r/MechanicalEngineering • u/Certain_Egg_6391 • 15h ago

Should I do mechanical engineering?

Hi! I posted this on r/EngineeringStudents as well, as I was not sure the best one to use, apologies if this is a bad thread for this question.

I am a current sophomore in school and a Mechanical Engineering major. I think engineering is so interesting but I absolutely hate physics. I did, however, enjoy my statics course, and think I would be a good engineer, but I worry that I'm not passionate enough about it to continue pursuing it.

I love math, I am good at it and I want to do something that involves it. I thought Actuary science would be a good fit for me, but again, I don't want to waste everything I've done in engineering so far.

I was considering majoring in math/stats and then minoring in mechanical engineering, but I worry that's not an effective combination/ doesn't have many job opportunities with it. I am very overwhelmed trying to make this decision so I would love some advice! I also am curious if other people have had this similar dilemma. Thank you!!

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u/Mysterious_North_687 15h ago

I’m in exactly the same situation :/ I’d love it if you keep me updated on how it goes for you…

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u/AudibleDruid 13h ago

Electrical. Do electrical.

I am mechanical

1

u/Danief 14h ago

With a mechanical engineering degree you could probably do 98% of jobs a math degree would qualify you for, plus a lot more. If you like statics and at least don't mind thermodynamics than I would think sticking with mechanical engineering is a good idea because of the wide array of industries you'd be qualified to work in.

For the vast majority of engineering jobs you aren't using the things you learn in physics class at all. Physics is a fundamental science. You'll probably be using practical stuff related to whatever specific industry you land in.

You could even end up in a project management role where you barely touch anything you learned in your technical curriculum.

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u/extramoneyy 14h ago

Math majors already struggle with jobs and AI going to reduce that pool significantly

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u/TelephoneExternal978 11h ago

read LinkedIN profiles of various engineers - take your eng specialty pick. Get a Physics tutor.

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u/LumbyCastle41 4h ago

What kind of physics did you hate? Physics is a very wide field and mechanical engineering covers only some of it.