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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?

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  • arlyn

    Added Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 11:26 AM

    This is my first time using this forum sorry if I did anything wrong!!  I've been taking engineering in school for the past 3 years. I've been at the top of my classes for all 3 years. I'm in a new school now, and naturally I chose to be in engineering again. My teacher says I'm not good enough to be in his class. He told me it would be better if I rethink my future and quit engineering as a whole. I don't really know why he would say this, because I have a pretty high grade in his class, ...
    Answers 1
    Nance Dicciani, RTM Vital Signs, LLC
    Answered Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 10:23 AM
     Hi Arlyn,
    I experienced the same type of negative comments not once, but several times during my career. There will always be others who tell you that you can't do something.
    When I was in high school some of my teachers told me that engineering was not ...
  • Sugar asked Arielle Miller, Dr Arielle Miller Coaching & Consulting

    Added Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 3:27 AM

    Answers 1
    Arielle Miller, Dr Arielle Miller Coaching & Consulting
    Answered Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 3:15 PM
    Chemistry holds a pivotal role in engineering for several crucial reasons. At its core, engineering often involves mixing and utilizing various chemicals and materials. Understanding how these substances behave in different environments is essential to ...
  • Vera

    Added Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 8:59 AM

    I used to be one of the best in my math class but then I switched schools and my average grade the last two years before graduating was a C (in exams) & D (participating in class). Since the sudden drop in grades took away my passion for mathematics, I am not interested in the subject as much as I used to as a kid. Now, I'm mostly interested in chemical / mechanical engineering.
    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 11:04 AM
    Let me start by acknowledging that changing schools is tough. It seems simple on the outside, but it takes time to resettle yourself and find your groove.
    Mathematics is an underlying component to nearly all of engineering. There are many types of math ...
  • 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 ...
  • Audrey Murray asked Leslie Villanueva

    Added Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 1:38 PM

    I am interested in this because I would like to major in stem and be a mechanical engineering but I wanna know what to expect.
    Answers 1
    Answered Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10:09 AM
    My biggest obstacle has been my self confidence. Not believing that you belong and doubting your knowledge are huge obstacles to being successful as an engineer or in any career. This does not mean that you cannot make mistakes from time to time but a ...
  • Sally Kimberley asked Lauren Olsen, Collins Aerospace

    Added Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 4:19 PM

    Answers 1
    Lauren Olsen, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    Hi Sally! I'm so sorry I didn't see your question until now! 
    I think by far, my favorite "engineering" book is, "The Martian" by Andy Weir. I say "engineering" because it is a fiction book, yet it touches on so many similar experiences that I've had in ...
  • Fabiola asked Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council

    Added Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 1:46 PM

    Janelle - I'm in the middle of Pursuing a Bach. in Arch. Engineering. I did some research and found out you can become a PE. I read to become a PE or stamp MEP or structural drawings you have to be licensed in each one. Is this true?

    What would I need to do to be able to stamp my own drawings. Not only am I constantly questioning how we are making a building, but in the long run I would like to hopefully make and sell my own floor plans (not necessarily to make loads of money, but ...

    Answers 1
    Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council
    Answered Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 5:43 PM
    Fabiola,
    
    The specifics on licensing have changed since my test-taking days, but the basics remain the same. In order to stamp drawings as a licensed professional engineer you'll need: an engineering degree from an accredited institution, experience ...
  • Lenza asked Gillian Montgomery, Buehler Engineering, Inc

    Added Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 6:12 AM

    I haven't worked in engineering field yet, and i don't know whether i can do structural engineering or not because i wasn't smart at college i was ok, i'm good at math, drawing and Auto Cad.
    Answers 1
    Gillian Montgomery, Buehler Engineering, Inc
    Answered Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    Hard is relative.  I found a passion in it, so it made the studying easier.  Maybe think about what part of math, drawings and AutoCad you like the best. Do you like understanding the deep theories  or crunching the numbers and using computers to help ...
  • 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 ...
  • Beatrice Cunningham

    Added Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 7:55 PM

    Answers 1
    Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel
    Answered Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 7:16 PM
    Hi Beatrice- what a GREAT question. I bet you are practicing engineering every day, and just don't realize it! The best way to "practice" engineering is to solve problems. Find what interests you and challenge yourself to learn as much as you can about ...
  • Amy Betz, Kansas State University
    Answered Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 12:15 PM
    I did not learn about Mechanical Engineering until I was applying to college. Even then I was not sure what engineering was or how it was different from study science.
    
    Today, there are many more resources for learning about engineering or getting the ...
  • AG NaR

    Added Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 9:03 AM

    I am in my third year majoring in electrical engineering. The courses are challenging and I like this, I have a high GPA, and I am the first on the honor list.

    But when it comes to life after graduating, I feel I am not good enough. I don't think I know much to take responsibilities as an engineer, I feel the practical part might be too much for me. All of this is stressing me out, forcing me to hate university for not training us enough and with its obsolete facilities.

    it ...

    Answers 1
    Adriana Garcia, AG Consultink
    Answered Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 11:55 AM

    Appreciated Ag Nar. I understand your concern, which is genuine. First of all, you can understand that all of us who have graduated have a situation similar to yours, there will always be a technological gap between the university and professional life. ...

  • Ricki Wilson

    Added Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 1:47 PM

    I am a 2nd-year mechanical engineering student. I wanted to major in engineering going to college because I love math and science. I love the courses I am taking and I am excelling in them but when people ask me what I am going to do with my degree, I am not sure what to say. I do not necessarily want to work in a factory or have to wear a hard hat every day but I love the courses I am taking in college. If I was not majoring in engineering, I am not sure what I would do.

    I am not ...

    Answers 1
    Sarah Iddles, SP Energy Networks
    Answered Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:20 PM

    Hi there!

    I graduated with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering back in 2014 and it has by no means limited me to 'factory' or 'hard hat work', not that there is anything wrong with those, but they aren't for everyone!

    I'm currently employed as a SCADA ...

  • Caroline Marshall

    Added Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 6:07 PM

    I'm a high school student. I love math, and engineering has always sounded like a good career path for me. However, I don't want to live my life stressed out and busy ALL the time. Will this be typical if I go into an engineering field? I'm prepared to do a lot of work, but I do not want to be overwhelmed. How complicated is the work that goes into being an engineer, on a scale from 1-10?
    Answers 1
    Michele Miller, Campbell University
    Answered Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 11:05 AM
    Caroline,
    
    That's a great question.  There isn't really one answer to it.  I also loved math as a high school student.  That is a big help in engineering school. Engineering classes are demanding (maybe complicated at times), and you will learn a lot.  ...
  • Farah Issa asked Carmen Espinal, Illinois Tool Works

    Added Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 2:30 PM

    Answers 1
    Carmen Espinal, Illinois Tool Works
    Answered Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 5:00 PM
    Hi Farah,
    My circumstances were a little bit different. They kind of steered me towards Mechanical Engineering. Here is what I mean: I come from a country where college education is free provided you have good grades during high school and good grades ...
  • Zay Yar Min asked Marnie Smith, Network Partners

    Added Saturday, May 5, 2018 at 4:39 AM

    Is there a job which is a combination of engineering and MBA?
    Answers 1
    Marnie Smith, Network Partners
    Answered Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 4:31 PM
    Hi there! Great news, there are a ton of job options that you can combine a degree in engineering and an MBA with! In fact, I was heavily considering pursuing my MBA last year. I wanted to combine the problem solving abilities I have gained with my ...
  • Marielisa

    Added Monday, April 16, 2018 at 5:37 PM

    I am currently a freshman in college and will be transferring to my dream engineering school (Georgia Tech) to get my bachelors degree (just that for now) in Biomedical Engineering and teach it someday. I had very good grades in high school (both in PR and GA) and have good grades now in college although Calc 1 is making me doubt how good at math I am and how much I love it and chemistry, man I can't wait to move on to physics just to escape chem. I know things will just get harder with physics ...
    Answers 1
    Sarah Foster, STEM Like a Girl
    Answered Friday, April 20, 2018 at 11:58 AM
    Hi Marielisa,
    
    Congrats on getting into your dream school!!  I completely understand questioning yourself and I felt the same way my first year of college!  I went from being one of the smartest in my classes in high school to struggling with chemistry ...
  • Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs
    Answered Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 1:47 PM
    Hi Brittany! You may be able to find a job as an environmental field technician with an associates but most engineering jobs will require a B.S. To work in consulting or a public field, you may also need to get your Professional Engineering license which ...
  • Mackenzie Smith asked Tiera Fletcher (Guinn), Boeing

    Added Monday, March 19, 2018 at 3:59 PM

    I am doing a presentation about you for my peers to show contemporary scientists that are defying inequity in representation of the STEM fields. I find your story inspiring and am wondering what advice you can give my peers for teaching young students in the STEM field areas.
    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 1:17 PM
    Hi Mackenzie,
    
    I'm glad that you reached out to me about this and I am so honored to be apart of your presentation! One key piece of advice that I would give to STEM educators is to show the real life application of the subjects being taught and also ...
  • Martha asked Barbara Liskov, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Added Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 1:44 PM

    Answers 1
    Barbara Liskov, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Answered Friday, March 9, 2018 at 9:46 AM

    I had already finished college (where I majored in math) when I got into computer science. So I was a bit older. But as soon as I knew there was such a thing as computer science, I was hooked and I've been interested in it ever since.

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