HEY!!! Hey! Welcome back 🙂
Let’s start off strong with another cat pic (I know you’ve been waiting)
This one is going to be about tips I wish I knew when choosing my spec! However, as demonstrated by my spec decision-making journey (yes, it was long enough to call it a journey), advice and what actually happens can be two very different things. So I won’t only share tips on specialising but also my personal spec story, i.e. how I ended up choosing Civil and Environmental Engineering. Although to keep you all in suspense and prevent this from being a monstrously long blog, I’m going to split this into two parts- Part One: What I wish I knew (i.e. tips) and Part Two: What I actually did (i.e. my spec decision-making journey)
Without further dilly-dallying….BEHOLD:
My tips on how to choose your spec:
- Think about it
- Choose the correct spec
- The only correct spec choice is Civil and Environmental Engineering
…….just kidding!!…..😉
I know this is a civil and environmental blog, but I promise I’m not that biased. Ok, ok, actually, no more dilly-dallying. Here are my actual tips.
Wait, maybe one more dilly dally: another cat pic…
My tips on how to choose your spec (actual):
🎾 Don’t just go by vibe:
I know it’s tempting- and yes, in the short run, choosing a specialisation just based on what your mates are choosing, how alluring the GPA entry of the spec is, or even based on what sounds cool (like civil and environmental engineering 😉 can be good. However, this degree isn’t just a short run- it’s four years, and after that, you’ll probably want to work in this field, too. This spec decision is for the long run, so doing some research will pay off. HOWEVER, the fact that you are here already shows you are doing your research- good on you!
🎾 Coursework does not always equal Work work
What you’ll be learning in your specialisation can actually be very different to what you’ll be doing in the workforce. In our engineering degree, we learn a huge amount of theory, but what seems to be just as (if not more) valuable in the workforce is the soft skills we learn along the way, such as the ability to gain a deep understanding of abstract concepts and learn high volumes over a short amount of time. Across the specialisations, you’ll apply these skills in different ways. So, don’t just choose your spec based on whether you like the course work, but also consider what the day-to-day routines and overall demands of the jobs related to your spec of choice involve. You can find out more about this sort of stuff through YouTube “day-in-the-life-of” vids or other online resources, internships (eventually), chatting to industry professionals through events or even mentoring programs…and that brings me to my third tip:
🎾 Talk to people
I know, I know, you are an engineer, so…. no, just kidding, I’m not gonna play into stereotypes here, haha. Genuinely, though: talk to people about your specialisation choices. The ‘people’ in question could be older engineering students, other part 1s, your lecturers, industry reps at club events; the list goes on. Talking through your decision-making process can be super helpful, and you could receive some perspective-changing advice or bit of info. However, be prepared that everyone will have a different opinion and will sometimes give conflicting advice (as you’ve probably already experienced). Take it on board as what it is- advice. Be open-minded and listen to what doesn’t seem to lean extremely towards the advice-giver’s own specialisation (the specialisation bias is real).
🎾 Don’t be scared to change your mind:
It’s natural. I feel like I went through the whole engineering design process when choosing my spec (so many iterations). Changing your mind is good, though. This is a big decision, and changing your mind can mean doing more research on a greater range of specs to eventually reach a more well-rounded choice. Now that sounds good doesn’t it!
🎾 Is one course all it takes?
You should definitely take into consideration how you enjoyed your Part 1 courses when making your choice, but remember; there are three more parts to your degree with so many more courses. If you really liked the corresponding part 1 course of a certain specialisation, but you don’t like the workforce opportunities, associated skills, the impact you can have with your degree or the typical jobs- it’s up to you, but I reckon that one course isn’t a good indicator. This also works the other way round- if you didn’t really like corresponding part 1 course of a certain specialisation, but you are in love with where this spec can get you in terms of workforce opportunities, skills, impact and a fulfilling job- again, it’s up to you, but I reckon that one course isn’t really something to worry about.
🎾 You’ve got this!!
Exactly what the title says!
Bye Bye
For my specialisation story, check out part 2!
See you in the next one!!
Ankia (and Ellie the cat-) At this point I’ve posted so many cat pics Ellie is a co-author