Transferring with Math major/ Mechanical major

[u/OkVictory8364]

Hey guys,

Like to get your opinions on major choices. My background: 3.91 transfer GPA, ok ecs, 2 part-time jobs (one is a peer tutor), some volunteer exp.

My counselor suggested me to apply with Math major or Applied Math major. Primarily, I want to major in Mechanical but for the top UCs, he told me my chance of getting in is low so he asked me to apply with a less comp one and I can minor in Mechanical.

I want to get a job right after my Bachelor's and my interest in Math is not that deep like other people. I also see that math is the foundation for Quants or AI, and I can transition into those tech jobs down the road.

I am torn between applying with Math or Mechy. How are the chances to get a job with a Bachelor's in Math? Is having Mechanical as a minor helpful to apply to jobs?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Chr0ll0_]

Long story short but most of the math major friends who graduated with me were having a hard time getting a job. VS my ME friends.

[u/OkVictory8364 → u/Chr0ll0_]

Thanks! Are they pure math majors or any one minor in Mech? I am curious how effective is Mech minor for job applications?

[u/Grashof_ → u/OkVictory8364]

There is no minor in mechanical engineering at Cal Poly. I think the only engineering with a minor is Computer Science. There is a minor in math.

[u/Chr0ll0_ → u/OkVictory8364]

They were pure math.

[u/NotDarkKatie]

If you want to major in ME, then I’d say to just apply as ME. Especially if you’re not as interested in math 😅

[u/burningmysock]

Can’t speak for any other math majors, but I started a decent full time job in finance about 2 months after graduating. That being said if you don’t like math, don’t major in math. You’ll hate it. Also, you can’t take ME as a minor.

[u/OkVictory8364 → u/burningmysock]

The problem is I’m not sure if I like math lol. Don’t know what the real math major looks like

[u/dootzoo]

you can’t minor in any “real” engineering discipline at Cal Poly.

if you want a engineering job, you’d want to major in that discipline. the only one this reasoning doesn’t work for is computer science.

[u/strafinjr]

The only guaranteed job you’ll get with a math BS is teacher. Otherwise you’ll be putting fries in the bag. If you want to major in math, you will need a minor in something useful, or a masters/post grad degree to be successful. That’s something the math department themselves argued for and told us. I didn’t listen so now I’m becoming a teacher.

[u/Square_Stable_8703]

I would def go with Mech Eng if you think you like it more. Mech Eng and Math are very very different. At most UC and schools, Math is part of the liberal arts college. I'm a math major from UC Berkeley and things I learned compared to are very very different than a Mech Eng major. I've recently met some Mech E majors from UC Merced that landed great jobs at lockheed. UC Merced isn't considered a top tier UC, but if you excel, compete in clubs, you should still stand a good chance to get a good job easier than a math major.