What are the pros and cons of going into bioengineering or mechanical engineering as a career?

Question

What are the pros and cons of going into bioengineering or mechanical engineering as a career? I am only going to be a sophomore in high school but don't tell me that i am too young to be caring about what i want to do with my life.

If it helps this is most likely the college i will be attending(my mother works there and i get free tuition)

http://www.utoledo.edu/

this is their bioengineering program's website

http://bioe.eng.utoledo.edu/

their mechanical engineering program's website

http://www-mime.eng.utoledo.edu/

Answer 1

I'm in mechanical engineering and i like it so far. This is my 3rd year. It's very hard, but if you enjoy physics, math, and machines then you will like it.

Bioengineering is a little harder to get into. I believe bioengg gets to do more hands on stuff and designing robotic arms, legs. Don't quote me on this one, my friend is in biomed.

Answer 2

My bias may show here, but mechanical engineers will enjoy a greater diversity of job opportunites after graduation.  Bioengineering is a relatively young discipline (read: not many jobs) that has a large amount of people studying it.

The law of supply and demand tells us that a surplus in supply (many bioengineers) leads to a lower market price (your salary).

Really, it should come down you what you like.  Mechanical engineering and chemical engineering are broader-based disciplines, but if bioengineering is more interesting to you, it will be infinitely more rewarding.  Consider reading an Introductory Text to Bioengineering, by Fung, Y.C.; et al.

The nice thing about engineering disciplines is that many overlap a great deal and differ mostly in the application.  The fundamentals (the math) is mostly the same, but the formulas differ.  I changed from bioeng to chemical eng at the end of my sophomore year and was able to graduate in 4 years (with two full summers of summer session).

Answer 3

I have bee a mechanical engineer for over 15 years, with mechanical engineering you have more options for career choices, the other pretty much guaranties you a job working with pharmaceuticals for the rest of your career