2 answers
Caleb
Student
Gallup, New Mexico
1
Question
Asked
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I wanna be a mechanic or engineer?
Im not really good at math. #math
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2 answers
Stephen Ramirtha
People Manager
18
Answers
Scottsdale, Arizona
Updated
Stephen’s Answer
Hey Caleb,
I think it's awesome you want to be a mechanic or engineer! My sister is actually a chemical engineer and loves working at her company. While physics wasn't her strong suit, she excelled in chemistry, project management, and people skills which ultimately got her the job.
The reason I bring this up is that I was saddened to hear you feel you're not good at math. In career development with my team, I tend to coach towards their strengths to find areas they'll excel at, like my sister did. I have two questions to ask you:
1. What motivates you to be a mechanic or engineer?
2. Why do you feel you're not good at math? Identifying this root cause can help you make tactical action items to improve your math skills.
I think it's awesome you want to be a mechanic or engineer! My sister is actually a chemical engineer and loves working at her company. While physics wasn't her strong suit, she excelled in chemistry, project management, and people skills which ultimately got her the job.
The reason I bring this up is that I was saddened to hear you feel you're not good at math. In career development with my team, I tend to coach towards their strengths to find areas they'll excel at, like my sister did. I have two questions to ask you:
1. What motivates you to be a mechanic or engineer?
2. Why do you feel you're not good at math? Identifying this root cause can help you make tactical action items to improve your math skills.
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
150
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Based on my understanding of your question, I would like to point out that there is a vocational difference between a mechanic and an engineer.
As far as mechanic goes, it can be car mechanic or related profession in repairing and maintaining machinery. If this is the case, one would not really to be good at math but a proficiency in basic arithmetic and geometry.
On the other hand, engineering, should it be mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, etc., competency and proficiency in mathematics will be necessary.
If your heart is in engineering, I would strongly advise you to do what you can to bring up your math skill. I am familiar with the “I am not good at math” sentiment. However, with adequate effort, one can overcome such fear. Mathematics is a language, just like any other foreign languages. If one starts from the basic, with patience and practice, one can get to be rather good at math. It is a matter of how badly you would like to reach your life goal.
As far as mechanic goes, it can be car mechanic or related profession in repairing and maintaining machinery. If this is the case, one would not really to be good at math but a proficiency in basic arithmetic and geometry.
On the other hand, engineering, should it be mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, etc., competency and proficiency in mathematics will be necessary.
If your heart is in engineering, I would strongly advise you to do what you can to bring up your math skill. I am familiar with the “I am not good at math” sentiment. However, with adequate effort, one can overcome such fear. Mathematics is a language, just like any other foreign languages. If one starts from the basic, with patience and practice, one can get to be rather good at math. It is a matter of how badly you would like to reach your life goal.