5 answers
Lauralie
Student
Saint-Georges, Canada
3
Questions
Asked
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I have a question for the engineer. How do you don't give up.
I am a 6th garde student.
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5 answers
Bryan Kalkhoff
Engineer
20
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Hello!
This is a good question. Engineering school was hard and there were times I wanted to give up. Some of the things that got me through was having a really good support group. My group of friends would work on homework together, give each other advice, and hang out whenever we could. Another thing I did (and I'm pretty sure of my friend group I was the only one who did) was I had a movie I'd watch whenever I felt like quitting. Every time I told myself "Why am I doing this?" I would watch Big Hero 6. I know it sounds weird. But when I watched that movie I thought "That's some cool stuff they're working on" and eventually it got to a point where it would convince me to keep going. Having a reason to keep pushing on and not giving up helped me a lot.
Don't give up!
Bryan
This is a good question. Engineering school was hard and there were times I wanted to give up. Some of the things that got me through was having a really good support group. My group of friends would work on homework together, give each other advice, and hang out whenever we could. Another thing I did (and I'm pretty sure of my friend group I was the only one who did) was I had a movie I'd watch whenever I felt like quitting. Every time I told myself "Why am I doing this?" I would watch Big Hero 6. I know it sounds weird. But when I watched that movie I thought "That's some cool stuff they're working on" and eventually it got to a point where it would convince me to keep going. Having a reason to keep pushing on and not giving up helped me a lot.
Don't give up!
Bryan
Thank you Bryan for your answer.
Lauralie
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1326
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Lauralie,
First off—huge respect for asking this question as a 6th grader. Most kids your age are busy speedrunning math homework while simultaneously planning their next snack. You? You’re out here thinking about resilience. That’s engineer-level thinking already.
So, how do you not give up in engineering? Here’s the blueprint because engineers have blueprints always😃, okay!
So, first Accept That Frustration Is Part of the Job.
Engineers break things. A lot. Not because they’re clumsy (well, sometimes), but because trial and error is the name of the game. The bridge collapses in your design? Cool. That’s just step one toward making it unbreakable. Instead of giving up, start seeing failures as plot twists in your engineering adventure.
Second build Your Engineer Survival Kit, it's handy-I mean they are helpful!
✔️ A Good Support Squad – Find friends who also love solving problems (or at least complaining about them with you).
✔️ A "Why Am I Doing This?" Motivator – Maybe it’s a dream job, a cool invention idea, or just the satisfaction of proving everyone wrong.
✔️ A Go-To "Brain Reset" Activity – Music, video games, running around like a mad scientist—whatever helps you recharge.
I like to say life is a game but with just one surviving path so Treat It Like a Game.
Think of engineering like a video game. Some levels are ridiculously hard, but you don’t throw your controller across the room (okay, maybe once). You keep trying because you know there’s a way to win. Every problem you solve = XP. Every challenge = boss fight. Eventually? You level up.
Remember now to always Celebrate the Small Wins even tiny tinnie ones.
Got through a tricky math problem? Victory dance. Built a working model? Victory dance x2. Finishing engineering is about stacking tiny wins until they turn into big ones. This will keep you going too of course you can change the prizes 😏.
Next Remember Engineers Change the World, yeah it will be you too someday if this is the path you choose to go for.
Your future job could mean building spaceships, creating AI, designing futuristic cities, or—who knows—finally inventing a backpack that packs itself. Giving up means the world misses out on your ideas, and that’s unacceptable.
So, keep going. You’ve got this. And if it ever feels impossible, just remember—somewhere out there, an engineer once failed at designing a square wheel before realizing, "Oh wait... circles are better."
All the best Lauralie. Stay amazing and keep asking until you got it running! 🤗😉
First off—huge respect for asking this question as a 6th grader. Most kids your age are busy speedrunning math homework while simultaneously planning their next snack. You? You’re out here thinking about resilience. That’s engineer-level thinking already.
So, how do you not give up in engineering? Here’s the blueprint because engineers have blueprints always😃, okay!
So, first Accept That Frustration Is Part of the Job.
Engineers break things. A lot. Not because they’re clumsy (well, sometimes), but because trial and error is the name of the game. The bridge collapses in your design? Cool. That’s just step one toward making it unbreakable. Instead of giving up, start seeing failures as plot twists in your engineering adventure.
Second build Your Engineer Survival Kit, it's handy-I mean they are helpful!
✔️ A Good Support Squad – Find friends who also love solving problems (or at least complaining about them with you).
✔️ A "Why Am I Doing This?" Motivator – Maybe it’s a dream job, a cool invention idea, or just the satisfaction of proving everyone wrong.
✔️ A Go-To "Brain Reset" Activity – Music, video games, running around like a mad scientist—whatever helps you recharge.
I like to say life is a game but with just one surviving path so Treat It Like a Game.
Think of engineering like a video game. Some levels are ridiculously hard, but you don’t throw your controller across the room (okay, maybe once). You keep trying because you know there’s a way to win. Every problem you solve = XP. Every challenge = boss fight. Eventually? You level up.
Remember now to always Celebrate the Small Wins even tiny tinnie ones.
Got through a tricky math problem? Victory dance. Built a working model? Victory dance x2. Finishing engineering is about stacking tiny wins until they turn into big ones. This will keep you going too of course you can change the prizes 😏.
Next Remember Engineers Change the World, yeah it will be you too someday if this is the path you choose to go for.
Your future job could mean building spaceships, creating AI, designing futuristic cities, or—who knows—finally inventing a backpack that packs itself. Giving up means the world misses out on your ideas, and that’s unacceptable.
So, keep going. You’ve got this. And if it ever feels impossible, just remember—somewhere out there, an engineer once failed at designing a square wheel before realizing, "Oh wait... circles are better."
All the best Lauralie. Stay amazing and keep asking until you got it running! 🤗😉
Robert Epstein
General Manager
89
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Lauralie,
When I started engineering college as a freshman, they told me only one out three of us would graduate. They were right. But I stuck it out because—and this is the important thing—there were so many great types of jobs that I loved out there.
And I didn’t do just one type. I worked in the aerospace field, in medical applications, in manufacturing, and even in art museums and the music industry. The skills you learn as an engineer are useful in so many careers.
Did I graduate at the top of my class? No. But when I pursued jobs that I loved, I succeeded.
Work hard, keep at it, and find ones that make you smile when you get up in the morning!
Best of luck, Lauralie!
Robert
When I started engineering college as a freshman, they told me only one out three of us would graduate. They were right. But I stuck it out because—and this is the important thing—there were so many great types of jobs that I loved out there.
And I didn’t do just one type. I worked in the aerospace field, in medical applications, in manufacturing, and even in art museums and the music industry. The skills you learn as an engineer are useful in so many careers.
Did I graduate at the top of my class? No. But when I pursued jobs that I loved, I succeeded.
Work hard, keep at it, and find ones that make you smile when you get up in the morning!
Best of luck, Lauralie!
Robert
Thank you Robert for your answer.
Lauralie
Cody Gaspar
C.I., Quality, and Reliability Engineering
34
Answers
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Updated
Cody’s Answer
For me, it’s about daily progress. Problems only seem difficult when looking at them as a whole. If you break the problem into smaller problems, they’re much easier to solve :)
Thank you for your answer.
Lauralie
Kazi Rubayee
Oriental medicine health professional, Acupuncturist, Holistic health practitioner
51
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Kazi’s Answer
Hello, this is a great question!
I am writing to you from the perspective of my son who is an engineering student.
• To keep going and not give up in this field, you have to focus on being patient and persistent.
• Adopt a mindset that helps learn from setbacks and view them as a learning experience.
• Embrace challenges as an opportunity because some engineering projects are challenging, and solutions need time.
• Focus on the big picture, little by little you reach the goal.
• Collaborate and seek help when you need it.
He celebrates his little wins by playing chase, music such as playing the piano and cooking food sometimes.
Best,
I am writing to you from the perspective of my son who is an engineering student.
• To keep going and not give up in this field, you have to focus on being patient and persistent.
• Adopt a mindset that helps learn from setbacks and view them as a learning experience.
• Embrace challenges as an opportunity because some engineering projects are challenging, and solutions need time.
• Focus on the big picture, little by little you reach the goal.
• Collaborate and seek help when you need it.
He celebrates his little wins by playing chase, music such as playing the piano and cooking food sometimes.
Best,
Thank you for your answer.
Lauralie