Finance or Engineering?
 

Hi ll. I am currently an engineering student in my final year in NTU, and I should be able to graduate with a 2nd upper class hons if all goes well.

I've always liked dealing with maths and applying theories to analyzing data, as well as designing. I was recently considering to start my career in the finance sector, probably dealing with risk analysis or something like that, hopefully in a private bank, OR, if possible, doing a management associate program.
Most firms seem open to having a graduate from a non-finance discipline applying for these roles (correct me if i am wrong), but I have also heard that it's almost impossible to get an entry-level job like the above mentioned.
I would like to clarify this and also maybe gain some insight on the career development (instead of the simple 3 tier model analyst -> associate -> quantitative associate) in this line.

OR should I just stay on and pursue an engineering career? what would the career development be like for a mechanical engineer?

everyone wants in
 

No harm trying, but you must know that there's fierce competiton. Almost every young upstart wants to get into banking and finance, especially after hearing things like record bonus from Goldman Sachs, and in spite of the uncertainty and relatively poor job security.

My advice: try for local banks first. Get into these (in order of pref): financial markets, corporate finance, institutional sales, then consumer banking. Then hop every 1 to 2 years.

renewable energy
 

Banking and finance is passe. The big thing now is renewable energy and green technology. Stay in engineering!

Give me a break. Look at the life sciences grads now. There's a comment somewhere here that life's a struggle for these LS grads... maybe LS stands for lao sai. hahaha

So which area to go onto now? finance or engineering? or what other areas?

If you want money, go to the money business. If you believe in all the "passion" talk, go with whatever you like.

If you think you are capable, get into sales. Even a telemarketer can make 20k a month. Why be a brainy engineer who can't even make 5k? This world is unfair, know the game and play it well. You got brains for the books doesn't mean you'll do well financially.

I fully agree with what goldman said. renewable energy has been in the research phase for too long, and its really hard to produce power with the limited solar and wind power available. There doesnt seem to be much hope for renewable power in the near future... probably 20 to 30 years from now but not like 5 or 6 years. Imagine the whole of the united states running on solar panels... we probably gotta fill the whole of asia with solar panels for that to happen.. its just not very feasible...