The growing influence of technology on all functions of society has created a large demand for engineering graduates, not only to enter the professional practice of engineering, but to bring the strengths of an engineering education to related fields such as law, medicine, management, and government. Never have the challenges and opportunities for careers in engineering been more exciting or more critical to the long term well-being of society than they are today. An undergraduate student normally becomes affiliated with a particular department at the beginning of the sophomore year, and works closely with an advisor from that department or program. Alternatively, a student may delay this choice until the start of the junior year without necessarily delaying graduation beyond four years. However, a student with an interest in engineering is encouraged to become involved with one of the engineering departments even during the freshman year, for example, through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, or the Undergraduate Seminar Program.
Many opportunities exist for individual initiatives.
For example, a significant number of students combine their primary undergraduate degrees with a second undergraduate degree in another area, such as management, political science, economics, one of the sciences, or another area of engineering. Others organize their programs in order to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously. A series of Minor Programs from across the Institute are also available. In some cases, completing the undergraduate degree requirements in less than four years is possible.