First semester of freshmen year, does your college have you take all general education classes or do you get to take a relevant course your first semester?

Hopefully you took AP classes in high school and knocked off some credits.

That said, I understand that it may be frustrating that you aren't taking computer sciences classes immediately. But trust me, the coursework builds on itself. The calculus, the physics, etc. all matter. And college coursework is demanding-- way more demanding than anything that was expected of you in high school. The gen eds and pre-reqs are invaluable simply because they teach you how to effectively learn, manage your time, and study.

Additionally, take your gen eds seriously. You have the opportunity to explore coursework outside engineering-- let the experience help you and make you a better engineer. For example, my public speaking and writing courses have been absolutely critical in my development as a student. I cannot tell you how much they have helped me in engineering.

Lastly, regarding the "real world" experience you want, hardly any of that comes from the classroom. Yeah, you may learn a computer language or something, but the experience is your responsibility. College guarantees you nothing except an opportunity to earn an education. That is it. The professional development and job hunt is up to you, and your college is there to help, if you seek it out. As a freshman, you need to be looking for internships NOW. See what resources your school offers- career fairs, career services center, job postings, etc. Get involved in laboratory research at your school. It is a great way to get work experience as a freshman. Join an engineering club. Make your own apps-- maintain a portfolio to show off later. Work as a tutor, TA, or tour guide for your university.

Take initiative, and coursework will become the last thing you worry about in college.

/r/EngineeringStudents Thread