Which is a better, more promising career: mechanical engineering or civil engineering?

So many answers. I'll keep mine short. I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, a BS in Architectural Studies, and an MS in Nuclear Engineering.

Civil engineers work, most often, in infrastructure -- roads, sanitary and storm sewers, bridges, etc. Mechanical engineers more often design machines; industrial processes involving large conveyors, mixers, dryers, etc.; and HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) systems for larger structures.

Civils are taught more about compacting dirt and sizing pipes, Mechanicals more about heat transfer and mechanisms like cams and followers. Mechanicals are jacks of all trades but masters of none -- they're taught at least a bit of everything. Both of these engineering specialties are important to our world, and they have approximately equal pay and "appreciation" scales. Neither is one of the "glamor" engineering specialties.

You mentioned electrical engineering. That, along with electronic and chemical engineering will be harder academically and get you higher pay when you're done. Chemical is arguably the hardest engineering major. Where I went to school the joke was "Well, if you wash out of chem engineering, you can always go across campus and just be a chemist."

All of these fields are usually required on any major project. They all need to work together, with minimal friction. Engineering managers are the people who ensure that happens. Besides being engineers themselves, engineering managers have something in common -- they all are good at communicating with their designers and with upper company management and clients. Critical to your advancement, regardless of the field you choose, is your ability to speak and write cogently.

In many engineering schools the first two years are co-listed core classes, you don't need to choose a specialty until after that or, at the least, you'll find changing engineering major during the first two years easier. Choose wisely, grasshopper. And be able to explain yourself both verbally and in writing.

Nisa,

Let us agree to the fact that, hiring shouldn't be a problem, as long as you are Engineer, no matter the discipling.

I think what you should now do is to know exactly what you want to do. From what you are saying I am afraid you mean Architect not even Civil, here u've a considerable differences.

I'm a mechanical Engineer and I've faced this choice before, actually Architect was my first choice (for the same reasonse you have said), but after I went through some book I,ve foud that this not what I really want to do.

I advise you to know more about the different Engineering discp. and only after that you can decide what to do.

And pls do not be afraid, work market changing every day, and you will never be able to predict the exact future trends after your graduation.

Just do ur best and I wish u a good luck!

Well 4 years later it turns out that yes, EE is a dead end career. Between the lack of need due to mobile devices and the overwhelming inflow of US engineers displaced by H-1B workers, the odds of a new EE graduate finding work in the US is nearly zero.

Civil engineers are in a great demand recently.

Any engineering is a great major. Of all the college grads, engineering of any kind is the easiest one to find a job. Mechanical probably is a little easier than civil though, just because there are more factories here and internationally to go to. But if you don't like it don't go into it, you will drop out if your heart isn't into it.

Show your mom this link from the Bureau of Labor about job prospects and salary for the foreseeable future, she might not be against it so much. Civil engineers are still needed, and is definitely more valuable than being a teacher or business major as far as getting a good starting job

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

According to the Bureau, civil engineers are needed more than mechanical engineers as time goes on. Plus , they say more are in employment than mechanical (news to me)

What matters is your area of interest. Job oppurtunities are galore all around. All that you need is hard work and dedication.

If you feel that Civil Engineering is good for you and you can build on your skills then just go ahead with it.

Good luck for a great future ahead.

it s my third year in civil engineering but i think its so limited, no creativity in it, it just about concrete and stresses, shear forces and bending moment, i really think about changing my major to mechanical engineering.

If you feel civil engineering is right for you, then it is right for you. There is nothing more miserable than working doing something you don't care for. Work is not work, when you are passionate about it.

The advantage of civil engineers over mechanical engineers is that civil engineering jobs are hard to outsource. They need local engineer working on local projects. Additionally, you'll have a better shot to work with the government. In fact, the USA infrastructure needs overhauling and there will be public fund flowing in for infrastructure.

Conversely, Mechanical engineer can be easily outsourced and the fact is that manufacturing in the USA has been in decline for the past 25 years.

I really feel sorry that your mom tell you that she'll refuse to pay tuition if you don't study what she wants. I personally think that is a shame. If I were you, I wouldn't think it twice if I felt that civil engineering was right for me. There many ways to pay for tuition, don't be discourage by that. Tell mom that she will strain your relationship with you if she do not oblige. You know, this is about you life and livelihood. Just because you dad was quitter it does not mean you will be a quitter. She doesn't have the right to make such argument

hey i m doing civil engg from SRM university

I want to know that which career will be good to choose in future for better wealth....

I was taking up BS Applied Economics and Accountancy last year (first year in college) then I shifted to Civil Engineering this academic year without telling my father who wants me to become a CPA Lawyer. After becoming a dean's lister during the first trimester, I showed him my grades in Eco-Acct and compared it with my grades in CE. (our school year starts at May and we follow the trimestral system) He was impressed because I got above 90% average grade in CE while I only had below 80% average in Eco-Acct. Because of that he accepted my decision. I PLANNED THIS SINCE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL because I can't stop my father.

You can't do the same trick since ME and CE has the same freshmen subjects. Comparing the degrees while you're in freshmen is really nothing. I think... you should kneel to your mom.

Work is not our life. We work to make "living". That is why it is very important what we do for work. Otherwise getting up 6 in the morning and working until 5 o clock can be very difficult to deal with.