Any engineers here?

[Banner]

I'm a first year U of C engineering student and soon will have to choose what kind of engineering I will major in. I've went to many info sessions on campus and kind of got a good idea what each major does and I've narrowed my choices down to

Civil
Mechanical
Petroleum

Everyone says do what you like but honestly I feel like I would enjoy any of these 3, which make my decision difficult. So I wanted to ask the engineers of CP what each field is like. Money isn't that important to me but it would be nice to know the difference in salary of each field. Locations of work, specific projects that you guys do, and any other info/advice you guys could give me would help a ton!

[kirant]

I graduated Engineering (Chem/Biomed, though not using the degree at the moment as I'm moving to the Medical Physics program) and really can't say much about what you might find in each field myself but talking to my friends the past year or so has given me this:
- Civil and Petroleum are much more focused. They have their obvious field of interest and where you'd likely work. Petroleum in particular does a lot of reservoir simulation...at least, it does in your degree. I've seen a lot some engineers work on those in the work place to help analyze the productivity of a well.
- Mechanical seems a bit more general and you might be able to float between different fields. My friends from Mechanical are all over the place. Even the last few profs I had mentioned it and stated that they courses similar in nature to both Chemical and Civil but just don't take some of the more specialized courses (such as phase separation in Chemical).

[CampbellsTransgressions]

My only comment would be that if you have the grades, do Chemical over Petroleum. It's more versatile even if the starting salaries are lower. I wouldn't worry about salaries as an engineer in Alberta anyway.

[jeffman]

Civils, Electricals and Mechanicals seem to be the most versatile of all engineering streams as they are needed almost everywhere: infrastructure,O & G, construction,utilities,manufacturing etc

[kirant]

Originally Posted by CampbellsTransgressions

My only comment would be that if you have the grades, do Chemical over Petroleum. It's more versatile even if the starting salaries are lower. I wouldn't worry about salaries as an engineer in Alberta anyway.

Just a comment on the distinctions:
- Chemical focuses a lot more on reaction, reaction rate, and physical properties. Designing chemical plants is something I don't think Petroleum do as their final project
- Petroleum deals with the analysis of wells. My friends had nightmares since they used historical data to model wells and would take hours upon hours to do a simulation with an archaic interface. It's really interesting stuff but it's certainly very specialized. If your heart is set on the Oil and Gas industry, go Petroleum.

[flamesflames2014]

I did chemical with a minor in petroleum and i think that (or any with a petroleum minor) is the way to go. You still take the majority of the petroleum courses, only main difference is the final year project but you are not then just limited to O&G if say oil stays ~$50/bbl long term. I graduated a few years ago and working through my first downtown and now seeing the true nature of the ups and downs so be prepared for that. Starting salary as a new grad with new with a major O&G is ~80k/year but that may change with oil prices and scale backs. Not sure about civil or mech but working as a petroleum engineer can be as technical as you want it to be and you can 'specialize' in a certain part of petroleum engineering or go more the management side where you don't do much engineering or technical work but manage projects, money, people and the overall business.

[Frequitude]

I took electrical so can't speak to your list but can give you a flavour for it...it's a lot of calculus.

I don't practice though and it's a unique one to go the management route with. I get my fair share of quirky looks and jabs when people find out.

Wouldn't change it if I could though. Love the idea of electricity. Such a great transportable form of energy.

[_Q_]

Electrical Engineer as well here. I can't say much to your 3 preferences, but if it was up to me, I would stick with one of the more general disciplines; Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Chemical.

Also, as far as I know, civil engineers make the least amount of money, especially early on in their careers.

[guzzy]

it also depends on whether or not you want to get onto the project manager side of things. For some reason, the best PM's i know are chemical engineers.

[Frequitude]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Electrical Engineer as well here. I can't say much to your 3 preferences, but if it was up to me, I would stick with one of the more general disciplines; Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Chemical.

Also, as far as I know, civil engineers make the least amount of money, especially early on in their careers.

I completely agree with this recommendation. Those are the fundamental disciplines. The rest are pretty much specialized applications of one of the 4 for the most part. You'll find in your career that they'll give you the most flexibility to either practice engineering or go the management route.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I completely agree with this recommendation. Those are the fundamental disciplines. The rest are pretty much specialized applications of one of the 4 for the most part. You'll find in your career that they'll give you the most flexibility to either practice engineering or go the management route.

Yeah, most job postings out there that I've seen in my field say something like "Candidate must possess a degree in Electrical, Electronics or Software Engineering" or they say "Electrical Engineering" alone. I've never come across a posting requiring only the more specialized Software or Electronics Engineering.

My point is, as an Electrical Engineer, I can do the same stuff a Software, Computer or Electronics Engineer can do, but a Software Engineer won't be able to do all the stuff I can.

[Looch City]

I'm a 4th year civil and my only advice to you is to apply to summer jobs at engineering firms and definitely take internship after your 3rd year. It will put you way ahead of the rest of your classmates that don't.

Also take a look at and apply to FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program). You create a profile with as much detail as you want, then submit it to the database that federal employers look it. It's great for engineering students, even 1st years.

Building relevant experience while you're still in school is probably the most important thing for student engineers (especially in this current economy).

[SeeGeeWhy]

I did a BSc in mechanical with a minor in petroleum. Went back and did a masters in business.

Worked as a petroleum engineer for about 8 years and then went into business for myself doing manufacturing, HVAC and "financial engineering" (acquisitions). The mechanical degree has been very versatile, and has even allowed me to work on a nuclear energy start up.

What I can say is to enjoy your time at school. See other parts of the campus, join clubs, do engineering competitions to see other campuses entirely. Consider and exchange andost DEFINETLY get that work experience. Lots of good employers will train you up anyways, an engineering degree is a strong indication that you're a good learner... Once you're in the workforce and start doing... Your major starts to mean less and less.

I'll add... Consider the area you'd like to live in and maybe even a dream employer. Maybe you want to be qualified to get a masters in some field at a dream school... That might make you strategically consider your major and what GPA to work for.

[Bill Bumface]

As someone who was going to take Mechanical then didn't, take Mechanical if you aren't sure. It's much more versatile. I know many Mechanical Engineers working in Civil and all aspects of Oil & Gas.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Banner

I'm a first year U of C engineering student and soon will have to choose what kind of engineering I will major in. I've went to many info sessions on campus and kind of got a good idea what each major does and I've narrowed my choices down to

Civil
Mechanical
Petroleum...

My logic would be to go by elimination: petroleum engineering would limit you to the petroleum industries only. Mechanical would be wider in applications, as it is used in most industries. Civil has the narrowest application of the three and is the least paid, comparatively, for the same level of experience. If you like all three disciplines, mechanical would be a more practical choice, I suggest, as it relates to your future career choices and opportunities.

[JD]

SeeGeeWhy has the best advice so far.

As for what I'd say, pick the one you like and then get a job you like. You'll be trained to do what you need to do in your career. I don't hire a petroleum engineer over a chemical engineer because he knows how to calculate the downhole pressure in a well and the chemmy doesn't, I hire him because he shows the best attitude and aptitude. I will teach them how to perform the functions of the job.

In other words, don't overthink it. University is not training you for a job. They are teaching you the basics to function in a career.

[Brewmaster]

Mechanical is good in that it keeps many doors open for careers in different industries. It is one of the more challenging programs however, so you might have less free time at university than some other specializations. A MecE degree will allow you to work as a petroleum engineer in industry but you will not start with the same background knowledge as a PetE.

It was already mentioned in this thread, but the work experience you get during summers, co-op terms, or internships while in university are critical to your success in finding employment as a graduate. Jobs are competitive for new grads, and typically all that distinguishes them are grades and work experience. It might seem like a chore to find job postings and do applications during the school year, but it really pays off to put in that time upfront.

[Jude]

It's been a while since I looked at the APEGA Salary Survey results (you should check that out Banner to answer one of your questions) but the difference in base salaries between those three disciplines isn't big enough to justify what you will be doing for the rest of your life. Pick what you like; if your main goal is to make a lot of money and hate your job, become a dentist!

[Banner]

Thanks a lot guys, appreciate all the replies. Looks like i'll be leaning towards mech if my GPA will be good enough to get in. Anyone know the best way to get summer/co-op jobs and internships when you don't really have a lot of contacts or connections?

[kermitology]

The specific examples you'll learn will differ between disciplines but the core of what engineering is remains the same: it's about gathering information, identifying the problem or issue at hand and determining options to deal with it.

I'm electrical. Wouldn't recommend. Also, I've used hulkrogans work before. He's useless.