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Engineering or liberal arts?

Blogs > Bunn
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Bunn
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Estonia934 Posts
June 20 2013 20:24 GMT
#1
Hi all

+ Show Spoiler +



This past month I had final exams at gymnasium/high school. I passed all of them, but the results weren't what I expected. For example I did okay in English as a second language and society (this sounds awkward in English, lol), achieving 83% and 70% respectively. As I said, they're okay, but not good. I honestly expected few points more in English, but that's fine nevertheless. In maths and history I surprised myself as I got a lot more than I expected. In maths I expected 50%, but got 72%, which is pretty good. In history I achieved 79%, which isn't great, but not bad either. The real shocker was the exam for Estonian as mother tongue: I totally failed it, getting only 48 points out of 100. That was the exam for which I had the highest hopes. I did great at mock exams and essays, but alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Now on to choices. As I'm planning to continue my education, I'm facing a dilemma: engineering or humanities/liberal arts? Engineering would be the safer choice, but is it really for me?

The thing is, engineering requires good grip on natural sciences, but I'm only somewhat mediocre at maths, on a good day. Sadly, engineering isn't all about maths. That means if I'd choose the engineering path, I basically would have to start studying physics from zero. Another thing that scares me in regard to engineering is that it would require more "real" work. I see myself more as a theoretical guy, meaning I haven't done anything myself. Besides some handicraft classes, and creating few crappy songs on my computer, I haven't independently programmed/coded like Gates, built stuff like MacGyver or tested theories like Mythbusters. I don't see myself competent, when it comes to real-world situations.

Humanities would be the riskier choice. I probably won't be accepted anywhere, but what if? Problem with humanities is that if I'll get lucky I would get to politics, if not, maybe a low-payed job. I don't want to be a politician nor have a low salary. But when it comes to studying something like, let's say history, I could actually see myself doing it. Then again, history is something I could learn by myself on free time.

Depression is also easy to come, when having to face such choices. Actually, even without those choices, I would feel depressed. I don't know why, but that's how I feel. No matter what I do, I constantly feel lethargic. Being able to do one task for 10 minutes is my limit, 30 if I'm lucky. After that I start feeling hot and itchy. Wanting to learn how to program? Nope, not going to happen. And although I often feel tired, I still won't fall asleep. Maybe someday...

Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony at my school. My father will probably arrive there drunkenly.

Looks like no matter what choice I make, I will regret it.

What do you think, engineering or liberal arts? How important are physics when learning engineering? How does one stop feeling depressed/lethargic? Anyone know what it's like learning computer science or mechatronics, history, journalism or east asian studies? Career opporturnities?

I also managed to finish high school without using a facebook account, thug life.

+ Show Spoiler +




**
"There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level." - Bruce Lee
Burrfoot
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
United States1176 Posts
June 20 2013 20:25 GMT
#2
Tldr

But engineering! :-)

User was warned for this post
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Davlok-1847/career
rauk
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States2228 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 20:30:10
June 20 2013 20:26 GMT
#3
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes
jrkirby
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States1510 Posts
June 20 2013 20:35 GMT
#4
Do computer science if you don't have a passion. Seriously, we need more programmers, pretty much everyone who graduates with a CS degree gets a job. So if there isn't another thing you're especially talented at or passionate about, take CS.
rauk
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States2228 Posts
June 20 2013 20:38 GMT
#5
On June 21 2013 05:35 jrkirby wrote:
Do computer science if you don't have a passion. Seriously, we need more programmers, pretty much everyone who graduates with a CS degree gets a job. So if there isn't another thing you're especially talented at or passionate about, take CS.


i disagree... that's what i did and i regret it. there's so much stuff that i have to know: multiple languages, frameworks, etc, and slogging through it all when you think it's really dull is pretty much the worst thing ever.
LegalLord
Profile Blog Joined April 2013
United Kingdom13775 Posts
June 20 2013 20:45 GMT
#6
On June 21 2013 05:35 jrkirby wrote:
Do computer science if you don't have a passion. Seriously, we need more programmers, pretty much everyone who graduates with a CS degree gets a job. So if there isn't another thing you're especially talented at or passionate about, take CS.

CS is pretty much the fashion business with computers: keep up with the fashion trends that come out once a month or so, or no one will care about you.
Complete with fashion-esque names like "Ruby on Rails" and shiny Apple toys and the like.
History will sooner or later sweep the European Union away without mercy.
Salazarz
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
Korea (South)2591 Posts
June 20 2013 20:45 GMT
#7
If you're honestly unsure what you want to do, get a job instead. Work for a couple years, get some experience in the 'real world', do some online courses / read some education blogs or whatever and figure out what really interests you. Even if you work in a field completely unrelated to what you find interesting, simply talking to people from different walks of life and learning some so-called 'soft skills' will probably make it easier to decide what you want to commit to.

Doing a generic degree like languages or business could also be a good idea, not as a means of a career but just to give you something useful to do while you figure out what you really want to do with your life.
hp.Shell
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2527 Posts
June 20 2013 20:57 GMT
#8
Don't pay for a degree that won't get you a job afterward. Don't pay $100-200k for a good liberal arts education. If you want a liberal arts education, go to school and talk to the liberal arts professors. Figure out what they're teaching, then read. A lot. That's my advice. If you're going to school to get a job, then go to school to get a job. Don't pay for something you can get from Google and your library and a few friends.
Please PM me with any songs you like that you think I haven't heard before!
Stratos_speAr
Profile Joined May 2009
United States6959 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-21 02:18:09
June 20 2013 20:59 GMT
#9
As an individual that has a degree in philosophy from a private, liberal arts school, here is what I found.

STEMs degrees are definitely more secure for a job.

However, this doesn't mean that it is impossible to get a job with a humanities degree. In fact, it is entirely possible and not that difficult.

The difference is motivation. For those countless people that are lazy, have very little work ethic, no passion, and no drive in their life, a STEMs degree (Science, tech, engineering, math) will get them a solid job where the can be mindless drones in a cubicle/at a desk, make a decent check, and go home. For these same people, it will be very, very hard to find a job with a humanities degree.

That said, if you are a motivated, skilled, passionate individual, it really won't be much harder to find a job with a humanities degree than it will be to find one with a STEM's degree. Just apply yourself, take opportunities as they come, and you will be surprised at what you can do.

Don't pay for a degree that won't get you a job afterward. Don't pay $100-200k for a good liberal arts education. If you want a liberal arts education, go to school and talk to the liberal arts professors. Figure out what they're teaching, then read. A lot. That's my advice. If you're going to school to get a job, then go to school to get a job. Don't pay for something you can get from Google and your library and a few friends.


Yea, people like this guy are what gives liberal arts a bad name.

People like this completely fail to understand the purpose of a liberal arts education (or education in general). Education isn't job training; job training is job training. Education is to improve yourself as an individual and as a citizen of society. Studying liberal arts will expose you to a far more diverse set of people, ideas, and opportunities than any STEM's-focused university will.

Hell, the vast majority of degrees don't actually teach you what you need to know to be successful in that field, regardless of if they're a liberal arts place or a hardcore STEM's university. Like I said, your degree is what you make it to be. If you love humanities and you actually work to make it into something, it isn't that difficult to get a job you love that pays well enough.

Oh, and to suggest that you can get what you learn from a liberal arts education at a library or from Google is ridiculous and incredibly ignorant.
A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else.
c0ldfusion
Profile Joined October 2010
United States8293 Posts
June 20 2013 21:03 GMT
#10
On June 21 2013 05:26 rauk wrote:
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes


That is an egregious exaggeration.
LegalLord
Profile Blog Joined April 2013
United Kingdom13775 Posts
June 20 2013 21:09 GMT
#11
On June 21 2013 06:03 c0ldfusion wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 05:26 rauk wrote:
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes


That is an egregious exaggeration.

It's not far from the truth.
I know a few people who went to a "trade school" (a reference farm with a name attached to it) and got some low level CS jobs in the Bay Area. The education consisted of less than 6 months of formal training and a few thousand dollars payment in return for a contact that will confirm their competence to a prospective employer.
History will sooner or later sweep the European Union away without mercy.
c0ldfusion
Profile Joined October 2010
United States8293 Posts
June 20 2013 21:10 GMT
#12
On June 21 2013 06:09 LegalLord wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 06:03 c0ldfusion wrote:
On June 21 2013 05:26 rauk wrote:
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes


That is an egregious exaggeration.

It's not far from the truth.
I know a few people who went to a "trade school" (a reference farm with a name attached to it) and got some low level CS jobs in the Bay Area. The education consisted of less than 6 months of formal training and a few thousand dollars payment in return for a contact that will confirm their competence to a prospective employer.


Yes, but I bet they know what an if else statement is.
Burrfoot
Profile Blog Joined July 2012
United States1176 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 21:19:50
June 20 2013 21:14 GMT
#13
Liberal Arts majors end up moderating on forums 24/7, probably doesn't pay too well! ^_^

But seriously, look at what type of jobs you could see yourself doing. Chances are no matter what you "enjoy" you won't actually like your job when you do graduate. I did engineering, but most days I'm making powerpoints, excels, gannt charts or whatnot. Its fun, but its not all fun and games.
http://us.battle.net/d3/en/profile/Davlok-1847/career
woreyour
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
582 Posts
June 20 2013 21:19 GMT
#14
Engineering! Yes sir!

liberal arts does not pay well and ends up working in Mcdonalds. Eng'g on the other hand branches out from IT to specific eng'g jobs. Critical thinking wins! Also makes u good in Sc2 haha
I am so sexy.. I sometimes romance myself..
LegalLord
Profile Blog Joined April 2013
United Kingdom13775 Posts
June 20 2013 21:29 GMT
#15
On June 21 2013 06:10 c0ldfusion wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 06:09 LegalLord wrote:
On June 21 2013 06:03 c0ldfusion wrote:
On June 21 2013 05:26 rauk wrote:
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes


That is an egregious exaggeration.

It's not far from the truth.
I know a few people who went to a "trade school" (a reference farm with a name attached to it) and got some low level CS jobs in the Bay Area. The education consisted of less than 6 months of formal training and a few thousand dollars payment in return for a contact that will confirm their competence to a prospective employer.


Yes, but I bet they know what an if else statement is.

Yep, but that really pushes the limits of their knowledge.
You really can get a job with almost nothing if you can talk a good talk.
History will sooner or later sweep the European Union away without mercy.
ComaDose
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
Canada10357 Posts
June 20 2013 21:35 GMT
#16
im biased becuase im an engineer. but its probably the best proffession ever. im also heavily into science > arts

It should be more about what you want to do. I may spend more my life in a cubicle but im plugged into rediculously expensive machinery and i feel very rewarded when it does what im trying to make it do.

Overall, i recomend picking the job you want to get, then getting the degree you need to have it. if you dont feel rewarded by creating things then maybe engineering is not for you. but dont let what you do or do not know now hold you back from what you want to do. just learn more. engineering is physics with application so if you dont like physics then maybe its not for you.

having gone through many slumps with no modivation or happiness i can recomend getting a routine schedual together with clear goals. as lame as it sounds, if you say i will have this done by next week, then get it done on time, you feel better about yourself. it gives you structure too making you think like okay i can slack off for an hour then i have to work for 2 hrs to get this done. makes you appreciate your time off more and makes you work harder when you are working.
BW pros training sc2 is like kiss making a dub step album.
Race is Terran
Profile Blog Joined May 2013
United States382 Posts
June 20 2013 21:46 GMT
#17
if you want to go to liberal arts, you should get a facebook
zf
Profile Joined April 2011
231 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 22:02:37
June 20 2013 22:02 GMT
#18
On June 21 2013 05:59 Stratos_speAr wrote:Education is to improve yourself as an individual and as a citizen of society. A Studying the liberal arts will expose you to a far more diverse set of people, ideas, and opportunities than any STEM's-focused university will.

I studied the liberal arts, and they turned me into a bitter, narrow-minded asshole.
farvacola
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States18826 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 22:03:53
June 20 2013 22:03 GMT
#19
On June 21 2013 07:02 zf wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 05:59 Stratos_speAr wrote:Education is to improve yourself as an individual and as a citizen of society. A Studying the liberal arts will expose you to a far more diverse set of people, ideas, and opportunities than any STEM's-focused university will.

I studied the liberal arts, and they turned me into a bitter, narrow-minded asshole.

So why is it that we should value the opinion of some self-proclaimed narrow-minded asshole?
"when the Dead Kennedys found out they had skinhead fans, they literally wrote a song titled 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off'"
ghost_403
Profile Joined September 2010
United States1825 Posts
June 20 2013 22:22 GMT
#20
If you're wondering that question, engineering isn't for you...



It's presented as humor here, but it's actually a real thing. If you don't have "the knack" going in, you're probably not going to be able to make it through, and you're never going to enjoy it.

Source: I'm an engineer and I've got the knack.
They say great science is built on the shoulders of giants. Not here. At Aperture, we do all our science from scratch, no hand holding. Step aside, REAL SCIENCE coming through.
Aerisky
Profile Blog Joined May 2012
United States12129 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 22:43:34
June 20 2013 22:43 GMT
#21
On June 21 2013 06:09 LegalLord wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 06:03 c0ldfusion wrote:
On June 21 2013 05:26 rauk wrote:
i don't know what university is like in europe but in america there are plenty of CS majors who go in knowing absolutely nothing (as in, they don't even know what an if else statement is) and come out with a solid job

also what you learn in university programming classes generally won't prepare you for 'real world' applications anyways, you will learn what you need to on the job

physics is only important for some engineering... if you wanna do EE, civil, or chemical you'll need it but for CS or bio (i think) you just need to pass the prereq classes


That is an egregious exaggeration.

It's not far from the truth.
I know a few people who went to a "trade school" (a reference farm with a name attached to it) and got some low level CS jobs in the Bay Area. The education consisted of less than 6 months of formal training and a few thousand dollars payment in return for a contact that will confirm their competence to a prospective employer.

To add to this, there are many people who enter as CS majors with little to no knowledge about it at all, and come out with a solid skillset and extensive knowledge. Actually, the thing about CS is that it really does not require a great deal of students in general, versus something EE in which the baseline is taht you should have extensive knowledge in several areas. At my school, a significant portion of the entering class of intended CS majors has little to no experience with code at all.

On one hand this means that CS is not particularly difficult to pick up, so it is quite possible to differentiate yourself by excelling and going way beyond. On the other hand, it also means that there are a lot of mediocre programmers out there, yet there are a number of programmers who are REALLY good at the top with whom to compete.
Jim while Johnny had had had had had had had; had had had had the better effect on the teacher.
zf
Profile Joined April 2011
231 Posts
June 20 2013 22:54 GMT
#22
On June 21 2013 07:03 farvacola wrote:So why is it that we should value the opinion of some self-proclaimed narrow-minded asshole?

Fair enough. To the OP, don't choose the humanities over the sciences because it will “improve” you as a person. You can find interesting people and ideas in either. Some of the most pleasant and open-minded people I know studied the sciences.
Good luck with your choice!
farvacola
Profile Blog Joined January 2011
United States18826 Posts
June 20 2013 23:00 GMT
#23
On June 21 2013 07:54 zf wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 21 2013 07:03 farvacola wrote:So why is it that we should value the opinion of some self-proclaimed narrow-minded asshole?

Fair enough. To the OP, don't choose the humanities over the sciences because it will “improve” you as a person. You can find interesting people and ideas in either. Some of the most pleasant and open-minded people I know studied the sciences.
Good luck with your choice!

Contrary to your own specifications, the above is rather open-minded and cordial

OP, we can't tell you who you are, and therefore our advice is going to be accordingly general and pretty useless.
"when the Dead Kennedys found out they had skinhead fans, they literally wrote a song titled 'Nazi Punks Fuck Off'"
Smoot
Profile Joined April 2011
United States128 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-20 23:17:35
June 20 2013 23:01 GMT
#24
I don't mean to scare you... but all Engineering comes out to is Applied Physics. Having no background in physics will make it harder on you, but it wouldn't be impossible.

Other notes to consider besides everyone saying "Do what you love." Doing what you love may not feed the family.

Blame google if these numbers are wrong.

Unemployment of:
Engineers (6.4%)
Liberal Arts (12.3%)

Average Starting Salary of:
Engineers (50-80k) - depends on location and specialty it varies a lot. (Civil Eng. make the worst paycheck btw.)
Liberal Arts (30-40k) - depends on profession, location, etc.


Personal experience...
At the university I knew engineer students who had jobs 1 full year before they graduated (I had mine 2 full years before I graduated). Most had paid internships over the summer paying in excess of $20-$30 / hour.

I didn't know any liberal arts friends that had a paid internship. A few had jobs when they graduated after working unpaid internships. Most didn't get jobs. Few had jobs relating to their majors.

Case in point, I had a liberal arts friend that graduated a year before me. She ended up working at the University library. Then she moved up and started working at a local bookstore. She makes $9.00 an hour.


EDIT:
I would think that some folks with liberal arts majors wouldn't be so biased against the STEM majors, but a lot of them are. To say engineering doesn't give you a perspective on life is a flat lie. After studying the physical laws governing EVERYTHING, you tend to get a very interesting view of the world and what is able to be accomplished. Liberal arts is more focused on people, which gives a very different view of the world.

I see the evolution of man progressing through the ages by way of inventions. Steam engine invented = Industrial Age, Population Explosion, Productivity advancement. Invention of flight = World travel exists, Shipping of goods increases 1,000 fold. The liberal arts majors can now become more well rounded by traveling the world. Leads us to the space age... we put a man on the freak'n MOON. Sit back and think about the fact that we have a DAMN ROBOT ON MARS!!! We invented satellites and everything that they provide (GPS, Mapping, Communications, etc etc.)

To think I'm following in the footsteps of the people who led the evolution of mankind is very humbling.
SnipedSoul
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada2158 Posts
June 20 2013 23:10 GMT
#25
Take engineering, get a job, and then go back to school for liberal arts when you can afford it.
Roe
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Canada6002 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-21 01:17:30
June 21 2013 01:15 GMT
#26
On June 21 2013 08:10 SnipedSoul wrote:
Take engineering, get a job, and then go back to school for liberal arts when you can afford it.


this might be sort of the best of both worlds. get a sure job and sure money, but while you're doing all that and providing for your family and saving up and investing, maybe you take a few courses here and there, or you just sit down to yourself sunday evening and read and study on your own. You can easily learn all you need to know about physics and engineering from just reading on your own time, but people tend to want that degree for an engineer. Moreso than someone in L.A.

On June 21 2013 08:01 Smoot wrote:
I would think that some folks with liberal arts majors wouldn't be so biased against the STEM majors, but a lot of them are. To say engineering doesn't give you a perspective on life is a flat lie. After studying the physical laws governing EVERYTHING, you tend to get a very interesting view of the world and what is able to be accomplished. Liberal arts is more focused on people, which gives a very different view of the world.


The laws governing everything? Just looking at the laws of physics actually gives you a very narrow view of the human experience.
Stratos_speAr
Profile Joined May 2009
United States6959 Posts
June 21 2013 02:25 GMT
#27
On June 21 2013 08:01 Smoot wrote:
I don't mean to scare you... but all Engineering comes out to is Applied Physics. Having no background in physics will make it harder on you, but it wouldn't be impossible.

Other notes to consider besides everyone saying "Do what you love." Doing what you love may not feed the family.

Blame google if these numbers are wrong.

Unemployment of:
Engineers (6.4%)
Liberal Arts (12.3%)

Average Starting Salary of:
Engineers (50-80k) - depends on location and specialty it varies a lot. (Civil Eng. make the worst paycheck btw.)
Liberal Arts (30-40k) - depends on profession, location, etc.


Personal experience...
At the university I knew engineer students who had jobs 1 full year before they graduated (I had mine 2 full years before I graduated). Most had paid internships over the summer paying in excess of $20-$30 / hour.

I didn't know any liberal arts friends that had a paid internship. A few had jobs when they graduated after working unpaid internships. Most didn't get jobs. Few had jobs relating to their majors.

Case in point, I had a liberal arts friend that graduated a year before me. She ended up working at the University library. Then she moved up and started working at a local bookstore. She makes $9.00 an hour.


EDIT:
I would think that some folks with liberal arts majors wouldn't be so biased against the STEM majors, but a lot of them are. To say engineering doesn't give you a perspective on life is a flat lie. After studying the physical laws governing EVERYTHING, you tend to get a very interesting view of the world and what is able to be accomplished. Liberal arts is more focused on people, which gives a very different view of the world.

I see the evolution of man progressing through the ages by way of inventions. Steam engine invented = Industrial Age, Population Explosion, Productivity advancement. Invention of flight = World travel exists, Shipping of goods increases 1,000 fold. The liberal arts majors can now become more well rounded by traveling the world. Leads us to the space age... we put a man on the freak'n MOON. Sit back and think about the fact that we have a DAMN ROBOT ON MARS!!! We invented satellites and everything that they provide (GPS, Mapping, Communications, etc etc.)

To think I'm following in the footsteps of the people who led the evolution of mankind is very humbling.


I don't think that many liberal arts degree holders (including myself) would say that STEMs majors give you no perspective; any higher level education will give you perspective, and STEMs degrees hardly make you narrow-minded when you are learning about how the universe works. That said, liberal arts folk (myself included) tend to get overly defensive because we often have STEMs people rolling through talking about how useless our degree is without knowing a thing about what we actually did to gain it and what we experienced. Damn near every person I know that got a liberal arts degree is already employed, so it's hardly impossible. That said, I went to a pretty well-respected liberal arts school, and damn near anyone that went there had to be motivated and passionate about what they do.
A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else.
PassionFruit
Profile Blog Joined April 2012
294 Posts
June 21 2013 03:43 GMT
#28
Explore at the university, then decide on your own.

There's no point in studying to have a job you won't enjoy.
There's no point in going to the university if you're going to come out unemployed.

Balance is the key. Don't throw yourself into the deep on either end of the spectrum. Life sucks if you're not interested by your job. Life sucks is you don't have a job. Life's pretty good if you have a job you don't mind doing everyday.
Bunn
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Estonia934 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-06-21 04:10:57
June 21 2013 04:08 GMT
#29
On June 21 2013 05:57 hp.Shell wrote:
Don't pay $100-200k for a good liberal arts education. If you want a liberal arts education, go to school and talk to the liberal arts professors. Figure out what they're teaching, then read. A lot. That's my advice. If you're going to school to get a job, then go to school to get a job. Don't pay for something you can get from Google and your library and a few friends.


Actually, the education is free here.

On June 21 2013 07:43 Aerisky wrote:
On one hand this means that CS is not particularly difficult to pick up, so it is quite possible to differentiate yourself by excelling and going way beyond. On the other hand, it also means that there are a lot of mediocre programmers out there, yet there are a number of programmers who are REALLY good at the top with whom to compete.


On June 21 2013 05:45 LegalLord wrote:
CS is pretty much the fashion business with computers: keep up with the fashion trends that come out once a month or so, or no one will care about you.
Complete with fashion-esque names like "Ruby on Rails" and shiny Apple toys and the like.


If I understood correctly, it's easy to get into the game, but hard to stay there, unless I constantly improve myself?

On June 21 2013 06:46 Race is Terran wrote:
if you want to go to liberal arts, you should get a facebook


Probably wouldn't matter which path I'll choose, as nothing will operate without facebook nowadays.

On June 21 2013 07:22 ghost_403 wrote:
If you're wondering that question, engineering isn't for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmYDgncMhXw

It's presented as humor here, but it's actually a real thing. If you don't have "the knack" going in, you're probably not going to be able to make it through, and you're never going to enjoy it.

Source: I'm an engineer and I've got the knack.


Besides breaking a clock once and playing with legos, I probably lack "the knack". Then again, maybe it something which is obtainable?

On June 21 2013 08:01 Smoot wrote:
I don't mean to scare you... but all Engineering comes out to is Applied Physics. Having no background in physics will make it harder on you, but it wouldn't be impossible.

Other notes to consider besides everyone saying "Do what you love." Doing what you love may not feed the family.

Blame google if these numbers are wrong.

Unemployment of:
Engineers (6.4%)
Liberal Arts (12.3%)

Average Starting Salary of:
Engineers (50-80k) - depends on location and specialty it varies a lot. (Civil Eng. make the worst paycheck btw.)
Liberal Arts (30-40k) - depends on profession, location, etc.


Personal experience...
At the university I knew engineer students who had jobs 1 full year before they graduated (I had mine 2 full years before I graduated). Most had paid internships over the summer paying in excess of $20-$30 / hour.

I didn't know any liberal arts friends that had a paid internship. A few had jobs when they graduated after working unpaid internships. Most didn't get jobs. Few had jobs relating to their majors.

Case in point, I had a liberal arts friend that graduated a year before me. She ended up working at the University library. Then she moved up and started working at a local bookstore. She makes $9.00 an hour.


EDIT:
I would think that some folks with liberal arts majors wouldn't be so biased against the STEM majors, but a lot of them are. To say engineering doesn't give you a perspective on life is a flat lie. After studying the physical laws governing EVERYTHING, you tend to get a very interesting view of the world and what is able to be accomplished. Liberal arts is more focused on people, which gives a very different view of the world.

I see the evolution of man progressing through the ages by way of inventions. Steam engine invented = Industrial Age, Population Explosion, Productivity advancement. Invention of flight = World travel exists, Shipping of goods increases 1,000 fold. The liberal arts majors can now become more well rounded by traveling the world. Leads us to the space age... we put a man on the freak'n MOON. Sit back and think about the fact that we have a DAMN ROBOT ON MARS!!! We invented satellites and everything that they provide (GPS, Mapping, Communications, etc etc.)

To think I'm following in the footsteps of the people who led the evolution of mankind is very humbling.


The part about internships is truly lucrative. I probably wouldn't make so much here, but it would still be better than nothing. The part about progressing through ages also fascinates me, but it's not like I'll be the inventor of the next great thing.


On June 21 2013 11:25 Stratos_speAr wrote:
I don't think that many liberal arts degree holders (including myself) would say that STEMs majors give you no perspective; any higher level education will give you perspective, and STEMs degrees hardly make you narrow-minded when you are learning about how the universe works. That said, liberal arts folk (myself included) tend to get overly defensive because we often have STEMs people rolling through talking about how useless our degree is without knowing a thing about what we actually did to gain it and what we experienced. Damn near every person I know that got a liberal arts degree is already employed, so it's hardly impossible. That said, I went to a pretty well-respected liberal arts school, and damn near anyone that went there had to be motivated and passionate about what they do.


I think I'm not really passionate about anything, besides history. Unfortunately (fortunately perhaps?), there aren't any prestigious schools that will land you a job, just by seeing its name (e.g. Harvard). But maybe that's just the impression I've gotten.
----

I think I should go the engineering way. Choosing CS would be the safest choice as there are many spots to be filled in here. If I'd choose that path I should work on my "soft" skills, otherwise that would be pretty useless as well.

Looks like I'm leaning more towards engineering. Hopefully it'll be worth it.
"There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level." - Bruce Lee
targ
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Malaysia445 Posts
June 21 2013 04:16 GMT
#30
I suggest you give both a brief try, by going online (e.g. MIT Open Courseware) and doing both an introductory physics course and an introductory liberal arts course, then see which you like better. You can then use that as a basis to choose which path of study suits you more.
http://billyfoong.blogspot.com/ my other opinions are here
cadam
Profile Joined June 2013
1 Post
June 21 2013 05:28 GMT
#31
one thing to look into is whether or not u can actually get into engineering and with math marks that low you will probably find the early year calc courses hard(despite them being fairly useless), i went to UofT and u wouldnt get in with those marks but its probably possible at a smaller university
Bunn
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Estonia934 Posts
June 21 2013 06:22 GMT
#32
On June 21 2013 14:28 cadam wrote:
one thing to look into is whether or not u can actually get into engineering and with math marks that low you will probably find the early year calc courses hard(despite them being fairly useless), i went to UofT and u wouldnt get in with those marks but its probably possible at a smaller university


There's a shortage of engineers, so they will take almost everyone who they can get. Rumours say that the hard part is surviving the first semester, as up to 1/3 the class may be left after that (at least in some fields/branches).
"There are no limits. There are plateaus, but you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. If it kills you, it kills you. A man must constantly exceed his level." - Bruce Lee
CreationSoul
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Romania231 Posts
June 21 2013 10:56 GMT
#33
I finished computer sciences last year. After the first year 10% of students quit, and after the second year.... another big chunk quit. I think that in total 25% of students quit in the first 2 years. But after that I can count those who DIDN'T finish on one hand. So if you pass the first 2 years....you will finish university.

Also you should look what if there are many jobs available for people who finish liberal arts in your country. All the advices here come from people from different countries. Here (in Romania) for example, people who finish liberal arts have a very difficult time finding jobs, while engineers (especially CS ones) find jobs very fast.

SO just enter a jobs website and see the number of available jobs for each field.
Quitting is the easy way out...
imA1
Profile Joined June 2013
19 Posts
June 21 2013 12:21 GMT
#34
there's nothing that u will regret if you choose engineering, possibly outside of having a good time in college. Socializing is great but if u're content with feeling inferior for the rest of your life - go with it. I used to major history btw
Impervious
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Canada4199 Posts
June 21 2013 12:31 GMT
#35
On June 21 2013 07:22 ghost_403 wrote:
If you're wondering that question, engineering isn't for you...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmYDgncMhXw

It's presented as humor here, but it's actually a real thing. If you don't have "the knack" going in, you're probably not going to be able to make it through, and you're never going to enjoy it.

Source: I'm an engineer and I've got the knack.

That clip. Oh my god I laughed so hard.

That's not entirely true, I do know many people studying engineering who aren't like that, but at the same time, a lot of them are (myself included).
~ \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\ : not capable of being damaged or harmed.
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