Engineering: We Want YOU!
As the economy is lacking in jobs, there is high demand for engineers in this country. But there's a slight problem, only about 15% of students in engineering. With many of those students switching to other majors. But what is the cause of this? Is it the "weed out" classes? The lack of the interest in engineering? Or is it just to difficult for some people?
While I understand that many people just have no interest in engineering, I feel many drop out because it's just too challenging. For some, people don't want to put effort in the loaded coursework and endure the strenuous schedule (The idea of sacrificing sleep is very hard). I put some of the blame to the generation before us by giving our generation anything we wanted without work. I blame our generation for believing things should come easy.
For others, they want to have as much free time as other majors and do activities they couldn't do before. While it does take much time for most, it builds strong relationships and creates an experience that other majors don't. I strongly believe that the difficulty of engineering brought our group of friends together in a way nothing else could (I hope everyone in my group believes this too!). It definitely taught more than technically skills and knowledge, it taught us so many life lessons.
Maybe it's because engineering has a reputation of being really tough and scares some off. While it is challenging, engineering must be in order to become successful. They must be be willing to take on problems, whether using traditional methods or new creative methods. It's also great to see people's reaction when you tell them you're an engineering too. Usually they are very impressed (They might think you're crazy for going in engineer, but this is a great compliment).
While I am in no way saying engineering should be any any easier, I feel schools should show off the applications of engineering more often. Give prospective/current students a more involved experience that they will strive for since the numbers/salaries of engineering don't seem to attract enough people (It good to see money isn't everything for everyone!). While a deal of students drop out of first semester, they don't take many specific engineering classes. The majority of the classes that are taken are also taken by many other majors. Maybe the students are overwhelmed by addition of the few engineering classes that are taken in addition. At UConn, C++ (Matlab now) could have been that class.
The system must encourage students to choose engineering as it would help benefit everyone in this country. But the system must not ease the course load. We shouldn't make it easier just to allow more students to become engineers, they would not help our problem. We should continue to teach students that it takes hard work and to take the challenge head on. I think more students would choose engineering if more engineers tell their experience in it. Engineers should express how it benefited them by getting a job (With a great salary!), the great friends to be made, and how it made them a better person in general. (Hopefully!)
I know I will tell anyone about my awesome experience who wants to listen!
P.S. What a beautiful building and environment! Husky Forever:
