Engineers are not cool

[oznerol]

I'll be an EE senior this year, I've gone through some internships, been exposed to the field, and have come to the disillusioning conclusion that engineers are not cool.

As a kid who loved breaking things to see how they work, or playing with legos, or exceling in math and science, people always said things like, "Oh, you were born to be an engineer." Oh, you like messing with new gadgets? You must want to be an engineer.

Growing up, you get this vision of an engineer being this glamourous proffession where you solve all the world's problems and design fancy new gadgets. It's totally not like that and it's dissapointing.

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes. I would know as I am one of them. It's mainly out of jealousy seeing all of the liberal arts majors take 10 hours of classes a semester and party all the time. This is understandable. And yes, I am speaking for all engineering students. They are all like this one way or another.

The fact of the matter is, engineering isn't glamourous, it isn't spectacular, and it isn't as high-paying as many people believe. Management gets paid far more than engineers. Granted, a bunch of management were at one point engineers, but they typically have an MBA, plus it's slightly disheartening that this is what people want to work up to.

I write this because I've noticed a great deal of engineers on this board, both students and professionals, and they always have some smug remark to say when it comes to what they're studying or what they do.

And to clarify, I still relatively enjoy what I do (and I do it well), so the "you shouldn't be an engineer" garbage isn't valid. It's just that what I am currently doing, and what I have seen others do is not the same as what I envisioned when I decided to become an engineer.

Maybe it's not only engineering. Is this the same with other proffessions as well? I'd like to know.

 

[JParker001]

I would think that most people would do a job because they enjoy it, and not for the money. One is truely lucky when they find something that is both enjoyable, well-paying, and comes easy to them.

 

[dethman]

engineers are just dorks who get beat up on in real life and they come here to release their rage anonymously because that's the only way they can.

 

[zeroxt]

Yeah, I've heard engineering jobs aren't very satisfying. I hear the best options to go is, grad school, law school or work as an engineer for a year or two and go to business school.

 

[sonz70]

Im going to school for EE, but, I have a personality, I still party, life is what you make out of it. If you want to be bitter, than so be it, if you don't than do something about it.

 

[nageov3t]

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes.

:thumbsup:

I always hated having to walk through that section of the building when I was on my way to advanced bio classes that I was taking for fun and entertainment.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: ducci
I'll be an EE senior this year, I've gone through some internships, been exposed to the field, and have come to the disillusioning conclusion that engineers are not cool.

As a kid who loved breaking things to see how they work, or playing with legos, or exceling in math and science, people always said things like, "Oh, you were born to be an engineer." Oh, you like messing with new gadgets? You must want to be an engineer.

Growing up, you get this vision of an engineer being this glamourous proffession where you solve all the world's problems and design fancy new gadgets. It's totally not like that and it's dissapointing.

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes. I would know as I am one of them. It's mainly out of jealousy seeing all of the liberal arts majors take 10 hours of classes a semester and party all the time. This is understandable. And yes, I am speaking for all engineering students. They are all like this one way or another.

The fact of the matter is, engineering isn't glamourous, it isn't spectacular, and it isn't as high-paying as many people believe. Management gets paid far more than engineers. Granted, a bunch of management were at one point engineers, but they typically have an MBA, plus it's slightly disheartening that this is what people want to work up to.

I write this because I've noticed a great deal of engineers on this board, both students and professionals, and they always have some smug remark to say when it comes to what they're studying or what they do.

And to clarify, I still relatively enjoy what I do (and I do it well), so the "you shouldn't be an engineer" garbage isn't valid. It's just that what I am currently doing, and what I have seen others do is not the same as what I envisioned when I decided to become an engineer.

Maybe it's not only engineering. Is this the same with other proffessions as well? I'd like to know.

well i'm getting my degree in computer engineering... my father has a degree in Electrical engineering and well... he has a management position, he does get paid more than an actual engineer. I hope that I get my degree and get a good job...

 

[AtlantaBob]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes.

:thumbsup:

I always hated having to walk through that section of the building when I was on my way to advanced bio classes that I was taking for fun and entertainment.

Indeed.

Loki, somehow I get the feeling that you were a humanities/lib arts person? Or would I be confusing you with Descarts? The two of you sharing that avatar is confusing sometimes.

 

[Heisenberg]

Well of course they're not cool. Everyone knows physicists are way smarter and better looking.

 

[noob in a box]

This man speaks the truth. engineering(most types) is harder and more work than any other major most places i've seen, including premed. engineers are overworked and underpaid/under appreciated in society. that's because they do most of the work that drives the economy behind the scenes and are responsible for the amazing technology and lifestile americans have today. still, non-engineers don't give a crap.

oh yeah, we are eletist, and with good reason

 

[Tommunist]

Originally posted by: ducci
I'll be an EE senior this year, I've gone through some internships, been exposed to the field, and have come to the disillusioning conclusion that engineers are not cool.

As a kid who loved breaking things to see how they work, or playing with legos, or exceling in math and science, people always said things like, "Oh, you were born to be an engineer." Oh, you like messing with new gadgets? You must want to be an engineer.

Growing up, you get this vision of an engineer being this glamourous proffession where you solve all the world's problems and design fancy new gadgets. It's totally not like that and it's dissapointing.

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes. I would know as I am one of them. It's mainly out of jealousy seeing all of the liberal arts majors take 10 hours of classes a semester and party all the time. This is understandable. And yes, I am speaking for all engineering students. They are all like this one way or another.

The fact of the matter is, engineering isn't glamourous, it isn't spectacular, and it isn't as high-paying as many people believe. Management gets paid far more than engineers. Granted, a bunch of management were at one point engineers, but they typically have an MBA, plus it's slightly disheartening that this is what people want to work up to.

I write this because I've noticed a great deal of engineers on this board, both students and professionals, and they always have some smug remark to say when it comes to what they're studying or what they do.

And to clarify, I still relatively enjoy what I do (and I do it well), so the "you shouldn't be an engineer" garbage isn't valid. It's just that what I am currently doing, and what I have seen others do is not the same as what I envisioned when I decided to become an engineer.

Maybe it's not only engineering. Is this the same with other proffessions as well? I'd like to know.

i wouldn't say all of them are as bad as you describe but this is why i studied math instead. (math guys are like hippies kind of)

 

[MrCodeDude]

Yeah, I know, they're hot as hell. ooh baby.

 

[noob in a box]

Originally posted by: Heisenberg
Well of course they're not cool. Everyone know physicists are way smarter and better looking.

stfun00b! you can't even find your electrons if i tell you how fast they are going

 

[MrCodeDude]

Okay, I read the post. I want to be an elitist asshole.

Edit: I've already got the asshole part down too!

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: sonz70
Im going to school for EE, but, I have a personality, I still party, life is what you make out of it. If you want to be bitter, than so be it, if you don't than do something about it.

I'm not bitter, just disillusioned, and I see you've overlooked everything I said. My personal life is fine and I'm quite content.

My professional life, however, is kind of disapointing.

Maybe not all EE's picked it for the same reasons I did. Maybe people actually have a passion for useless math and complex equations.

Originally posted by: noob in a box
This man speaks the truth. engineering(most types) is harder and more work than any other major most places i've seen, including premed. engineers are overworked and underpaid/under appreciated in society. that's because they do most of the work that drives the economy behind the scenes and are responsible for the amazing technology and lifestile americans have today. still, non-engineers don't give a crap.

oh yeah, we are eletist, and with good reason

I see we're on the same page. At least I know I'm not overreacting.

 

[Juice Box]

Originally posted by: MrCodeDude
Yeah, I know, they're hot as hell. ooh baby.

:evil:

 

[hypn0tik]

Engineers rule the world, b!tch.

 

[sonz70]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: sonz70
Im going to school for EE, but, I have a personality, I still party, life is what you make out of it. If you want to be bitter, than so be it, if you don't than do something about it.

I'm not bitter, just disillusioned, and I see you've overlooked everything I said. My personal life is fine and I'm quite content.

My professional life, however, is kind of disapointing.

Maybe not all EE's picked it for the same reasons I did. Maybe people actually have a passion for useless math and complex equations.

Originally posted by: noob in a box
This man speaks the truth. engineering(most types) is harder and more work than any other major most places i've seen, including premed. engineers are overworked and underpaid/under appreciated in society. that's because they do most of the work that drives the economy behind the scenes and are responsible for the amazing technology and lifestile americans have today. still, non-engineers don't give a crap.

oh yeah, we are eletist, and with good reason

I see we're on the same page. At least I know I'm not overreacting.

Engineering students are, in fact, elitist assholes. I would know as I am one of them. It's mainly out of jealousy seeing all of the liberal arts majors take 10 hours of classes a semester and party all the time. This is understandable. And yes, I am speaking for all engineering students. They are all like this one way or another.

I read that, seemed like you where whinning about other people having it easier, maybe it's just me *shrug*

 

[733SHiFTY]

Originally posted by: sonz70
Im going to school for EE, but, I have a personality, I still party, life is what you make out of it. If you want to be bitter, than so be it, if you don't than do something about it.

Exactly

 

[Analog]

Originally posted by: ducci

The fact of the matter is, engineering isn't glamourous, it isn't spectacular, and it isn't as high-paying as many people believe. Management gets paid far more than engineers.

Do what your heart tells you to, so what everyone else does won't matter.

If you're doing anything strictly for the money, you eventually won't be.

Finally, if you think engineers don't make much, think of what engineering profs make. I should know.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Engineers rule the world, b!tch.

This coming from yet another EE student. I am not surprised.

I don't disagree, but when you get a real job in the real world and see management knowing a fraction of what you do and get paid 10x more, you won't be singing the same tune.

On top of that, your job will more than likely be mundane and completely unlike anything you originally anticipated.

 

[smb]

Yea ! we just don't make the world, we make it better

I'm a Mechanical Engineer. I guess I've been fortunate enough to get great positions working with great management.

 

[Rudee]

Too many cheesy occupations are tagging the word "Engineer" onto the title to sound important. i.e technical support engineers. Heck, even dishwashers are now "Cuttlery Maintenance Engineeers"

 

[733SHiFTY]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Engineers rule the world, b!tch.

This coming from yet another EE student. I am not surprised.

I don't disagree, but when you get a real job in the real world and see management knowing a fraction of what you do and get paid 10x more, you won't be singing the same tune.

On top of that, your job will more than likely be mundane and completely unlike anything you originally anticipated.

I really think that depends on where you work. As an intern, my work is pretty damn interesting, and alot better than what I expected. I think the biggest problem is dealing uncooperative people, who want to make your life a living hell.

Also, to know that youre doing something that is worthwhile, and has some lasting impact on the world, even if you're the only one who realizes it, more than makes up for any lack of pay or recognition.

 

[hypn0tik]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: hypn0tik
Engineers rule the world, b!tch.

This coming from yet another EE student. I am not surprised.

I don't disagree, but when you get a real job in the real world and see management knowing a fraction of what you do and get paid 10x more, you won't be singing the same tune.

On top of that, your job will more than likely be mundane and completely unlike anything you originally anticipated.

I'm doing an Engineering internship as we speak. The closest I've gotten to do doing 'Engineering' stuff is a noise abatement project I've been working on for the past few days.

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I basically do b!tchwork. Whether it is a result of me being a student or simply the nature of the profession, I don't know yet. Chances are it's a bit of both.

That being said, you are right in the aspect that it is mundane and completely unlike anything i originally anticipated.