Civil Engineering VS. Aerospace Engineering?
I tried lying to myself for a year in college, but I figured out that Civil engineering just isn't my thing, building bridges and buildings etc. is absolutely boring to me (no offense to CE's) I am planning to switch to Aerospace engineering, my family has been working at an aerospace engineering company for all their life and have some connections, while in CE I had no one. I also am actually excited to learn in the design of aircrafts and spacecrafts, while when headed toward buildings and bridges I wasn't I think the main reason why I was bored with Civil is because I see buildings and bridges everyday. I go to school in buildings, we all have houses and I don't find it interesting since we're surrounded by it 24/7, non moving objects that CE's build and watch crumble after a while but Aerospace offers me something I don't get on a day to day basis, design in flight. I see birds flying in the sky, a skill humans don't possess, but I can find out the mysteries behind it and design something moving, in flight and out of my reach. Sorry for rambling, I just wanted to get this out, Ive been thinking about it for weeks. If you have any insight, comments, suggestions, ANYTHING please answer.
Should I study mechanical or civil engineering?
First off, you really can do both, it'll add a year, maybe a year and a half to your undergraduate degree to double major. It won't be any harder than just doing one, you can still take the ordinary number of classes, and take a little longer to complete. The first year and a half to two years (depending on the college) will be the same for both. There do seem to be more jobs for civil right now, but you've got time, the economy will change in ways we can't predict by the time you graduate. And if you work hard and seek as much education as you can, you'll find a place in engineering regardless of which you choose. And for twinton - your little rant is WAY off. Anti-social dependent high school students? I'm glad your education in structural engineering has so far also qualified you as a psychiatrist. You'll meet all kinds of people in every engineering field, perhaps your experiences are based on who you choose to spend time with (or who chooses to spend time with you?). You don't always do the same things every day. I work for a bridge design firm. Sometimes I do design work. Sometimes I do a little programming. Sometimes I do research. I review bridge plans. I go out into the field and do bridge inspections. Any job can have variety if you look for it. Even if I was doing just design every day, that doesn't mean there aren't different challenges, no two structures are exactly alike. Either one will leave you financially comfortable if you work hard. Neither will make you rich in the long run, unless you start your own company some day. I resent the comment that mechanical is a step up from civil, how would you know since you're a civil major as well? Maybe you can't directly see thermodynamics. Can you see the flow of stresses in a beam? You can use equipment to "see" any physical effect. Austin, don't worry as much about which ones will set you up financially, choose the one you'd rather do. Work hard, learn all you can, and the money will come.
I just completed my civil engineering degree and I want to start my own construction company. Where should I start? How can I become a government contractor?
Don't listen to what people tell you here. I have very different take on this question. Answers given by people here are from professional angle whereas I will give a completely different perspective. I am a civil engineer myself & into business for last 11 years.Firstly, qualification doesn't matter. It can land you a job but not a project as a contractor.Think like a businessman.Follow these steps and you will be able to do just fine, without wasting time at site -Join a small construction company as a marketing or sales person. Make an arrangement with the owner of the company that you will get him construction projects by showcasing his company to Architects, Projects managers etc.Learn how to sell.Meet as many architects, designers & project managers as you can & build personal relationship with them.Learn how different site people mange different site activities along with your sales work.Spare some money so that you could hire a good experienced civil engineer who could work on project when you get one. Or you can tie up with a professional who will work for profit with you.After you are confident that you have right people to work with you, start your own company.Target same architects, designers and project managers that you were meeting earlier.Start small and do a good work whenever you get any work.It is easy to be successful in construction industry because most of the contractors are for profits only. If you are committed & quality conscious you will be at good level after few years.I have seen few successful people who have followed the above process and made name for themselves.