Career Choices. What to do!?
 

So im at a juncture in my life where i need to start making some decisions.
Im currently a student at Cal State Fullerton trying to figure out what i want to major in.

Im enrolled currently as a Mechanical Engineer with a minor in business. However, im not sure if i want to be a mechanical engineer as im not too sure what exactly it entails. I have also pondered turning my minor in business into a major but what concentration (finance, marketing, management, etc).

I guess what im asking is what are some paths you guys have gone on? what did you guys major in, and what do you do for a living. As wishful of thinking as it sounds, i want job satisfaction. I dont want to wake up and dread work everyday. Ideally it would be something automotive related, but not necessarily. Just something stimulating.

thanks guys, looking forward to hearing your answers

--jeff

Not sure if this helps, but there are a lot of engineering jobs out there. Seems to be a demand for engineers.

I am an engineer for an aerospace company. I work in the test lab an I am a recent graduate. Ask any questions you want. I love my job and recent grad engineers are in high demand especially ones with hands on skills, like car building!

I'm interested in what everyone has to say as well. I'm an auto tech and enjoy the job, but it's hard on your body and the money isn't what it should be. I've considered going back to school for some kind of engineering, but like the OP don't really know what the jobs would entail.

Every considered the armed forces? The life of an officer isnt that bad, and the pay is pretty good too. At the very least you could pay off your student loans quickly.

Personally I work for the state as a mechanic. Im over-worked and underpaid but I love this job. Its kinda fun knowing that the things I wrench on regularly go 120mph. Youve gotta like what you do for a living or youll never be happy.

I have been in the USAF for almost 14 yrs now and I have loved almost every day of my career choice. I am a Fire Truck mechanic but trained on all aspects of the mechanical world. Uncle sam has paid for all my training including advanced diesel schools, welding, painting, you name it they have sent me to school...Plus I retire at age 39 with a retirement check starting immediately....But no matter what you decide to do, your only going to be happy if you enjoy what you do.

i have a BA in criminal justice from CSUF, but im a firefighter. i wouldnt do anything different. i will NEVER be rich, but i'll never be poor either. in the good times people will love you, in the bad times they will all want your pension. unfortunately now is a bad time for anybody that works for or is associated with the govt.

Thanks so far for the responses guys. It would be a lie for me to say money is secondary in my career choice, but its not most important. Ive given thought to the armed forces as my dad was a crew chief in the Air Force. Not sure if i want to go that route though being about 2 years away from graduating, once i make up my mind :lol:

As an aerospace engineer, what all is entailed in your job? ive been trying to get some insight as to what engineers are doing. I talked with the high performance engineer at Toyo last month, and its not really what i thought. He is more of just a trend spotter. He told Japan that america needs drag radials, so their engineers came up with something. He told Japan that they needed tires for drifting so they came up with something. Not really what i was hoping to see. Thought it was going be a little more hands on, not relaying info.

Anyway, keep the answers coming. Also interested in people who went the business route too. Bottom line is i dont think i could put up with being a desk jocky.

i do a lot of design work as well as coordinate an do tests.

I am designing the test fixtures for A350. I amthe only design engineer in the testlab at my company, we have over 2000 people in my location with multiple locations around the world.

I design and work with my mechanics to build a 4 axis positioning system for a gas burner to perform fire tests. And lots of other cool stuff.

Your job sounds crazy!

out of curiosity, how well does your engineering background carry over to your building of your falcon (which looks awesome by the way)