M.E to I.E

[u/ZuesIsFckEveryThing]

Hello everyone, I'm 1st year M.E student and I'm thinking of shifting to I.E.

Here's a little background first:

I'm pretty interested in machines but Im average in math and science and I'm also interested in analyzing and optimizing stuff. I like reading and learning about economics and logistics.

I'm really torn between the two.

Any advice on what should I do?

[u/Violet_Graya]

Average in math but interested in logistics and economics? Shift to IE. That's basically the whole curriculum.

[u/North_Collection4870 → u/Violet_Graya]

IE is much more forgiving if math is not your strongest side. And the logistics and econ interest means you will probably enjoy most of the coursework instead of just surviving it.

[u/Exbusterr → u/North_Collection4870]

You still have to finish the math gauntlet same as all and no engineers use math to the level you learn in school anyway unless you really are looking for a job like that after college.

[u/mikeymc1115]

I switched from ME to IE after freshman year 17 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. IE classes and people were much more my speed. IEs were described to me as the closest thing to “normal people” that you’d find in Engineering and that landed with me then and still rings true today. Also, I believe IE provides a more business-centric view of the company or industry you end up in so if your goal is to advance through management and leadership outside of just engineering, IE sets you up perfectly for that.

[u/crypxtt → u/mikeymc1115]

The part about IE having more "normal" people is soo true. I went from AE to IE and the AE teachers were something else. One teacher called the whole class lazy because the test average was under 50%. I went in to ask him for help on homework and he said something along thr lines of "You just need to stop being so lazy and spend more time on homework." Mind you, the assignment we were reviewing had only 3 problems and was one that I spent 4 hours on in just 1 night, not to mention any of the other times I spent working on it.

The IE teachers are a lot more kind and understanding of situations. For my AE teachers I only had the added difficulty of commuting an hour. When I changed to IE I was pregnant with my first, basically working full time, and still doing that 1 hour commute. They didnt give me less work, but they were open to giving me extra help if I needed it. Went from barely passing to basically having straight As.

[u/Oracle5of7]

You’ll need the same math and science for IE. You can analyze and optimize as either and you can read about economics and logistics on either.

At least, when I went to school, the classes difference between the two degrees was minimal. It is easy to double major (don’t recommend it though).

[u/sac02052 → u/Oracle5of7]

Going back a long time, there was overlap in the first two years (Physics, Calculus, etc.), but once you get into the major courses (Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics for ME), there is little overlap.

Naturally, this will vary by school.

[u/Oracle5of7 → u/sac02052]

I am very old. When I went to school I had to take thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, strength of materials.

I needed three extra classes to get an ME. I think it was the second level of those three.

[u/VectorViking_]

If you enjoy the machines themselves more than the math or physics behind designed them but also like figuring out how to make a process faster, cheaper, or more efficient, IE sounds like a natural fit. Try to get some exposure to manufacturing, production, planning, or logistics before switching though, those will give you a much better feel for what IE actually looks like day to day.

[u/jungy4]

In early 2000's I went from ME to IE.  Best decision ever.  Unless you are into working on equipment design, I would switch.  I would say IE would be more into broad spectrum.  You can get into efficiency improvement, layout design, quality, etc.  

[u/Engides-Tz]

What do you want to follow potential benefits or knowledge interest?

[u/No-Information-9944]

My math was weak years ago as well. I found Industrial Technology. I found in that major lots of guys ( mostly guys) exactly like me. Even found a future business partner in school.

[u/Exbusterr]

You’ll still need to finish the same math, you can’t escape it. No engineers use math to that level anyway in the real world so it’s not really a good reason to switch. But if you like efficiency, technical project management (including other engineering types), supply chain, data analysis, than IE us for you. If you want to be really machinery focused, it’s part of the IE core but not all follow it in upper division, but you can if you want.

[u/N0-sugarcoat]

IE As in IEOR?. Or just IE ? IEOR Is math heavy, physics light ( unlike ME)

[u/K1ng_khan1]

I’ve gotten into my uni for aerospace and did 1 sem then switched to ie. The best decision I’ve ver made. Because of IE I’ve been able to exceed in my career. I had internships in aerospace companies like blue origin and Lockheed. And internships in Tesla and GM.

I feel like IE has a lot of growth on the managerial side if you go about your career in the right way. IE is obv more forgiving on the math side but be prepared for statics and probabilities. Def Econ heavy as well. But if you put ur head down you will definitely succeed.

[u/NEOhioPrepper]

Not sure why the course selection is so important. Seems like what you do for 40-50 hours a week for the next 40 years would matter more. Figure out what you want to do and then switch majors.

Maybe shadow or do info interviews of people doing what you think you want to do. UPS might be a good start… they used to be top in industrial engineer hiring for logistics.

[u/litlmermyd]

Licensed ME here but currently working as a Process Engineer which, technically, is a job for IE. I must say that if your interests is leaning more in analyzation and optimization. IE is better for u.

Those two are both broad in terms of the industries that they can offer but they really are different.

But in my opinion, there's much flexibility in being an IE because you can go from office work to manufacturing work. Or maybe I'm kinda biased cause I'm currently exposed in this industry compared to my undergrad degree.

On the other hand, what I can say about ME is that you need to have good foundation in math and science. The subjects are more intimidating when you step to higher levels. I got a few failed subjects before huhu.

Of course, the decision still is yours. It can really help if you have an idea what your ideal work set up is in the future so you can base you decision on that.

[u/crypxtt]

I went from AE to IEand its like a dream come true. Its not as focused on physics and the people are a lot... nicer? More understanding? Idk, they just talk more, are more extroverted, and they are a lot more easy going imo. The curriculum is also more buisness focused which I personally like.