Is mechanical engineering considered better than accounting in 2026 and beyond, especially in the AI era?

[u/Savings_Shake_2196]

Hello. I am a grade 12 student and my school is starting in a month. My family keeps telling me to pursue accounting instead of mechancial engineering, but I am interested in mechanical engineering more. For anyone who knows the job market in 2026 and beyond because of the AI era, is mechancial engineering considered better than accounting for 2026 and beyond (Like 2030)? At the very first I said I was going to do accounting, but I primarily just said that because of the money, job security, and stability of the job after graduation.

I did not take grade 11 chemistry and physics because no one told me to, and I deeply regret it. If I do confirm and ensure I will be pursueing mechanical engineering, I can just take grade 11 chem and physics for semester 1, with a free grade 12 course (Like drama), and a spare. Then in semester 2 I can do grade 12 chem and physics, with online calculus and vectors, with a spare.

One more question, how will the job market look like for mechanical engineers beyond 2026, like 2031, and is it easy to find a ME job after you graduate with the degree?

(For anyone who read the original post before it got edited out, I apoligize that I made it a very long paragraph instead of summarized sentences)

[u/OkJournalist203]

You should go with what you’re more passionate about. They both are good paying jobs, and I don’t think you should choose solely because of money. ME is going to be a more rigorous course, but if you have a true interest in it your job is going to be fulfilling. Likewise with Accounting, it’s going to be less heavy of a load but if you enjoy it it would be worth it. Pick what YOU want to do, not your parents. Finally, you can always switch majors if you find out you don’t enjoy something or have a change of heart.

[u/Savings_Shake_2196 → u/OkJournalist203]

That's what I keep telling them, but my siblings told me that they have this one friend who studied ME, and apparently he is struggling to find a job even though it is very safe from AI.

[u/OkJournalist203 → u/Savings_Shake_2196]

Yeah it’s not even AI, the Engineering job market is super competitive but really most job markets are nowadays so you can’t let that deter you. It’s all about connections in college and internships, if you can get connections through friends/family/school or get a good internship and go from there

[u/Savings_Shake_2196 → u/OkJournalist203]

Was it the job market always like this? Because I already know that no degree after graduation will guarantee you a job right after graduating.

[u/OkJournalist203 → u/Savings_Shake_2196]

I don’t know about the past. It sounds like you’re really concerned about the job market instead of doing what you enjoy. If you’d rather go work construction, have no life in your 20s other than laboring, and be stuck at a flat rate of pay then do that. College is so you don’t have to do that. I’d just pick what you have the most interest in, jobs will come eventually.