Margaret
I am in 7th grade and starting to learn about my future and career, if I was interested in being an engineer how do you choose which type of engineer you want to be?
I want to be an engineer because I love building and fixing things, but how do I choose what type of engineer to be, because there is many options and I can't decide which I would like to be.#carreer-choice #career #engineering
3 answers
Peter Sturtevant
Peter’s Answer
Hello Margaret. It is great to hear that you are interested in engineering at such an early age. I recently retired after a 40-year career in Civil Engineering and Water Resources. Interestingly enough, I did not even enter the Field of Engineering until after I had graduated from college. I went to graduate school and earned a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, after becoming very interested in Water Resources. So you see that there are plenty of opportunities to enter the Engineering Field at almost any age.
Since you are going to Junior High School, I suggest you look into the National Future Cities Competition. This is for JH schools. Many JH schools have technology classes that support this competition. Teams are formed and topics are researched for ideas for building better cities. Model cities are frequently constructed illustrating the ideas. It is a great way to get introduced into the many facets of engineering. If your school does not have a teacher supporting this competition, look to see if you can join a team at another school.
As you progress into high school, take all of the math and the science classes. Ideally, you can get a head-start on college by taking Calculus in your senior year. Such preparation is very important for getting accepted into the engineering college of your choice. Don't worry too much about zeroing in on a specific engineering discipline. Your Freshman Year of college is often devoted to taking a variety of introductory engineering courses from various fields. From this experience, you can usually identify those fields of most interest to you by your Sophomore Year.
I hope these ideas help you, Pete Sturtevant, PE
Couldn’t say it better.
Simon Robson
Charles Beltran
Charles’s Answer
That sounds great! If you enjoy building and fixing things, engineering sounds like a great fit! In particular, what kind of "things" do you enjoy building and fixing?
Electronics? Like fixing your computer, cellphone, etc.? Then maybe Electrical-Engineering, computer-engineering , or software-engineering is for you!
Or do you enjoy building and fixing cars, etc. or other items around your home? Then maybe mechanical-engineering is for you!
Want to help build a cell tower, a bridge or a building? civil-engineering are both involved! (P.S. electrical engineering is also needed to determine the best place to put a cell tower!)
Want to help make prosthetic devices or robotic arms to help people? Then you may want to consider biomedical-engineering !
This website has a good list of the different types of engineering at a high level. https://www.topuniversities.com/courses/engineering/which-type-engineering-should-you-study
I would suggest to talk with your counselor about your options. Don't be afraid to choose the "wrong" type of engineering either. There is no "wrong" type. Most engineering disciplines have similar fundamental classes, so switching from one type of engineering to another early in your college career is not too difficult to do!
Good luck!
Dipti Karkar
Dipti’s Answer
It's great that in 7th Grade you are trying to get more information on various Engineering Streams. Good Start.
Please be engaged in STEM Summer Enrichment Programs and try to find out which projects you find most interesting. Also, as the fundamental classes are similar, you can still select the correct Engineering stream in early years. Keep building & fixing things. We need more Engineers :) Good Luck.