Maritime Studies(NTU) vs Mechanical Engineering(NUS)

[nayr43]

Hi all, im currently stuck between the decision of taking Maritime Studies(NTU) vs Mechanical Engineering(NUS). Many have advised me to take the course according to my interest, however, i have yet to know what i am interested in. I still have the perspective that if something is given to me, i will just try my best to study it and do well. I have researched online that Maritime Studies in NTU is a very specialized course and it is rather stress free, as compared to Engineering in NUS whereby they said that it will be even more stressful then JC. Furthermore, for maritime studies one will just be fighting with a small cohort whereas for engineering the cohort is big and competition is high. I am really unsure and afraid i will make a wrong decision. I have heard from a friend that experience is what really matters in a job, and hence ppl in maritime industries tend to hire ppl with diploma degrees and more experience, since they are "cheaper" to hire. Engineering on the other hand allows me to migrate to other countries to work as the degree is recognised in other countries. Till now, i am still unable to find my interest

Hope there may be some comments that will be able to guide me to the right path. Thanks in advance!

Ps. Need to accept the Offer by 1st June, little time to think =(

 

[tedXted]

smaller cohort doesnt mean less competition or less stressful. it also means there are proportionately fewer As and first class honours given out.

its much easier for a mech eng grad to go into maritime jobs, even those that are not engine related. on the other hand, it is difficult (impossible?) for maritime grads to go into engine jobs.

and im biased but nus is a better choice in general.

 

[nayr43]

True... i have been trying to weigh the pros and cons of each course, but they cannot be compared on the same level since they are totally different pros and cons.. Hope someone would be able to convince me which direction to take.

Mech
Pros
Broad array of jobs to work in
Able to go overseas to continue career
Many have said that people would rather hire foreigners from other countries since they can be hired at a lower cost
To be successful as a engineer, one has to go overseas as singapore only requires technicians. Furthermore, singapore is so small that nothign big and complex has to be build

Cons
Hard to study/ acquire
Study very hard, but low pay as the demand of engineers is low since the supply is large.
Stressful, much more harder then JC
Hard to have a decent pay, heard ppl stuck with pay of 3k after 5 years of experience

Maritime Studies
Pros
Less stress modules, more fun, interactive, and get to go overseas to Oslo, Norway
Employment rate is 100% as the maritime industry is in need of people
Allows one to be able to speak up more, less introvert
Air conditioned working environment/more comfortable

Cons
Specialised Industry, hard to shift industry once entered
People who graduated from SP only required 1.5 yrs of studying, and since they have more experience, people would rather hire them, rather then hire someone with degree but no experience

Ps. taking Maritime studies without business Major

 

[nayr43]

And im not really sure if im into engineering... Its more of because in JC, the subjects i do well most is in math, and then physics... and i think is more of because im able to do well in it and score for it... thats why im thinking i may like engineering... Still not sure if thats a sign of me liking engineering, or because it allows me to do well.

 

[tedXted]

maritime industry always need people - not entirely true. yes they need a lot of lower end staff, ite or dip grads but not really degree grads.

a lot of mech eng degree level jobs also stay in aircon.

can study in norway not a big deal. you can go nus and do exchange prog too.

 

[rollbread]

I think Mechanical Engineering is a better choice. I think maritime is too specialized and mech have more job opportunities. I feel tat maritime prone to be affected by economy as compared to mech, but that's wad I feel.

But from the way u saying seems like maritime is much much easier to study than mech. Maybe becuz mech as bigger cohort, so when more ppl say its stressful then make it seems difficult, but when maritime with lesser cohort say its stressful, it doesn't have the effect.

 

[tedXted]

I think Mechanical Engineering is a better choice. I think maritime is too specialized and mech have more job opportunities. I feel tat maritime prone to be affected by economy as compared to mech, but that's wad I feel.

quote for truth

 

[tedXted]

have a look at the starting salaries...

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/post-secondary/files/ges-nus.pdf
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/post-secondary/files/ges-ntu.pdf

 

[pinkaeroplanes]

Hi! What did you choose in the end?
Im having a similar dilemma now too!
Im offered Maritime studies(without biz) for NTU and Life sciences in NUS.
Similar to you, idk what my interest is.
I may like life sciences bcs i scored better in bio for As?
Im not even sure if I'll like maritime either.
What did you ultimately choose and help!
thanks