Honest Question about Math in Engineering

Hey everyone, I heard that most engineers won't use the math they learned in college when they're actually working. If that's true, is it even worth it to major in engineering? Plus, math isn't my strong suite. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

If you're considering a career in engineering, you're right that you may not use all of the complex math learned during your college years in day-to-day practice. However, the math involved in engineering coursework serves a couple of major purposes.

Firstly, it serves as a tool to help you understand and analyze different engineering concepts. For instance, calculus could be used to understand and design control systems, while linear algebra might help in solving networks or systems of equations.

Secondly, the complex math courses train you to develop problem-solving strategies and hone your analytical thinking—skills that are critical in any engineering role. They help build a foundation and an engineer's mindset.

Regarding your question if majoring in engineering is worth it, it's subjective and depends on your career interests and goals. Engineering is a demanding field but can be very fulfilling and financially lucrative. If you enjoy solving problems, designing, and making things work better, then, yes, engineering can be very worthwhile. But if math isn't quite your thing, consider how you might handle the math-heavy coursework involved in an engineering degree.

For context, not all engineering disciplines require the same level of math expertise. For instance, mechanical or electrical engineering could be more intensive than environmental or industrial engineering. Yet, all engineering fields will still require a solid grasp of math basics.

If you're hesitant, one approach could be to try a few introductory engineering courses to see how you manage the math involved, alongside considering other majors that might cater to your strengths or interests. For instance, if you're interested in design and invention but less so complex equations, you might consider product design, which is less math-heavy but still innovative and technical.