u/KiwiComprehensive152

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey everyone,
I’m meeting with my college counselor next week because I’m thinking about changing my major. I originally planned on pursuing Computer Science, but after realizing that job market is cooked I started looking into engineering and built my first Arduino robot arm, I realized I enjoy working on hardware, electronics, and programming physical machines much more than I enjoy the idea of sitting behind a screen writing software all day.
I’m now seriously considering switching to engineering, but I’m still trying to figure out which discipline makes the most sense.
A little about me:
I’m located in the Los Angeles County area (Burbank, San Fernando Valley, Palmdale/Lancaster area).
I’m planning on transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree.
I have a young daughter, so employability and job stability are extremely important to me.
I still want to enjoy what I do because I plan on doing this for the next 30-40 years.
I’m hoping engineers who actually work in the field can give me some honest advice.
Here are my questions:
If you were starting over today in Southern California, would you choose Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another engineering discipline?
Which engineering fields have the strongest job market in the Los Angeles/Burbank/Palmdale area today, and which do you think will still be in demand 3 years from now when I graduate?
Which engineering fields are becoming saturated, and which ones are still relatively underserved?
I’m really interested in robotics, embedded systems, automation, controls, aerospace, and defense. Which engineering major gives me the best balance between interesting work and strong job opportunities?
How difficult is it to break into aerospace or defense as a new graduate? Do most of those jobs really require security clearances?
Do visible tattoos, specifically a neck tattoo, realistically affect hiring in engineering, aerospace, or defense? I’m looking for honest answers from people who have actually worked in those industries.
If you could go back to your freshman year, what skills, projects, certifications, or internships would you focus on to become more employable by graduation?
I’m not looking for the “highest paying” major. I’m looking for a career that I can genuinely enjoy while also providing stability for my daughter. I’d really appreciate hearing from engineers who have been in the industry and can share what they’ve experienced.
Thanks in advance for any advice

Hey how’s it going guys I am in need of help I am very lost in life at the moment I am 1 year into getting my associates degree for Computer Science I got reeled in by the hype of cybersecurity and data analytics until I realized how bad the job market is but I honestly have no clue on what I want to do with my degree I got into it because I was a plumber before and I got injured on the job so I wanted to transition from a blue collar into white collar please if someone has any advice I’m open to listening🙏
I do have tattoos(neck,legs,arms) I was a hoodlum in my younger years and now i am trying to get my life together to give my daughter a better life I’m open to any advice 🙏

Advice as in what other jobs I could get with this degree and as I understand I don’t expect to get a 100k job with an associates degree but maybe what entry jobs/internships I could look into getting that could eventually lead into bigger roles while I continue my education on the side also what certs I could get that would play a big role in getting a job I have a GitHub account but don’t know exactly a good starting point