If you are trying to figure out what stream of engineering is right for you, these three strategies I found helpful might be useful for you too.
I am a third-year student studying a double degree of Engineering and Commerce at Sydney University.
Similar to many engineers going into uni, I was incredibly unsure of what stream I should choose.
Sydney University offers a flexible first year which allows you to study core subjects in the first semester before you are required to choose a stream without adding time onto your degree. As a result, it didn’t make my decision any easier, other than allowing me more time to reach a verdict.
I would like to share three strategies that I employed that ultimately helped me reach a decision that I was very content with:
1. Talk to other students.
This is the best way to understand more about the different streams of engineering. Other students are the easiest people to both relate to and communicate with.
In my own experience I learnt a lot more from students than I did from teachers, as they are often more honest and realistic about the subject and its workload. Hearing more about the subject also allowed me to consider if it was a subject that I would be interested in learning more about.
2. Read the unit outlines of subjects.
This is a process that I have turned into a habit with all my subjects. It allows me to get a comprehensive understanding of what is taught and the learning outcomes of the subject.
For me, I read the outline for multiple streams of engineering to allow me to get a further understanding of what is studied and the range of subjects that the stream offers. You can find the unit outlines for all the subjects when you search for the Engineering handbook at your uni.
3. Attend seminars and discussions.
At Sydney University, engineers must complete a course called Professional Engagement Program (PEP) which requires certain hours of engineering-related studies to be completed.
As a result, I attended a variety of seminars and discussions that my uni offered with my prime outcome being attaining engineering hours for PEP.
However, this was also extremely useful as it gave me many insights into not only different engineering streams, but future career options related to different streams.
These three strategies allowed me to gain a deeper understanding into the different streams of engineering and resulted in my ultimate decision of choosing… civil engineering!
I hope my tips will help you trying to navigate the same decision. In the end, the more informed you are, the better the decision will be the right one for you.
Recap
You need to be proactive to make the most informed decision;
- Talk to other students about the streams they are doing
- Read the course / unit outlines
- Attend seminars
About the author: Jonathan
Johnny is currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Major) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance Major) at the University of Sydney. He is currently working in hospitality and is hoping to start an internship now that he has entered his third year of study. He is also a keen basketball player and currently plays for the Sydney University team.