Well, a little about me, I'm a junior in high-school, make 3.7-4.0 all my life. I'm now thinking about college and stuff and was trying to think about what i wanted to be. When I was small i always knew i would grow up to be a farmer at my dads old farm. Well, fast forward about 4 years and that isn't happening. I've always thought that i would like engineering. I'm not sure what else i would like, maybe diesel tech. or something but i don't know..

-Now heres the question for all the engineers out there. What do you actually do at work. (mechanical maybe electrical...or anything else)

-For kids in college. Are you in some kind of co-op program, or just takin the classes? Did you take any college classes while you were in high school? And do you know any web-sites that tell you about colleges?

-Diesel techs- what do you do, what was your training?

Thanks for all the info, trying to make all this stuff make since
-couch

 

I am a Civil Engineer who specializes in railroad engineering. Lot's of time in the field (surveying, inspecting) and a good amount of time in the office designing, writing specifications, drawing on the computer, etc. Good money in it and in general you use your head more than your hands.

Explore your options carefully. Go with what your heart tells you to do, not what a guidance counselor tells you you would be good at. Being good at something and enjoying what you do are two totally separate things.

There are some great programs in the military, don't rule that out. You could get the training in diesel engines and decide if you want to do that. You could also get a nice chunk of change toward college tuition. (I am not a recruiter, just career military reservist).

 

Here's an interesting little tidbit- more CEO's of Fortune 500 companies were engineers than from any other profession before they became CEO's.

 

My son just got past the stage you are in. We have a family farm but with the grain markets, pests, gov programs the way they are. He decided against farming. He had thought of going into computers, decided against that. We told him go into a field that is not popular and find his nitch. He did. Went to Michigan State University got 2 major degrees one in soil science and the other in environmental geoscience - all in 5 years. Was hired by the USDA/NRCS in his junior year in college. Started out as a GS5 in one year was promoted to GS7 and was told last week he is going to be promoted to GS9 this coming summer. He was told his experience on the farm helps with his performance in talking to farmers and knowing how to solve problems. As he has been told his farm experience far surpasses a person who only has learned something in a classroom.

Use your farm experience to your advantage. you'll never regret it.

 

im in college at NDSCS (North Dakota State College of Science) in the auto tech program going to diesel next year for a master degree. we have classes for 9 months then in the summer months we go for a co-op. i was in the auto program in high school it helped out alot. if i were you id find what your good at and see your self doing for a few years and like doing it

 

Yeah, i really loved the farm. I've tried to think of somethin that had to do with farming. just haven't really found anything. I kind of like the idea of flying, not commercial, but maybe somethin like crop dustin (do yall have that or do i need to explain) but that feild is pretty muc htaken care of over here. I dont know if that would be a good idea. I'm not really sure what i would like to do but heresmy interests.

-i like building/ fixing things
-i'm not affraid to work
- don't like english (like english class)
-farm boy at heart even though we dont live ther no more
-pretty good with computers
-love the country (as in city or country living)
- i love trucks

whatdo yall think?

 

I grew up on a farm too (and would still like to own one at one stage).

I am a Mechanical engineer.
The reason I chose engineering (and specifically Mechanical) was:
I was always good at maths, and did really well in physics.
I wanted a career, not just a degree, I am yet to find a qualified engineer that can't find a job.
I liked cars/trucks/tractors, Mechanical gave me the greatest oppurtunities in the Automotive industry, without becoming too specialised that you can't get a job in another industry(Automotive engineering).
I enjoy farming a lot, BUT it is very risky. Being able to create my primary wealth from another stream was important.
I heard information from friends pertaining to what polarbear said (I never had dreams involving working as an engineer, running a large business however...)

I actually always wanted to do Law from when I was 5yrs old, up until 6 months before College preferences were due - and I am very glad I didn't choose it.

I got offered a Co-op program in my 3rd year (despite my poor marks - I am the laziest student you have ever seen). I accepted it.
I am now back studying Business (majoring in Management) as, while I thoroughly enjoy engineering, I want to set myself up for the possibility that I may not want to be doing it in 20 years time (I am 21 at the moment), AND when I was out working in the automotive industry I saw a whole lot of engineers that were effectively stagnant in thier careers, purely because they hadn't expanded upon their knowledge base, and thier interpersonal skills were attrocious.
I saw others that were running the business that were also engineers had great communication skills, and understood business practice well.

I am currently working part-time at a Rotary tuning company to put food on the table while I finish my Business degree.


So after all that, what I would do in your posistion. There is NO TIME like the present. If you want a degree, go for it NOW.
You obviously are acedemically capable, and attempting to do it later in life will be far more difficult.
I am not knocking being a diesel mechanic or a farmer, but later in life if you decide "this isn't for you", you have very few options.
An engineer who has worked in different industries can do a heck of a lot of things (running Fortune 500 companies is just one of them).
If you want, you can get a farm, or you can do your diesel certificate, but it will be a whole lot harder going the other way (I had 4 mature age students doing Mech Eng when I did it. 2 were Mechanics, 1 was a Machinist, the other a Crop farmer - they all had similar options to you when finishing school, and they all regret taking the one that they did, if for no other reason than the options it allows you later in life)


And breath out...

 

...bump.....

 

ba... ba..bu.bu.bu.bu... i mean bump.



-im listnin to that garth brooks song, wrapped up in you

 

All of the above is good advice.

I come from a similar background and have many mechanics in my family. I have always enjoyed working on things but I realized that it is much easier to find a job you are overqualified for than one you are underqualified for. (Up to a certain degree)

One thing you need to keep in mind with engineering though, is where you want to live. If you would rather live in the country you will usually have to make sacrifices. For the most part to find work as an engineer it will be in larger cities, so you will have to be prepared for long drives or living out of a small apt/hotel during the week. Otherwise there are some jobs in rural areas, but most of those will be with smaller comanies that allow less room for upward mobility.

I have picked somewhat of a compromise living in a medium sized city working at a medium sized company.

As a diesel tech/mechanic you can pretty much work wherever you want.

Also you need to decided how much work you want to be hands on and how much at a desk. Working as an engineer involves a lot of desk time at most jobs, and desk time usually increases as your experience does.

You're young enough you have plenty of time to worry about it later. Just keep taking as many math, physics, drafting, and shop classes as you can and you will have a an easier time deciding in the future.

One word of advice. Skip out on the foreign languages in order to get more shop classes if your school will let you. Most respectable engineering schools won't require them anyway.

 

i'm done with foreign language, and my schoo ldoesnt have shop class b/c it is a small private school

 

im good in math and sciences. currently have somethin like a 111/100 in algebra II and all but like 5 of us is failing. and a 93 in chemistry (highest grade in my class) but i don't think i would like to havea constant desk job. i like hands on and not sitting down at a desk all day

 

Engineering is not all deskwork. Depending on your job, there can be a lot of hands on. In addition to hands on, there's more money in it than being a tech or mechanic. The field you go into is your choice. If you like to travel and job security I'd say check out civil engineering. Every single city in this country has jobs for civil engineer. Not saying you would travel once you get a job. But if you did want to move there would be very few limits to where you could go. Now if you chose something more specialized like semiconductors you get more limited in your choices. If you are in a town like Portland ME, there are 2 fabs you can work at. Get laid off, you better be ready to move.

On schools, there are several choices. If you go with a traditional school like a state university, be prepared for 2 years of prep courses before you even see a course in your specialty. The good news is you can find out what will transfer and take those classes at a local community college for cheap. Then transfer to the big name school and only take the specialized classes. The degree still says 'big name school' and no one cares where you took freshman english.

The other choice is a specialized school. I went to DeVry University. The difference was I was in electronic classes on day 1. And I got an accredited 4 year BS in 3 years. A good program that I would recommend. With that I got into semiconductors and now work with lasers, robotics, process engineering, optics, digital image processing, networking, and computers.

Now on paying for it. The less you borrow the better off you are. Look around and see if you can find an employer with a tuition reimbursement program. I worked as US Sprint and they were paying for college for anyone working more than 20 hours per week. I hear Home Depot also has tuition reimbursement. Check out the military GI bill. Look for scholarships etc. Every dollar you don't borrow is at least 2 you don't have to pay back.

 

I couldn't agree more.
My jobs have involved no more than 25% desk work (I am an outdoors person, and I APPRECIATE that 25% where I am not driving around, talking with clients etc.).

I also agree with what 76supercab2 said about the community college - it is a VERY wise move, in fact I wish I did it, and college is a whole lot cheaper here (US$3k a year for engineering).

The best move would be to take some classes if you are still interested in engineering (usually first year classes are pretty generic) - discover whats out there, and decide what type of engineering you want to do, and also what is in demand.

The only thing is you have to be prepared to put in LONG hours too (this depends on the job though), but my last job I was putting in 80+hour weeks on a base salary...
Farming is the same though, the work put in does not always equal the take home pay, but with a diesel tech, your take home pay is pretty dependant on how hard you work.

 

Well, in louisiana I can go to McNeese State for $1,500 a year. and i can also get TOPS since i have good grades, so im not really worried about money (tops pays for college. I think ill be able to go there for it all. but thanks for all the info. im still not sure whati want to do but i like all yalls input