Best elective classes for engineers?

I'm thinking about what elective classes would be beneficial to take in college alongside my engineering major. What electives do you recommend to enhance my studies and skills?

There are numerous potential elective classes which could enrich your engineering studies, depending largely on your specific area of interest within engineering and your career goals. However, here are a few general electives that might provide a foundation of useful skills for any engineer:

1. Computer Science: Proficiency in coding and software development is almost universally beneficial in today's engineering realm. Classes in Java, Python, or MATLAB can be very beneficial.

2. Business or Economics: Engineers often move into project management or leadership roles. Business and economics classes can help develop your understanding of the financial and business aspects of large engineering projects.

3. Public Speaking or Communication: Engineers often have to present their findings to colleagues, clients, or the public. Having strong presentation and communication skills can therefore be highly beneficial.

4. Materials Science: For various areas of engineering, understanding the materials used in the designs can be beneficial. A Materials Science class could give you more context for the materials you might be working with.

5. Project Management: Many engineers will eventually manage projects or teams, so an intro to project management can provide valuable tools for tracking progress, managing resources, and assessing risks.

6. Philosophy/Ethics: Engineering often presents ethical dilemmas (think about the self-driving car dilemma, for instance). A class in philosophy or ethics can provide a framework for thinking about these problematic situations.

Remember to balance whatever electives you choose with your core engineering subjects. It may make sense to sometimes choose less intensive electives to keep your workload manageable, and allow focus on those core subjects. Ultimately, the best electives for you will depend on your individual career goals, interests, and curricular requirements at your institution.