Al,
back in 1989, we solved Finite Element Analysis using matrix manipulation and solving on paper. To not complete an exam question using the variables themselves before solution in the final step was to lose 80% of the mark for that question.
It's different now in that degree, I've had guys who went through the same course same university, just 20 years later, and it's very, very different.
Touring5,
part of the slog of getting an engineering degree is how it rewires your head circuitry if you do it and are committed to it.
I've had job offers from real estate agencies because they've found that type of wiring works for them.
But once you pass, a decent engineer will be very fluid, and have the ability to move in multiple areas.
I'm M.E., had a decade on turbines, 8 years in Construction of power stations and coal handling plants, commissioned an MDF factory, converted an open cut coal mine into an ash land fill from geotech through regulatory approvals, Plant efficiency engineer, and currently in operations management, finding new ways of positioning our fleet in the market.
Detail design was maybe 2-3% of my path so far.
