Engineering vs Finance/Accounting

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09-28-2013, 06:04 PM
Z0MBiE

Engineering. Gotta keep my hands busy.
09-28-2013, 06:10 PM
Ronin

You can't really just "invent" numbers in engineering either. Either thousands of products or buildings/machines which millions of people use depend on your exact work. At least in Accounting, your books should be pretty safe and rarley end up killing people.

Also: It's all apples and organges, but you will rarely find someone who has it in them to exceed in one of each. A top notch accountant most likely never had the talent needed to become a great engineer. A great engineer usually wouldn't have the talent needed for becoming a top notch accountant.
Most people make career decisions before they know themselve enough to actually base it on a solid understanding of their talents. Asking others only works, if they know you really really well.
The most helpful answer over the web I could give a stranger is, that he should look elsewhere for help, but not to me.

I personally rate engineering as more difficult, because the amount of things that ask for more than just dedication and hard work to master is larger. There are people who can't deal with the math, the abstract thinking approach, or the need to actually innovate based on genuine ideas. If you can't imagine complex 3-dimensional geometries in your mind, your pretty much out as an engineer, if you can't evaluate how much money a million is, you can still be an ok accountant, by simply following the textbook.
09-29-2013, 01:38 AM
postrook

engineering: john carmack, tim sweeney, mark zuckerberg, steve wozniak, tim cain, ron gilbert
09-29-2013, 07:14 AM
poeticas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

Well, I just though, that if you like the idea of an accountant job, you remember names of peoples who were/are accountants and the same for engineers, that's all.
It's a kind of heuristic approach to finding out in which direction you lean in this "vs" situation.

Just keep going as long as you can and make a count, if the question really interrests you.

I don't really care for engineering or accountant jobs ... i just know some people from history :D i read a lot of wiki thingies ... :/
09-29-2013, 11:38 AM
Avarance

I working in accounting, I went for something practical. I got a job right after finishing my studies. :P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espada1

all you really need is patience and a money oriented mind. The math in accounting is very simple. (Algebra 2 level..even lower probably)

Meticulousness and deduction are very important in accounting in whatever you do. If you don't have any of these then you probably won't be a very efficient person for the job.

I had Engineering in mind too when picking my degree but the classes looked intimidating to me, haha.
09-29-2013, 02:58 PM
Kamilla

Currently an engineering student, and I love what I'm studying. I wouldn't study accounting, because I don't find it interesting. It's all a matter of personal preferences.

If you're looking into applying to university programs, then I highly suggest you do a bit more research on engineering (and perhaps accounting too while you're at it). A lot of people don't really know what engineers are. They don't fix machines, and they don't wire up the electricity in your house. That's what technicians do. Engineering isn't actually as hands on as many people think it is. They mainly design things, while the engineering technicians implement the design.

I've noticed a lot of kids have switched out of my classes, because it's not exactly what they thought it was.

So yeah, make sure you do your research if you're applying to schools soon! c:
09-29-2013, 05:42 PM
Espada1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarance

I working in accounting, I went for something practical. I got a job right after finishing my studies. :P

Meticulousness and deduction are very important in accounting in whatever you do. If you don't have any of these then you probably won't be a very efficient person for the job.

I had Engineering in mind too when picking my degree but the classes looked intimidating to me, haha.

Can't you train your mind to be meticulous and hone better deduction skills? Accounting seems pretty practical. I feel like I would want to balance my income and expenses on a spreadsheet at my home computer.
09-30-2013, 12:37 AM
darknight55

Just pick something you like. You'd probably be working in something unrelated anyways.
Graduated from engineering class.
90% of us are working in a different sector now.
09-30-2013, 05:36 AM
sinnful

Both are good choices. I went into psychology, and while I have an enjoyable and fulfilling job that helps the community, I don't get paid shit.
09-30-2013, 06:12 AM
Phenoca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

Name as many important engineers from today or the past as you can come up with.

Mommy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronin

Name as many important accountants from today or the past as you can come up with.

Grandma
09-30-2013, 08:35 PM
Xenonight2

Studying milling science.

100% job placement rate, minimum 70k starting salary, can work anywhere in the US.

Literally the best degree to get in the US, considering tuition is ~12k a year (in-state) and, you know. 100% job placement rate, minimum 70k starting salary, and can work anywhere in the US. Within one year of work you will have made up the cost of your undergrad education.
10-01-2013, 02:37 AM
Espada1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenonight2

Studying milling science.

100% job placement rate, minimum 70k starting salary, can work anywhere in the US.

Literally the best degree to get in the US, considering tuition is ~12k a year (in-state) and, you know. 100% job placement rate, minimum 70k starting salary, and can work anywhere in the US. Within one year of work you will have made up the cost of your undergrad education.

That sounds too good to be true.