either with Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering.

You can do automotive and computer with either those 2 degrees.

But, if you do mechatronics, you shut yourself off from many other traditional ME and EE areas.  Plus, you enjoy very little advantage against ME and EE in either automotive or computer.

You have a lot to lose and very little to gain.

If you want to do mechatronic, do it at the master degree level.

Dreamer
*
true, thats what the staff at TARC told me.
Itaideska
post Feb 1 2010, 08:07 PM

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Thanks Dreamer, I know what's my problem now. What you just posted really made me things over and over again.

This post has been edited by Itaideska: Feb 1 2010, 08:10 PM
dreamwar
post Feb 1 2010, 08:21 PM

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Such a nice thread this is and well im taking EE in kampar Utar currently. And I find no regrets in studying engineering course. This post will guide some new engineering students definitely...

Regards
C-Note
post Feb 1 2010, 09:38 PM

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Someone HAS to pin up this amazing thread smile.gif

Anyway, as a few posts have already mentioned the importance of doing mechanical/electrical before specialising, may I ask if chemical/civil ENG share the same advantages? Are there any postgrad courses available for these two fields?

Thanks heaps =)
ahcheap
post Feb 2 2010, 03:16 AM

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I don think I can earn much as a mechanical graduate engineer.
dreamer101
post Feb 2 2010, 06:48 AM

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QUOTE(ahcheap @ Feb 2 2010, 03:16 AM)
I don think I can earn much as a mechanical graduate engineer.
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ahcheap,

Great!!! Do not be engineer. We need less "Pretend" engineer.

If you are in IT for the money, you will be disappointed.

Dreamer
lkwanz
post Feb 2 2010, 11:52 AM

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Okay....i'm going to U...i'm thinking of automotive engineering...is this course good?...Will it has future....or should i take mechanical engineering(as what DREAMER say...dun specialize at undergraduate)?
Sky.Live
post Feb 2 2010, 12:56 PM

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Just graduated as Mechanical Engineering, thinking of finding a job while applying for Masters postgrad studies.

Do people usually speciallise their field during masters? izzit advisible to go for the acadamic or research route?

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