Is Studying Engineering Really Worth It?

Most people will tell you that engineering is definitely worth the hard work. I would agree with this but there are people who may not see it as "worth it" depending on their situation. This usually comes down to not truly wanting to go into the field or having goals that don't align with getting the degree. In this video I outline some positives and negatives about engineering so you can make a more informed decision.

[norbertfleck]

Between a dream and reality there's always an engineer.

[otiebrown]

Retired Electrical Engineer, worked on NASA projects.
Wrote analytical papers in the dynamic behavior of the eye.
Yes - it was worth it.

[KDBeast]

Anyone else watching this when they’re already balls deep into an engineering degree?

[louisuchihatm]

"Engineering is hard for the average person. A lot of students that were in it for the money and ended up dropping out or switching majors because they realized that there's no point suffering through 5 excruciating years of hard courses for a degree that they weren't mentally interested in. You kinda have to be emotionally invested to get an Engineering degree" a random person in the comments.
I can attest to this as a 3rd year in Mechanical Engineering wishing to have done S/ware

[gustavnielsen]

When I hear him talking about student loans:

- “is this some sort of American joke I’m too European to understand?”

[henrychan]

Also it makes you feel superior when talking to non-engineering majors

[adamroach]

I'm 16 and these videos have helped me feel more confident in pursuing my dreams in science. Thank you.

[AstronomerBlack]

As a biomedical engineer it was worth it. Engineering allowed me to help make sure medical devices were safe when I worked at the FDA and create medical devices that helped people. That alone makes it worth it, the ability to solve problems that help people.

[randycarstens]

Is engineering worth it? I am 59-years old and getting close to retiring. It has been a good career with above average income. Your opportunity to be inventive and creative, and to be around other people with same mentality which is cool. Also great to feel good about yourself and take pride in the positive things you were part of and brought forth to benefit society. Is it perfect? (No, I like to say every job sucks in its own unique way.) But over all happy with my career choice. The world is always changing, if I was young would I go down this same path? Hard to say, but getting your engineering degree provides you with a lot of the skills to be successful in many other areas. When I was young and in college I didn't have an idea of exactly what job I wanted when I graduated. Engineering is "best" use of your time to develop analytical skills while you are waiting to find out where your destiny will take you. By then you will have the skills to "kill" it wherever you go. Go forth and conquer!

[informedconsent]

I'm graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in less than 4 weeks and I already plan on starting a business at some point that may not have anything to do with engineering. Still not a waste for me. I challenge myself in everything in life and take pride in doing things a fraction of the world thinks is "too hard". Regardless of what happens, I'll be able to call myself an engineer for the rest of my life and no one can take that from me.

[rizkyryan]

how to start a business in engineering field

[JC-crty]

About to be a grad with an ME. I'd say that even if I didn't continue my life as an engineer... the education is priceless. I confidently feel that I could do anything with my life with the education that I recieved.

[JakeVoorhees]

This has been a hot topic in my videos lately! Thanks Zach

[practicalwisdom]

For me, it's not so much about the money or anything like that, I'm just interested in the subject. Simply put, I just want to know how things work.

[Likwise]

Actually, I got into engineering studies by accident and now I love it!
It's like programming, truly open-ended and a great creative form to express myself! 
I know that it sounds nerdy, but believe me, when I say once you start and seeing things in a different way (engineering way), you start to see whats possible, instead of only seeing what's already there.
In my POV, it's definitely worth it! Even the all-nighters!^^

[lucasargandona]

I was literally in my bed 2 minutes ago, stressed, thinking if I'm making the right choice of becoming a civil engineer and then I see this video.

[zackattack]

If you get an Engineer Degree you can also transfer through multiple fields because of how versatile Engineers are in their study

[notmyrealname]

I have a B.S. in chemical engineering 1972. While I love the knowledge of engineering, including practical skills in electrical and structural engineering that I picked up on the job, I must admit my career would probably have been better in a computer related field, where skilled workers were in much bigger demand. Several friends and relatives were able to enter the computer field without degrees in that field, which were usually worthless anyway because they were teaching irrelevant or outdated material.

[webx]

Engineering has been totally worth it for me. My work is basically my hobby, and I apply the lifelong learning skills into other aspects of life.

My engineering degree was a general degree with an emphasis on electrical and computer. This means I still took most of the mechanical suite of courses as well. This has helped me continue my desire to learn what I can about any and all devices I own, from computers to cars to my house. Most repairs and projects I can do on my own.

One of my specialties is in IoT and I also have experience on PCB design. Got a new idea for a gadget? I'll make a board for it. I have a house full of RGB LED strips that would cost hundreds from Philips Hue, but made my own for a little over 20 bucks per 1-3 meter strip.

I didn't make 76k out of college. Hell, I still haven't reached 76k 5 years out, but I live in Indiana where costs are cheap. ANd what I can say is that I don't worry about things like rent, groceries, etc, and I'm still on my maximum repayment rate for my 25k in student loans.

Engineering also offers a certain level of prestige that other technical positions often lack. I recently switched from an engineering firm to a software firm, and what I can say is that in a software firm, you are treated much more like some worker bee. Talked down to more, kept out of decisions, basically only present to take workload off of management. In Engineering firms I felt like employees had more of a voice and were more included and consulted. But that's purely anecdotal.

[cashcowkelly]

Crazy how I don’t even look up anything about engineering but that’s my major and this popped up