Ok, so I've been talking to my advisor and I'm thinkin bout wheather or not I want to go Industrial & Systems Engineering or Mechanical. So my question is...any of you guys engineers? If so any ISE's? It almost seems like a better way to go over ME. Thanks for reading guys...BTW, it's slightly on topic cause i'm thinkin bout trying to get a job with allison transmission. I'd work for dodge, but nothin near me and i don't really wanna move.

 

Is this a bachelor's degree that you're talking about? I recommend you go with a Mechanical Engineering major. If youwant to specialize beyond mechanical then get a master's degree in Systems or Industrial Engineering. I am a systems engineer on a weather satellite program for NOAA/NASA. I don't even have an engineering degree, but I spent five years on space systems acquisition for the USAF and four years at Northrop Grumman doing program management and engineering. Also, my sister works for NASA and has a bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering and a master's degree in Industrial Engineering. Mechanical engineering gives you a great general background that is applicable to many different industries. Degrees in Systems Engineering were not very common until a few years ago; when someone mentions the term "systems engineer" I usually think of a guy with a technical background who understands systems, not necessarily a guy with a degree in Systems Engineering.

Also, you might consider working in the defense industry. It's one of the few places in our economy that is not headed overseas, due to the Buy American Act and the requirement for security clearances. Only US citizens can obtain a security clearance.

 

I am a Civil and i would have to agree with Joel. Get the Mechanical degree first and then specialize. The ME will give you so many more options ranging from the construction industry to automotive to aerospace, etc. Just my thoughts.

 

well, see the thing is that i need to pull my gpa up a lot to get into ME, but ISE i'd be able to get in as soon as i put the papers in. But upon looking on monster.com, etc. i found that there aren't many jobs for ISE degrees. And yes, this is a Bachelors degree. Hey joel, are you in maryland? Do you know of defense companies in maryland?

 

im goin to school to be an industrial engineer... i am lookin forward to that career but i hate the school...

 

Yes, I'm in Maryland. Northrop Grumman employs at least 10,000 in Maryland, mostly at their Electronic Systems sector (formerly Westinghouse) near the Baltimore airport. The Lockheed Martin HQ is in Bethesda. Boeing, BAE, and Raytheon each have some small operations throughout MD. Booze Allen Hamilton is somewhat small, but growing steadily in the consulting world. Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore also does a lot of defense R&D.

 

I would recommend you go with Mechanical. I am a mechanical engineer for a nuclear weapons plant. I always hear the hiring managers saying how they are always looking for mechanicals. I know it would be much easier to find a job with a mechanical degree. If you have any questions about the mechanical field feel free to ask.

 

Well...being from baltimore, you'll understand why i want to stay out of baltimore...However, I live on the north side of good ole Balmerr, hazzard county to be exact, so I'd rather stay north of baltimore...preferably black and decker in towson or allison plan in whitemarsh. However, if i can get my foot in the door (joel) maybe i could look at a defense employer north of baltimore. BTW, i'm gonna take classes this summer at umbc to catch up, then next summer hopefully get an internship at my future job. Joel, what have you heard about the guys up at APG? my cousin is interning there and seems to like it. That's another idea

 

ds06....if you go back home....you'd better bring some blue crabs back to NC for those of us that know what they are and how good they are....**** you should be able to put quite a few bushels in the back of that truck...trick is keepin' 'em cold enough so they don't spoil....

So drive fast!!!!!!!!!!!

 

well, it's gettin cold enough outside, that'll keep 'em cold...but it's not all about keeping them cold...they usually last only a few days out of water...you outta see 'em sob's as soon as they get off the water....crazy fast! and honery too. But, the big problem is that they are just gettin outta season, besides, you'd have to come up to tech...i drive 5 hrs...i ain't drivin any farther, haha