What's more impressive: a degree in mechanical engineering, or a degree in chemistry?

Question

the first is an engineer, and the second is a chemist (just to clarify things...)

Answer 1

I don't think of one as being more impressive than the other.  In either case, you have a bachelors degree.  The pay and job opportunities for mechanical engineers are better, as long as you don't go on for a doctorate.  Yahoo! had a news story on yesterday which listed mechanical engineering as offering the highest-paid jobs for new graduates.  I think the average was about $49K.

Answer 2

If you have a BS you will probably have more job opportunities with the engineering degree.  Why not get a Chem Eng?

Answer 3

Equally impressive degrees, although you would probably find a higher paying job with the engineering degree.

Answer 4

Ever read Dilbert Comic Strips???

Look forward to that in Eng.  I work at one and I can tell you that Dilbert hits the experience dead on or close to home everytime I read it

I don't think you should be examining things in terms of impressiveness, but in terms of reality.

A mech. eng degree and chem degree can land you jobs but in dif. fields.  You will live in a cubicle and probably design weapons to kill people (for higher pay) and with the other you can live in a lab or who knows go to med. or pharm school or be a teacher.

It seems to me like you are looking forward to impressing people with your degree at cocktail parties, clubs or something.

In reality you will spend the next 40 yrs of your life living in a cubicle in what you will call your career.  On the other hand it beats working at Chiles for the next 40 yrs and you will live a decent lifestyle.

Yet anything short of MIT or Caltech really doesn't impress anyone right away with an "ewww or awww."  

A degree means you may or may not know something.  The only way to tell is when you are put to work on something basic.  

Think of your future work life as one big humorous test and competition.  

Do not think of working in terms of pass or fail, impressive or unimpressive,  but in relative happiness when compared to others.

Rather than trying to impress at work be innovative and specialize in some aspect of Eng. or Chem. that makes you stand out..

Also on a side note:

A person that is bright and articulate always impresses people, but keep in mind that this may be irrelevant to your boss....

I shall leave you to interpret the above in any way you see fit...

Answer 5

You'd probably find a job faster with the Mechanical Engineering degree.

Answer 6

They are both pretty equal as far as being impressive degrees, what matters is what you do with them.