Can I Do A Field Change for Masters Abroad After Pursuing Bachelors in Engineering?

Are you considering a field change after engineering? You are not alone. With time, most of the engineering graduates tend to explore newer engineering fields for various reasons. If you’re a student, you would have found an engineering field that captures your attention better than the course program you are currently pursuing. On the other hand, if you’re working, you would like to explore other well-paid and better growth opportunities in the highly demanded engineering fields.

But do you know why most engineering graduates hesitate to move from one field to another? The common reason is they are unaware of whether a field change in engineering is even possible. Well, the good news is you can conduct a field change no matter which field you have pursued earlier. Today, education has become flexible, thus allowing students to switch majors anytime. But how can this happen? Read along to find the solution.

How to Change Fields after Engineering?

There are five ways to conduct a field change after engineering. It is essential to adhere to them to ensure your request for a field change is approved by the admission committee of the university you’re applying to abroad. Here are the details:

Complete the number of credits of the chosen field: In America, education institutions recognize your degree’s major or specialization based on the number of credits or courses you have taken in a specific subject area. For instance, if you want to major in a specific field, such as Electrical Engineering, then after you complete your core courses, you will be required to take a certain number of credits in that subject area. Visit your chosen university admission page to learn how many credits are required as per the field chosen.
Explain the reason for the field change in your SOP and LORs: When you apply to study abroad, you are required to submit two documents, a statement of purpose (SOP) and letters of recommendation (LOR). The purpose of the SOP is to help the admission committee at your chosen university learn more about you. When you are considering a field change after engineering, it is important to mention the same in your SOP. Ensure your SOP states the cause for this change and which field you have decided to pursue further. Similarly, an LOR serves the same purpose as an SOP. However, the LOR is drafted by your chosen recommender, which could include a teacher, manager, or anyone who can explain about your academic or professional achievements better. Ensure your chosen recommender highlights what made you change your field after engineering and why they believe you will flourish better in your new chosen field.
Improve your academic performance: Your admission decision is not only based on your major or specialization during your Bachelors; rather, it will also depend on your academic excellence and standardized test scores like GRE and TOEFL. Thus, ensure that you exhibit a good academic performance to be considered for a field change as per your interest.
Complete your prerequisite courses: If you get admission, the academic institution will include in your admission letter all the pre-requisite courses that you need to complete for the program you opted for. The prerequisites are mandatory as you switch majors or get acquainted with a new specialization. Thus, all your basics and foundations of any major or specialization are covered with prerequisites, and you can pursue your chosen degree program without any difficulty. However, it is essential to note that prerequisite courses may increase the length of your chosen course program.
Connect with the department advisor of your chosen field: Lastly, there is one more way in which you can change your field of specialization after engineering. You can first apply to the Universities in the same field where you have completed your undergraduate studies. Then, you can speak with the concerned department adviser of the field that you intend to change to. If you are comfortable after the interaction with the adviser, you can proceed with the transfer.

Before you consider a field change in engineering, ensure you keep the following in mind:

Be fully aware of the field you are interested in pursuing
Understand whether you have the skills and knowledge to pursue that field or whether you are required to develop the same
Understand the market demand and career opportunities available in the chosen field
Speak to a person you know who is already working in that field. Grasp as much knowledge as possible before you make a confident switch
Opt for an internship to get an overview of what to expect from this new field

Conclusion
Changing fields in engineering can be beneficial due to expanded career opportunities available while looking for jobs. A lot of people change fields because the research potential today is extremely interdisciplinary. Though changing fields in engineering is not an impediment, as a student, you should carefully evaluate the pros and cons before making the switch to make a well-informed and thought-out decision. Furthermore, if you wish to seek expert guidance on which engineering field you should opt for, contact our expert counsellors by booking a free 1-1 counselling session today!