Chem eng with a quarter life crisis
April 25, 2011 - 9:26pm
Hey everyone,
I have been somewhat of a regular Wasted Talent reader since last year. Although I am at a different university, I can relate to the stresses of being an engineer and inner chasm between the pragmatic engineer and the stifled artist.
At the end of my engineering degree though, it seems I have had a less than ideal university experience, socially and academically (with regards to my own standards, not universal ones, especially when I compare myself to the average student at my university). This has cast some heavy doubts as to whether or not I would like to pursue engineering as a career. It's taken a bit of a toll on me while I tried to find time to explore my other interests, take care of myself and make ends meet. While I have some accomplishments to show for my time in university, I cannot make sense of why I stayed here despite obvious indications that I should have left my program a long time ago.
I am sort of facing the so-called quarter life crisis I guess. When it comes to job interviews, I feel less motivated and passionate than my peers about the upcoming work, and it saddens me that I cannot pursue a career as of yet that I can love.
Any suggestions?
March 21, 2012 - 5:22pm
#2
Hi, I'm in my third year and having an early quarter life crisis as well. So next year I'm going to take a lighter course load so I can have time to stay sane and sleep enough, and get through this degree (null hypothesis).
My best advice would be keep an open mind to new things, to different jobs, to things you've always wanted to do but thought weren't very prestigious or whatever. Notice how you feel when you think about whatever jobs you're applying for. I'm sure there are tons of jobs that would benefit from engineering knowledge that aren't traditionally "engineering jobs." Did you know Pixar hires/or has hired in the past engineers to do heat transfer (radiation) for their animation? Maybe you could get involved with the policy side of things, if that floats your boat.
Also: if you get an engineering job and a few years down the road realize you don't like engineering, you can always do something else. I know someone who went back to school at like 50 years old, and did a complete 180 in his career and became an LPN (licensed practical nurse).
You'll find something you love!
I'm going to let you in on a secret: grades don't matter.
I was below average in my class. I worked hard, but I'm not an academic. I failed a course (damn you vibrations), barely squeaked by in a couple others (Differential Equations, Mechanics of Materials - funny story, and another one or two that I can't remember offhand). It means that grad school wasn't an option - even if I wanted to.
But here's the funny thing - no one cares.
The experience I got at the co-op jobs got me the job I have now. I use very little of my degree at work (some basic beam strengthening calculations at times). Engineering at University just teaches you how to learn.
If you don't like the field, that's a different matter. I think George Carlin phrased it best when he said "I can't imagine spending 40 years at a job you can't wait to get away from." I have a very hard time arguing with that.
Fortunately, an engineering degree is a respected thing. It has use in other fields because of what it says. It says you know how to learn, and are smart enough to get an engineering degree. Depending on your dream job, this can be an asset.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm getting off this soapbox.