u/LoadApprehensive2078

I have done a bunch of robotics work (high school robotics as software lead, robotics internship as a SWE intern, etc.). I will be an MIT freshman in a few weeks and wanted advice on whether a career in robotics is for me. I really enjoy robotics but it's mainly the software side. I think I'd enjoy programming robotics systems more than a traditional big tech job at some software company like google or amazon. Are jobs typically software oriented, mechanically oriented, electrically oriented, etc or are companies looking for people who specialize in multiple aspects? I understand you need understanding of everything, but I'm talking about knowing enough to be able to program the systems but not have to do much mechanical or electrical engineering.

Also, how is compensation in for a robotics SWE compared to a traditional big tech SWE? From the research I've been able to gather, robotics pays less? Am I wrong? What companies are the "FAANG" of robotics? I'm considering applying to both SWE internships at robotics and big tech companies.

Also, would a CS degree be the optimal degree for what I want to do? I don't rlly want to do anything past a bachelors bc it costs money and time so I'd rather not do a masters or PHD. Is that a big limiting factor?

Would you say that robotics has greater job security than SWE at big tech rn or no?

Any other info you think necessary for me to know as I navigate my career in the next few years would be appreciated too! Thanks!

I see a lot about pay at JS and stuff but not much about small firms. What's the pay for entry level at the random small shops? By small shops, I mean below like tier 2/3.

I'm a freshman at MIT and heard a lot about people lying about their grad date by 1-2 years as a freshman to land FAANG internships and stuff. Is this not insane and easily fact-checkable? It seems like a lot of ppl do it tho

Hi! I'll be starting at MIT next month as a freshman. Thinking of studying CS. I don't come from a competition math background, more so a robotics background (ie. Robotics team, internship, etc.). Before this summer, I was planning to try to get jobs at FAANG or good robotics labs but I've only more recently began looking into quant. I love math and love programming and so I feel like maybe it could be a career I'd enjoy, but I was hesitant due to the obvious: its notoriously hard to get a job as a QT or QR. But now that I've done some digging, I learned there are a lot more firms than I thought there were. I only really knew art Tier 1 firms like JS. It seems like base salary and TC at these smaller firms are still high (200k+) as a new grad. I still have apprehension about targeting quant because god knows whether I'm delusional into thinking I could crack quant or not. Do you guys think I could target SWE/robotics for freshman year while I build up my quant knowledge and then try to target both SWE and QT or QR for my sophomore, junior, and senior year summers? In my head, quant could be my target/reach career and SWE/robotics could be my backup in case I don't have luck. Am I delusional lol? I know I don't have competition math experience, but I imagine I'm going to school at the best place to learn all the math and probability I'll need to know. Is this a reasonable mindset or not? Seeking advice from people in the industry/trying to break in because you guys will probably have a better idea than me. Thank you

Hi guys, I am about to be a freshman at MIT this coming year. Since I was young, I've loved, math, programming, and building robots. In high school, I did a lot of robotics and programming. Growing up, I was also lower-middle class with immigrant parents and so I've always wanted to be able to never have to make my family worry about money again. Because of both of these things, my goal had been to become a SWE, AI researcher, robotics engineer, or quant or something. But I also have a rare medical condition which had prompted to think about my purpose on earth. What if I could contribute to advancing research or helping kids with diseases like mine? In all, I was wondering if you had any advice on careers to look into where I can still chase my passion of math, programming, and robotics but maybe also contribute to helping people like me. It's also non-negotiable that it pays very well. I know that sounds bad, but in all honesty, my first priority is setting myself and family up for success so I can then begin to give back. Does this even exist?

Hi guys, I am about to be a freshman at MIT this coming year. Since I was young, I've loved, math, programming, and building robots. In high school, I did a lot of robotics and programming. Growing up, I was also lower-middle class with immigrant parents and so I've always wanted to be able to never have to make my family worry about money again. Because of both of these things, my goal had been to become a SWE, AI researcher, robotics engineer, or quant or something. But I also have a rare medical condition which had prompted to think about my purpose on earth. What if I could contribute to advancing research or helping kids with diseases like mine? In all, I was wondering if you had any advice on careers to look into where I can still chase my passion of math, programming, and robotics but maybe also contribute to helping people like me. It's also non-negotiable that it pays very well. I know that sounds bad, but in all honesty, my first priority is setting myself and family up for success so I can then begin to give back. Does this even exist?

Hi, not sure if this is the right sub but I had a question. How does alcohol consumption affect someone with Wiskott Aldrich syndrome? I've heard of it affecting their platelet count but even then, I'm not sure If that's correct. Thank you

Hi, not sure if this is the right sub but I had a question. How does alcohol consumption affect someone with Wiskott Aldrich syndrome? I've heard of it affecting their platelet count but even then, I'm not sure If that's correct. Thank you

Hello! I was considering making a pretty cool project about camera/robot localization where I could stream the real world position of a robot/camera to a web server to view. I am also planning on applying to a bunch of freshmen only/ freshman+sophmore internship programs at FAANG/equivelent companies. Because these companies are mostly web dev, would my project still be viewed as relevant? I appreciate all of your help!

Hi! I'm planning on majoring in either 6-3 or 6-5 as of now. I've been trying to plan my courses out for my course planning form but tbh, I'm super confused. I established that I should take 18.02 (have calc BC credit) and 8.01 because they are prerequisites for a bunch of classes, but other than that, I'm not sure. I am fairly confident that I passed the 6.001A ASE so I should have credit for that as well. What else should I take? Should I do a GIR like chem or bio? Should I do a CS class? Should I do a PE class?

Also, I'm very confused on the HAAS and CI‑H or CI‑HW requirements. What specifically are these classes and how do most people space these classes out to meet graduation requirements?

Hi! I'm an incoming freshman at MIT and am planning on applying to a bunch of underclassmen summer programs within the next few months. I had an internship previously and am getting through DSA on my own, but I don't have too much to show for projects. What would you guys advise? I did a lot of robotics in high school and so most of my experience is with robotics. I haven't done much web dev or anything but would be open to learning it. I also haven't done much AI/LLM work either. What projects would you guys recommend I start with knowing where I stand? For reference, my previous internship was also robotics and the company programs I intend to apply to are majority SWE programs. I've been struggling to come up with ideas for projects that are resume worthy and can teach me a lot. Thanks in advance

Im an incoming freshman. This question is more so geared towards current students. How competitive are clubs like traders@MIT, the consulting club, and those types of clubs? At most top schools they are rlly comp and I was just wondering if I need to lock in lmao

Hey guys! I am incoming to MIT this year as an undergrad and am considering pivoting to look into quant. I have been exposed to a bunch of programming (mainly robotics programming and so I have a solid CS base in all the fundamentals). I haven't done competitive math or anything but should have access to world class math resources at MIT. How would you advise I begin learning and making quant projects considering my knowledge is almost all CS?