This guest post was written by Forrest Iandola.  When I visited the University of Illinois, I met Forrest through the iFoundry program.  He is currently a sophomore studying computer science, and he is involved in several entrepreneurial organizations on campus (Illini Entrepreneurship Network, iFoundry, and the Technology Entrepreneur Center).

Now that I am a couple years into my computer science degree at the University of Illinois, I have received a few requests from graduating high school seniors for advice about college. To almost every graduating senior I find myself saying, “There are lots of options, but I think you will benefit a great deal from attending engineering school.” Students tend to follow up by asking what they will get of engineering school, what they can do after engineering school, and whether they’re smart enough for engineering school.

What will I get out of engineering school?

First-year engineering students must complete rigorous sequences of physics, chemistry and mathematics courses. By senior year, most engineers will have taken fifteen or more courses in a specific field of engineering, such as mechanical engineering, computer science, engineering physics, or electrical engineering. While engineering students graduate with a broad and deep knowledge of engineering, these students also develop strong organizational skills, strong social skills, and high levels of resilience.

Organizational skills

In order to earn strong grades in engineering courses, students must have strong organizational skills. Engineering professors expect students to be self-motivated and to complete complicated projects before strict deadlines. Successful students keep track of deadlines and collaborate with professors, teaching assistants, and classmates long before projects are due.

Social skills

In engineering, successful collaboration with professors, teaching assistants, and classmates requires strong social skills. In my first semester of engineering school, I would sometimes try to barter with my classmates, “I’ll help you with physics if you help me with math.” I’ve sometimes seen students groveling for help, “well, you’re so smart, and you could probably do this physics in two seconds…” Neither of these tactics are very successful in gaining the attention of a fellow engineer.

Here’s what works: “Hey, I have the strangest problem—when I calculate the angular velocity, everything looks good, but when I look at the angular momentum…” Bingo, I’ve immersed a fellow engineer in a problem, and he or she is likely to spend a few minutes to help me solve the problem.

Resilience

Even the most organized, most socially adept students do not always earn perfect scores. In computer science courses, having an “almost correct” solution to a project often results in zero percent credit. Despite starting projects early and getting help from the professor, you could still fail a project! Even successful engineers with great GPAs still fail a project or two, so resilience is key to preventing short-term mistakes from causing long-term failure.

What can I do after engineering school?

Engineers are versatile. With strong organizational and social skills and high levels of resilience, engineers are demanded by almost everyone. Even before graduating, engineering students often pursue technical consulting, academic research, and financial engineering. Some engineers even start successful companies prior to graduation!

Successful engineers often become organized, socially adept, resilient entrepreneurs. Many of Silicon Valley’s finest entrepreneurs come from engineering backgrounds.

Am I smart enough for engineering school?

Students sometimes claim that they are, “not smart enough for engineering.” While a natural affinity for mathematics and science might make engineering school a bit easier at first, success in engineering school is about organization, social skills, and resilience.

A prodigy without these skills is like a car with a huge, powerful engine connected to a transmission that’s stuck in first gear. Such a prodigy might be impressive in math tournaments, but, in engineering school, no amount of intelligence can fully compensate for a lack of organizational and social skills. In contrast, a relatively average high school student who develops these skills can be incredibly successful in engineering school.

If you are in high school, what do you plan on studying in college?  Why?  If you have already graduated college, what did you study? If you could go back in time, would you go down a different path?  I am curious to hear everyones thoughts on this topic.