Thinking about AI engineering... not sure if it's for me?

Seeking Advice
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I’ve been out of school for two years now, and for the past year, I’ve been considering going into AI engineering. Honestly, I picked it because I thought it’d be a way to earn good money. With everyone talking about AI these days, I figured it was a smart move. Plus, I’m drawn to creative stuff, and I thought AI could offer that.

Back in school, I took computer science, but I wasn’t great at coding—mostly because I didn’t put in the effort. I’m not dumb though. I was ready to push myself, work hard, and make my family proud. But lately, I don’t feel like I have the energy to keep up with that kind of grind. I’ve been dealing with depression since 2021, and 2024 was the toughest year yet. It’s going to take a while to recover, and I just want to be happy now.

Yeah, having money is cool, but I don’t want to lose my peace chasing it. I’m okay with just having enough for basic needs and a little fun. The problem is, I’m scared to tell my family. They’ve got big expectations for me, and I don’t want to let them down. But I know AI engineering is going to be super tough. I’ve done my homework on it, and I’m not ready to spend years chasing a PhD just to get into the field. I’m thinking of switching to civil engineering instead.

Do you think I’ll regret not choosing AI engineering?

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If you’re looking for a secure and well-paying future, go for a degree that’ll hold its value.

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Val said:
If you’re looking for a secure and well-paying future, go for a degree that’ll hold its value.

Edit: Meant to reply to the person who posted this, but here goes anyway.

Hey, do you even enjoy coding? How’s your math? If you don’t like programming or computer science, this field will be frustrating.

Taking a gap is fine, but what’s your end goal? Chasing money without passion might leave you unhappy. Find work that won’t make you dread every day.

Sales? Sure, AI might impact it, but many people still want that human touch. Some prefer straight-to-the-point interactions, and they’ll love AI. Others? They need personal connection.

Programming? Yes, AI will change the game. But think about it—most people struggle with basic tech. How will they use AI to write software?

As for AI itself, it’s like aiming for NASA but not wanting to study aerospace. You can use AI in daily life or build cool projects, but it’s still computer science.

Build skills, fail often, and grow. Practice, understand how tools work, and find your way to make a difference. That’s what matters.