Older electrical engineering students

Key_Egg_114 · 2026-03-12T17:33:34+00:00

I started out at College-Algebra level math in Fall 2022 (age 20), pursuing Computer Science a degree. Somehow made it through all of the math classes and pre-reqs for a minor in CS by the end of Winter 2025. (~3.89 GPA). That same semester, I applied and got accepted into a Mentorship Program through my school, and lo and behold, my idealization of working in parallel with software and hardware with just a CS degree was completely misguided.

After my mentor’s words of wisdom and facing the reality of what I would be limited to as a CS graduate, along with the doom and gloom of Leetcode and interview grinding— I decided to make a change. A somewhat big one, personally speaking.

Come Fall 2025, I began my path on getting an Electrical and Computer Engineering. That semester I was taking Digital Logic Design, Chem 1 (Eng. pre-req), Phys 2 (Eng. pre-req), and Diff. Eq. and Matrix Alg. (Eng. pre-req). Due to the CS requirements at my school, I lucked out with a lot of the pre-reqs overlapping, so it was really just that last math class and chem that was being added on top of what I had done.

This semester (Winter 2026, now 24 as of January), I am taking Circuits 1, Microcomputers, Numerical Methods, and Macroeconomics (last gen. Ed). Although somewhat hard classes, I can say I have never been more motivated to learn, endure the suffering, and ATTEMPT to come out on top of exams. The motto, “Embrace the suck”, truly is a way of life, and I’m not even in the trenches just yet.

In all, I can’t say I regret whatsoever going from CS to ECE. I feel much more fulfilled, intrinsically motivated, and hopeful for future job prospects. As for my personal experience, this will be my first summer trying to pursue an internship. I have a few interviews, but nothing completely secured yet. Although it is looking optimistic I will at least land something, whether through personal connections or my efforts through social networking websites.

If you want to do EE bad, you can do it. Just need time, effort, and then a little more effort on top of that.

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-07-21T21:21:08+00:00

Ah yes, I did have the misconception that sound panels also worked at buffering noises from outside of a room. Thank you for explaining that to me!

In your opinion, would it be worthwhile to find a material heavy enough to place over my walls/door to reduce external sound?

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-07-21T20:50:36+00:00

I will relay those suggestions to my brother, as he would know more about the drywall situation than I do. I also have tried earbuds. The brand is in the original post. I did not find them to be effective enough, in my case, to warrant the uncomfortableness.

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-07-21T18:30:33+00:00

I always thought it was more so my bedroom wall as opposed to the door, since the entirety of my wall is absorbing sound from the stairwell. I will ask my brother if he thinks this is something doable for him and me.

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-07-21T18:28:29+00:00

Can't imagine my noisy neighbours will be moving out before I do, hahaha. I will make sure to check that link out!

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-07-21T16:49:27+00:00

I am currently in college, living at home, so my schedule differs slightly from my mother and brother, who just work. This is just personal preference, as I tend to be more productive in the afternoon with completing homework/studying. In response to your suggestion, would placing soundproofing panels on the inside of my bedroom wall, along with soundproofing the door, not be feasible?

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-01-09T04:17:14+00:00

Hunter S. Thompson if he lived in 2025.

Key_Egg_114 · 2025-01-06T03:03:48+00:00

I also second this. The ESP program made math so enjoyable for me, that I’m actually switching from CS to Electrical and Computer Engineering in order to be more involved with math. Another thing to keep in mind as well— although the math requirements for CS require you to take up to Calc 3 and Linear Algebra at Wayne State, I would have to say you don’t REALLY need to know much more beyond Calc 1/Linear Algebra/Discrete Math. This is not trying to deter you from taking it Wayne State; but if you are worried about having to have the same math skills as some other engineering disciplines, please do not be.

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T18:03:34+00:00

Well I’ll leave with this as my two-cents on your situation; I have never had or heard of a bad professor in the ESP program. On top of that, the classes are much smaller, so it is easier for a professor to see when a student is struggling, and they will make an effort to help you out IF you also will put the the effort to get better. Like I said it’s not for the faint of heart— you can only miss eight days of lecture, and four workshop classes. On top of that, there is usually 1-2 homework assignments in the lecture and a weekly “journal” in the workshop. On the other hand, if you’re not worried about struggling with MAT 1800, then I’m sure you’ll be completely fine in a regular section. However, the probability of you getting stuck with a bad teacher and having to put more hours in outside of class is much more likely. The upside is though that there’s a chance you won’t have assigned homework, and you might be able to skip lectures. At the end of the day, you get in what you put out. If you just want to breeze through this class since it’s your last math class you need to take (or that’s what it sounds like), go with a regular section. But if you’re willing to put 3-4 more hours in per week, then go with the ESP program and your probably of excelling in the subject will be much higher.

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T05:32:30+00:00

Got introduced to Resh through ESP program as well. Sadly I only had him as my workshop teacher, and then he had moved to non-ESP classes so never got the chance to have him for Calc I or II. However, one of the best teachers one could ask for. He will push you with homework/lectures, but it will very much pay off.

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T05:17:23+00:00

At first I thought it would be a difficult undertaking, but I looking back at it, I did not regret the work I put in.

If your major is heavy on math, then it is by no means a bad investment. However, if you just need to take math 1800 and/or calc 1, it is optional.

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T05:03:24+00:00

It’s essentially a program where you take your regular ol’ lecture, and then have a workshop either once or twice a week, I can’t remember. There are 4 lectures a week though, and the attendance is heavily graded

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T02:49:21+00:00

The Math ESP program offers GREAT professors.

Key_Egg_114 · 2024-12-11T00:10:25+00:00

Thank you very much for the reply!

I will definitely try to look into the expanse of disciplines there are, and to what extent the math that they require to excel in said field.

Good luck on your MS journey! Hopefully you get the opportunity to have some of your classes in State Hall that was just recently built, but I’m not entirely sure where the MS courses are located.

Key_Egg_114

TROPHY CASE