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NS engineers!

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Mt_P0wDerJuNkIe
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 58
 A question for those of you who have completed or are currently enrolled in engineering.  First off I am thinking about enrolling in an engineering program next fall. I know its going to be a big commitment and alot of work so please dont preach about that.  All I am wondering is how school has affected your shred time?  I know I am going to have to make sacarafices but some people have told me that realisticly I would barely have enough time to ski one day a week I dunno if i believe this.  So through your college years how many days a year would you average? 
Feb 10 2011 2:25PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
Not an engineer, but I am in college so maybe I'm sort of qualified to answer. However much you get to ski will depend entirely on how much you want to ski. If skiing is a high priority, then don't bullshit around on the weekdays. Focus on school, get everything done, and put in hours of studying. If you can commit to that for 4-5 days of the week, then you should have no problem getting in 2 or 3 days of skiing. 
Feb 10 2011 2:35PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Freshman year - 60 days
This year - Currently 12

It sucks man. Depends on the major you choose, and how many credits and everything obviously, but I find even once a week to be difficult this semester...

Then again, I am an Electrical Engineering student taking 19 credits soooo.... Fuck me.
Feb 10 2011 2:36PM
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qbehr
Posts: 1044 - Karma: 686
i am in civil engineering and yes there is a lot of time where i am studying but i also ski alot so its chill, just work your schedule first and then ski, dont procrastnate or else you wont be able to ski, study instead of like watching tv or play world of warcraft
Feb 10 2011 2:36PM
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1337
Posts: 31053 - Karma: 29,231
Future engineer checking into this thread

Jodi, i think OP was talking about during his studies and not during actual work.

As long as you focus, buckle down, and study and dont procrastinate, you'll be able to get plenty of shreding in (if you're close to a mountain of course)
Feb 10 2011 2:40PM
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vandersteeze
Posts: 2650 - Karma: 1,511
I am a Sophomore ME major and I find I can ski 3 days a week if I get all my shit done on the other days. Understand that Business majors are probably going to get M W F classes or T Th classes while Engineering is every day or only one day off when you get to higher years. But that's why we are better than everybody else because we work harder (ahahahah)
Feb 10 2011 2:41PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
a week.
Feb 10 2011 2:41PM
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H8CH
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 218

Yup -

Im a Subsea Engineer working in offshore oil and gas.....   if you want to be a super baller and have more money then you know what to do with... and still be able to get out and about, fix big problems, be paid to travel the world....   this is the job for you. You can afford to go ski pretty much anywhere, whenever you want.... 

Feb 10 2011 2:41PM
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Bar_Down
Posts: 5896 - Karma: 395
ya man, i ride a lot less now, but its not because of the engineering program, its mostly because i dont have a car and/or money ahaha
Feb 10 2011 2:43PM
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Toasty.
Posts: 6195 - Karma: 2,281
my dad said he did not do much skiing when he was in college. but know he hardly works and skis all the time.
Feb 10 2011 2:44PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
[IMG]treehugger.com/burning-oil-rig-explosion-fire-photo11.jpg[/IMG]


thanks a lot, dick

Feb 10 2011 2:45PM
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Mt_P0wDerJuNkIe
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 58
Appreciate the Replies guys! Keep the info coming!!
Feb 10 2011 2:46PM
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H8CH
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 218

You typed that on a plastic keyboard right?

You're welcome.

:-)

Feb 10 2011 2:46PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12
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Feb 10 2011 2:46PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
I took 5 years and skied around 50 days a season in college. I work at a small company in Denver right now and pretty much set my own schedule. I generally take Fridays off and work Sunday or just work 10's and take Friday off to ski. I have around 25 days so far. I also make more than any non engineering major I know and have way more freedom in my job.

Engineering is the way to go. I seriously think the engineering majors skied more in college because they were generally more motivated people, they would fight through that hang over and go skiing as opposed to saying fuck it.

Mechanical engineering is the most versatile and valuable degree a person can get in 4 years. I would rather hire a ME over a business major any day. You will be first in line for med school, law school, or any other post graduate program you want.

College isn't about what you learn, its proving that you can learn.

Suck it up in college and get what you pay for, get an engineering degree.
Feb 10 2011 2:46PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
just don't do what i did and ski all the time and get a 2.6 first semester. now i'm really struggling to get back to a 3.0 and i only ski one day a week. its kinda hell.
Feb 10 2011 2:47PM
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1337
Posts: 31053 - Karma: 29,231
its funny because he actually works at BP
Feb 10 2011 2:47PM
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JamesR
Posts: 3396 - Karma: -12

just jokes. it's all good, man

;-P

Feb 10 2011 2:48PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
WP DNE BP
Feb 10 2011 2:49PM
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Mt_P0wDerJuNkIe
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 58
what discipline of engineering did you study in college? Also since you work in the oil and gas industry have you ever worked with any welding engineers?
Feb 10 2011 2:51PM
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H8CH
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 218

In my original post - I stated - "get to fix big problems" ;-)

Feb 10 2011 2:53PM
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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
Im a first year chemE major, Im too far away from the mountain, and stranded without a car, so i only get to ski when i can find a ride home for the weekend. If I planned ahead and had a car i could ski every weekend, and if i was within an hour of the mountain i could prolly see myself going twice a week. My advice to you would be to not worry about skiing, college is not that long compared to the rest of your life. take advantage of your potential and do not worry about being close to a mountain, you can ski all you want once you get a nice job.
Feb 10 2011 2:53PM
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moonofendor
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 14

last season i was able to get out friday nights, and saturdays and that was during 17 credit hours.

this season i'm on co-op, so I can ride every weekend, and still make bank.

Also, in all honesty engineering isn't as hard as people make it out to be. All it takes is some motivation, and being able to get through the weeder courses (calc, o-chem shit like that).

Right now I have a bomb ass job at owens illinois, and it's so relaxing not having classes. So when you are looking for a school, try to find one that requires co-ops.

Just remember, even if you have to give up skiing a couple days, when you graduate, and have a month off for vacation, make 50k+ starting, and have a shit ton of benefits, you'll be happy you gave up those days during the season to have an enjoyable life.

Feb 10 2011 2:55PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
btw I also Can't drive right now so thats been an issue. During the week I get so busy and strung out studying I forget to look for a ride. Once I get my licence back (April) I WILL be going at least once a week for sure. Maybe more because I don't have class till 3.30 on tue thurs.
Feb 10 2011 2:57PM
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skiingpimp
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 31
went to Mines in golden, Co. Got 100 ski days my soph year then transferred to CU and got only 60+ a year but also took up skydiving which cut into a lot of ski days. You can ski a lot and still do well in school. you just have to make sacrifices like not partying 5 days a week like some people do. Currently in school to be a dentist and get about 40 ski days a year and skydive about 150 times a years.
Feb 10 2011 3:05PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
I am a Junior in Mechanical Engineering at Penn State. I agree with the people who say that its up to you how important you make skiing. I could probably ski 14-16 hours every weekend if I wanted, my issue is I don't live close enough to 7springs and I don't know enough people who will go out every weekend/pay for it. I could also hike the park a couple of times during the week at the local mountain (TUSSEY BLOWS THO).

Time management is everything, as long as you have a good concept of this you will be fine. just make shredding and studyin your #1 priorities and you'll have plenty of time for both.
Feb 10 2011 3:06PM
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1337
Posts: 31053 - Karma: 29,231
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Feb 10 2011 3:08PM
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Yinzer
Posts: 1011 - Karma: 73
I should also mention you will make BANK and they you'll afford to shred anyway.
Feb 10 2011 3:08PM
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moarplease
Posts: 293 - Karma: 15
im also ChemE major. where do you go to school?
Feb 10 2011 3:09PM
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brizz
Posts: 1051 - Karma: 74
Depends on schedules and how close you are to vert. Was civil at Mich Tech and good semesters were 40-50 days a year bad semesters were maybe 20-30. Civil PE now and get 80+ but also work stupid late hours
Feb 10 2011 3:19PM
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Sugarloaf1906
Posts: 102 - Karma: 26
I'm a 3rd year ME at UMaine and I get to ski 2 days a week, sometimes 3 if I get all my shit done and don't have any exams that week. Last season I got in 30-35 days, mostly over breaks. We get a month off for christmas and the first 2 weeks of march off for spring break. This year I'm only at 15 days, mostly because a lot of my buddies are still drunk at 7am when I try and leave for the 2hr drive to Sugarloaf. I've made the trek by myself a few times but it gets lonely and expensive at $30 a trip in gas.

The key to getting a lot of days in is getting your shit done during the week so you can go on the weekends, finding a crew of motivated people who will still go if they're hungover, and finding a school with a good mountain less than 2hrs away. Also, only skip class on powder days.
Feb 10 2011 3:23PM
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EasyEast
Posts: 1983 - Karma: 118
This thread is eye opening to me considering i'm supposed to be going to unh next year studying mechanical engineering... looks like i might be changing my mind to business
Feb 10 2011 3:31PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Fuck that. I mean, sure the business school has more girls, and you wouldn't have to work as hard, and you would have more time to party and meet people, and people wouldn't stop talking to you when you told them your major, and you probably wouldn't be stuck at school for hours on end working on projects, and your tests would probably be way easier, and you would probably be closer to the top of your class, and you would probably be able to ski a lot more...

but engineering is the shit. And we love it.
Feb 10 2011 3:35PM
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Mt_P0wDerJuNkIe
Posts: 1506 - Karma: 58

Haha not to mention when you graduate with a business degree your entering a super saturated job market where good paying flexible jobs are hard to find!

Feb 10 2011 3:45PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Oh yeah and that too haha Business was never even a consideration for me. If I wasn't in Engineering I'd probably be in philosophy or literature where I could be poor and starving for the rest of my life.
Feb 10 2011 3:47PM
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EasyEast
Posts: 1983 - Karma: 118

I was kidding haha i have taken too much shit to do with it this last year of high school, plus i'm really into it thanks for the convincing though

Feb 10 2011 3:50PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
first two years are pretty mellow. if you have time managment on lock then you should be able to ski on the weekends. The next two years it requires a lot more work, so dont expect to ski alot. it all kinda depends on how close you are to the mountain.

I personally, didnt get to ski nearly as much as i had wanted to because i relied on study groups, to get stuff done, because i didnt get concepts right off the bat alot of times. This led to me having to time stuff around other people.

Just realize that you are going to school for an education first, and everything else is very secondary. Thats the truth in engineering, we dont get to do all the social stuff that other majors get to, especially if you want to get good grades.

Treat skiing as a reward and stress relief, because you will have to pull long hours and late nights, anyways, but especially if you want to make time to ski.


Being a CE at WSU(skiing is 3.5 hrs away) i averaged about 25 days per year, but about 15 of those came during winter and spring break when i would go home to california.

Dont switch majors just so you can ski more, being an engineer is worth it in the end.
Feb 10 2011 3:53PM
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kingcomet32
Posts: 638 - Karma: 13
Im sophmore at UB for engineering.

I have plenty of time to ski but i dont fuck around during the day, if skiings a priority you can make time to go im at the mountain 3-4 times a week, just arrange your schedule and do work during the day youll be good
Feb 10 2011 4:02PM
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General_Ripper
Posts: 3327 - Karma: 189
Yea u just gotta manage your time and just stay away from NS. It gave me problems my 2nd year. I'm done this semesters bitches!
Feb 10 2011 4:05PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
engineering always interested me. my grandpa is a mech eng. he worked for post and helped make the machine that makes alphabit cereal. im 25 now, so its too late :((
Feb 10 2011 4:08PM
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moarplease
Posts: 293 - Karma: 15
Chemical engineer and I have time to do anything on weekends.  Everyone pretty much summed it up; manage your time, get your assignments done so that you aren't forced to spend your "free time" doing homework. Buckle down so you can go skiing/party on thurs/fri/sat/sun, whatever your preference is.
Don't quit because its too hard or you dont have enough time to do what you want, it's worth it in the long run.  I would know because I'm facing that at the moment granted I find a lot of free time to be lazy.  This major makes me feel like a moron sometimes but you just take it one step at a time. 
Feb 10 2011 4:11PM
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Calrin
Posts: 3096 - Karma: 561
the legit thing about engineering at least a my school is that attendance is rarely part of your grade, mostly  just homework, tests, and labs. as long as can manage to learn from a book and not a teacher you can ski all the time instead of going to class.
Feb 10 2011 4:11PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
Never too late man. I know a guy that just graduated and he's in his late 20s if not 30s. If it interests you, go for it, what else are you doing with your life?? Unless you are established doing something else you enjoy, then fuck it, school sucks hah
Feb 10 2011 4:14PM
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Black.Bird
Posts: 2566 - Karma: 684
I want to be a geologist, and am looking to get into geology next year. Are you a geology/earth science student? Tell me about your first year experience and what to expect. Thanks. I applied to mech engineering but I changed my mind to geology, math is not my strong point..
Geologists are in need right now since there are apparently not many students who graduate with a geology degree.
Feb 10 2011 4:14PM
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H8CH
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 218

Offshore Engineering (like marine mech eng) and Geotechnical (so started working in subsea structures and subsea foundations etc...)

And yes - Welding is super critical. Welding is usually performed by the fabricators, but what you need to be able to be shit hot at is understanding metallurgy and materials science for deepwater subsea pressure containing / controlling equipment, and then specifiy that, to what codes / standards and the testing criteria etc... it's pretty complex... on a microscopic level - for example identifying intermetallic phases at microscopic levels in some steels (e.g. sigma), and whether or not to reject the materials etc.... 

Feb 10 2011 4:26PM
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pat_in_the_hat
Posts: 3019 - Karma: 2,695
I'm a me at Montana state. Third year. Shits really tough. But you have to put in the time to get the outcome. I dont ski much anymore. Mainly just study and that's it
Feb 10 2011 5:53PM
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poptarts4life
Posts: 376 - Karma: 12
honestly depends how smart you are. I know ppl who have to work half as hard as me and still get better grades. I go once or twice a week and i study probably 2-3hrs a day and my gpa has dropped to 3.4, Chem major, might go Chem E but doubt it since i wanna go to pharm school.
Feb 10 2011 5:53PM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
I'm in electrical engineering at U of Waterloo and I don't have time to do anything. I have 40 hours of class a week and 20-30 hours of homework. It's a lot of work but it's manageable and you can get one day a week of skiing without sacrificing school at all.
Feb 10 2011 6:06PM
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pmsnow
Posts: 992 - Karma: 87
I get 3 days in a week but that means that there are going to be some long nights. If you are fine with constantly being tired then shoot for 3. Remember you can always sleep in the core classes such as english. For reference I am in Mechanical Engineering. Most fun thing I have ever done in school. Definitely worth it
Feb 10 2011 6:10PM
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Edew19
Posts: 365 - Karma: 13
Ill quote this, its good advice.

The amount of skiing days all depends on how hard you work, how smart you are, how committed you are to skiing, and how close you are to a mountain.  For me personally, it was 1-2 days a week.

Whatever it is DO NOT let 4 years of potentially reduced skiing affect your decision.  Not ever having to worry about bills or making ends meet after getting out of college more than makes up for it.
Feb 10 2011 6:11PM
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