Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering?

[ximeng8]

Hi everyone,

I've always loved China and its culture, people, language, etc, and have always wanted to live there. Now I found out about that CSC scholarship which seems like a dream come true, and I will apply for it next year. However, as for what to get my Bachelor's Degree in, I've basically narrowed it down to Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science. Which one would I probably have a better chance of finding a job with in China? I'm leaning towards mechanical engineering, as CS will soon be dominated by a flood of relatively lowly paid Indian and Chinese programmers. Anyways, I know that I can always get a job teaching English (or Spanish as well, maybe?) over there, but what would you guys recommend for a degree (in terms of job prospects in China)?

[DrWatson]

I'm leaning towards mechanical engineering, as CS will soon be dominated by a flood of relatively lowly paid Indian and Chinese programmers.

Regarding the salary, unless you are an expert in your field, you can expect the same--or perhaps slight above for the extra language ability--wages as a Chinese engineer in the local labor market. No Chinese employer in his right mind would pay you more just because you spoke English or Spanish. It would be more effective to hire a Chinese engineer who studied engineering abroad.

That said, I'd consider the following:

1) Local requirements for the profession (licensing, industrial codes, standards, etc.)

2) Available industries (manufacturing, design etc.)

3) Your interest in both professions

Software is very global, especially for skilled developers. However, the global mobility of software development is also why developing simple software applications or managing standard IT systems is being out-sourced to India or China or Ireland or Slovenia or where ever. With specialization and expert knowledge, you will find that there is a demand for your skills, and you will be paid more for such skills. Same goes for traditional engineering jobs these days as well. While Civil engineering is relatively safe (due to licensing requirements and local knowledge of building codes), it is not a very global labor market except for expert knowledge (experts in hydrodynamics, seismology, etc.) Electronic engineering is very global due to the only local requirement being the power supply. EE jobs are being outsourced to China these days too.

As for MechE, would you end up primarily in manufacturing? Are the opportunities for foreigners to do design work? How much time is required working with customers (gathering requirements, installation and delivery, support, etc.)? Is a license required to practice professional engineering in China? Do you have to be familiar with the industrial codes?

Finally, you might not be hired for CS or MechE in China. As such, if you decided to work as an ESL/Spanish teacher, which would you prefer to study? Or if you stayed in your country to develop your skills, which would you enjoy more? If you ever decided to go back to your home country after spending a few years in China, which type of work interests you more.

[hng783]

It's interesting to hear that you are choosing a degree based on the fact which one can land you a better job in China.

One thing I can generalize about the industries are that:

Computer Science is typically a fast-pace industry, something that was "in" is not necessary popular anymore, although the basic concept is still the same. One example will be the C programming language, or even Java. They are still around, but not many people mention them nowadays. The "Comp Sci" industry is mostly concentrated in Beijing, where a lot of IT companies headquartered.

Mechanical Engineering is more traditionally related with manufacturing, and therefore you can expect the industry is on the south region - such as Canton province, or even the car manufacturers in Changchun or Tianjin.

I think at the end, you should really choose which field excites you more, rather than a field that "seem" to be a better income prospect.

[ximeng8]

Now I've pretty much decided to do Mechanical Engineering because:

1. I simply like it more.

2. It looks like I could get a job more easily not only in China (hopefully in Chengdu, where I want to live), but around the world in general if for some reason (Gods Forbid!) I can't live in China.

Thanks for the replies!

[DrWatson]

Choosing your subject of study because it interests you more is the way to go.

Just as an example, back when I was a university student in the height of the DotCom bubble, at the time electronic engineers were highly in demand. I chose the subject because I loved it ever since I took some trade classes in secondary school, but many of my classmates were in it for job prospects. By the time we graduated though, the DotCom bubble burst, and at the time, the level of unemployment for electronic engineers was higher than the national average!

Whatever you do, do not select a career based on prospects. In 3~4 years, a lot can change and the world can be very different from when you began. Just ask all of the financial engineering and law school grads finishing up school this spring.

[outcast]

Engineering is always a better choice because there is always demand for it, if not here than elsewhere.

[ipsi()]

I studied Accounting, Commercial Law (not real law, just a few papers providing an intro) and Computer Science at University - did Accounting because I was good at it at High School. Did Com Law because it was needed to become a Chartered Accountant. Did Computer Science because I liked Computers.

I ended up hating Accounting. I really don't like it at all. Didn't really click to that until I was most of the way through, so I pushed through a few papers to get my degree, but damn it sucked!

Enjoyed Computer Science way more, and now have a job in that field. Admittedly, I didn't do terribly well at my papers (Cs get degrees, as we say...), but it was a lot more interesting.

But the thought of working for one of the Big 4 is pretty appalling to me - at my current job I don't have to worry too much about shaving (once every few months), don't have to come in on time (I currently wander in around 11am), and have a nice, friendly atmosphere (there's 7 of us).

I could possibly have made more money in Accounting, but that would have required a major personality shift (i.e. being able to stick at something I really didn't like for years on end).

I guess what you should take from that is that you should keep your options open :-). But I think it works somewhat differently in New Zealand, and it's not uncommon for people to walk out at 22 with two degrees (I walked out at 22 with 3, but I'm special :-) ).