Is engineering for me?

[Mr Keshy]

Hey guys,

I've not really pondered this question much. I have a passion for cars and machinery so I really set my sights on an engineering degree. But now I'm starting to think that maybe it isn't right. I wanted to be able to work with cars every day and since the manufacturing industry is practically gone here, I'm not not entirely sure that's possible anymore.

And when I say "working with cars" I mean, modifying, fixing them and so on.. Engineering involves designing those parts, running heaps of calculations and so on.. Which I'm not sure I'd last long in.

I also like the idea of running my own business and working/meeting other people. So I was thinking of a commerce degree too.

Maybe one day I can start my own car related business

[curry_bro]

well the only type of engineering (which im aware of) which has significant demand in Australia is civil engineering, although i dont really think that is your thing... (infrastructure. ie buildings/bridges/roads etc etc)
i think you should the Bcomm/BEng degree at monash, persue commerce after uni and then, when you have more experience/assets/contacts, open up a car related business (where you can use the engineering skills to drive you business into the limelight).

[Mr Keshy]

well the only type of engineering (which im aware of) which has significant demand in Australia is civil engineering, although i dont really think that is your thing... (infrastructure. ie buildings/bridges/roads etc etc)
i think you should the Bcomm/BEng degree at monash, persue commerce after uni and then, when you have more experience/assets/contacts, open up a car related business (where you can use the engineering skills to drive you business into the limelight).

Thanks man,

That's pretty much what I had planned, but the problem I'm facing is whether I really need to do spesh right now. I feel as though my year may be just a little more relaxed if I didn't. But it's a real big issue.

[curry_bro]

Thanks man,

That's pretty much what I had planned, but the problem I'm facing is whether I really need to do spesh right now. I feel as though my year may be just a little more relaxed if I didn't. But it's a real big issue.

right! hhah ok well, if you feel as though not doing spech will buy you a higher Atar, then by all means, dont do spech. but, spech is pretty much baby engineering, so it would really prepare you for uni... but you could always do a bridging course after year 12, that can help fill you in on the stuff that youve missed out on?

[AllAboutTheLGs]

If you're not sure about it, why not UoM commerce, try a few ENG units and then decide after 3 years? Seems like a good idea for those unsure on what they wanna do.

[AllAboutTheLGs]

Also you won't have to do spesh cos UoM commerce doesn't have it as a pre req

[Mr Keshy]

If you're not sure about it, why not UoM commerce, try a few ENG units and then decide after 3 years? Seems like a good idea for those unsure on what they wanna do.

That sounds like a good idea too, I was looking at Monash? I think my options are more open at Monash, if I want to take on a double degree for example.

I'll speak to more people and get a better idea too.

right! hhah ok well, if you feel as though not doing spech will buy you a higher Atar, then by all means, dont do spech. but, spech is pretty much baby engineering, so it would really prepare you for uni... but you could always do a bridging course after year 12, that can help fill you in on the stuff that youve missed out on?

I've heard that Foundation Spesh is horrible That's why I'm rethinking.

[brenden]

Stop rethinking and take Spesh; it's an automatic boost to your methods score. Tbh man I don't know why we're talking about Uni degrees when you straight up said in your OP "I want to be a mechanic and then I can own a mechanic business".

[Greatness]

If you want to do engineering at uni then do spesh. Saves you all the hassle when you get to uni since you won't have to take a unit that is essentially spesh which is a prerequisite unit for further units.
BComm @ UoM then M.Eng is nice and flexible, but the only problem is if you find that you like engineering but you don't like commerce then you're stuck in comm until you graduate or transfer. Also, you only do 8-10 units in BComm that are engineering - subtract 2 first year math units then that's 6-8 eng units, the rest of the eng units are done in the masters so you won't be doing full eng till then.
BComm/BEng @ Monash is also flexible in that you can do the same combination as above but have the option to drop either Comm or Eng and continue with the other degree. Also, here you do units from both degrees concurrently which cuts down on contact hours in the engineering degree.
A Comm degree isn't required to run your own business. You'll learn some useful stuff if you do it, but you'll probably learn/pick up a bit of the management/financial stuff when you start working as an engineer.
If you want to be involved with design/manufacturing of vehicles then Mechanical Eng would be the one. Although, you say you prefer to work/fix cars that would be the job of your average mechanic really. Unless, you work for a car company and are have a technical role where your focus is on issues of engines or what not or maybe even design of more proficient systems etc, then an engineering degree will help.

[JinXi]

Like you said, an engineering degree doesn't really let you have much hands on experience with cars etc in Monash. Maybe consider a more techincal mechanical degree at rmit if you do decide to own your own mechanical business next time.

[Mr Keshy]

Stop rethinking and take Spesh; it's an automatic boost to your methods score. Tbh man I don't know why we're talking about Uni degrees when you straight up said in your OP "I want to be a mechanic and then I can own a mechanic business".

I am thinking of sucking it up and trying it out.

If you want to do engineering at uni then do spesh. Saves you all the hassle when you get to uni since you won't have to take a unit that is essentially spesh which is a prerequisite unit for further units.
BComm @ UoM then M.Eng is nice and flexible, but the only problem is if you find that you like engineering but you don't like commerce then you're stuck in comm until you graduate or transfer. Also, you only do 8-10 units in BComm that are engineering - subtract 2 first year math units then that's 6-8 eng units, the rest of the eng units are done in the masters so you won't be doing full eng till then.
BComm/BEng @ Monash is also flexible in that you can do the same combination as above but have the option to drop either Comm or Eng and continue with the other degree. Also, here you do units from both degrees concurrently which cuts down on contact hours in the engineering degree.
A Comm degree isn't required to run your own business. You'll learn some useful stuff if you do it, but you'll probably learn/pick up a bit of the management/financial stuff when you start working as an engineer.
If you want to be involved with design/manufacturing of vehicles then Mechanical Eng would be the one. Although, you say you prefer to work/fix cars that would be the job of your average mechanic really. Unless, you work for a car company and are have a technical role where your focus is on issues of engines or what not or maybe even design of more proficient systems etc, then an engineering degree will help.

I was thinking a com degree to set me up for a career which I will enjoy, but I can then also save up either capital for a business, or just for expenditure on my car.

I think my field of engineering is obviously on it's last legs so I don't want to waste my time on it. But I heard spesh is very useful for Actuarial Studies? or is that a myth?

So pretty much, work a comfortable and enjoyable job in the commerce field, then later on, start my own business. Obviously starting a business is no easy feat so I won't be keeping that certain.

Management and Engineering go well together so that might be a good way to go about it.

[Greatness]

Yes, specialist is definitely helpful for actuarial studies. It's good for any course that requires a high level of math, so definitely take it up if you're interested in taking something like that. As I said above, you should take it as it's a prerequisite VCE subject for some math units in uni. So if you haven't done it then you have to do a lower level math unit which will probs be the equivalent of spesh.
Well, from what I've read and been told it's much easier to go from an engineering based role/career into a finance/commerce one than it is from finance/comm to engineering simply because the quantitative skills you gain in engineering can be applied to finance/comm moreso than the other way around. To add to that, completing a 4 year B.Eng with 1 year experience would probably make you more appealing then a fresh 5 year B.Eng/B.Comm graduate, and again you'll probably learn some of the financial, accounting and managerial aspects while you work as an engineer although that may take some time to develop. Engineering is a great degree to have since you can work in multiple industries with the skills you develop and learn from it, it's not restricted to the traditional engineering roles.
It's tough to get a 'comfortable and enjoyable job' commerce jobs these days especially as a graduate. There are tons of graduates applying for the same positions, you'll need a decent average 70+ to be competitive, good extracurriculars and relevant work experience - and knowing people helps a lot. If you're lucky enough to get a grad position, I don't think life would be so swell either. Depending on where you work you'll still be studying for CPA/CA (acct) or CFA (finance) exams while you work, you'll probably have to stay at the office or complete work outside of work hours and possibly work Saturdays, network, suck up to the boss etc. Of course once all this is done then you should be fairly comfortable although again it does depend on your job, role and your responsibilities.

[pi]

And when I say "working with cars" I mean, modifying, fixing them and so on..

That sounds more like being a mechanic to me. Is this more of a hobby or would you genuinely think that you could do this for at least the next 20 years?

[Mr Keshy]

That sounds more like being a mechanic to me. Is this more of a hobby or would you genuinely think that you could do this for at least the next 20 years?

I think it is more of a hobby, perhaps maintaining my own car would be better suited. Not really thinking it would work as a career when I come out of Uni.

Maybe once I settle down, I can do something with it. Like open a performance parts shop or something.. Like in my dreams, maybe it can happen one day.

Yes, specialist is definitely helpful for actuarial studies. It's good for any course that requires a high level of math, so definitely take it up if you're interested in taking something like that. As I said above, you should take it as it's a prerequisite VCE subject for some math units in uni. So if you haven't done it then you have to do a lower level math unit which will probs be the equivalent of spesh.
Well, from what I've read and been told it's much easier to go from an engineering based role/career into a finance/commerce one than it is from finance/comm to engineering simply because the quantitative skills you gain in engineering can be applied to finance/comm moreso than the other way around. To add to that, completing a 4 year B.Eng with 1 year experience would probably make you more appealing then a fresh 5 year B.Eng/B.Comm graduate, and again you'll probably learn some of the financial, accounting and managerial aspects while you work as an engineer although that may take some time to develop. Engineering is a great degree to have since you can work in multiple industries with the skills you develop and learn from it, it's not restricted to the traditional engineering roles.
It's tough to get a 'comfortable and enjoyable job' commerce jobs these days especially as a graduate. There are tons of graduates applying for the same positions, you'll need a decent average 70+ to be competitive, good extracurriculars and relevant work experience - and knowing people helps a lot. If you're lucky enough to get a grad position, I don't think life would be so swell either. Depending on where you work you'll still be studying for CPA/CA (acct) or CFA (finance) exams while you work, you'll probably have to stay at the office or complete work outside of work hours and possibly work Saturdays, network, suck up to the boss etc. Of course once all this is done then you should be fairly comfortable although again it does depend on your job, role and your responsibilities.

Fantastic post, really insightful. Thanks a lot!

I may end up enjoying other forms of engineering so I definitely won't rule anything out. Definitely didn't think of commerce like you put it. Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering sounds like something I would like to undertake still.

I will do specialist maths next year, given everything you've said, I think it keeps many doors open for me.

Thanks once again

[Greatness]

Yeah definitely do spesh, then you can progressively work out what you want to do as the year goes on. If you don't know what you want then do BComm/BEng at Monash or alternatively BComm/MEng at Melb they're both the same really.