Ask an Engineer

Feature Questions

Can I be an engineer and still dress conservatively?

I'm passionate about maths, physics, and problem-solving and want to be an engineer (I like mechanical and electrical right now), but I worry that the way I dress will limit my opportunities. I dress conservatively, remaining covered and not showing the form. I don’t want to work at a desk all the time, but is loose, flowing clothing permitted on jobsites or around moving machinery? Are there workarounds for someone like me?

Read the Responses | See all Featured Questions

Here you can ask those questions you still have about engineering careers. Read profiles of practicing engineers in the I'm An Engineer section and ask someone a question directly, or submit a question here to have EngineerGirl staff try to find the right person to answer you.

We cannot give you actual engineering advice. If you need help designing that booster rocket for your own spacecraft or other project, you may find a resource on another list, and we encourage you to seek the services of a professional engineer for any engineering services you may require.

Search Questions & Answers
  • Annabel

    Added Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 5:13 PM

    Answers 1
    Tamara Floyd-Smith, West Virginia University Institute of Technology
    Answered Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10:38 AM
    In my opinion, engineering is the right subject for someone when there is either aptitude or interest.  It goes without saying that someone with both aptitude and interest would do well in the profession.  Many of my cis-female, engineering friends were ...
  • haya

    Added Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 7:56 PM

    Do electrical engineers work on space and innovation? I have always wondered what engineer branch would work with innovations (designing new devices or developing devices) as well as having to work with space and rockets? lastly, i would love any advice since i am still in high school. thank you :)

    Answers 2
    Julia Lopez, Turner Construction
    Answered Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 8:50 AM
    I graduated with civil engineering however three of my closest friends currently work at NASA, SpaceX, and Northrup Grumman working on space related projects (rockets, satellites, etc.). There are many different avenues you can take if you want to work ...
    Terita Norton, The Aerospace Corporation
    Answered Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11:53 AM
    Hello Haya, yes electrical engineers work in space. We provide a number for support functions including helping to develop power systems for space applications, designing digital components that become the brains of a satellite, and we help to create ...
  • Evan

    Added Monday, April 1, 2024 at 4:18 PM

    I love engineering but I'm a kid and I love computer stuff but just how hard is it.
    Answers 1
    Terita Norton, The Aerospace Corporation
    Answered Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11:58 AM
    Hi Evan,
    
    Engineering isn't as scary as some might think. It does require focus and dedication to your studies but it is also cool to solve problems and create new innovative solutions. If you love computer stuff and exploring how things work I would ...
  • Angel

    Added Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 2:41 AM

    Basically I can't afford a private school and all the free public schools in my city don't offer aerospace. I planned on getting my associates in mechanical engineering since it was free, save up more money then study aerospace engineering. I just don't want to waste my time, so is this plan possible or will I end up in school for more years ?
    Answers 1
    Anne Spence, Baylor University
    Answered Sunday, January 29, 2023 at 5:29 PM
    You can absolutely study Mechanical Engineering (ME) and then continue in Aerospace Engineering (AE). Take advantage of any AE electives in the ME program and try to find an internship w/ a company in the aerospace industry. MEs are frequently hired by ...
  • Jazmyn asked Erin Cvrkel

    Added Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 5:41 PM

    I just came here to check out this web site because it looked cool.
    Answers 1
    Answered Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 11:22 AM

    Hi Jazmyn,

    Thanks for your question. My initial reaction is “How could ANYONE NOT love engineering?” I know that I’m biased, so I sat down and considered the question for a while.

    When we talk about the things that we feel strongly about, those people ...

  • Rahul raj asked Moyra J. McDill, Carleton University

    Added Monday, September 13, 2021 at 2:40 PM

    I am okay with basic physics and mathematics in high school but I am very bad at competition level questions.
    Answers 1
    Moyra J. McDill, Carleton University
    Answered Friday, December 17, 2021 at 11:35 AM

    Dear Rahul,

    In the study of engineering, you will be introduced to the subjects needed for your discipline and part of that training will include learning methods for problem solving. So while questions or exams might feel competitive or even be labeled ...

  • Leyna

    Added Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 6:57 PM

    Do all grades matter or just math and science grades? I know most engineering is mostly math and science and I LOVE math and science. I want to be an Engineer when I grow up

    Answers 1
    Ursula Gibson, Dartmouth College
    Answered Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:57 AM

    While the math and science grades can be enough to get you where you want to go, often your GPA will be used as a filter when looking at your admission file, so other courses could count against you. Perhaps you can find a school that has enough of a ...

  • Madeline Heinle asked Kathy Moseler, Paradise Robotics

    Added Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 2:23 PM

    I have trouble staying in one place and staying focused for extended amounts of time. As an engineer I want the freedom to move throughout the day but still get work done. As an electrical engineer do you have this problem?
    Answers 1
    Kathy Moseler, Paradise Robotics
    Answered Friday, March 1, 2019 at 6:48 PM
    Hi! Don't worry, you won't be chained to your desk. Much of the work you will do requires a lot of "thinking" time. Some engineers think by sitting at their desk, looking like they are staring off into space. Others (myself included) think better while ...
  • Basil Mathai

    Added Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 1:59 AM

    I am Basil and I am an accountant with an accounting degree. I am not enjoying accounting as much as I thought I would and I have always wanted to do engineering but I couldn't due to the A level I chose. So is there any courses which allow me to study engineering even though I have an accounting degree?
    Answers 1
    Kelly Knight, Bechtel National, Inc.
    Answered Friday, January 11, 2019 at 8:39 AM

    Dear Basil,

    My Bachelor’s degree was in Mathematics. When looking for jobs, I found that I preferred engineering type jobs. Thus, I went back to school for a Master’s in Eng. This cost me extra time and money since I had to audit basic engineering ...

  • Tanvir

    Added Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 4:02 AM

    Calculus is the main problem. How i can take steps to overcome that problem?
    Answers 1
    Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel
    Answered Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 7:24 PM
    Hi Tanvir. Calculus is definitely a TOUGH course. Even so, it is required for an engineering degree. Some engineering fields use the basics of calculus more than others. Depending on what specific job type you want within mechanical engineering you may ...
  • Katelyn Lichte, Corteva Agriscience
    Answered Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 9:20 AM
    Hi Albert,
    
    This question hits close to home for me.  My parents weren't able to help me with my education finances either.  
    
    The best thing you can do right now is to start applying for every grant, scholarship, etc that's available.  Some of these ...
  • Joshua Waters

    Added Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 5:03 PM

    What should my undergrad be? I was thinking Physics and Astrophysics as I plan on pursuing Astronautics. I have no idea what I'm doing, I've been out of school for some time now and would love some advice on how to get back into the routine, where do I even begin? I have little to no background in Physics, what areas should I focus on in studying so that I don't waste my time, I want a solid foundation before re-entering schooling if you have any suggestions that would be fantastic.

    Answers 1
    Missy Cummings, George Mason University
    Answered Friday, November 16, 2018 at 12:16 PM
    If you want to be a Aerospace Engineer but have been out of school for sometime, I would first look for a community college that offers basic math and physics courses that transfer to a 4 year university. All engineering degrees require up through ...
  • Rayna

    Added Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 3:13 PM

    I really love electricity and airplanes but I don't want to be a mechanical engineer. Is there any way I can just do electrical in aeroscience? Thank you!
    Answers 1
    Answered Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 7:35 AM

    One aspect of aerospace will be autonomous capabilities, like those you see in autonomous vehicles. The majority of those systems leverage electrical engineering concepts, like LIDAR to operate. In addition, aerospace will be a part of the IOT wave and ...

  • E

    Added Friday, September 21, 2018 at 11:24 AM

    Answers 1
    Answered Monday, September 24, 2018 at 10:52 AM

    Answer submitted by Manasa Gavini: Thank you for the question. Having good grades is always the best. It shows how much effort you put into the subject and it adds weight to your profile. But it is not mandatory to be a honor roll student to become an ...

  • Alexandra Resney asked Kim Wheeler, Abbott

    Added Monday, September 10, 2018 at 1:02 PM

    Hi Kim,

    I absolutely love the idea of engineering rides, especially the mix of computer and hands-on work! I am currently an undergrad studying Mechanical Engineering and looking at Grad Schools for Civil.

    Disney is obviously the dream - I have some questions about how you got there and how you would recommend others do so:

    1. Where did you initially apply? (The Disney Careers Website?)
    2. I know you said you were familiar with the software that Disney uses, is ...
    Answers 1
    Kim Wheeler, Abbott
    Answered Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 4:11 PM
    Hi Alexandra,
    
    1. Yes I applied to Disney directly on the website. I started as an intern so I applied through the Disney careers website: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/professional-internships
    2. I had completed two previous internships with medical ...
  • Ashley Bushey, Greenheck Group
    Answered Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 4:56 PM
    Hi Allison,
    
    It really depends on the program and school you choose. Some will have hard requirements on acceptable undergraduate degrees in order to be admitted, however, others will be a little more flexible. I recommend you check around on the ...
  • Zahra Khan, Columbus Technologies and Services
    Answered Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:50 PM
    Hi!
    Do you have any internship experience you can point to?
    As a new grad, you still might be able to do an internship to get experience.
    When I finished my Masters, my first job was an internship with a possibility of it being converted into a ...
  • Melat

    Added Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 2:45 PM

    I love engineering and adore building and creating things. I also have fascination with astronomy which is why I would like to be an aerospace engineer. The problem is when I hear engineers talking about their jobs they talk about the creative aspect, specifically the drawing aspect. I am absolutely terrible at drawing so I am wondering if being good at drawing is essential to becoming an engineer. Because I would love to be an engineer but I cant if I don't have the essential skills.
    Answers 1
    Katelyn Lichte, Corteva Agriscience
    Answered Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1:43 PM
    Hi Melat,
    
    You can absolutely be an engineer without being good at drawing.  Not all engineering paths require good hand drawing skills.  Especially as an aerospace engineer, you'd like be using a computer aided design program to do your drawings with. ...
  • Elizabeth Moncayo

    Added Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 9:34 PM

    I'm really interested in the field of engineering but I have't really figured out what application of engineering to pursue. I have a great passion for film and figured I could start looking in to the possibilities that area would provide for me as an engineer. I have heard of Disney Imagineers, and will be pursuing that opportunity next year as this summer I have a job lined up. I was wondering, however, if there were other opportunities in which I can step in to the film industry as an ...
    Answers 1
    Selma Sabera, Artsybot
    Answered Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 4:49 PM
    Hi Elizabeth,
    There are plenty of opportunities in film and entertainment for EE/ME. Of course, I would recommend Disney Imagineering if you would like to work on projects for Disney Parks that involve making the ride experiences. They have a variety or ...
Ask A Question
Ask a Question
0/ 200 chars Your Question