Should I become an Engineer?

Question

Ever since I was young, I was always amazed with how everything worked, and how they came to existence. I enjoyed science, I would go to the library and pick up books so that I could do experiments. When I was young I always dreamed of becomming an engineer. As time passed, my passion for science went down the drain. I missed the bus containing the spectrum of knowledge in high school. I became lazy. Then, I disliked math and science with a passion. Now, that I've graduated High School doing the bare minimum...I am attending a junior college. My major is undecided. To get to the point, I've been reading up more on engineering and I think the life is appealing. I want to make a difference in the world, I want to research, learn, develop, change. So in retrospect, according to what I've made note about so far, do you think engineering is right for me? Can I become an engineer? I'm willing to reach my potential, even though I am limited in the maths and sciences :|

I really enjoy working with the computer. I want to come up with orginal solutions to unoriginal problems.

More questions I have on this issue at hand:

What disciplines are there, and which should I get in to, why?

Are you an engineer yourself, if so what type, and what are your experiences?

Will my lack of knowledge of the maths and science make this impossible?

What types of jobs are there for engineers?

Answer 1

One of the first things you'll learn if you should decide to take the journey to becoming an engineer is that engineering opportunities are almost endless. The fields are so broad it's not feasible to even begin listing them.

From what you've typed it sounds like you have an engineering spirit. I've spoken to a lot of engineering students who have the same story as you. They loved school, science, math, it was all easy. Then they got bored, lazy and eventually didn't care. Then they realized how important it was to study and put in the effort that landed them back in college.

Your story is a classic cookie cutter example of many of the older (by that I mean maybe 23-26+) engineering students you'll meet in your classes.

So what if you're "limited" in what you know in math and science. Here's something not a single soul will mention to you but me. You go to college to learn, not to sit in a class and have them feed you what you should already know.

So what ever you do, don't let your feelings of inadequacy ruin a good opportunity. If you really want to study engineering then do it. But don't trick yourself into thinking it's going to be easy.

As far as picking a major, there are a lot of undecided engineering students around. Many of the engineering paths require many of the same "core classes". So you could actually begin an engineering program and attend classes for about a year before even choosing a major.

There is this big misconception that engineering students are geniuses. That simply isn’t true. Engineering students are however very intelligent and successful thinkers. Many of them are very good at evaluating situations, or what needs to be done in order to reach a certain goal.

This is why you'll see engineering students who don't study as much as others in some classes. It's because they know what they lack and how they learn well enough to study in shorter, more effective sessions. It's the same with writing a paper or getting an A. It's mechanic, a process, nothing more than smoke and mirrors in the eyes of most other students.

Engineers work smart not hard. The reason engineers are so much in demand isn’t because of their book smarts – god no! It’s because they understand the process of not only solving problems that exist but how to avoid problems all together.

As far as what I’ve learned so far – engineering is more of a process or a mental capacity for doing work efficiently. Plus you'll get a change to work on some amazing lab projects and meet some of the coolest most intelligent people you've ever met. I don't think there is a single person who wouldn't benefit from an engineering education.

Answer 2

Can you? Absolutely! Will it be difficult? Absolutely!

Don't try to take on too much at once, though. Nothing will burn you out faster than trying to make up for lost time. But you absolutely can get through it.

As someone kept reminding me while I was going through school, "It's engineering, it's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it." It's more about learning the problem solving process than it is about doing high level mathematics.

I don't know that there are many careers that a more rewarding. Everyday I drive by former or current projects and I can say I helped make that happen.

Answer 3

I guess whichever your line is, maths is the unescapeable language that everybody need to learn. It is just how complicated you want to go in.

Studying Maths in engineering doesn't turn up as ugly is you think of. It is indeed very base on logic, and everything can be seen from the equation.

It is a good start for you to think of being Inovator in your career, and no doubt engineering could be the one you may consider. As you approaches degree level, you can always become PhD to reach your dream.

Future potential is there, but the market is getting fierce. Unlike accountant, doctor and lawyer, they will have jobs no matter how the economy goes...

Answer 4

properly, its good to comprehend approximately your interest. Engineering is surely a specialist degree direction. it has have been given great importance contained in the industry on the instant. Now that's based upon a guy or woman's want as to the place he / she unearths his / her interest. there are countless fields wherein Engineering could be executed like : laptop technology, Electronics & communique, Electronics & electric powered, Instrumentation administration, advice technologies, Chemical, Aeronautical, and a great style of greater as properly. additionally its no longer taken with no attention that all and sundry the college / faculties grant a number of those streams. distinctive faculties/ universities are offering distinctive branches of engineering and the elementary aspects of engineering present in maximum of them are laptop technology and Electronics & communique. Now as far because of the fact the call for in todays industry is worried or you mentioned appropriate to the sales possibility, then its no longer very lots defined. It actually relies upon a guy or woman's ability as to how properly he has executed in his commencement. He overall wisdom mutually along with his degre proportion mutually performs an fantastically considered necessary place in gaining a job. call for is something that would incredibly stay in INDIA for each field. INDIA is a springing up united states of america and each sector right here demands consistent researchand progression, so wisdom of countless human beings from countless academic backgrounds are used up so as to construct up the main state-of-the-paintings outcomes and result. hence, that's could desire to be remembered that in case you have won specialization in any of your fields of interest, then you definitely might actually be caught up my some or the different Multinational team or an employer that would require your in intensity skills and pay you for wisdom as properly. I want you a great fulfillment consistently...

Answer 5

im a civil engr and i love what i'm doing. you design a project and you get to see it get done (that's the best part). yes you need to have your math and science skills, but it's more than just math and science. you have to have the motivation and dedication to get an engr degree. it's a lot of work and stressful, but it'll pay off at the end. i got like 10 offers since they're in need of civils right now in az.

Answer 6

Math is important for some disciplines, not all.

consider engineering:
civil, aeronatutic, chemical, mechanical, electrical, nuclear, biomechanical, architectural, computer, and others

Read some of the courseware to see what you like.

Answer 7

Scope is endless. Engineering is one field. Likewise now there is scope of growth in any field, whether is arts, science, humanitarian, Eng., bio, ...
U can prove Ur capability in any field of Ur choice. There is nothing charming in engg. If u desire, u may opt for it. It purely depends upon ur choice.

Answer 8

Here's a good place to start with plenty of information, links, and other resources:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

Answer 9

if you want to