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How did you guys start engineering? Were you first maybe using a coding program or possibly using different mechanical things to put together something that works?
I wanna be an engineer especially software, but I am curious on how I can accomplish this at such a young age. Could you guys maybe give me some hints?
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Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Becoming an engineer, especially in software engineering, is an admirable goal, and it's fantastic that you're interested in pursuing it at a young age. Here are some steps and hints to help you get started:
1. **Learn the Basics of Coding:**
- Start with the fundamentals of programming languages. Languages like Python, JavaScript, or Scratch are beginner-friendly. Online coding platforms like Codecademy, Khan Academy, and Scratch.mit.edu offer excellent resources for beginners.
2. **Online Tutorials and Courses:**
- Take advantage of online tutorials and courses specifically designed for aspiring young engineers. Websites like Khan Academy, Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide range of free and paid courses.
3. **Practice Regularly:**
- Consistent practice is key to mastering coding. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on coding projects and exercises. Start with small projects and gradually move to more complex ones.
4. **Participate in Coding Challenges:**
- Platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and Codeforces host coding challenges and competitions. Participating in these can help you improve your problem-solving skills.
5. **Build Projects:**
- Apply your coding knowledge by working on personal projects. Start with simple programs or websites and progressively tackle more ambitious projects. Building your portfolio will be valuable in the future.
6. **Learn About Algorithms and Data Structures:**
- These are fundamental concepts in software engineering. There are many books and online courses that can help you understand them better.
7. **Collaborate and Share Knowledge:**
- Join coding clubs, online forums, or communities where you can collaborate with others and learn from experienced engineers. Sharing knowledge and asking questions is an important part of growth.
8. **Math and Problem-Solving Skills:**
- Engineering often involves complex problem-solving. Strengthen your math skills, particularly in areas like algebra and calculus, to excel in this field.
9. **Explore Engineering in School:**
- Look for STEM-related clubs, classes, or extracurricular activities in your school. Participating in robotics clubs, science fairs, or math competitions can provide hands-on experience.
10. **Stay Inquisitive:**
- Engineers need a curious mindset. Always question how things work and seek solutions to problems around you. This curiosity will drive your engineering journey.
11. **Explore Various Engineering Fields:**
- Software engineering is just one branch of engineering. Explore other fields like mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering to see if you have broader engineering interests.
12. **Seek Mentors:**
- If possible, connect with mentors who are engineers or professionals in the software industry. They can provide guidance, advice, and insights into the field.
13. **Consider Summer Camps and Workshops:**
- Many organizations offer engineering-focused summer camps and workshops for young students. These can provide hands-on experience and exposure to the field.
14. **Set Goals:**
- Establish clear goals for your engineering journey. Whether it's building a specific app, contributing to open-source projects, or participating in coding competitions, goals give you direction.
15. **Be Patient and Persistent:**
- Engineering can be challenging, but perseverance is essential. Don't get discouraged by setbacks or difficulties; view them as opportunities for growth.
Remember that engineering is a continuously evolving field, so staying updated with the latest technologies and industry trends is crucial. As you progress, you may decide to pursue formal education in software engineering or related fields, but your early self-learning and practical experience will be invaluable. Enjoy the journey of discovery and creation as you embark on your path to becoming an engineer!
1. **Learn the Basics of Coding:**
- Start with the fundamentals of programming languages. Languages like Python, JavaScript, or Scratch are beginner-friendly. Online coding platforms like Codecademy, Khan Academy, and Scratch.mit.edu offer excellent resources for beginners.
2. **Online Tutorials and Courses:**
- Take advantage of online tutorials and courses specifically designed for aspiring young engineers. Websites like Khan Academy, Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer a wide range of free and paid courses.
3. **Practice Regularly:**
- Consistent practice is key to mastering coding. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on coding projects and exercises. Start with small projects and gradually move to more complex ones.
4. **Participate in Coding Challenges:**
- Platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and Codeforces host coding challenges and competitions. Participating in these can help you improve your problem-solving skills.
5. **Build Projects:**
- Apply your coding knowledge by working on personal projects. Start with simple programs or websites and progressively tackle more ambitious projects. Building your portfolio will be valuable in the future.
6. **Learn About Algorithms and Data Structures:**
- These are fundamental concepts in software engineering. There are many books and online courses that can help you understand them better.
7. **Collaborate and Share Knowledge:**
- Join coding clubs, online forums, or communities where you can collaborate with others and learn from experienced engineers. Sharing knowledge and asking questions is an important part of growth.
8. **Math and Problem-Solving Skills:**
- Engineering often involves complex problem-solving. Strengthen your math skills, particularly in areas like algebra and calculus, to excel in this field.
9. **Explore Engineering in School:**
- Look for STEM-related clubs, classes, or extracurricular activities in your school. Participating in robotics clubs, science fairs, or math competitions can provide hands-on experience.
10. **Stay Inquisitive:**
- Engineers need a curious mindset. Always question how things work and seek solutions to problems around you. This curiosity will drive your engineering journey.
11. **Explore Various Engineering Fields:**
- Software engineering is just one branch of engineering. Explore other fields like mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering to see if you have broader engineering interests.
12. **Seek Mentors:**
- If possible, connect with mentors who are engineers or professionals in the software industry. They can provide guidance, advice, and insights into the field.
13. **Consider Summer Camps and Workshops:**
- Many organizations offer engineering-focused summer camps and workshops for young students. These can provide hands-on experience and exposure to the field.
14. **Set Goals:**
- Establish clear goals for your engineering journey. Whether it's building a specific app, contributing to open-source projects, or participating in coding competitions, goals give you direction.
15. **Be Patient and Persistent:**
- Engineering can be challenging, but perseverance is essential. Don't get discouraged by setbacks or difficulties; view them as opportunities for growth.
Remember that engineering is a continuously evolving field, so staying updated with the latest technologies and industry trends is crucial. As you progress, you may decide to pursue formal education in software engineering or related fields, but your early self-learning and practical experience will be invaluable. Enjoy the journey of discovery and creation as you embark on your path to becoming an engineer!
Updated
Brian’s Answer
Hi Omar,
That is a very good question, and I am very happy you're interested in engineering.
At it's core, engineering is all about solving problems and coming up with creative solutions.
On the physical side of things, do you like building with LEGO? K'nex? Lincoln Logs? etc. While these are all considered toys, they also are tools that you can use to build models and see how things move/interact with each other. But really, anything can be used to build/make stuff ( wood, plastics, metals, foam, rubber, dirt, etc).
That is a very good question, and I am very happy you're interested in engineering.
At it's core, engineering is all about solving problems and coming up with creative solutions.
On the physical side of things, do you like building with LEGO? K'nex? Lincoln Logs? etc. While these are all considered toys, they also are tools that you can use to build models and see how things move/interact with each other. But really, anything can be used to build/make stuff ( wood, plastics, metals, foam, rubber, dirt, etc).
Updated
Cung’s Answer
Great question, full of curiosity! Engineering is a vast field with numerous branches like electrical, electronics, mechanical, industrial, nuclear, civil, chemical, petroleum, and computer engineering. Each of these fields presents a chance to delve into both hardware and software, and to create new things. If software is your passion, you might not need to opt for engineering. You could instead pursue a degree in computer science. Many computer scientists focus on software, coding, and crafting things from a software perspective. In today's world, after obtaining your initial degree, say in computer science, you have the option to further your education with a graduate degree in engineering if that's your desire. Alternatively, you could start with an engineering degree and then choose to specialize in computer science at the graduate level. Either way, the possibilities are endless and exciting!
Updated
Vamshee’s Answer
During my high school journey, I got my first taste of programming with a simple language called BASIC. Later, in college, I advanced to learning the Fortran Language. My high school curriculum, which included Calculus, Algebra, Probability and Statistics, Physics, and Chemistry, laid a solid foundation for my engineering studies.
If you're aspiring to become an engineer or a software professional, here's a roadmap to guide you through your high school years:
1. Embrace Math and Science: Aim to complete four years of studies in these subjects. They form the core of engineering and software development.
2. Opt for AP Classes: Subjects like Programming, Computer Science, Calculus, and English can enhance your writing skills and reading comprehension, which are crucial in any profession.
3. Participate in STEM-related Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs like Coding, Math, Engineering, and Robotics to gain practical experience and broaden your understanding.
4. Learn Programming Basics: Acquaint yourself with HTML, web development, and software tools. These skills will give you a head start in the tech world.
5. Develop Soft Skills: Engage in activities that foster skills like public speaking, group discussion, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. These are invaluable in the workplace.
6. Gain Real-world Experience: Volunteer, take up internships, or shadow professionals in the field. These experiences will give you a glimpse into the professional world and help you understand what to expect.
I hope this roadmap gives you a clear picture and proves beneficial!
Best of luck in your future pursuits! You've got this!
If you're aspiring to become an engineer or a software professional, here's a roadmap to guide you through your high school years:
1. Embrace Math and Science: Aim to complete four years of studies in these subjects. They form the core of engineering and software development.
2. Opt for AP Classes: Subjects like Programming, Computer Science, Calculus, and English can enhance your writing skills and reading comprehension, which are crucial in any profession.
3. Participate in STEM-related Extracurricular Activities: Join clubs like Coding, Math, Engineering, and Robotics to gain practical experience and broaden your understanding.
4. Learn Programming Basics: Acquaint yourself with HTML, web development, and software tools. These skills will give you a head start in the tech world.
5. Develop Soft Skills: Engage in activities that foster skills like public speaking, group discussion, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. These are invaluable in the workplace.
6. Gain Real-world Experience: Volunteer, take up internships, or shadow professionals in the field. These experiences will give you a glimpse into the professional world and help you understand what to expect.
I hope this roadmap gives you a clear picture and proves beneficial!
Best of luck in your future pursuits! You've got this!
Updated
Adeel’s Answer
Hi Omar, glad to see you're exploring software engineering and technology.
There are a ton of resources online so it's probably daunting for young people. My recommending would be to start Khan Academy's Computer programming to get a feel of web development (https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming). Most youngsters are already using Khan Academy to supplement their core education so you don't need to sign up for a new website. For more advance I'd recommend MIT's free computer science and python - https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-7
If you are looking for something "mechanical" then I recommend buying an Audrino and using their online portal to learn (https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/). There are a ton of freely available Audrino projects idea on the internet. Just this weekend I hooked strings lights to a Audrino Nano with a light sensor so I could have them turn on automatically when its dark. Audrino's are great way to get into electronics and also programming at the same time.
Good luck
There are a ton of resources online so it's probably daunting for young people. My recommending would be to start Khan Academy's Computer programming to get a feel of web development (https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming). Most youngsters are already using Khan Academy to supplement their core education so you don't need to sign up for a new website. For more advance I'd recommend MIT's free computer science and python - https://www.edx.org/learn/computer-programming/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-introduction-to-computer-science-and-programming-7
If you are looking for something "mechanical" then I recommend buying an Audrino and using their online portal to learn (https://docs.arduino.cc/learn/). There are a ton of freely available Audrino projects idea on the internet. Just this weekend I hooked strings lights to a Audrino Nano with a light sensor so I could have them turn on automatically when its dark. Audrino's are great way to get into electronics and also programming at the same time.
Good luck