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Learn more about Materials Science & Engineering from Vanessa Meschke, a current student.
One of the College of Engineering's 12 Undergraduate Majors.
Exploring Engineering Majors
Guide and resources to explore engineering
Students enter college in a variety of places on what major they want to pursue. Many students arrive knowing exactly what they want to and then they take a class and realize they have narrowed their interests. Other students come in with a general idea and they go to a seminar and hear someone from industry speak and leave knowing they have found their passion. Other students come in sure that they want to save the environment, but they aren’t sure what major will get them there. Wherever you fall on the “declaring a major” spectrum, this guide is meant provide direction and resources for researching and exploring engineering. One tip as you get started: begin with the end in mind. Don’t focus as much on your major as on what you want to do. Research to find out which majors will get you there – because there are typically multiple majors.
The College of Engineering is excited to offer several exploration workshops this spring!
Processing CMPE, CS and EE: How to Compute Your Best Fit
Tuesday, March 13 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Room 150, 1410 Engineering Drive
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering,…oh my! Are you unsure which major is right for you? Don’t let making this decision short circuit your semester. At this event you’ll get specific information about each major, along with strategies to help you choose the one that fits you best. There will also be information about careers and pathways that graduates take to get the job of their dreams. The session will feature a panel of employers and professionals who will share their experiences and advice for students pursuing these majors. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with advisors, employers and alumni!
Healthcare Research and Careers
Monday, March 19 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
Which engineers work in healthcare? All types! At this event, you’ll meet practicing physicians, engineers, and professors to learn how an academic background in engineering can shape your career in healthcare. Come see all the opportunities available for engineers in this always developing field, and meet others who can help you to reach your goals. It’s engineering meets healthcare meets networking ‘in vivo’!
Life After Graduation
Thursday, April 12 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
As a graduate, you will encounter a world of possibilities and choices. Begin a professional career? Work in research? Continue studying in graduate school? The opportunities are endless! This workshop will provide information about the diverse pathways that graduates take. Join us to find out the types of careers you can move into and gain tips on starting your job hunt. There will also be resources about what graduate school can offer. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a head start on planning your future!
Think Green: Research and Careers in Sustainability
Wednesday, April 18 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
Are you interested in developing environmentally sound solutions to today’s engineering grand challenges? Re-energize your major and explore possible careers by attending this forward thinking workshop. Professors and practicing engineers from a variety of disciplines will provide firsthand knowledge about their roles in the energy uses of tomorrow. You will also gain insight into how engineers work to advance sustainability in our dynamic world.
Assessment: life priorities, interests, aptitudes, skills, achievements, personality, values
- Use resources in the Career Exploration Center, ranging from assessments to workshops to the career library to advising appts. with career advisors.
- Use CareerLocker to assist with identifying your interests, skills, and values.
- Use self-directed/assessment O*Net Career Exploration Tools to help you plan for your major and career.
- If you are undecided about your intended major, identify your interests/strengths as they relate to the 12 engineering majors
- Learn about the Grand Challenges for Engineering as you consider majors
- College of Engineering Choosing a Major.
Research majors and careers
- University of Tennessee’s What Can I Do With a Major in Engineering?
- Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET OnLine
- Search engineer profiles and other videos in the National Science Foundation’s YouTube channel
- Use the College Library Career Collection to learn more about careers.
- Use Google or Youtube to research other videos of engineering careers – professional associations put together great videos regarding different niches within the major fields
Dive deep into resources to understand engineering at UW-Madison
- Undergraduate catalog
- Undergraduate majors and certificates in engineering at UW-Madison
- Peruse handbook and sample planning grids
- Run a ‘what-if DARS’ to see how the courses you have taken meet degree requirements for any given major on-campus. Use the DARS quick guide if you need help.
Connect to engineers in the field
- Conduct an informational interview. Talk to engineers about what they are doing and what they like and dislike about their jobs.
- Read current job postings. See what employers are looking for in the skills and responsibilities of various positions and compare that skill set to your own. There are myriad roles within a certain field and a variety of organizations – big companies, small companies, start-ups, government, not-for-profit, public and private – that all hire engineers.
Gain experience and develop transferable skills
- Join engineering-related student organizations and professional societies
- Get involved in undergraduate research
- UW undergraduate research opportunities
- Use discoveryportal.org to find a researcher with common interests
- CoE undergraduate research opportunities
- Student job center
- Get involved with volunteering
- Professional and career development
- Engineering Career Services
- Find the group ‘Hire a Badger Engineer‘ on LinkedIn
- Browse company websites to learn their values, who they are hiring, qualifications sought, etc.
- Informational interviewing
- Tap into the power of the global Wisconsin alumni network
- Gain international experience
The College of Engineering is excited to offer several exploration workshops this spring!
Processing CMPE, CS and EE: How to Compute Your Best Fit
Tuesday, March 13 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Room 150, 1410 Engineering Drive
Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering,…oh my! Are you unsure which major is right for you? Don’t let making this decision short circuit your semester. At this event you’ll get specific information about each major, along with strategies to help you choose the one that fits you best. There will also be information about careers and pathways that graduates take to get the job of their dreams. The session will feature a panel of employers and professionals who will share their experiences and advice for students pursuing these majors. Don’t miss this opportunity to network with advisors, employers and alumni!
Healthcare Research and Careers
Monday, March 19 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
Which engineers work in healthcare? All types! At this event, you’ll meet practicing physicians, engineers, and professors to learn how an academic background in engineering can shape your career in healthcare. Come see all the opportunities available for engineers in this always developing field, and meet others who can help you to reach your goals. It’s engineering meets healthcare meets networking ‘in vivo’!
Life After Graduation
Thursday, April 12 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
As a graduate, you will encounter a world of possibilities and choices. Begin a professional career? Work in research? Continue studying in graduate school? The opportunities are endless! This workshop will provide information about the diverse pathways that graduates take. Join us to find out the types of careers you can move into and gain tips on starting your job hunt. There will also be resources about what graduate school can offer. Don’t miss this opportunity to get a head start on planning your future!
Think Green: Research and Careers in Sustainability
Wednesday, April 18 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Cheney Room, Engineering Hall
Are you interested in developing environmentally sound solutions to today’s engineering grand challenges? Re-energize your major and explore possible careers by attending this forward thinking workshop. Professors and practicing engineers from a variety of disciplines will provide firsthand knowledge about their roles in the energy uses of tomorrow. You will also gain insight into how engineers work to advance sustainability in our dynamic world.
Assessment: life priorities, interests, aptitudes, skills, achievements, personality, values
- Use resources in the Career Exploration Center, ranging from assessments to workshops to the career library to advising appts. with career advisors.
- Use CareerLocker to assist with identifying your interests, skills, and values.
- Use self-directed/assessment O*Net Career Exploration Tools to help you plan for your major and career.
- If you are undecided about your intended major, identify your interests/strengths as they relate to the 12 engineering majors
- Learn about the Grand Challenges for Engineering as you consider majors
- College of Engineering Choosing a Major.
Research majors and careers
- University of Tennessee’s What Can I Do With a Major in Engineering?
- Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET OnLine
- Search engineer profiles and other videos in the National Science Foundation’s YouTube channel
- Use the College Library Career Collection to learn more about careers.
- Use Google or Youtube to research other videos of engineering careers – professional associations put together great videos regarding different niches within the major fields
Dive deep into resources to understand engineering at UW-Madison
- Undergraduate catalog
- Undergraduate majors and certificates in engineering at UW-Madison
- Peruse handbook and sample planning grids
- Run a ‘what-if DARS’ to see how the courses you have taken meet degree requirements for any given major on-campus. Use the DARS quick guide if you need help.
Connect to engineers in the field
- Conduct an informational interview. Talk to engineers about what they are doing and what they like and dislike about their jobs.
- Read current job postings. See what employers are looking for in the skills and responsibilities of various positions and compare that skill set to your own. There are myriad roles within a certain field and a variety of organizations – big companies, small companies, start-ups, government, not-for-profit, public and private – that all hire engineers.
Gain experience and develop transferable skills
- Join engineering-related student organizations and professional societies
- Get involved in undergraduate research
- UW undergraduate research opportunities
- Use discoveryportal.org to find a researcher with common interests
- CoE undergraduate research opportunities
- Student job center
- Get involved with volunteering
- Professional and career development
- Engineering Career Services
- Find the group ‘Hire a Badger Engineer‘ on LinkedIn
- Browse company websites to learn their values, who they are hiring, qualifications sought, etc.
- Informational interviewing
- Tap into the power of the global Wisconsin alumni network
- Gain international experience