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How can I start off as an engineer? Is there programs that can be beneficial?
I want to make sure I'm eligible to take this route and enjoy it.
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David’s Answer
Hello Qida. Just to build off the great answers already posted, engineers like to understand how things work. If you like building things or taking things apart, you may be wired like an engineer. One interview question we typically ask college students when we are looking for engineering interns is "what have you built lately?" If they can't think of anything, they are probably not a good fit for industry. It doesn't matter to us if their project was a Habitat for Humanity construction build, or a Raspberry Pi gadget they made, or a robotics team competition; all of them provide great opportunities to learn and create.
Also give consideration to the different branches of engineering; take a look at what interests you:
Is it the wonderous complexities of the human body? Perhaps bioengineering
Is it buildings and skyscrapers? Perhaps civil / structural engineering
Is it machines? Perhaps mechanical engineering
Is it controlling those machines? Perhaps electrical engineering
Is it restoring land that was once misused? Perhaps environmental engineering
There are many others as well. If this piques your curiosity, then you may be an engineer-in-the-making! I wish you all the best.
Also give consideration to the different branches of engineering; take a look at what interests you:
Is it the wonderous complexities of the human body? Perhaps bioengineering
Is it buildings and skyscrapers? Perhaps civil / structural engineering
Is it machines? Perhaps mechanical engineering
Is it controlling those machines? Perhaps electrical engineering
Is it restoring land that was once misused? Perhaps environmental engineering
There are many others as well. If this piques your curiosity, then you may be an engineer-in-the-making! I wish you all the best.
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Qida - Looking back on my career path into Electrical Engineering, what helped me the most prepare for college-level engineering was to focus on math & science, specifically calculus and physics. Have your sights set on the highest level classes you could take in school, and plan your path towards them. Another helpful idea is to look at school or community clubs that introduce and incorporate engineering concepts in fun activities - robotics to understand coding & mechanical engineering, rockets & radio control airplanes to understand aeronautical engineering, etc. Find what you enjoy and are curious about, it will make learning the math & science behind it fun
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Qida. Thanks for this great question.
Adding a bit to the awesome answer already provided, a place like CareerVillage is also a great place to start. By that I mean reaching out to individuals who work in these spaces and getting their feedback. I encourage you to continue to use this tool to search on questions and answers around what it is like to "be an engineer".
If possible, visit some local colleges/universities to talk to professors and/or other students who are teach or are studying in this field. Sometimes, in local schools you can even get tours into places where the study is being done or where research/building is being done. Consider using online resources such as visiting websites for schools/programs that focus on engineering developments. These schools/programs are often very excited to share what they are doing as a way to showcase their work and invite others who are interested to participate in research or all-around learning.
As far as beneficial programs, there are many, many, many :). Your local colleges/universities may have summer programs geared towards high school students who have an interest. Check them out now while we are in the fall/winter months. Also get to know your school guidance counselor. They often have knowledge about programs and the application process for learning more in areas where you have an interest.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
Adding a bit to the awesome answer already provided, a place like CareerVillage is also a great place to start. By that I mean reaching out to individuals who work in these spaces and getting their feedback. I encourage you to continue to use this tool to search on questions and answers around what it is like to "be an engineer".
If possible, visit some local colleges/universities to talk to professors and/or other students who are teach or are studying in this field. Sometimes, in local schools you can even get tours into places where the study is being done or where research/building is being done. Consider using online resources such as visiting websites for schools/programs that focus on engineering developments. These schools/programs are often very excited to share what they are doing as a way to showcase their work and invite others who are interested to participate in research or all-around learning.
As far as beneficial programs, there are many, many, many :). Your local colleges/universities may have summer programs geared towards high school students who have an interest. Check them out now while we are in the fall/winter months. Also get to know your school guidance counselor. They often have knowledge about programs and the application process for learning more in areas where you have an interest.
Hope you find this answer helpful and best of luck to you!
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hello Qida,
The responses already presented pretty much cover the answer to your question succinctly. Working in industry some of the companies where I worked offered a co-op program collaborating with a local university with engineering programs. This allowed students fairly early on in their programs to work a semester, up to three semesters total, which gave them a good idea of day-to-day engineering activities in the practical world and provided real world experience as to what they might expect once awarded their degree. To be truthful, often some of their tasks could be considered monotonous compared to the responsibilities of other engineers.
Looking back at my past experience in college, I wish I would have gotten more involved in project groups within my major. For example, there were groups that built solar powered vehicles, robotics and others. Not only do these groups open the door to extended learning opportunities, they also teach the benefit of teamwork and accountability when assigned responsibilities.
Hopefully this helped.
The responses already presented pretty much cover the answer to your question succinctly. Working in industry some of the companies where I worked offered a co-op program collaborating with a local university with engineering programs. This allowed students fairly early on in their programs to work a semester, up to three semesters total, which gave them a good idea of day-to-day engineering activities in the practical world and provided real world experience as to what they might expect once awarded their degree. To be truthful, often some of their tasks could be considered monotonous compared to the responsibilities of other engineers.
Looking back at my past experience in college, I wish I would have gotten more involved in project groups within my major. For example, there were groups that built solar powered vehicles, robotics and others. Not only do these groups open the door to extended learning opportunities, they also teach the benefit of teamwork and accountability when assigned responsibilities.
Hopefully this helped.