Ever since I was 9 I have wanted to become an Electronic Engineer, but I recently realized that I suck at math

Question

Just realized. I'm already 14 now. I am terrible at math. Have I been chasing the wrong dream this entire time. It feels terrible to face the truth, but I'm just NOT GOOD AT MATH.

I've always been dreaming of making a salary with 6 digits. Now that it is nearly impossible for me to become an engineer, are there any other suggestions? Its gotten so bad, that I can't sleep anymore. :(

On the other hand, I've been told that I have talents in the following:

Music
Art
Impromptu Speech / Debate

Its too ambiguous! I need an expert opinion on my career path.

Answer 1

you are just 14. you can still improve a lot.

Are you saying that even before, in the lower grades... you have poor grades in Math? If that is the case, i can offer you two options...
... a.... you can really pursue math, by studying at least 3 hours of math per day... gloss over the lessons, actively try to find a good source of correct answers & solutions (by asking your teacher, or finding a friend or classmate who knows how to arrive at the correct answer), realize where you made the mistake and try not to repeat the same mistake on succeeding questions, answer several questions of the same type so that you can confidently answer them without the help of others... (it would also help if you could convince your parents that you need tutoring in math)

.. b.... or you could altogether leave math to those who have the knack for it... then hone your other worthwhile skills. you can probably observe that not all jobs require intense mathematics... nursing and medicine, for one.

i cannot altogether advise you on your career path. you need to go to your guidance counselor for a more personal advice.


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Answer 2

If you're not good at math, you will have to get good at cheating on tests. Try writing formulas down on the inside of a Wrigley's chewing gum wrapper. All you have to do is chew alot of gum during class. You may also want to have someone take a picture of a test for you in a prior period with a camera phone so you can figure out the answers ahead of time. If math is hard for you now, then Calculus, Differential Equations, and other college math classes are not for you. You probably won't have to use much math once you're out of college anyway. Most of your time will be managing deadlines and analyzing specifications. Your aptitudes seem to be more on the creative side, perhaps you should look into an Industrial Design or Architure degree. If you are good at memorizing things you could try to become a Pharmacist. They make around six figures a year.

Answer 3

If you're good at speech/debate and all you care about is a six-figure salary then you could become a lawyer. You could go to business school. But if you're good at music, you could pursue that and become a famous musician; however, that doesn't have the guarantee of a decent salary like the aforementioned careers.

And 14 is kind of young to be having a career crisis. Don't worry about it so much. Just do well in school and find activities that you enjoy.

Answer 4

being an electronic engineer doesnt necessarily require a lot of math skill, it definately helps though. To be an engineer of any kind you need to have some analytic ability, which is very similar to math skill. I've worked with some engineers who have had weak math skills, most of them made up for it by being strong in other areas.

Circuit board layout is a cornerstone of electrical engineering and it is an art mixed with a bunch of logic.

At 14 you should not be stressing about how you'll end up. Just do what you find enjoyable and you'll be happy with whatever career you end up in.

Answer 5

You're 14!!! Calm down. Go out and have fun with your friends. Don't start stressing out over your career choice right now, trust me, there will be plenty of time for that later. Just do well in school, get into a decent college, and then decide what you want to do with your life. And just realize that people's strengths change over time. I had a friend who used to be horrible at math and then it just "clicked" for him at some point and he is know pursuing a PhD in Mathematics. So you just never know.

Answer 6

I recently encountered a problem like this but I'm currently a sophomore in college. I wanted to become an Industrial Engineer all through high school!

I did great in math in high school and decent in college but this physics stuff wow! it is sooooo tough. I just don't get it!

I'm currently switching my major over to Industrial Distribution and Logistics. I'm really looking forward to it I hear there is a high demand and the pay doesn't seem to bad either! If I was you I would really consider it. Hope I helped a little. ;)

Answer 7

you only suck at mathematics b/c you have gotten emotionally bent out of shape about it. You don't practise is my bet. You can achieve anything with practice (except write a Springsteen song, that comes from a higher plane..) What I did when studying at night school was to realise that once you are excited about something, learning it is a cinch..WITH PRACTICE..you have to GET EXCITED

Answer 8

Relax dude!

Many highly successful people were clueless about their future at 14 - and that is perfectly fine and normal.

In the meantime explore some of your strengths and see what you LIKE. Speech/Debate could lead to law...journalism...politics...

Answer 9

I may not be an expert, but....
you said you are good in music, so why don't you join a band?
you also said you are good in debating, so you could become a lawyer. they make big bucks.
think about it, but dont stress about it.