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

Both courses are almost the same at the first two years. You can start off at mechanical first and switch to automotive later.

Go for Masters if you can. If there is something that you like, then yes, else you can get Masters like MSc in Engineering.

Both routes are the same, but depends whether you can find a good research. I would suggest going for academic for your Masters as you would have opportunities to do research in the future for your PhD if you decide to pursue it.

What do you want to be after you finished your degree?

This post has been edited by Geminist: Feb 26 2010, 09:09 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_engineering

You just need to spend five minutes to get an answer for your question.

For some questions asked here, the answer or at least part of it can be found by spending 5 minutes on Google.

Asking a generic question only reflects your lack of enthusiasm for the subject and shows you can't be bothered. Therefore, please, try doing some background research before asking a question.

I am still not convinced that mechatronics at undergraduate level is a good idea because you are splitting yourself between ME & EE but still study in the same duration. This means you're only learning half of each, which doesn't help build your foundation.

Apachee

I would go for the first choice ME undergraduate then Masters if I were you. IIRC, the first/second year of ME does involve some EE stuff (go and take a look at some universities syllabus) as well but I don't know if it's the other way round.

It may sound flipping, but absolute certainty does not exist in this world. You're only at your A-Levels, things can change as you go through university when you're exposed to a lot of new things. So whatever your choice, always make sure there is enough flexibility in case you change your mind.

This post has been edited by Geminist: Apr 24 2010, 09:36 PM

The 'astronaut' hitch-hiked to outer space. From an engineering point of view, we achieved nothing.

Where have you heard this from? Why would the aerospace sector quickly develop in 10 years time, not now, not 5 years, not 15 years?

Don't base the choice of your studies on something as flimsy as this. Do it because you love it.

azzaim92

1) I was speaking in the context of aerospace engineering. We hitch hiked to outer space so from a technical POV, we achieved nothing, i.e. no technical advancement and no knowledge transfer.

I did not say we achieved nothing throughout the 50 years.

2) There is nothing wrong for doing research to help you make a decision. What I am questioning is HOW you reached your conclusion. You said you HEARD that the industry would QUICKLY develop in next 10 years.

We do not know what will happen even tomorrow. Therefore, why do you want to base your future on something so uncertain?

It is much better to do it because you have an interest in it, rather than because people 'think' it would grow in the future. If it doesn't grow, where does that leave you?

3) If you truly love astronomy, you can do a physics degree with astronomy. With a science degree, there are quite a number of jobs you can do.

I said physics with astronomy, i.e. you major in astronomy.

http://www.careerjet.com.my/physics-jobs.html

Have you read the first page?

Yes if you have the money for it. Masters is becoming the normal standard now in engineering. Even for to get chartered, you'll need a Masters level of education.

Well, experience counts of course, but that's after you've got your first job. I work in a consultancy and from experience, having a degree or Masters, in particular for younger non-chartered engineer, it makes a difference.

If you want to go down the research/academic route, you'll actually be looking at a PhD.

There is always the option to do it later, but if you've got the chance now, you should seriously consider it.

This post has been edited by Geminist: Jan 30 2011, 12:54 AM

My view is you need both, with more emphasis on experience.

The Masters is really to future proof your education level, there's this argument about experience etc but that only works when you have been working for few years. Your education will always be something people look out for, unless of course if you're already well known in the field.

Which is the one you like the most?

[QUOTE][quote=3dwin014,Mar 3 2012, 04:43 AM]
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.

[/quote]

The things tat most student afraid has happen to me. I graduated with a course I don't like. I currently graduate with Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I chose tis course at first bcos I like technical work. I really like using tools. But then at tat time I was young,just finish form 5 so I was too naive to think engineer just about machines and tools. Then when I got in college every sem there was math and physics. Then I start to struggle.

I dun hate maths and physics is just I lack of basic from secondary and really weak at it. I do fail in the process of obtaining this diploma. But I work hard to handle those math and physic. In the end I don't know wat I study. I just memorize the step and formula. Now I am 23 years old and working in a small engineering company. Feel bored everyday.

Need some advice/guide from all of u. Should I stick in this field and try to learn? Or should I take another course?I afraid if I take another course is just wasting time and $$.

Pls guys. Need serious advice and guide. I guess my life are totally f@#% up now...

[/quote][/QUOTE]

23 years old is still not too late to change as I presume you have just started working for ~1 year.

Think really hard what is it that you want to do, go and talk to your friends that work in another area, e.g. finance, law, banking etc. After you find out, try applying through their graduate scheme. Graduate training programs for these firms tend to be open to engineers.

Otherwise, the next option you have is to further your study. With an engineering background, you can go into quite a number of subjects.

Not sure if this is just you, but I don't like pure mathematics either. I find maths exciting only when I understand what they are for, and how to apply them in real life. The same goes for physics. I like to study things that can be applied in one way or another. It took me some time to discover this.

This post has been edited by Geminist: Mar 8 2012, 08:47 PM

You need to be sure if that's what you want to. Is food or tourism something you need to do a full course on? Is this not something you can dip your toes in and see what it's like before fully committing to it?

Remember to put in some effort before asking a question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_engineering

It's all about whether you like what you do. I've met quite a number of female engineers, in fact, the ex CEO of the Mechanical Engineer's Institute here in the UK is a woman.

Do you know what is involved in aeronautical/aerospace engineering?

If you've got good SPM results, you could look around for a scholarship.

It really depends on what kind of engineering jobs. Engineering itself is so broad that it covers engineers doing design to those deployed on the ground.

There is a push in large organisations to have more female engineers, so your chances are just as good, if not better in some occasions.

There are a myriad of things you can do. It really depends on what is your core interest?

You have the propulsion, comms, materials etc that are all related to space. If you are keen on doing space related stuff, your best chances will be abroad.

Maths, physics & chemistry I would say.

To become a theoretical physicist, your math needs to be very strong. You can't separate serious physics from maths. In Malaysia, there really isn't much choice for someone with a physics degree to do physics. If you're serious about becoming a theoretical physicist, you will have to look abroad, and to do something serious, you'll need a PhD. Even with a Masters you're unlikely going to end up near anything too exciting.

Which part of computer are you interested in? The hardware? The software? You can't tell just by looking at the title, you'll need to consider the subjects offered as well. When in doubt, speak to the university.

In general (I don't know about UNMC specifically), the first year of any engineering degree is rather similar, as you'll be taught the various foundation subjects like advanced mathematics etc, so you still have a good chance to switch to another engineering course then.

Check out the various courses at MIT:

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/

Having an appreciation doesn't necessarily equate to being able to do work in the area. I believe computer science at undergraduate level is fairly broad brush, and you can move into a more specialised area at post-graduate level.

In any case, I suggest you speak to the university or someone who majors in computer science as my understanding in this area is pretty general