Mechanical or Civil Engineering?

Mechanical engineering vs environmental/civil job prospects/salaries?

• I'm going to be a freshman in college this fall, and i know i want to do engineering. Preferably mechanical. I did workshop for environmental engineering when i was a sophomore and didn't like it that much, but i'm willing to give it another shot because i honestly think the workshop kinda just sucked. But, while the salary isn't what's most important to me (i'd rather do something i love), it is important if i'm going to support myself and possibly a family later on down the road. But i'm not sure which discipline of engineering would provide more in terms of salary/job prospects. I've seen projections that environmental engineering is going to grow about 31% from 2008-2012 (check me on those numbers), and mechanical is going to grow about 6% (again, check me on that), but i can't seem to find salary projections. Which do y'all think is going to have the largest salary growth, and ultimately the higher salary by around 2016-2018? I know that's a while in the future, and anything can happen, but just a rough guestimate is fine. i just want an idea of what might be better in terms of salary and job prospects when i come out of college. Also, any advice about engineering and college would be gladly accepted if you're feeling spontaneous.

• Answer:

  I have a family member that graduated with a degree in (mechanical) Engineering, and his love is automobiles. While he was in school, he worked on the school racing team projects. He worked part time as maintenance at a go-kart track, working up to shift manager. He worked for a small after market motorcycle company for around $30K in the late 1990s - not a high salary. However, he continued looking, and was hired by a national motorcycle company (at about a 30% pay hike) and after 10 years is now a Senior Engineer and makes around $85K. He is still more hands on than management. It took him a while to get where he is - there's competition in that segment, and a restricted number of openings/employers. He waited to get something he wanted - or a version of it. He's in vehicles. Much of the environmental might be with (state/local) government, or with government contracts, or the gov (Fed) itself. Hard to say. Pay might not be the best, but the benefits are usually good. Just remember - the engineers are always having problems with the bean counters and designers. Good luck to you.