# Which engineering degree? **URL:** \ **Category:** California Maritime\ **Created:** [March 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/which-engineering-degree/7091 "2012-03-05T20:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sixthgear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@sixthgear](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/sixthgear)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/which-engineering-degree/7091/1 "2012-03-05T20:05:53Z")
Hi all, I will be applying to transfer to Cal this fall for the engineering license track. I can’t decide between marine engineering technology and mechanical engineering. Obviously the ME degree is a more classical engineering program with more math, etc. I would love to hear your impressions on the two degrees, and respective career prospects. Much obliged… ---
**Author:** ![Jetryder223](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Jetryder223](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Jetryder223)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/which-engineering-degree/7091/2 "2012-03-06T04:14:35Z")
Engineering Tech is more application based, more hands on. Fitting the right technology to a specific need. ME is as you describe. More of a classical engineering degree. ME will require a higher math curriculum. If that worries you, perhaps ET would be a better choice. You can be sucessful with either degree. Bottom line is to choose the major that best fits your aptitude and career goals. ---
**Author:** ![brjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df788c/32.png) [@brjones](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/brjones)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 11:00am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/which-engineering-degree/7091/3 "2012-03-06T11:00:01Z")
I have the met degree and sail. My brother has the ME degree and does not sail. The ME degree will get you further if working ashore. If I were to do it over again I may have gone ME if I decided to stop sailing. I can still get plenty of shoreside opportunities but the ME has more with better pay. ---
**Author:** ![JPetru82](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b38774/32.png) [@JPetru82](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/JPetru82)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/which-engineering-degree/7091/4 "2012-03-06T18:29:22Z")
I’d say go MT, but I enjoy day light. Just kidding, good luck, hope you make it in,. It’s a great school. Can’t answer any engineer questions, but if you have any basic questions about the school, feel free to ask. I’m in my second year there right now.