Hi Kelly, First of all, it is wonderful that you are thinking of being an engineer. While you need to know that basics of both physics and chemistry to be a mechanical engineer, unless you decide to major in areas such as bio chemistry, optics etc (just to give you a few examples) you will not need to deep dive into the topics. Mechanical engineering is a very widely applicable field. Mechanical engineers find jobs as aerodynamic engineers, as design engineers, as HVAC engineers, as structural engineers, as quality engineers, as fluidics experts, as quality engineers, as automotive engineers, as metallurgical engineers, as material scientists.... the list is so long! There is no fixed formula for being a good mechanical engineer. It completely depends on where your interest lies and what courses you choose to excel in your field. I had started my career as a design engineer and a few of the courses that were very helpful to me were mechanics, engineering drawing, design of machine members, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics etc... most of the courses I took during school help me in one way or another throughout my work life. More importantly what the course structure inculcated in me was critical thinking skills and a logical thought process. Feel free to reach out to me with any more questions you may have. I will be more than glad to help you out.

To answer your question, I would like to quote Dr Kelso from the TV Series Scrubs - "Nothing in this world worth having comes easy". An engineering degree is something you will cherish through your life because it will open so many doors for you. It will not be easy, but it certainly is not and will not be impossible. Look around you and draw inspiration from all the wonderful women engineers who are changing the world, one step at a time. It may be a field that is dominated by males currently, not to say, that this cannot change in the coming years. I would encourage you to be a part of this change. It is unfortunate that in the past you may have been ignored because you were a girl. The important takeaway from this, is the fact, that this was the PAST. As long as you give your 100% to your work and do a great job, no righteous person should discriminate against you on gender basis. Perhaps you are aware that engineering is of various kinds. While some may be more suited for men, there is no reason why a woman who does a good job and has the passion for it, will not be hired. Being taken seriously in the working world has got nothing to do with gender bias. This is the 21st century and gender bias cannot stop you from reaching your maximum potential. Hope I answered your question. Feel free to email me if you have further questions. Thanks