Life can sometimes suck.

[Steel]

I hate the engineering program at my school. Im dropping out of that major. Two F's and a C. <sigh>

I don't know what to do. I have options, but they aren't easy. What i want to do is go to a local tech school, highly rated (Porter & Chester if anyone has heard of it), where I can become a mechanic. Something I love to do is work on cars, that's why I could do that.

On the other hand, having one parent as a Pathologist, the other an Electrical engineer, and an older sister who's a successful veterenarian, I'm afraid that my family will look down on me.. as "just a mechanic". That and the fact that i made very close friends, and met a very special girl at the school I'm currently enrolled in. I can't just drop everything, everyone like that, can I?

I'm 19 now, capable of making my own decisions, but sometimes I wish someone cold help me out. This is the first time in my life I've felt totally helpless. I don't know where to turn anymore.

I've figured that I'd stay at UMass for another year, take general education classes and have more time to think about my life. But it also seems kind of worthless. I have a strong feeling that by this time next year, I'll be going to the aforementioned tech school, so why waste my time, right?

I dunno, I'm just really confused, lost, alone right now.

Can anyone help?

[freakray]

Engineering isn't for everyone so don't feel bad about that.

When I started college, I was going to be a Metallurgical Eng but changed my mind and now I am a Mechanical Eng, no regrets.

Find something at the school that interests you, even if it is in the Eng Dept, there are so many fields to choose from.

Make your decision based on the long term too, think of what you would enjoy doing most now and in 20 years.....discuss it with your folks.
Talk to lecturers, get opinions and ideas......what does your student advisor say?

If it helps, you can PM me....

[Toksin]

[cheesy hippy]
Just go with your heart dude
[/cheesy hippy]

[Oz]

Different course, different situation, same problem I'm with ya all the way Steel.

[YogsVR4]

If you want to be a mechanic then be one. While it may not be the highest paying job, there is always a demand and need for them. You can work in any town you want and one day open your own shop if that’s what you want to work towards. That’s much easier to do then open an engineering business.

I bet your parents and sibling(s) will be happy for you in whatever field you find success in. If you and your lady are right for each other, not being at the same school will only be an obstacle not a deterrent.

Good luck in working through this. If it helps, we all face things like this and come out better for it.

[Steel]

Thanks for all the word guys.

I actaully talked to my boss the other day (he's more of a freind than my boss) And he told me that him and 2 of his freinds had the EXACT same situation happen to them. He told me that as soon as i stop feeling guilty aobut the whole thing, I will get my life on track and do what I want to do. Made me feel much better to know I wasn't the only one.

And not that i care aobut the money so much, but mechanics are starting to be paid more and more. Now that cars are comping so computerized. Plus, I want to specialize, perhaps in jet engines eventually. Who knows. I just know i'll be happy taking stuff apart and fixing it!

[Jay!]

just don't go to school for a subject you don't like. that's torture, pure and simple, and you'll just hate it more... take it from me... :o

[boingo82]

Originally posted by Steel
I hate the engineering program at my school. Im dropping out of that major. Two F's and a C. <sigh>
...

Who cares if your family thinks you're "just a mechanic"? (They probably won't, anyway.) I bet they're glad to have a mechanic in the family, because you'd be someone they could trust not to overbill them on repairs..

Besides, better to be a happy mechanic than a self-loathing engineer.
Liking what you do=priceless.