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On July 05 2015 04:33 Djzapz wrote:
I'm a researcher for a university and a class lecturer in political science as well as a PhD candidate/student. Why not do engineering though? If you want a job that pays well and where you don't need to be exceptionally book-smart (but you still need to work your ass in school), there are many branches of applied engineering that could be interesting.
If I had wanted an education that'd land me a stable career, it's what I would have done, instead of choosing a field of constant precarity and fear that my contracts will end.
Cheers to the social science PhD! I go on the job market in 2-3 months looking for a TT position...You read poliscirumors by any chance?
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On July 07 2015 05:51 Dknight wrote:Show nested quote +On July 05 2015 04:33 Djzapz wrote:
I'm a researcher for a university and a class lecturer in political science as well as a PhD candidate/student. Why not do engineering though? If you want a job that pays well and where you don't need to be exceptionally book-smart (but you still need to work your ass in school), there are many branches of applied engineering that could be interesting.
If I had wanted an education that'd land me a stable career, it's what I would have done, instead of choosing a field of constant precarity and fear that my contracts will end. Cheers to the social science PhD! I go on the job market in 2-3 months looking for a TT position...You read poliscirumors by any chance?
I don't read it, but maybe I should. Good community?
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It's an anonymous forum mostly full of PhD students, young professors, and some other noise. Pretty interesting and funny at times though some have described it as a 'cesspool' thanks to a lot of trolling but it is pretty interesting if you're into academia..They were the ones that began to get suspicious back of LaCour and his fraud back in December before it went big in May. I'm actually a criminal justice major with no interest in polisci; I just find the site amusing and a decent waste of time ever since I started following LaCour a few months back...
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pretty funny how op says he has an useless BA degree, then 56 people reply that have software engineer degrees and jobs and suggest him jobs that all require advanced technical knowledge.
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On July 08 2015 18:22 Poopfeast 024 wrote:
pretty funny how op says he has an useless BA degree, then 56 people reply that have software engineer degrees and jobs and suggest him jobs that all require advanced technical knowledge.
You should have read more. That's what I'm willing to acquire.
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On July 08 2015 19:15 SixStrings wrote:Show nested quote +On July 08 2015 18:22 Poopfeast 024 wrote:
pretty funny how op says he has an useless BA degree, then 56 people reply that have software engineer degrees and jobs and suggest him jobs that all require advanced technical knowledge. You should have read more. That's what I'm willing to acquire.
well in that case, what I can tell you is that in Germany and (everywhere) there is a huge demand of programmers, you don't even necessarily need a degree. you do need programming skills though, because most of the jobs require you to do some sort of test and/or homework. the most popular languages are Java (moderately hard to learn), C++ (very hard), C# (moderate). You can get some expertise in the language itself in a few weeks using online tutorials, if you have the affinity for it. But you also usually need knowledge of some tools like frameworks, git, merging apps, databases, etc, and some network knowledge, and ideally knowledge of some other programming languages as well.
It is possible to obtain these from zero skills in a few months, if you have the commitment and have affinity, and get an internship/junior job.
It is also much harder to get a relevant job in any other engineering field if you are not degree certified and those also pay less, so I guess your best bet is some kind of object oriented programmer career.
I have a masters in industrial design engineering, work as a development engineer at a company that specializes in sensors, have 2 years of exp at a german automotive supplier as a design engineer, and also speak very good english and german (and hungarian). also have decent IT skills, sql, advanced excel, visual basic, python, etc. And all my friends that work as software developers earn about 50% more than me, and have much more job opportunities, even if their skills in programming are worse than mine in my field. I am trying to make the transition too but it's hard to study with a full time job 
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As it turns out, there are plenty of Master studies in software and mechanical engineering that only require a B. Sc. that's vaguely related to maths, so I'll just get a bachelor's in engineering mechanics with a theoretical focus.
That should leave enough room for specialisation down the road.
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I'm an animator/visual effects artist.
My work takes place on a computer, it's creative, technical knowledge/coding/math ability is a bonus, contractual nature of it means I'm not at one place longer than I want to be and I have the freedom to take vacations or work in other countries.
Almost completely skill-based. If you're good you can get a job, if you're not, you can't. Mega competitive.
EDIT: Although you probably will not get employable skills from a regular university course. Better to go to a specialist school.
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Well, for me it comes down to either:
- structural engineering
- mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau)
From what I've seen in the respective study guides, the former seems a deal more interesting, but I think the latter will be a bit more useful and is more general. Please help. 
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On July 10 2015 20:40 SixStrings wrote:Well, for me it comes down to either: - structural engineering - mechanical engineering (Maschinenbau) From what I've seen in the respective study guides, the former seems a deal more interesting, but I think the latter will be a bit more useful and is more general. Please help.
I can give you some imput about mechanical, since I have a BSC in mechanical and I have worked as a design engineer for 2 years for a German company.
mechanical engineering is one of the most interesting subjects to learn if you're into technical stuff, since it is quite interdisciplinar compared to electrical or computer science. you'll have to learn a lot of natural science basics (mathematics, with emphasis in differential equations, phsics, statics and dynamics, electronics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics). a lot of these subjects are considered VERY hard. and also you have to keep in mind that you won't be as much of an expert in any subject (unless you specialize in it) as an electrical engineer will be in electricity for example.
other areas of subject: structure of machines, machine elements, manufacture technology, CAD technology, material science- these are EXTREMELY interesting. but you usually have to survive the basic subjects to get to the really interesting ones.
I went on to do a master's in Industrial Design, but you have many choices of specialization. Applied mechanics, fluid mechanics, machine design, manufacture technology, plastics, chemical machines and verfahrenstechnik, etc, mechatronics, etc.
Manufacturing technology is probably the best in terms of job prospects, these guys usually work as a process engineer in a cnc plant. They work with cnc programming software in machining factories. these jobs pay very well but the downside is there won't be any females at all and you'll have to wake up at like 6 am in the morning. these also tend to be not in big cities but in the outskirts or villages or the such.
Automotive is huge in germany, and you can get very good payment in this field. most of the jobs is just CAD design, you don't need any specialization for these jobs. In fact most of the german people, including my boss only did an apprenticeship. the payment is very good but the jobs are repetitive, with a lot of annoying, lengthy processes. 80% of your work will be absolutely useless which is a pretty annoying feeling. I worked for 3 of the largest german concerns, I could write a book about all the retarded shit I had to do without any rational explanation.
Most of your job, whatever you choose will mostly consist of using some kind of CAD software, maybe some other technical software like FEA, and creating technical documentation. You won't use 99% of your academic studies. In fact most of my german bosses were infinitely stupider than me in literally every subject, because they only had apprenticeships, while they required masters degrees from the hungarians.
there are more advanced paths, like plastic tooling designer, project engineer/project manager, etc, but you usually need to have a certain amount of specific experience.
If you manage to get a job at a smaller company that has the potential to be awesome though.
it is not an easy path to take, you'd probably better off with programming, and have an easier time too.
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It's awesome how many smart and successful ppl there are on TL.
I actually graduated with a finance degree in business school (almost got job working in finance / banking industry, thank god i didn't) I did some random drawings on the side and put them up on my website and youtube for fun at the time. Then those things kinda took off on their own. Eventually I'm able to support myself doing commissions.
these days I have decent amount of followers and viewers / exposure to keep the commission side going while pursuing other avenues such as sponsorship and what not. I feel pretty lucky since i get to be my own boss and work from wherever I want doing something i enjoy. (need internet and working post office near by tho)
I also really enjoy designing of all sorts but these days don't have much time to look too much into it. I also wish I have more time to look into investing but w/e. appreciating life one moment at a time.
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On July 11 2015 03:42 Glider wrote:
It's awesome how many smart and successful ppl there are on TL.
I actually graduated with a finance degree in business school (almost got job working in finance / banking industry, thank god i didn't) I did some random drawings on the side and put them up on my website and youtube for fun at the time. Then those things kinda took off on their own. Eventually I'm able to support myself doing commissions.
these days I have decent amount of followers and viewers / exposure to keep the commission side going while pursuing other avenues such as sponsorship and what not. I feel pretty lucky since i get to be my own boss and work from wherever I want doing something i enjoy. (need internet and working post office near by tho)
I also really enjoy designing of all sorts but these days don't have much time to look too much into it. I also wish I have more time to look into investing but w/e. appreciating life one moment at a time.
i'd love to see some of your stuff if it's not a secret. in fact i like to do drawings as a hobby but too shy to show them to people, but i've been thinking about doing something like what you do would love to be my own boss. bosses suck.
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Do you not know Glider? Here's his youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxJ67xR4HBkLe5gnwJZRhXg
His art is absolutely amazing, do check it out and spread the word.
Also:
Thank you VERY much for taking the time and describing your experience with engineering. I really appreciate it.
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I studied industrial engineering (wirtschaftsingenieur) and work as an engineer part time. I started to study Math last year.
From my experience engineering is a great choice as its super interesting, keeps your choices flexible and gives you great carreer opportunities.
That being said, I always thought of myself as too dumb for mathematics and it was a really hard choice last year for me... but now I manage quite well. You should do what interests you the most, being too dumb for sciences, as you wrote, shouldnt hold you back if you otherwise wanted to try it. Motivation is everything.
Also I wanted to add that I love your honesty and how open you are in all your posts, really refreshing! GLHF
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EPT
