5 answers
lydia
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
15
Questions
Asked
687 views
When did you know you wanted to be an engineer?
#degree #engineer
Login to comment
5 answers
Douglas Lemmo, P.E.
Consultant, Owner at Power Generation Consulting Services
132
Answers
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Updated
Douglas’s Answer
Hi,
I decided that I wanted to be an Engineer while I was in high school. I have always been interested in mechanical things and how things worked and although I was never "in love" with math and science, I did well in those subjects so it was always assumed by me, my parents and guidance councilors that I would probably go into either engineering or into some technical field. Upon graduation from high school, not wanting to make a 4 year commitment, I enrolled in a 2-year technical school (Wentworth Inst.) in mechanical engineering and received an Associates Degree. Upon graduation , I worked for a short time, liked the type of work I was doing so decided to enroll in an Engineering school to earn a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. which I earned. I have been a Mechanical Engineer for many years and have never regretted my career choice.
I did initially consider Civil Engineering, but ultimately chose Mechanical which worked out great. If you are not sure about what kind of engineer you want to be, I would suggest Googling the various types of engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, - there are many others) to see what types of things they do and what appears to be of most interest to you. If you have trouble deciding, the first year of all of them is very similar which means that you could transfer to a different one after the first year if you find one you like better.
Good Luck.
Doug
I decided that I wanted to be an Engineer while I was in high school. I have always been interested in mechanical things and how things worked and although I was never "in love" with math and science, I did well in those subjects so it was always assumed by me, my parents and guidance councilors that I would probably go into either engineering or into some technical field. Upon graduation from high school, not wanting to make a 4 year commitment, I enrolled in a 2-year technical school (Wentworth Inst.) in mechanical engineering and received an Associates Degree. Upon graduation , I worked for a short time, liked the type of work I was doing so decided to enroll in an Engineering school to earn a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering. which I earned. I have been a Mechanical Engineer for many years and have never regretted my career choice.
I did initially consider Civil Engineering, but ultimately chose Mechanical which worked out great. If you are not sure about what kind of engineer you want to be, I would suggest Googling the various types of engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, - there are many others) to see what types of things they do and what appears to be of most interest to you. If you have trouble deciding, the first year of all of them is very similar which means that you could transfer to a different one after the first year if you find one you like better.
Good Luck.
Doug
Drew Peake, MSME, M.Eng., MBA, PE, FNAFE, DEE, CIH, CSP
Forensic Engineer: Health, Safety, Environment
46
Answers
Marietta, Georgia
Updated
Drew’s Answer
It is amazing how little thought went into my decision to become an engineer. I began studying Political Science with the end goal of going to Law School. Continuing with that for about two years then stopped to be a Life and Health Debit Agent. That is where I learned hew to sell. After about eight years I decided to go back to college, still undecided about a field. I felt I could be successful in any endeavor, and my father was an engineer, so I thought why not. I took a summer class and was failing miserably when I withdrew; it was clear Political Science was my best alternative. Then the Dean of the Engineering School called to ask if I was coming back. I immediately said yes. It was a grueling curriculum, but I persisted and graduated with a BS and Master of Engineering Degrees. Subsequently became a Licensed Professional Engineer
All of my studies and experiences have helped me be a better engineer. When working with the US EPA the political science was very beneficial negotiating with state and local governments and working on amendments to the Clean Air Act. When I went into private practice, my sales experience kept my family fed for over 30 years now.
Keep learning and expereiencing life. As an engineer you will be able to use all you learn.
Look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook and consider engineering, other technical degrees, and brouse a bit for other interesting options
Don't consider your first choice will lock you into anything. You can always change your mind - once you make your mind up don't quit before the mirricle happens.
All of my studies and experiences have helped me be a better engineer. When working with the US EPA the political science was very beneficial negotiating with state and local governments and working on amendments to the Clean Air Act. When I went into private practice, my sales experience kept my family fed for over 30 years now.
Drew recommends the following next steps:
Brayden Reiland
119
Answers
Corvallis, Oregon
Updated
Brayden’s Answer
Hello!
I knew that I wanted to be an engineer when I began realizing how much I enjoyed problem solving and working with others. A big part of engineering is problem solving and that involves working with others, combining ideas and thoughts in order to solve the task at hand. Ive always enjoyed working with others because me to share my thoughts with people and to try to explain where Im coming from and why I think this might help solve the problem. Being able to work with others allows you to learn from others and to begin to understand their life experiences and the perspectives on solving the problem. I also choose engineering because of the challenge. Many of the problems that you face as an engineer might be brand new so the unknown when going into a new project is vast. This unknown is a huge driving force for me to want to work as hard as a I can to solve problem. I find that looking at how other people solved a specific problem and then breaking that down to understand their approach is very cool because they might not of be able to use the same technology that you now have at your disposal.
Hope this was helpful!
I knew that I wanted to be an engineer when I began realizing how much I enjoyed problem solving and working with others. A big part of engineering is problem solving and that involves working with others, combining ideas and thoughts in order to solve the task at hand. Ive always enjoyed working with others because me to share my thoughts with people and to try to explain where Im coming from and why I think this might help solve the problem. Being able to work with others allows you to learn from others and to begin to understand their life experiences and the perspectives on solving the problem. I also choose engineering because of the challenge. Many of the problems that you face as an engineer might be brand new so the unknown when going into a new project is vast. This unknown is a huge driving force for me to want to work as hard as a I can to solve problem. I find that looking at how other people solved a specific problem and then breaking that down to understand their approach is very cool because they might not of be able to use the same technology that you now have at your disposal.
Hope this was helpful!
Luciano Gehrke
Engineer
23
Answers
São Paulo, Brazil
Updated
Luciano’s Answer
Very early in my childhood, I lived next to an appliance sales store, with lots of electronic equipment.
That caught my attention a lot! Televisions, sound systems, the first video games, everything!
It was then that I discovered the world of electronic engineering.
From then on, with time, I took the technical course in electronics and studied the university of electronic engineering.
Today, my eyes still shine when I talk about technology and electronic engineering.
If it's your dream, make it happen!
That caught my attention a lot! Televisions, sound systems, the first video games, everything!
It was then that I discovered the world of electronic engineering.
From then on, with time, I took the technical course in electronics and studied the university of electronic engineering.
Today, my eyes still shine when I talk about technology and electronic engineering.
If it's your dream, make it happen!
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
483
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi lydia S. Thanks so much for this awesome question!
In my case, I had heard the word "engineer" tossed around in various settings, primarily at home and at school, particularly as I began to show my strength in math. I also remember a time when I was traveling on a plane and a passenger who was sitting beside me, watching me draw pictures that were filled with evenly spaced lines, in various rainbow colors(:)), asked me if I ever thought about becoming an engineer.
By the time I got to the end of 10th grade, I was hearing more and learning more about the field of engineering and by the time I started my senior year in high school, it was pretty clear to me that this was a field that I wanted to pursue. I was able to complete my degree and have been working in the field ever since. Wasn't easy but so glad I did.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
In my case, I had heard the word "engineer" tossed around in various settings, primarily at home and at school, particularly as I began to show my strength in math. I also remember a time when I was traveling on a plane and a passenger who was sitting beside me, watching me draw pictures that were filled with evenly spaced lines, in various rainbow colors(:)), asked me if I ever thought about becoming an engineer.
By the time I got to the end of 10th grade, I was hearing more and learning more about the field of engineering and by the time I started my senior year in high school, it was pretty clear to me that this was a field that I wanted to pursue. I was able to complete my degree and have been working in the field ever since. Wasn't easy but so glad I did.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!