Engineer Major Essay

Engineering is a broad major, sectioned into several fields of study. The fields of engineering included Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Petroleum, etc. Although all branches of engineering require the same prerequisites, the program of study is further personalized subsequent to the first two semesters completed. Alongside the recommended program of study, an engineer major must possess a strong work ethic in order to keep up with the demanding courses. It also essential for students to immerse themselves in engineering community outside of the classrooms if they desire to succeed within the major. According to The University of North Florida’s college of Engineering, students are required to complete several General Education courses in

When Akpabio was questioned about “cheat-codes” he responded “If you want a cheat code, study. Study and engage yourself in the classroom.” There are no short-cuts to graduation as an engineer major. As an engineer major “There is no doubt you’re going to struggle. It’s going to be hard” states Jacobs (Jacobs, Jeannie). If a student wishes to succeed in engineering, they must take advantage of the resources provided on campus. Derailment is not an option for someone determined enough to pursue engineering. According to Jacobs, “The one’s who follow through with engineering are the ‘C’ students who never gave up. They are the one’s who worked for it.” Engineer students must prioritize what is most important to them if they truly desire to succeed. Akpabio consistently reiterated throughout his interview: “You are [engineer majors] given three options: Sleep, School, Social status. You must learn to balance the three or choose two

Through engaging in activities external to the classroom, students are given the opportunity to experience the engineering discourse community. In order for students to coherent members of their desired field, they must first “learn to use the common language of engineers (Winsor 8).” If a student acquires the academic knowledge needed for engineering, however is deficient in the language of engineering, their “saying-doing-being-valuing-believing combination” is inconsistent (Gee 28). According to James Paul Gee the mastery of a Discourse occurs through “enculturation into social practices… and supported interaction with people who have already mastered the Discourse (29).” Thus proving that if a student merely attends class without participating in real life applications of engineering, they know how to engineer however they cannot be engineers. Students will learn that “the majority of what they learn in class is unimportant until they apply it outside [of the classroom] (Akpabio, Ini).” Since “discourse communities share assumptions about what objects are appropriate for examination and discussion” participating in clubs will allow students to develop first-hand experience with projects currently being worked on by engineers (Porter 82). Being an active member in the engineering