Systems Engineering Major

hoopjack13

5-Year Member
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Aug 12, 2012
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Does anyone have experience with this major? What type of career do cadets with this major typically go in to? How much of a focus is placed on business/management?
 
very good degree

Does anyone have experience with this major? What type of career do cadets with this major typically go in to? How much of a focus is placed on business/management?

This degree is very good because it brings several types of engineering types & components together to make something happen. A real world example is a nuclear power plant (is where I work in engineering group) where we generate electricity. Operations is all system based including mechancial, electrical, civil, instrumentation, HVAC, several water system, turbines, computers, fuels, aux. power i.e. emergency electical generation and many more. The whole integration is considered "the plant". Another good example, and there are many more, is aircraft which have many systems. The business side of it will come later after you work through the engineering & systems side of it. Also have an MBA in finance, and the engineering part is much more interesting. Highly recommend this degree to set you up for real work what ever that might be. :thumb:
 
Thanks for the response, that sounds super cool! Is the power plant job through the Air Force? What were you commissioned as?
 
jjlma,

Would you please write to me too? I'm also interested in this as a career, so anything you tell me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.
 
Why not just post it publicly? Whether this year or in future years anyone searching for this information can benefit from your insight. JMPO...
 
check your private messages

jjlma,

Would you please write to me too? I'm also interested in this as a career, so anything you tell me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

sent you a private message
 
Nuclear power needs engineers

Why not just post it publicly? Whether this year or in future years anyone searching for this information can benefit from your insight. JMPO...

the short story is that nuclear power companies needs good engineers. I work for one based out of Chicago and is called Exelon. It is a good company, check out the companies web site. Best advice is to get good grades, keep a very clean record because background checks are done for employment, and systems engineering or most any type of engineering is good to study. Been doing it since 1984. It will lead down a good path, and the service will prepare you well. The company hires many vets. Good luck to all.

PS: the reason why I use this site is because my DS is still waiting to hear about USNA & USAFA, he has a NROTC @ U of Illinois and is waiting to choose available options, say a prayer for him. thx., hope this helps.
 
A good thing to note is that most at USAFA does not consider Systems Engineering a pure engineering major. You learn a little about a lot of different things and how to incorporate them into a system.

I would pursue a dedicated engineering discipline if you are interested in the nitty gritty technical aspects of a certain field.

Also, systems engineering does not allow for follow on grad school in more specific engineering disciplines. You can't get a B.S. in systems engr, and then go get a masters in aeronautical engineering. You can get a B.S. in aeronautical engineering and pursue graduate work in systems!
 
Does anyone have experience with this major? What type of career do cadets with this major typically go in to? How much of a focus is placed on business/management?

My DS is getting his BS in Systems Engineering with a concentration on Human Factors. After looking at all available degrees this seemed to fit his personality and plans to become an AF pilot. He hasn't given much thought to his master's but will most likely go for something management related. So far his classes have ranged from foreign language and psychology to differential equations, chemistry and electrical circuits.

Your ultimate AF career may not be related to your degree. You can find Personnel Officers with aeronautical engineering degrees and pilots with philosophy degrees. Bottom line: Find something you enjoy.
 
A good thing to note is that most at USAFA does not consider Systems Engineering a pure engineering major. You learn a little about a lot of different things and how to incorporate them into a system.

I would pursue a dedicated engineering discipline if you are interested in the nitty gritty technical aspects of a certain field.

Also, systems engineering does not allow for follow on grad school in more specific engineering disciplines. You can't get a B.S. in systems engr, and then go get a masters in aeronautical engineering. You can get a B.S. in aeronautical engineering and pursue graduate work in systems!

I would disagree with you. I hold a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, work with many well known universities, ex. MIT, Ohio State, Notre Dame, etc and have asked this very question of Department Chairs from those universities. My DS is a System's Engineering major - electrical track. As long as the individual has the basic prerequisites for the MS or Ph.D. program then they can be admitted. USAFA System's Engineering seems to go down two concentration track's electrical or mechanical - I believe that those in the electrical track certainly could work towards a EE Masters and those in the mechanical track could work towards a ME Masters.

When I was in graduate school we had many a cross over from different disciplines who had the prerequisites for entering the program. While I had a more traditional engineering undergraduate - many did not. Hopefully this helps those who have asked.
 
I would disagree with you. I hold a Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University, work with many well known universities, ex. MIT, Ohio State, Notre Dame, etc and have asked this very question of Department Chairs from those universities. My DS is a System's Engineering major - electrical track. As long as the individual has the basic prerequisites for the MS or Ph.D. program then they can be admitted. USAFA System's Engineering seems to go down two concentration track's electrical or mechanical - I believe that those in the electrical track certainly could work towards a EE Masters and those in the mechanical track could work towards a ME Masters.

When I was in graduate school we had many a cross over from different disciplines who had the prerequisites for entering the program. While I had a more traditional engineering undergraduate - many did not. Hopefully this helps those who have asked.

I'm only relaying information from the various majors advisers that I've talked to.

I don't doubt that it can be done, but it is probably much more difficult.
 
Sys Eng - Human Factors

i tried to look at the afa book that had the course descriptions about it and cant find any info. does anyone have any info about this major or point me in that direction? thanks.
 
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