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Engineering peeps, is there a negative perception towards a B.A. vs a B.S degree?
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:09 am
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:09 am
I'm a GIS Analyst with a engineering firm in Tampa. I have my A.A. and I'm looking into getting enrolled in USF, going for a B.A. in Geography and Geographic Information Systems. Was talking to one of our senior GIS people, he's a fan of the program, but said "don't let that B.A. at the end of the degree discourage you".
Kind of baffled at that, but made me wonder if there's this perception in the engineering world that a B.S. is more useful/desirable than a B.A., hard science and math over humanities and the arts.
A lot of the analysts with my company have this same degree, so I feel I'm making a good choice. Was just curious what the rest of the engineering world felt. Or if it even matters.
Kind of baffled at that, but made me wonder if there's this perception in the engineering world that a B.S. is more useful/desirable than a B.A., hard science and math over humanities and the arts.
A lot of the analysts with my company have this same degree, so I feel I'm making a good choice. Was just curious what the rest of the engineering world felt. Or if it even matters.
15
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:13 am to sicboy
quote:
Engineering
quote:
B.A. in Geography and Geographic Information Systems
quote:
there's this perception in the engineering world that a B.S. is more useful/desirable than a B.A., hard science and math over humanities and the arts.
I'm not really understanding your question.
B.S. is a real engineer. I don't think I have ever seen a B.A. hired into an engineering role.
Not sure how you could even get an "engineering" BA. Is that a thing?
Edit, obviously I'm taking about the core engineering degrees Electrical, mechanical, and civil.
Not specifically the degree you are looking into, which I would not consider an engineering degree
This post was edited on 6/27/25 at 9:18 am
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:13 am to sicboy
I’m a PE in Texas building pipelines.. I’ve never asked or thought about that.
It’s more important that you are skilled, competent, and reliable.
If the program adds to your skills and makes you more valuable then go for it!
It’s more important that you are skilled, competent, and reliable.
If the program adds to your skills and makes you more valuable then go for it!
This post was edited on 6/27/25 at 9:54 am
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:17 am to UltimaParadox
I'm not an engineer, but I work with an engineering firm. My job is basically cartography and data analytics.
The description of the program:
So I can see how that leans towards humanities. I was just surprised at that comment and never gave it any thought. But if engineers are primarily B.S., then it's probably nothing anyone has had to give thought
The description of the program:
quote:
The Geography concentration provides students with an opportunity to specialize in human and physical geography. Human Geography focuses on the social and spatial effects of the growth of cities, including issues such as the historical evolution of urban form and function, land-use changes and conflicts, economic restructuring, the growth and decline of inner cities, and urban racial and ethnic relations. Physical Geography focuses on major environmental systems including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Particular emphasis is placed on the human modification of the natural environment and the global interconnections of the major earth systems.
So I can see how that leans towards humanities. I was just surprised at that comment and never gave it any thought. But if engineers are primarily B.S., then it's probably nothing anyone has had to give thought
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:18 am to sicboy
The reality is that it is a distinction and you will be filtered out of certain roles when applying for jobs. The HR machine is just built that way. I am in O&G, and having that "engineer" in your major carries weight - like, you just won't be a candidate for some good jobs with well known companies despite your time and effectiveness in the industry.
If you know what you want to do/be and already have a job, it should not have that much gravity. The pain would come if you had to jump back in the hiring pool. If you're really good at your job and are in demand, nobody will care if you're consulting/contracting. The other consideration is if that distinction will limit your future.
I'm not familiar with your concentration, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary.
If you know what you want to do/be and already have a job, it should not have that much gravity. The pain would come if you had to jump back in the hiring pool. If you're really good at your job and are in demand, nobody will care if you're consulting/contracting. The other consideration is if that distinction will limit your future.
I'm not familiar with your concentration, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:19 am to sicboy
Many Geography departments offer both a BS and a BA, with the BS having more statistics and math requirements. They do this because atmospherics and climatology are obviously different than human geography.
Where GIS and mapping sciences falls on the scale varies depending on the department and the school.
Where GIS and mapping sciences falls on the scale varies depending on the department and the school.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:19 am to UltimaParadox
quote:Yeah. My son is going after a mechanical engineering degree in the field of fluid aerodynamics. I just asked him if he thinks a BA would be better for his career and he rolled his eyes and scoffed at the idea.
I'm not really understanding your question.
B.S. is a real engineer. I don't think I have ever seen a B.A. hired as into an engineering role.
Not sure how you could even get an "engineering" BA. Is that a thing?
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:26 am to HubbaBubba
So it's probably more about practicality than it is perception
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:27 am to Larry_Hotdogs
quote:
O&G, and having that "engineer"
O&G throws around that term way too loosely. Mud engineer, drilling engineer, mwd engineer,.....If you do not have an engineering license that can be taken from you, you aren't an engineer.
To the OP, I have never asked or been asked what my degrees are in. As an engineer I do not know what degree GIS folks get, I am only care if you do good work.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:29 am to sicboy
People will just be sitting around saying, "Hey, get aloada art boy over here."
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:32 am to sicboy
quote:
I'm a GIS Analyst with a engineering firm in Tampa. I have my A.A. and I'm looking into getting enrolled in USF, going for a B.A. in Geography and Geographic Information Systems. Was talking to one of our senior GIS people, he's a fan of the program, but said "don't let that B.A. at the end of the degree discourage you".
I am extremely familiar with your field and I'll tell you that most won't notice whether its a BS or BA. In GIS you need to be involved in some larger projects for one, and you really want wide angle vision to be able to know how things GIS can do can be applied in a practical sense to assist your 'customers'. If you do stuff for engineers that also work at the same company, those are your customers.
3 years ago everyone would have told you to go heavy into the coding and database side, but now with AI I think that is less important.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:32 am to sicboy
quote:
So it's probably more about practicality than it is perception
The distinction matters to engineers because you need to come from an ABET accredited program to qualify for PE. maybe he means the BA doesn't meet those requirements. For a GIS guy, it probably isnt a big deal.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:36 am to sicboy
quote:
Engineering peeps, is there a negative perception towards a B.A. vs a B.S degree?
How is it possible to get an engineering degree that is a BA and not a BS?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question.
All engineering programs have to be accredited by ABET.
On a side note I've heard of BA degrees in physics. IDK how that is possible.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:36 am to VolSquatch
quote:
3 years ago everyone would have told you to go heavy into the coding and database side, but now with AI I think that is less important.
Literally had this conversation with another analyst yesterday. I was looking into some Computer Science programs as well. We do a fair amount of coding and this seemed like an interesting route to go, but he said the same thing about AI. A few years ago that might have been helpful, not so much anymore.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:38 am to GumboPot
Again, I'm not an engineer, I just work with a lot of them. The only reason I'm asking is because someone I work with felt the need to kill any concerns I had about pursuing a B.A., and I was confused.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:39 am to GumboPot
quote:
How is it possible to get an engineering degree that is a BA and not a BS?
Maybe I'm misunderstanding the question.
All engineering programs have to be accredited by ABET.
On a side note I've heard of BA degrees in physics. IDK how that is possible.
I dont really know that this is accurate, but I've heard the distinction described as "a BA is the study of the field of ______, and a BS is how to be a _____" So studying engineering vs becoming an engineer.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:41 am to sicboy
Not sure how you get licensed as an engineer with a BA outside of getting a masters in some discipline of engineering then sitting for the PE 
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:44 am to sicboy
Honestly I think its good to be flexible assuming you're pretty young, so getting a CS degree with your experience in GIS will be plenty enough for you to advance in either direction IMO. If you weren't already working in GIS then I'd say maybe go get the GIS degree.
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:48 am to sicboy
quote:
Again, I'm not an engineer, I just work with a lot of them. The only reason I'm asking is because someone I work with felt the need to kill any concerns I had about pursuing a B.A., and I was confused.
I'm a pipeline engineer and the GIS team I work with plays a vital role. I have never questioned our GIS guys whether they had a BA or BS. It's about work product. The GIS guys provide the database layers of the route from property owners, jurisdiction, geotechnical, environmental, regulatory, structures, etc. and we take that information and design around those physical and real world attributes, from stress analysis, slope stability, hydraulics, etc.
This post was edited on 6/27/25 at 9:49 am
Posted on 6/27/25 at 9:54 am to idontyield
quote:
O&G throws around that term way too loosely. Mud engineer, drilling engineer, mwd engineer
Every major O&G company I've ever worked with or for hires degreed engineers as drilling/reservoir/production engineers. If you don't have one, you're a tech or in operations. Amongst my roles, I worked as a well control engineer for one of the premier well control providers for a few years - must be a degreed engineer to have that job by company and customer requirement. Working internationally, most customers want to see the degree to back up the title.
There are legacy jobs that have engineer in the title (usually in the US) that aren't degreed engineers, like mud engineers, m/lwd, sales engineers, etc. As I said, those careers in O&G can be rewarding, but are limited.
As for the license, are you saying the majority of degreed engineers that don't have a PE can't be engineers?
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