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Is a Computer Engineering degree worth it?

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Paul Olson:

--- Quote from: ChadTower on December 08, 2008, 10:55:28 am ---
Jesus, even the course descriptions are vague.  That could be teaching you some solid stuff or it could be teaching you surface only user abilities.  The descriptions are not specific enough.

Figure out what you want to do and move into that.  Too many of us start a degree program, discover 75% of the way in we don't really like it, but finish it anyway.  Then spend the next 15 years in a career that isn't fun.  Now is the time to figure out what you enjoy about engineering and chase it, even if that means taking a step or two backwards after you discover the path. 

--- End quote ---

I am hoping that the courses will teach a lot. I talked to one of the instructors on Friday, and he at least seems interested in the subjects, so there is hope. I took a surveying class this semester; the instructor only agreed to teach because all he had to do was read a powerpoint every day and give tests. About halfway through, he decided to actually teach, and it turned out OK, but it was bad in the beginning. I already took an intro programming course, and I am pretty confident that at least the next one will bbe good.

Nearly every civil major I have talked to has said the same thing. "I just need to graduate, I don't need to learn all of this". It is sad seeing more than 90% of the class not even trying.

I decided that I would rather face a possibly harder time finding a job in Computer Engineering, than live with a boring job in Civil. I need to make the change now before I take more classes in civil. I have heard from quite a few people that CE is a good degree to find work with, so I might not even be making it harder to find a job. In the current economy, civil is not that great for jobs either. There are a lot of guys getting laid off around here.

Thanks for the input!

Paul

RayB:
People are getting laid off in every field, so don't take that as a measure of what your job market will be in 4  years from now.

To add to the above, the University you go to matters too. Go to Waterloo (Ontario).  ;)

ChadTower:

--- Quote from: pcolson on December 08, 2008, 12:11:52 pm ---Nearly every civil major I have talked to has said the same thing. "I just need to graduate, I don't need to learn all of this". It is sad seeing more than 90% of the class not even trying.
--- End quote ---

This observation alone should be enough to tell you what the field is like once you graduate.  Do you think lousy students turn out to be strong workers?

Paul Olson:
Yeah, that is what made me start thinking about making a change.

(+_+):
I'd do it if that's what interests you. Don't forget, you still have 20 years of work ahead of you. Better to do something you like than to do something you already have a gut feeling about that you won't. Also, just a warning about Game programming at your age. It may not be good for your health and family. I couldn't find the page that contained the article I wanted to post. I read it years back and no matter how much I love games (and believe me I do) and my desire to write games, it scared me away taking the plunge. I believe I was about 30 at the time. 60 to 80 hour weeks, lower salary than other IT areas. This is especially truth at the intro level.

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-139833.html
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2655/so_you_want_to_be_a_game_.php

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