What questions would someone need to ask him/herself while trying to decide between a mechanical engineering and finance career path?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 23:30:49 -0400

Asking for a friend, not myself.

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jul 4 at 2017 11:35 PM

MSgt Jason McClish — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 23:35:30 -0400

Those disciplines are pretty far off from each other. I hope you find answers from the group.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 4 at 2017 11:35 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 23:35:41 -0400

I thought you were already in school? Because this really seems like something you should figure out before you start, given the vast difference in training. That said, I suppose the obvious question is which appeals to you more, making loads more money than you would tinkering...or having fun doing said tinkering.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 4 at 2017 11:45 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 23:45:55 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Definitely Some Different Ways of Thinking. My Father Held a Degree in Business, I'm a Retired Navy Technician. I Would Recommend Finance if Enrichment is Your Goal. If Knowledge is Your Goal I would Recommend Mechanical Engineering. What a Bitch of a Choice!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 5 at 2017 12:25 AM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:25:30 -0400

If your friend find they love figuring out how everything is built and has ideas on how to improve on what they see. I suggest that Mechanical engineering for them but they will have a challenging time with any engineering school.

I have a Finance degree, an MBA, and Juris Doctorate. I found out that finance only qualified me to sell investment and insurance products. I decided to go into software engineering.
So my advice is pursue engineering and you will learn finance because comparitively, it is easy math and statistics.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2017 12:26 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:26:44 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I was a Chemistry major and ended up with a Business degree. I switched, as do many people, because I was more interested in business. The main determination should be field of interest. Can your friend picture himself doing this work as a career? Can your friend handle advanced mathematics, calculus, chemistry, and physics, required for a mechanical engineering degree? Money should not be a factor, as happiness is more important.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 5 at 2017 1:27 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 01:27:55 -0400

I think that it should be the same questions that anyone asks themselves when making decisions about a career path. What do you love to do? Does this career path play into what you love? If not, is it something that allows you to also pursue what you love? Is it fiscally responsible? Will it allow you to be comfortable? Does this career have the ability to open up future doors for advancement? These questions when answered can always allow one to make the right decision.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 5 at 2017 2:26 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 02:26:32 -0400

The biggest question is how good at math you are. If you're not too confident don't go with engineering. Calculus is really hard especially calc 2. If you go engineer you'll need to take up to calc 3.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jul 5 at 2017 3:33 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 03:33:55 -0400

1. Compensation after the degree.
2. Upward mobility after the degree.
3. Job satisfaction based on job tasks and candidate profile match.
One thing I will say about degrees or majors, research as well as seeking input. I was told a Finance Degree was a dime a dozen and I would never have a decent job with a Finance degree because it was a cop out by no less than the Accounting Department Head at UW. He was an idiot and recognized him as such before he said that. However, some of my classmates actually believed him. So then 9-11 happened and shortly thereafter the premiere Accounting firm collapsed (Arthur Andersen). I sent him an Email ('Accounting isn't looking very good now.....is it?).........he never responded.....too arrogant probably. Nobody has a crystal ball though.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2017 6:10 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 06:10:40 -0400

Choose a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life.

Go engineering. Good job satisfaction. I enjoy going to work even though my job is stressful at times.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 5 at 2017 7:36 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:36:58 -0400

My son decided to go into the mechanical engineering field, has a great job working for a local nuclear plant, and has no regrets doing it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2017 9:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 09:46:19 -0400

If you are even contemplating it go with the STEM degree, and stick through the tough courses. ME degree range is $51,381 - $88,095 Finance $42,574 - $74,582. ~$10,000 a year is an easy choice. https://www.payscale.com/index/US/Degree

Degree

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2017 10:08 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:08:00 -0400

Ask your friend what he would most enjoy doing for potentially the rest of their life. Money is one thing, but not the only thing. Too many think they know what they want to be when they grow up and after going through the process find out they hate their job. Self-actualization is at the top of the pyramid for a valid reason. There will be a niche for both. Finance openings may be based on the market cycles and investment vice banking is more sensitive to discretionary income. Engineers are always needed and if any meaningful infrastructure bill is passed they will be in even higher demand.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jul 5 at 2017 10:53 AM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:53:49 -0400

Finance has faster short-term payback... ME actually PRODUCES things.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 5 at 2017 12:26 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:26:21 -0400

I have friends that are in each field. The surprising thing that I heard from the finance majors was how little they were qualified to do after graduation. It is like a foot in the door, and there are tons of people with them. My friends that went mech engineering, while the degree is harder for some, actually had rewarding careers right after graduation. My 2 cents... talk to grads of each, find which one they think they could be happier at...

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 5 at 2017 12:42 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 12:42:17 -0400

IMO, out of the box, a mechanical engineering degree would offer a better chance at a stable and well paying job if you can handle the math requirements. Of course, the goal after should be to get enough experience to lead projects, or better yet, get your PE.

Response by Susan Foster made Jul 5 at 2017 3:00 PM

Susan Foster — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 15:00:13 -0400

The first question I would ask them is: what do you really want to do? Which do you have a passion for? Because without some passion for either, they need to keep looking. Then I would ask them to tell me the things in each area they would like, and what they think they would not like about the work. Often, I find people picking a career path without thinking through the reason.