5 answers
Ava
Student
Stevenson Ranch, California
1
Question
Updated
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Will it be hard getting through Mechanical Engineering with little prior experience in the field ? #Spring26
I'm going to college at a ME Major and I like math, science, and problem solving but I'm a little nervous about my lack of experience. Especially as a woman of color, any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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5 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
654
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Starting college without any engineering background is common, and you will learn everything from the ground up. Mechanical Engineering builds on math and physics, so while the basics are familiar, you'll dive deeper into these subjects. With steady effort, it becomes easier over time. As a freshman, focus on building a solid foundation through classes, labs, and workshops. Don't worry about lacking experience. What truly matters is your strength in math, physics, problem-solving, curiosity, and eagerness to learn. If you're passionate about becoming a mechanical engineer and have clear career goals, you're on the right path.
It's normal to feel nervous about fitting in, especially as a woman of color, but you belong in this field. Success comes from using support systems like study groups, office hours, tutoring, and organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers. From your second year, you ’ll gain experience through internships, volunteering, shadowing, joining clubs like robotics, and networking with professionals through career fairs, LinkedIn, and engineering organizations. Stay consistent, seek help early, and focus on your growth. You can succeed in Mechanical Engineering and become a confident engineer.
It's normal to feel nervous about fitting in, especially as a woman of color, but you belong in this field. Success comes from using support systems like study groups, office hours, tutoring, and organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers. From your second year, you ’ll gain experience through internships, volunteering, shadowing, joining clubs like robotics, and networking with professionals through career fairs, LinkedIn, and engineering organizations. Stay consistent, seek help early, and focus on your growth. You can succeed in Mechanical Engineering and become a confident engineer.
Frank Luan
Quality management
3
Answers
Chongqing, China
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Stay confident! Your excitement for math, science, and problem-solving will be a great strength in your mechanical engineering studies. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Everyone begins somewhere, so don't worry about starting from scratch.
2. Make the most of internships and co-op programs to gain experience.
3. Get involved with engineering clubs or groups on campus to connect with others.
Trust in yourself. You have the passion and potential to do well in your major. With hard work and support, you can overcome any challenges and reach your goals. Best of luck on your college adventure!
1. Everyone begins somewhere, so don't worry about starting from scratch.
2. Make the most of internships and co-op programs to gain experience.
3. Get involved with engineering clubs or groups on campus to connect with others.
Trust in yourself. You have the passion and potential to do well in your major. With hard work and support, you can overcome any challenges and reach your goals. Best of luck on your college adventure!
Andrea Duncan
Data and AI Product Manager
1
Answer
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hi Ava,
As a woman of color myself, I understand your hesitation. However, I want to encourage you to always remind yourself of the truth. Which is, you are more than capable to overcome challenges, grow in new areas, and solve any problem you put your mind to!
For me, finding a supportive community whether it's a group of students that are great for studying/accountability, teaching assistants or teachers during office hours, various campus societies (NSBE, SHPE, SWE, ASME), research/internship opportunities, church and or befriending older students who have been in your shoes years prior has been very helpful to my success in my undergraduate and graduate studies in mechanical engineering. I did not have prior experience either.
You may hear discouraging things like you may not graduate in certain amount of time or it's impossible to get an A in this course. Don't believe that it applies to you. I've gotten the A's in the most challenging courses, graduated in 4 years and I know you can too. Always put your best foot forward and learn how to adapt quickly.
We are rooting for you! You got this Ava!
As a woman of color myself, I understand your hesitation. However, I want to encourage you to always remind yourself of the truth. Which is, you are more than capable to overcome challenges, grow in new areas, and solve any problem you put your mind to!
For me, finding a supportive community whether it's a group of students that are great for studying/accountability, teaching assistants or teachers during office hours, various campus societies (NSBE, SHPE, SWE, ASME), research/internship opportunities, church and or befriending older students who have been in your shoes years prior has been very helpful to my success in my undergraduate and graduate studies in mechanical engineering. I did not have prior experience either.
You may hear discouraging things like you may not graduate in certain amount of time or it's impossible to get an A in this course. Don't believe that it applies to you. I've gotten the A's in the most challenging courses, graduated in 4 years and I know you can too. Always put your best foot forward and learn how to adapt quickly.
We are rooting for you! You got this Ava!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
233
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Ava,
Your decision to pursue mechanical engineering in college is highly commendable. Mastering the theoretical aspects of the course does not necessarily require practical experience though having it could be an added advantage.
Practical experience, however, is a critical requirement for long-term success. Knowledge only provides the foundation for competence. We need critical skills to help us put knowledge and other resources at our disposal to good use. Some of these skills include: ability to plan, schedule & execute work and activities; identify and resolve problems; collate, analyze & critically evaluate information; organize, work in teams and communicate effectively.
To be fully competent, however, we need to have the resolve & willingnesss to get things done on time, in full and to the required standard. To be able to do this, we need the right personal qualities. Some of the required qualities include: passion, diligence, commitment, empathy, perseverance, self-control, curiosity, self-drive, positive mindset, attention to detail, assertiveness, willingnesss to take risks etc. To some, many of these qualities come naturally. Others have to learn it through experience - which may take a bit of time.
Practical work gives us an opportunity to learn through experience. Every opportunity for internships, mentorships and apprenticeships during periods of study must be fully exploited.
Membership in professional bodies is equally important as it exposes you to professional ethics & standards, latest developments in your field of study/work and provides opportunities for collaboration (sharing experiences & learning from one another).
Besides, be very mindful of how you manage your time. How well you do it will determine how much you achieve each day.
Best of luck in your studies.
Your decision to pursue mechanical engineering in college is highly commendable. Mastering the theoretical aspects of the course does not necessarily require practical experience though having it could be an added advantage.
Practical experience, however, is a critical requirement for long-term success. Knowledge only provides the foundation for competence. We need critical skills to help us put knowledge and other resources at our disposal to good use. Some of these skills include: ability to plan, schedule & execute work and activities; identify and resolve problems; collate, analyze & critically evaluate information; organize, work in teams and communicate effectively.
To be fully competent, however, we need to have the resolve & willingnesss to get things done on time, in full and to the required standard. To be able to do this, we need the right personal qualities. Some of the required qualities include: passion, diligence, commitment, empathy, perseverance, self-control, curiosity, self-drive, positive mindset, attention to detail, assertiveness, willingnesss to take risks etc. To some, many of these qualities come naturally. Others have to learn it through experience - which may take a bit of time.
Practical work gives us an opportunity to learn through experience. Every opportunity for internships, mentorships and apprenticeships during periods of study must be fully exploited.
Membership in professional bodies is equally important as it exposes you to professional ethics & standards, latest developments in your field of study/work and provides opportunities for collaboration (sharing experiences & learning from one another).
Besides, be very mindful of how you manage your time. How well you do it will determine how much you achieve each day.
Best of luck in your studies.
Veeraj Patel
Software Engineer
5
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Veeraj’s Answer
Hey Ava, you're going to be just fine. The whole point of college is to build that experience — most people walking into a Mechanical Engineering program on day one don't have extensive prior knowledge, and that's completely expected. The curriculum is designed to take you from the fundamentals and build upward. The fact that you already enjoy math, science, and problem solving means you have exactly the right foundation. Those aren't small things — that mindset is what carries people through the program more than any prior hands-on experience does.
Is it going to be challenging? Yes, absolutely. But challenging and impossible are two very different things. You'll have semesters where the workload feels relentless, and classes like Thermodynamics or Dynamics will test your patience. That's universal across the board for ME students — it has nothing to do with what you knew coming in.
As a woman of color in the field, you might sometimes feel overwhelmed, and that's a pretty normal feeling honestly. Seeking out communities early like the Society of Women Engineers is great for that, but even just a good study group of classmates who motivate you can go a long way. Having that kind of support system around you really does make the experience better.
A few practical pieces of advice: go to office hours even when you think you don't need to, start building relationships with professors, and don't compare your chapter one to someone else's chapter ten. Some of your classmates may have tinkered with engines or done robotics in high school — that head start fades fast once the coursework levels the playing field.
You chose this path because something about it spoke to you. Trust that. Spring 2026 is your starting line, not your finish line.
You'll grow into it. Good Luck!
Is it going to be challenging? Yes, absolutely. But challenging and impossible are two very different things. You'll have semesters where the workload feels relentless, and classes like Thermodynamics or Dynamics will test your patience. That's universal across the board for ME students — it has nothing to do with what you knew coming in.
As a woman of color in the field, you might sometimes feel overwhelmed, and that's a pretty normal feeling honestly. Seeking out communities early like the Society of Women Engineers is great for that, but even just a good study group of classmates who motivate you can go a long way. Having that kind of support system around you really does make the experience better.
A few practical pieces of advice: go to office hours even when you think you don't need to, start building relationships with professors, and don't compare your chapter one to someone else's chapter ten. Some of your classmates may have tinkered with engines or done robotics in high school — that head start fades fast once the coursework levels the playing field.
You chose this path because something about it spoke to you. Trust that. Spring 2026 is your starting line, not your finish line.
You'll grow into it. Good Luck!