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Do I Really Need to Know This?

I was once talking with a group of engineering students about what it’s like as an engineer. One student asked if I’d ever needed this or that “core” class from college (I believe it was macroeconomics). The short answer to his question was, “I may not refer to classes on business, philosophy, or psychology regularly, but I’m grateful I was exposed to them.” Although there are plenty of times I wish I could remember everything I’ve  ever learned, I can’t recall any time I’ve regretted my time spent learning.

It’s true that engineers have a particularly packed class-schedule, thus squeezing in classes outside their major seems superfluous. My undergraduate engineering program at UMCP required about 15 more credits than other curricula, so I, like other engineers, spent many evenings stressing over classes that I didn’t think were needed for my future in engineering.

It’s likely this student couldn’t relate macroeconomics to his own life (this was Summer 2008). However, since then, we’ve watched the failures of a few huge businesses send economic waves throughout the world. Companies, cities, states, and countries have gone bankrupt. Inflation and deflation are both serious worries. It’s a good time to understand a little about macroeconomics.

Engineers are notorious for falling somewhere between “a little nerdy” and “socially awkward”. A look around Key Tech does nothing to dispel that stereotype. But, it’s a fun crowd with interests in theoretical physics (admittedly, still nerdy), business, photography, nature, travel, cooking, brewing, farming, athletics, web development, and more. These interests developed when we were exposed to something  beyond the world of engineering.

Something that starts out as a chore might turn into a hobby or even shape a career path. It’s too early to discount the impact of a well rounded education on the rest of your life.



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