Computer/Electrical Engineering Pursuits, and Where to Go When Bored

Question

I'm 21. My senior year of undergrad university is approaching quickly, and I don't know what I'm going to do when I graduate. Instead of seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm bored and apathetic about graduate school or entering the workforce. I've taught myself programming languages, computer/electrical engineering concepts, and an assortment of other things, but I become competent in them too quickly for them to become a pursuit of mine.

What topics exist that are new and unusual in computer/electrical engineering, science, or otherwise life? I think this is what college is supposed to teach, however my school has failed me there. I've been writing AV demos for microcontrollers, but this doesn't really fulfill me. I'm contemplating setting up a wetworks lab to try some biocomputing or biohacking, but my roommates told me they'd prefer I didn't.

Essentially, I'm bored. Where should I go from here?

Answer 1

To me, it sounds as if there's another problem and you're keeping yourself distracted. Pick up a book by Douglas Coupland for fun reading, wade through Michele's Foucault for a conceptual challenge, or sit down with Shakespeare and work on understanding the human condition.

Perhaps after some more time, you'll recognize something in one of the areas that you mentioned, and it will appeal to the whole of your person. A lot of tasks in life are boring, few jobs are new and exciting, but people still find satisfaction in their work. You just need to understand yourself and what work you yourself find meaningful.

(PS: Biohacking does sound cool too)

Answer 2

My Dad's an EE and has similar problems. He passed it on to me. In the eight years from highschool through college I was a professional musician, personal trainer, award winning scultpor, chess tournament player, badminton tournament player and foreign language competition nerd. My degree is in finance and I'm the lead systems developer for a web company. I understand where you're coming from.

First and foremost, I will say that being "really good" is extremely shy of being a "professional." Go out and make a long-term living on something and you'll see the difference.

My absolutely honest opinion is to pick something engineering-related you're really interested in (developing custom audio components for example) and start your own business. The mechanics of the core concept combined with marketing, sales, operations, advertising, managing people and managing finances is so overwhelming when trying to aggressively grow a business that it keeps your mind racing with ideas. There's a never ending need for your personal efforts and ingenuity.

It's what I did and in the last 6 years I feel like I've never been able to do enough.

I know it's not programming related but I hope that helps.