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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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  • Emma Wilson asked Irene Rexwinkle, Blue Origin

    Added Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 3:31 AM

    Hi, I'm Emma, and I am interested in becoming an engineer and would like more information about them.
    Answers 1
    Irene Rexwinkle, Blue Origin
    Answered Friday, September 22, 2023 at 3:00 PM
    Hi Emma! The path to becoming an engineer typically includes obtaining a 4-year college degree from an accredited engineering program at a university. Some go on to obtain a 2 year master's degree (to get some more specialized education before starting a ...
  • Crystal Asiaw

    Added Monday, December 26, 2022 at 8:33 PM

    How do you get involved in stuff like that in engineering? Which discipline should you choose?
    Answers 1
    Yamini Grover, Fugro
    Answered Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 2:53 PM
    Hi Crystal, 
    
    Yes, you can very well work in the field of agriculture with a degree in Civil and Environmental degree. For example, soil chemistry is  major contributor towards the quality of crops which environmental engineering candidates study. If you ...
  • Qwynci Bowman

    Added Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 11:12 PM

    Is it possible at all the be an engineer when you don't fit the mold of one on paper? I believe I will excel in it but it's extremely hard to transfer to the engineering school at this point. Is it still possible for me to work in this field?
    Answers 1
    Lauren Gordon, State of California
    Answered Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 8:45 AM
    Hi Qwynci!
    
    Absolutely. In high school, I was told by two teachers and a guidance counselor that I did not have the grades or qualifications to become an engineer. And that I should consider another field. I broadened my search and found an out-of-state ...
  • annie

    Added Monday, April 16, 2018 at 7:35 PM

    i am a second year chem e student and will need to go 5 years to graduate. I am thinking of possibly changing my degree due to money issues but I do not want to lose any credits. i wondered if there is a degree i could go for that is "one step down" from chem eng. no one at my university is willing to help me with options. thanks
    Answers 1
    Answered Friday, April 20, 2018 at 8:43 AM

    Dear Annie,

    There are so many jobs available to a chemical engineer regardless of sex. Chemical Engineers work for Oil & Gas Companies, Consumer Goods Companies, Power Companies, Manufacturing Companies, Municipalities and more. I myself have worked in a ...

  • Isabella Lee-Hauser asked Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel

    Added Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 8:03 AM

    Do you also believe environmental engineering is a stable job where someone would not have to worry about the outlook of their job? And lastly do you have any tips on how to find somewhere where someone who interested in environmental engineering could observe and shadow? Thank you so much.
    Answers 1
    Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel
    Answered Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 9:15 PM
    Hi Isabella. Great questions! I do think environmental engineering is a career that will continue to grow. I work in the steel and energy industries and there is no shortage of environmental management associated with those industries. Working for ...
  • Micah Scott

    Added Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 8:25 AM

    I’ve had a career in computer and electrical engineering, but it’s hard to see the upside in this stuff any more. Technologies can help people sure, but only within the massively inequitable system that powers our tech. How would an engineer use their skills to contribute positively to the world?
    Answers 1
    Khadijah Latiff, Amazon
    Answered Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 10:44 AM
    You can design and build a benevolent AI machine and let it rule humans like in the Matrix or build reusable rockets that can propel us to Mars and be used to mine asteroids. It doesn't have to be unsustainable. Living without tech is also becoming ...
  • Sharon Kenny, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    Answered Friday, November 3, 2017 at 12:59 PM
    Congratulations on the completion of your B.S. in Industrial Engineering!  A graduate degree in environmental engineering will require knowledge in a particular set of fields that you may have not been exposed to while a student in industrial ...
  • Jenny

    Added Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 11:31 PM

    I want to be an environmentalist engineer. How can I compete with people that have been to robotics camps and science camp? I read about alternative energy and I like math. But I don’t have a background to prove my worth, because stem was never pushed with girls at my school. Can I do anything to prep now?
    Answers 1
    Sharon Kenny, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    Answered Friday, November 3, 2017 at 12:22 PM
    I think that having a non-STEM background does not limit you; it enhances your perspectives and the set of skills you have as an engineering student.  So do not be shy when describing yourself and your interest in pursuing a degree in engineering in your ...
  • Emily

    Added Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 12:22 PM

    I love math and physics and can see myself in engineering in the future. I have however not done well in physics 2 twice (I completely blame myself for not trying hard enough and feel like I have ruined my future because of poor choices). My college only allows two attempts for this class so my advisor told me to start looking into new majors. I can't see myself doing anything else. I've been so passionate about engineering ever since I got into it and don't think there's another major that ...
    Answers 1
    Elizabeth Schlegel, KSN Inc.
    Answered Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 12:40 PM
    Not all fields of engineering require electromagnetic physics skills to succeed!  Find out whether you can stay in engineering if you pass this course at a community college.  If not, are you willing to attend a different school?  I did not do well in ...
  • Mandy

    Added Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 10:52 AM

    I am 32 years old and completing my first year back to school to earn a degree in civil/environmental engineering (although I am open to switching fields). My first degree was in history and after many years with difficulty finding a job (I worked as a technical support representative at a few call centers) that could provide enough income, a yearning to challenge myself intellectually, and wanting to contribute more to society I decided Engineering was the way to go. By the time I will finish ...
    Answers 1
    Sandra Begay, Sandia National Laboratories
    Answered Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 12:52 PM
    I am proud that you’ve decided to challenge yourself! A degree in engineering is not easy, but my experience is that it is a very rewarding degree. The job opportunities can enhance your contributions and also most engineering jobs pay very well. My ...
  • Camilla, Windhoek, Namibia asked Tricia Berry, The University of Texas at Austin

    Added Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 9:25 AM

    Hi!! I would like to take up chemical engineering. What would you say are the pros and cons of being a chemical engineer? And what different types of chemical engineering is there? What are the working areas? Mostly labs??
    Answers 1
    Tricia Berry, The University of Texas at Austin
    Answered Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 9:25 AM
    I love the flexibility and creativity involved in being a chemical engineer. With a degree in chemical engineering, I'm ready to tackle a challenge in a variety of fields and have the creativity to come up with a number of solutions. I could head to ...
  • emy, malaysia asked Elisabeth Drake, MIT

    Added Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Hi..i'm emy i love chemistry so much. i’m now studying foundation for engineering in a local university and i was thinking to further my degree in biochemical engineering or chemical engineering, but i’m confused 1) i would love to know the difference between the two courses 2) what are the differences between working as chemical engineer compared to a biochemical engineer? 3) which has higher job opportunities? (since i am in malaysia), 4) if i want to be a food engineer, which degree ...
    Answers 1
    Answered Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 8:39 AM
    Dear Emy, Twenty years ago, most chemical engineers did not study biology! Have you taken a course in biochemistry yet? If you love that as much as chemistry, then you know that you will enjoy a career in food engineering. As biological engineering ...
  • Carissa Ebling

    Added Monday, October 23, 2017 at 6:04 PM

    Would I have to get a higher degree to be involved with developing new technologies than I would for just consulting companies? If I were developing new technologies, who would I be working for? A University? The government? Private organizations? How hard is it to find a job developing new pollution preventing technologies? I was also wondering how much chemistry and public speaking is normally involved in environmental engineering since I'm not very good at either of those (I'm mostly ...
    Answers 0
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