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As an high school student, what things should i be looking at if i would want to learn how to become an engineer?
Will it be a long journey?
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Eric’s Answer
Nathaniel, a career in an engineering field can be both invigorating and rewarding. Many engineering companies higher engineering students with a bachelors degree (typically a four year degree) and some look for candidates with a masters degree (usually an additional two years). Some university programs offer an integrated program where you can receive both the master and bachelors at the same time and often this can be done in five years total.
As for things that you can begin doing while in high school, I suggest you focus on being able to think like an engineer and learn to communicate engineer principles. For example, if you have learned about the laws of motion (Isaac Newton's laws) in a physics class, you might try helping a younger sibling or cousin or friend to understand such laws in every day situations, such as why the book on the dashboard of a car slides from one side to the other when making a tight turn. Or, you might teach someone younger about optics and how a telescope works. By teaching what you know those principles will become part of the way that you think and perceive the physical world. You might also practice communicating spatial matters, such as clearly explaining to someone else how to locate a building on campus. I try and get my teenage sons to think this way. They often try and describe the location of something by saying "to the left of", for example; but, I try to help them understand that I do not know what that means because I don't know how they have oriented themselves in their minds. Instead, one should say something like "to the east of", "to the back of", "to the far side of", "immediately next to", etc. Also, if you are driving to a new location, rather than have a GPS map tell you directions as you go, try looking at the map before you go and study in your mind how you will get to the destination. Thinking spatially in this manner is a skill that will help engineers to think through complex issues and be able to effectively communicate.
All the best,
Eric
As for things that you can begin doing while in high school, I suggest you focus on being able to think like an engineer and learn to communicate engineer principles. For example, if you have learned about the laws of motion (Isaac Newton's laws) in a physics class, you might try helping a younger sibling or cousin or friend to understand such laws in every day situations, such as why the book on the dashboard of a car slides from one side to the other when making a tight turn. Or, you might teach someone younger about optics and how a telescope works. By teaching what you know those principles will become part of the way that you think and perceive the physical world. You might also practice communicating spatial matters, such as clearly explaining to someone else how to locate a building on campus. I try and get my teenage sons to think this way. They often try and describe the location of something by saying "to the left of", for example; but, I try to help them understand that I do not know what that means because I don't know how they have oriented themselves in their minds. Instead, one should say something like "to the east of", "to the back of", "to the far side of", "immediately next to", etc. Also, if you are driving to a new location, rather than have a GPS map tell you directions as you go, try looking at the map before you go and study in your mind how you will get to the destination. Thinking spatially in this manner is a skill that will help engineers to think through complex issues and be able to effectively communicate.
All the best,
Eric
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Rebecca’s Answer
I am glad to hear that you like to become engineer.
Firstly, there are many disciplines of engineering, eg electrical & electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, computer engineering, etc, Each of these engineering has their specific knowledge domain. The college entry criteria of these engineering subjects may be different. You may need to find out which subjects that you have interest and hence find out the entry criteria.
Having said that, maths and physics are essential to the engineering subjects. You better work hard on these subjects in the high school to ensure you result is good enough to meet the college entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Firstly, there are many disciplines of engineering, eg electrical & electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, industrial engineering, computer engineering, etc, Each of these engineering has their specific knowledge domain. The college entry criteria of these engineering subjects may be different. You may need to find out which subjects that you have interest and hence find out the entry criteria.
Having said that, maths and physics are essential to the engineering subjects. You better work hard on these subjects in the high school to ensure you result is good enough to meet the college entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Thank you!
Nathaniel
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
You need a strong math background. You also need to be good at defining problems and ways to solve them. Often, people overlook how important interpersonal skills are to engineering. In a larger company, you need t be able to persuade people to accept your proposals . And if you want to advance, you need to be able to lead people and understand the business application of your engineering practice.
Thank you for the advice, Christopher.
Nathaniel
Updated
Vivian’s Answer
Hi Nathaniel, you should definitely build a good Math foundation. If you want to major in Computer Science/Software Engineering, it doesn't hurt to take a typing class!
It wouldn't be a long journey as long as you have interest in the topic. There are also many boot camps and summer camps out there for you to learn more.
It wouldn't be a long journey as long as you have interest in the topic. There are also many boot camps and summer camps out there for you to learn more.
Thank you so much, Vivian!
Nathaniel