What minor should accompany my Mechanical Engineering major?

Question

Physics, Math, or maybe something else? What do you guys think would be better?

Answer 1

It doesn't really matter. You don't have to get a minor. If you do, it won't have much impact on your ability to find a job after graduation.

I have a Mechanical engineering degree. I could have gotten a math minor with only 1 extra class, or a physics minor with only 3 extra classes. I figured the math minor would be worthless because an engineering degree already proves that I understand math. I thought about the physics minor but I didn't have time to squeeze 3 extra classes into my busy schedule.

I'd say its up to you. If there is a topic you would like to study then go for it, but just remember a minor won't really affect your job outlook.

Answer 2

The right answer is whatever you're interested in: Physics, Math, Computer Science, Materials Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Music, Sanskrit... (seriously).

Without having told us a specific career path, or whether you're just in it the money, "do what you're interested in" is always the best path; as long as you can pay the bills (which you will be able to, with a Mech Eng major)

College is a unique time when you have unrivalled choice in what you can study, take advantage of that to the max, you will not have that freedom for too long.

Answer 3

I know my college requires us to have a minor, so you may be in the same boat. But i would stay away from the physics, i say that becuase my advisors say it is one of the most failed. And mathmatics wont really get you anywhere, so im thinking something in computer.. IT, Computer Science, only because you may be on the computer a lot with engineering.. such as with Cad or something.

Answer 4

If you have the time to pursue a minor, do anything you want!  If you really enjoy math or physics, go ahead, but those actually won't help you much when you're applying for jobs (if you have the mechanical engineering degree, you obviously have a good understanding of math and physics).

So, do you like foreign languages? Music? History?  I did a music minor, and that's actually what piqued interviewers' interest the most about my resume - they were happy to see that I was an engineer who knew how to do more than solve equations.  I did it because it was something I really wanted to do, but it helped a lot to be able to list it on my resume and grad school applications as a contrast to my degree.  It seems that it shows a little more depth of character if you can do more than just engineering.

Answer 5

If these classes are offered as electives, I would take robotics, and advanced thermodynamics.