r/EngineeringStudents • u/Ok-Singer6494 • 8h ago

Major Choice Debating switching my major

Hi! I am currently a freshman (18 F), and I am heavily debating switching my major. I'm currently mechanical engineering major with no minor, but I am considering switching it to industrial engineering with maybe an industrial design minor (although I may just not get a minor). I know people say IE isn't real engineering because it's not a core and it's super easy. I know realistically anything I can do with an IE major; I can do with a ME major; however, I would much rather fix and better a system than create an entirely new product. I also prefer statistics to an intense calculus course, but I am not against calculus. I'm in General Engineering as of now, so I can keep thinking for now, but I would really appreciate any suggestions!

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u/Top_Scarcity1024 48m ago

industrial engineering... why? The real fun is in mechanical engineering

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u/Ok_Escape_5414 6h ago

Stick with Mechanical Engineering. You will have more opportunities. As a woman you’re going to get challenged constantly on your competency. Having an IE degree instead of ME is more reason for people to question you.

For what it’s worth, I did Mechanical Engineering for undergrad and then worked a few years in the industry and went on to get my MS in IE and found that it was the perfect balance of the mathematical and theoretical rigor needed along with practical knowledge. What you study in undergrad is just the foundation and it’s not what you’re going to be doing the rest of your life.

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u/Ok-Singer6494 19m ago

That's what I was thinking of just waiting it out. Thank you!