How do I know if the engineering field is not right for me?

3 Followers | 903 Views | Posted 8 years ago

Asked by Shiksha All Time Q&A

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Answered by

Pratham Diwan | Contributor-Level 6

8 years ago

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The succeeding characteristics make it likely that engineering is a decent choice for you
You like maths.
No way around this, in high school you should relish algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus. This doesn't mean you have to like it or discover all of it (I have certainly not used a Taylor Series Polynomial outside of the classroom), but you should feel relaxed with it and have some kind of affinity.
You should be able to read the graphs.
Related to above, some people seem to have a hard time with this, engineers shouldn't.
You need to pay attention to details:
Design is in the details. An engineer who doesn't devote attention to the details is a bad engineer. The details are the transformation between something that works and something that doesn't.
You work well with others:
Some people paint engineers as somebody who can sit in a corner with his work. While this may have been typical in years past, it is progressively uncommon today. This is true for other professions as well, but it is worth pointing out so that you don't make a decision based on a false stereotype.
Be good at learning:
Not just engineering-related things, but other things. Engineers solve problems in the world, not in a vacuum. Design medical devices. Prepare to learn about anatomy, biocompatibility, cleaning agents, reimbursement, etc. Design customer websites. Be prepared to learn what consumers expect on the front end so that you can build something accommodating on the back end. Also, since the field is extremely technical and the ability to learn about new technologies is required.
You want to be smarter than everybody else:
As engineers are just that. They are also better-looking.
You need to know which segment of the engineering field is right for you.
I'm a mechanical engineer. I know adequate about other areas that I know. I would not enjoy chemical engineering or industrial engineering. Civil seems a bit lightweight, electrical is pretty hard, etc. What's more, aside from the content of the coursework, some of these degrees are more likely to land you in large corporate jobs than others. Whether that is something you want or want to avoid, you should know that the degree matters.
You need to be able to recognize the difference between jokes and serious ones.

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The succeeding characteristics make it likely that engineering is a decent choice for you You like maths. No way around this, in high school you should relish algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus. This doesn't mean you have to like it or discover all of it (I have certainly not used a Taylor Series Polynomial outside of the classroom), but you should feel relaxed with it and have some kind of affinity. You should be able to read the graphs. Related to above, some people seem to have a hard time with this, engineers shouldn't. You need to pay attention to details: Design is in the details. An engineer who doesn't devote attention to the details is a bad engineer. The details are the transformation between something that works and something that doesn't. You work well with others: Some people paint engineers as somebody who can sit in a corner with his work. While this may have been typical in years past, it is progressively uncommon today. This is true for other professions as well, but it is worth pointing out so that you don't make a decision based on a false stereotype. Be good at learning: Not just engineering-related things, but other things. Engineers solve problems in the world, not in a vacuum. Design medical devices. Prepare to learn about anatomy, biocompatibility, cleaning agents, reimbursement, etc. Design customer websites. Be prepared to learn what consumers expect on the front end so that you can build something accommodating on the back end. Also, since the field is extremely technical and the ability to learn about new technologies is required. You want to be smarter than everybody else: As engineers are just that. They are also better-looking. You need to know which segment of the engineering field is right for you. I'm a mechanical engineer. I know adequate about other areas that I know. I would not enjoy chemical engineering or industrial engineering. Civil seems a bit lightweight, electrical is pretty hard, etc. What's more, aside from the content of the coursework, some of these degrees are more likely to land you in large corporate jobs than others. Whether that is something you want or want to avoid, you should know that the degree matters. You need to be able to recognize the difference between jokes and serious ones.

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Answered by

tripti saxena

7 years ago

First, sit and think whether you really feel the urge to study. For example, if you are not able to solve a difficult question of physics what would you do? Will you get irritated or take it as a challenge and you feel that these difficult questions interest you? If you find solving these difficult questions interesting then, of course, engineering is a good option because in the end, the satisfaction you will get from your career will matter more than anything.