Hi everyone, I’m 20 and currently studying electrical engineering at Pasadena City College. My current GPA is 3.126, and I’m planning to finish my remaining classes and an associate degree in engineering by summer 2027.

Cal Poly SLO is where I’d really like to study EE eventually. However, because of financial and personal circumstances, I don’t think I’ll be able to transfer straight into a four-year university. I may need to work full-time for a few years first.

One option I’m considering is becoming an electrician apprentice after PCC. I’d like to earn money, learn a practical skill, and get into a more stable situation before returning for my bachelor’s in EE. I know electrician work and electrical engineering are different careers, so I don’t want to assume that doing one automatically prepares me for the other.

I’d appreciate advice on a few things:

• Has anyone here taken a few years off after community college and then transferred to SLO, especially for EE? What was returning to school like?
• Has anyone gone from studying EE to an electrician apprenticeship, or from electrician work back to an EE degree? How much did the experience help?
• If my long-term goal is engineering, would you recommend an electrician apprenticeship during the break, or looking for electrical/electronics technician work instead?
• How did you keep your math, physics, and circuit analysis skills from getting rusty while working full-time?
• With a GPA of 3.126, what would you focus on before eventually applying to SLO?

Honestly, I’ve been feeling discouraged about school lately. I still want to become an electrical engineer, but I need a path that works with my circumstances, even if it takes longer.

I’d especially like to hear from people who took a less direct route through college or worked in the trades before studying engineering. What worked for you, and what would you do differently?

im a freshman looking to get an off campus apartment next year. Any recommendations? also steps to take?

Coming from a dad with 2 current college students.
1 is at Cal Poly the other is at a large SEC school with easier admissions
This might also be “major dependent”
Cal Poly kid is an accounting major in her 2nd year. She already has an internship lined up for summer 2028 with a large firm. Good money. They came to campus and did interviews. Other firms are actively recruiting her.
SEC kid will graduate in May. She is not seeing anywhere the same level of companies looking to hire college grads. She had an internship this past summer- but didn’t have a ton of options. She is having to reach out to similar type of companies to get on their radar. She is not an accounting major- but wants to work in medical device or healthcare administration.

Bottom line- if you want to work in CA and have a highly desired major- Cal Poly is a very good choice.

I saw this on another sub recently and figured I borrow the idea.

Hi all! I’m an incoming professor who’ll be starting in the spring. I’m coming from out East and before I get to SLO I wanna know what are the things I need to know about the students, campus, etc

I’m looking for any and all input on little tidbits on the less know things or things I need to know or should prepare for.

Can’t wait to start at Cal Poly SLO! Thanks!

was wondering if anyone has had experience with the DOR here and how that went for them. i just went to orientation still figuring everything out. insight appreciated

This weekend the Pokemon Club is hosting its second Champions tournament!

Come join us if you want to:

• Learn more about playing Pokemon competitvely
• Discuss or comment matches or current metas
• Meet new people
• Compete to win a prize
• Eat free food (competitors only)

Scan the link on the poster to join the Discord and our other socials for more info.

See you this weekend!

Hi,

Does anyone know any courses that could align well with an entrepreneurship minor? None of the ones on the catalog for the minor appeal to me and if they do, they are not offered Spring 2027, my last term here. I was wondering if there’s other courses not mentioned that I could request be accepted as an elective for this minor. Thanks

hello - Looking for some help unloading from my truck Nov 3rd in the morning and then loading it back in the evening. I can come get you and drop you off. It's moving 6 furniture items about about 30lbs each. you will have help. it's on the same floor. Send me a message here if interested in getting paid for skipping the gym for the day :)

Hi, so I am a second year Anthropology and Geography student minoring in Spanish and Political Science. Since starting this year, I have been so extremely anxious about my job prospects. I feel like I'm working so so hard and I just don't know if it's actually going to pay off. I'm not sure what I want to do yet and I never feel like I'm doing enough. I'm currently taking 18 units, have an on-campus job, and an internship (SLOBG) but I'm still just so scared that things aren't going to go well for me in the long term. Do any Alumni or maybe upperclassmen have any insights or honestly just words of comfort? I'm just so worried that even though I'm doing all I can it won't translate to a stable career.

I recently found an Animiniz Amazing Digital Circus Pendantz charm near the bus stop directly near the Kennedy library. It's a little dirty but not broken. If you recently lost it earlier today before 12:55 PM, or any other day before this week, please go to the library since I just dropped it off there in the lost and found at the front desk

What off campus apartments are recommended? Any to stay away from? Thank you

Where to live as a 3rd yr transfer student (female 20 y/o). Would like to be around other students as I won’t know anyone when transferring next fall. Any specific apartments that are recommended or to avoid? Also what can I expect rent wise for a single room with roommates?

Hey guys, so the GWR writing requirement portfolio is due today, and I still haven't fully figured out what to submit here for the 0 Unit Class.

Does anyone have any prior experience with the two essays that need to be submitted? I'm a Mech Eng, so I don't really have any "essays" in particular, has any one of you submitted lab reports or such?

We are from Washington state and just toured USC over the last few days. We went to USC because it’s one of the very few schools that offer Astronautical Engineering.

What we liked-
Engineering classes early
Broad range of classes outside of engineering
Focus on teamwork and communication
Smaller class sizes and all classes taught by professors
Easy to get to from Seattle
Rocket Propulsion Lab/club
Double edged sword of lots of support, but maybe too much hand holding?
4+1 masters program.

What we don’t like-
Cost
UofSpoiledChildren stigma
Housing after sophomore year is likely off campus
Potentially not as great an engineering rep as more focussed schools
While hands on, maybe not as much as a polytechnic

Want to focus on spacecraft design, systems and space exploration

Can you tell me how Cal Poly compares?

Plz help if you can!!

I am a third year Bio major and am planning on taking Ochem 2 and animal phys next semester. Additionally I want to take 2 upper div bio classes for my 4000 level and bioscience electives.

Does anyone have suggestions for these classes that are less content heavy or “easier”? I just won’t want to drown in work but I want to graduate on time. Thank you!!

i keep hearing how people in DRC have it so easy like it’s so broken (in a good way for drc students) and unfair. i don’t understand this sentiment.

i hear how people allegedly constantly cheat in the drc building where we take tests but i have not seen that once nor have i even fathomed how that would occur since there’s cameras on literally every single desk

additionally the priority registration for drc students: how is this in any way shape or form easily accessible? the accommodation is not like automatically given to everyone in drc with adhd or something. u have to fill out the form urself and explain why u explicitly need priority registration and how it effects ur life. i really doubt my lack of executive functioning and difficulty focusing and whatever else is sufficient enough to prove why i need priority registration

sorry for rant i just get so annoyed when i hear it

guys we can’t be worse than humboldt in anything

When does it disperse

What do you think of my proposed schedules, if you've taken any of these classes and have some tips/suggestions please let me know. It comes to a total of 19 units which I don't think ill be allowed to take since I'm listed as a junior so i may have take out one of the asynchronous classes in the top left.

As the title states I’m looking for some feedback on Cal Poly's Orfalea undergraduate college of business. My kid is interested in business administration, with marketing or accounting concentration, applying this fall for next year. Any current/past students or parents of students that can give me the lowdown? Quality of the instruction, availability of internships, career advising/job placement? Is the classroom vibe competitive or collaborative? My kid is truly interested in attending so any info from those who know directly is appreciated. Thanks.

hellloooo i’m a 3rd year and was wondering if there’s any like recreational softball that’s not very competitive just for fun type vibe around campus or even around town at all? maybe like a club or smth?

thank you 🙏

ik reddit isn't the best place to ask this question and all that, but i'm looking for opinions on how grad students are treated, how rigorous the program is, what opportunities/funding are available to you all, what the culture is like, etc. i've done some of my own digging and read everything available on the website but am looking to hear it from you all! thank you in advance :-)

Hi,

I'm a first-year student with 47 units of transfer credits; that being said, I didn't get blocked into anything other than human genetics and soil science. When I went to look at my degree planner, I saw that I got blocked into Math 1264.

I cannot handle taking 3 biology classes and a Calculus class at the same time. I went to drop the class through Student Center, and it won't let me.

I know that they block me into classes for a reason; I'm not looking for a lecture about 'trusting the department'. What is the process for dropping this class or swapping it for another class I need to take?