Chanise Solis asked Jodie Lutkenhaus, Texas A&M University AddedTuesday, December 31, 2019 at 11:13 AM Is engineering manageable with having children? I am 29 and pursuing a chemistry degree. The engineering coordinator came in briefly to speak with us and I instantly was interested in what he was explaining to us. I really would love the opportunity to peruse a career in chemical engineering. I work in a research facility now but low level. I have a 3 year old daughter and I read a lot about how CE travel a lot and spend lots of hours working. I am dedicated and passionate towards my goals and dreams, but I also have a family. Is this career going to come in conflict with my personal life or are there career opportunities in this field that do not require traveling? Related to Chemical, Choosing a Degree, Opportunities/Challenges for Women, Work Environment Reset Sort By Default Jodie Lutkenhaus , Texas A&M University Answered Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 10:25 AM Being an engineer and a Mom is manageable and rewarding. The way to make it work is to identify a workplace that values work/life balance and to build a network of friends and family that can pitch in to fill the gaps. A good workplace will let you have flexibility in your work schedule so that you can mange day care pick-up or children's sick days. A network of friends and family can pitch in on days or moments when you can't always be there. On the flip side, I think that having children has made me a better professional. I have a greater understanding of how to communicate complex problems into understandable segments, and I have greater empathy for my colleagues.