[wpmoradi]

I picked engineering. Because doing research in industry is not as stimulating as it is in an academic setting. You do not have complete freedom - often times your project is set and you are just exploring new pathways your director asked you to....

The role of the engineer has more freedom to experiment different protocols/methods and apply their work more readily against the problem at hand.

In short: Research in industry: find different ways to potentially solve problems - & often times your work gets tossed away if something else comes up. => not as gratifying. (also less pay)

Engineering: solve the problem. => instant gratification.

[madrac]

Don't you miss writing papers, giving talks, or attending conferences?

[wpmoradi]

Yea, but I don't miss begging for grants, & headaches around funding. With Engineering you get to enjoy life more. You get to pick your poison...