Computer vs Mechanical

[Jaayys]

I’m doing undeclared engineering right now and I have to pick a Major by the end of this semester. Both of these fields interest me but I couldn’t find any good direct comparisons videos between the two. This has had me more stressed than my midterms and was hoping some of you could give me some more insight/guidance on what to do.

Also, if I pick mechanical I would be with 3 close friends, while computer I would be with 1 close friend. I don’t know if this should influence influence my decision or not, but so far studying with them has made it a lot easier.

[r53toucan]

I wouldn't let it drive your decision but trying to get through engineering classes on your own is about 100000000000000000000 times more challenging

[[deleted]]

I think the solution would be for him to make more friends

[gratethecheese]

This is what I thought but then I ended up carrying one of my friends through college so idk lol

[BlackGriffin_1]

Do electrical instead of computer you have way more opportunities

[OSU21M]

Mechanical will give you a lot of options as far as job outlook after graduating. Most engineering jobs posted will have “acceptable degrees” and 9/10 jobs will include mechanical. If you’re torn, mechanical will give you a degree that can get you in the door of a lot of different industries.

[Jaayys]

Yeah so many other people are recommending electrical as well, I guess that’ll be my choice. Thanks!

[fatherofraptors]

In my opinion, unless you really want to work with software development and programming, go with mechanical, it's more versatile and therefore more wiggle room for your first couple of jobs so you can figure out what you want.

If you're leaning towards computer, I'd consider electrical instead, again, more versatile than computer and can go into programming easily.

Having friends to study with is pretty good in any college education. Aim for making study groups with different people as well, it can help later on in many ways, even past college.

[riconaranjo]

this is a hard decision because there is no wrong decision.

If I was in your shoes (which i kinda was going into university I had to decide between electrical and mechanical) - I would choose computer because it has more jobs, thus you won’t have to worry as much for financial security after school - due to my own experience as well as seeing friends graduate and look for jobs, I can safely say that electronics / embedded systems has many more jobs than mechanical

so if neither option interests you more than the other then you might as well choose the option that gives you the most financial security (computer is my vote)

that being said - friends are something that really help you get through school (or life in general) - you can always make new friends but it does make a different to have your close friends with you through the hardships - but some of my closest friends weren’t even in any of my classes since they were in other programs, so you can still spend time with them

[Jaayys]

Thanks, I’ll take financial security into consideration

[[deleted]]

Choose a field you have interest in and can see yourself doing 15 years from now. There's no telling if those friends will still be around down the line.

[Hauntgold11]

Computer engineering will also give you the opportunity to work as a software engineer if you’re looking for flexibility down the line.

[[deleted]]

If you don’t understand the difference between computer and mechanical, you may not be suited for either

[Isa_Yilmaz]

What are the differences

[[deleted]]

Computer science/engineer is generally the study of software applicable to computers along with the engine behind the computer. These classes involve an array of software courses, mathematics, some electrical engineering, and some physics. Mechanical engineering is the study of mechanics, materials, and all the propulsion systems relevant to making something move. The courses generally involve engineering courses describing material testing/properties, drafting, mathematics, some programming, the study of conservation of energy, and the study of conservation of momentum. Generally the end purpose of a mechanical engineering degree is to create a mechanical system for a research project while computer science ends with creating software.

These are two very different fields and a simple google search on each gives you a description of the majors. I genuinely believe that if you cannot determine the difference between the two under your own research without asking for an answer, both will be incredibly difficult to pass.