[QUOTE]I'm in my 3rd year of civil engineering and I've been thinking of changing my major for a while. I just don't find engineering interesting anymore, and I pretty much hate most or all of my classes, and find it hard to concentrate on things that are so boring. I've been looking at the Labour Studies program and I think that would be something that I would be interested in, and registered for a couple courses in that next term (they count for my minor) so I'll see how those go. I took a coop last year and didn't see any engineers doing anything interesting. I've been thinking back about how I got into engineering in the first place and realized that my decision making process wasn't exactly sound. I built a popsicle stick bridge at age 12, and was good at math and science, so since then basically everyone was pressuring me to go into engineering. Also, whenever I expressed interest in anything else, people would say "What are you going to do with that, work at McDonalds?" But this summer I saw people with various arts degrees leading a perfectly normal life without asking if you want fries with that (sorry about the stereotype but that is basically how people tell you the world works in engineering). I'm apprehensive about making the change, because then I'll have wasted 2-3 years, but I don't want to waste 40 years doing something I hate. Also, I don't think what I am interested in has the same earning potential. And I'm pretty sure that if I change over now, no one will support me (I think my parents had their hearts set on me being an engineer and "making more than them" since I started playing with Lego). Anyone have any advice?[/QUOTE]

Re: Thinking of switching faculties

[QUOTE]Brian, I think it's super important to listen to that "inner voice" telling you that this field isn't for you. Although you could succeed in it, you may have a real gift in another area, and may find yourself a happier and more productive person. Although your parents may have dreams of you becoming an engineer, most parents, deep down, want their children to be happy more than anything; they may think that if you 'make more than them', that you will be happier, and this may be the source of their desire for you. I've been in your shoes before, and I am now in them again, and it's uncomfortable, but I truly believe that no learning is ever truly wasted, even if it doesn't get you to where you expected it would. You'll never be this young again - do what feels right to you! Carole (Education)[/QUOTE]

Re: Trust your instincts!

[QUOTE]Hey Brian Wow, this is kinda spooky. Last week I actually came to the same conclusion you did. I was always into math and science and my uncles are engineers and said I should do it, and while it seems like a very profitable career it doesn't interest me at all. Unlike you, I'm only in my first year, but even so it's like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders now that I've switched and am going to be taking classes that interest me more. My advice: you have one life. Don't waste it all on stuff that you don't like. Follow your passion and things will work out. Good luck![/QUOTE]

Re: You're not alone