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What can I do to help me prepare for an engineering major?
I am a high school senior going to graduate next year, so I want to know what I can do to give me a better chance to get into an engineering major.
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Greg’s Answer
Before you firmly decide on pursuing an Engineering degree, ensure it's truly what you desire. I wholly concur with the insightful suggestions Eesha has shared - they're indeed valuable. I made an early commitment to a Mechanical Engineering degree, but a few years down the line, I had a change of heart. Consequently, I took classes that eventually proved unnecessary.
My advice? Concentrate on your fundamental curriculum that overlaps with various degree fields and take time to explore. Engage with heads of different departments, schedule discussions about the diverse types of Engineering and their practical applications in the real world.
Before you dedicate yourself to a particular Engineering field, confirm it's something you're genuinely passionate about. Wishing you all the best! Remember, the most powerful lessons often come from stumbling and picking yourself back up.
My advice? Concentrate on your fundamental curriculum that overlaps with various degree fields and take time to explore. Engage with heads of different departments, schedule discussions about the diverse types of Engineering and their practical applications in the real world.
Before you dedicate yourself to a particular Engineering field, confirm it's something you're genuinely passionate about. Wishing you all the best! Remember, the most powerful lessons often come from stumbling and picking yourself back up.
Updated
Yusoff’s Answer
Hi Jiahao,
As a Mechanical Engineering graduate in 1999, I can share some of my experience that works for me for you to consider before you start your journey in the engineering world.
Things that work for me:
1. Have a role model.
I was fortunate enough to have a role model in my family. My older brother was studying mechanical engineering and worked as a mechanical engineer, so that was a strong attraction for me to do the same. So, the 1st thing that works for me is to have a role model that motivated me to go into the engineering world.
2. Passion to know why & how things work
I believed I have a natural passion and hunger to know why and how things work. By understanding the interaction of factors that works together to make things to work, helps me to fill up my curiosity, eagerness and satisfaction, a feel-good factor. If you have the same natural passion and excitement whenever you to get to know how something works, then engineering will be a wonderful and satisfying experience.
3. Enjoy learning mathematics and science subjects
I love maths and science subjects at school. No doubt they are tough subjects to learn and understand, but I do enjoy going through the struggle and satisfaction to solve a difficult mathematics question. If you enjoy doing the same even though it is difficult, tough and confusing then you will be fine with engineering.
As a Mechanical Engineering graduate in 1999, I can share some of my experience that works for me for you to consider before you start your journey in the engineering world.
Things that work for me:
1. Have a role model.
I was fortunate enough to have a role model in my family. My older brother was studying mechanical engineering and worked as a mechanical engineer, so that was a strong attraction for me to do the same. So, the 1st thing that works for me is to have a role model that motivated me to go into the engineering world.
2. Passion to know why & how things work
I believed I have a natural passion and hunger to know why and how things work. By understanding the interaction of factors that works together to make things to work, helps me to fill up my curiosity, eagerness and satisfaction, a feel-good factor. If you have the same natural passion and excitement whenever you to get to know how something works, then engineering will be a wonderful and satisfying experience.
3. Enjoy learning mathematics and science subjects
I love maths and science subjects at school. No doubt they are tough subjects to learn and understand, but I do enjoy going through the struggle and satisfaction to solve a difficult mathematics question. If you enjoy doing the same even though it is difficult, tough and confusing then you will be fine with engineering.
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hi Jiahao,
Thanks for the great question.
It is great to hear of your interest in engineering. A great foundation for this career is math and science classes. In high school, I was very good at math and science, and I remember it being recommended that I go into engineering. I really did not know much about engineering. I attended a week-long summer program offered at a university in our State. It was for high schoolers who wanted to learn more about engineering and science-based careers. So, I signed up for the program. I found that there were many different types of engineering and many types of roles which you could do as an engineer. I was inspired and went on the engineering route.
Also, you may want to consider science-based clubs and activities such as Science Olympiad, Robotics, etc.
I am a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering is a fantastic foundation for many roles. I currently lead a company which helps businesses operate more efficiently using software tools and artificial intelligence aids. Prior to this, I led a team for the Advanced System Integration of defense/military vehicles and projects. In addition, I had many other roles in my career in the automotive industry including thermal engineer, design/release engineer, vehicle systems engineer, system safety engineer, and a variety of engineering leader roles. The engineering foundation enabled me to have a successful and wide variety of career experiences.
There are many types of engineering – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Industrial, Manufacturing and more. For mechanical engineering, there are also many sub-focus areas, so you can pick the area(s) that you find the most interesting. Some examples include: Thermal systems/fluids, Mechanical Structures, Materials, and Automotive design.
At University, many people enter programs which offer co-op/internships. For these, you can work a few of your school terms. This enables work experience, different career areas to experience, and an opportunity to earn money along the way. This allows you to explore different types of engineering work and may help you identify in what area you initially want to work. For these university programs, it could take 5+ years.
Best wishes as you explore your future career.
Thanks for the great question.
It is great to hear of your interest in engineering. A great foundation for this career is math and science classes. In high school, I was very good at math and science, and I remember it being recommended that I go into engineering. I really did not know much about engineering. I attended a week-long summer program offered at a university in our State. It was for high schoolers who wanted to learn more about engineering and science-based careers. So, I signed up for the program. I found that there were many different types of engineering and many types of roles which you could do as an engineer. I was inspired and went on the engineering route.
Also, you may want to consider science-based clubs and activities such as Science Olympiad, Robotics, etc.
I am a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineering is a fantastic foundation for many roles. I currently lead a company which helps businesses operate more efficiently using software tools and artificial intelligence aids. Prior to this, I led a team for the Advanced System Integration of defense/military vehicles and projects. In addition, I had many other roles in my career in the automotive industry including thermal engineer, design/release engineer, vehicle systems engineer, system safety engineer, and a variety of engineering leader roles. The engineering foundation enabled me to have a successful and wide variety of career experiences.
There are many types of engineering – Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Software, Industrial, Manufacturing and more. For mechanical engineering, there are also many sub-focus areas, so you can pick the area(s) that you find the most interesting. Some examples include: Thermal systems/fluids, Mechanical Structures, Materials, and Automotive design.
At University, many people enter programs which offer co-op/internships. For these, you can work a few of your school terms. This enables work experience, different career areas to experience, and an opportunity to earn money along the way. This allows you to explore different types of engineering work and may help you identify in what area you initially want to work. For these university programs, it could take 5+ years.
Best wishes as you explore your future career.
Updated
Eesha’s Answer
To prepare for an engineering major, focus on doing well in your math and science classes and get involved in STEM activities like robotics or coding clubs. Try to gain some practical experience through internships or volunteer work and consider attending engineering camps or workshops to learn more about the field. Developing problem-solving skills through puzzles or science fairs can be fun and beneficial. Keep your grades up and aim for good test scores.
Seeking advice from teachers or professionals can also be really helpful. These steps will give you a solid foundation and help you feel more confident about pursuing engineering. Good luck!
Seeking advice from teachers or professionals can also be really helpful. These steps will give you a solid foundation and help you feel more confident about pursuing engineering. Good luck!