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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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  • Grace

    Added Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 2:51 PM

    I graduated 2 years ago with a degree in biomedical engineering. I recently completed a diploma in women's soccer performance, but I don't know where or how to take the next step. I love the sports world, I especially like the idea of ??????being able to be part of improving players performance and helping prevent injuries, as well as better understanding women in sports, but I don't know how to get involved. I have no idea about specific jobs that might fit what I want, and I also don't know ...
    Answers 1
    Answered Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 12:51 PM
    Speaking only of my own experience where I work -- there are people in my materials and mechanical test lab  with biomedical degrees and backgrounds, and similarly there are people with those types of backgrounds who work as wear test analysts or ...
  • 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 ...
  • Gwen asked Khadijah Latiff, Amazon

    Added Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6:33 AM

    hello Khadijah! I am planning to study electrical engineering and I would like to work in telecommunication industry. I understand engineering is very tough and require a lot of commitment. But I also want to participate in other extracurricular activities and enjoy my uni life. As much as I'm passionate about engineering , I'm worried it might stop me from doing other things such as cheerleading or dance club. Any advice on how to balance engineering and social life?

    Answers 1
    Khadijah Latiff, Amazon
    Answered Friday, November 5, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    Thank you for your question and I am thrilled that you are interested in studying electrical engineering. It is a broad field that is ever-changing and exciting. It is true that engineering is a rigorous discipline and the workload can be challenging and ...
  • 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 ...
  • 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 ...
  • 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.  ...
  • 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 ...
  • 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 ...
  • 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 ...

  • Maerone Alfa asked Jennifer Polivka, Nike

    Added Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 4:04 PM

    My dream school is the University of Pittsburgh, but I'm afraid that because it's not a big name university known for attracting the best and brightest (like the Ivies), my application might get overlooked. And which major would you recommend to steer clear of a desk job: BioMech Eng or MS Eng? I want to be working with the human interaction with the designs the sporting good company creates.
    Answers 1
    Answered Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at 4:50 PM
    When I look at resumes, the school that he or she attended has very little difference in how the resume is perceived. Like I barely notice beyond whether it's one that I know someone from or if it's in a town I've been to.  I tend to be more concerned ...
  • Haley Grubbs asked Kim Wheeler, Abbott

    Added Monday, October 2, 2017 at 12:19 AM

    I just turned 25 and I am currently at a community college. I've been in various occupations over the years: flight attendant, teacher assistant, behavior clinician, et cetera. My current degree track is setting me up to transfer to Virginia Tech and study Computational and Systems Neuroscience, but I am finally realizing that I would be absolutely miserable if I was not able to dream and create on a daily basis. I also have very many interests, and mechanical design would merge at least two of ...
    Answers 1
    Kim Wheeler, Abbott
    Answered Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 3:48 PM
    Good afternoon Haley
    
    Thanks for reaching out!  It is exactly hard to say what kind of education is required. We have creative folks who design and create who don't have any degree, but they are very talented! If you do want to be an Engineer title ...
  • Yatziri

    Added Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10:24 AM

    What are your reasons as to why you chose this career in general?
    Answers 1
    Answered Monday, September 25, 2017 at 7:44 PM

    Answered by Krista Murphy

    I was searching for an opportunity to combine technical skills and interaction with a variety of people. Engineering consulting offers an opportunity for both design and project management. I enjoy spending time with project ...

  • 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 ...
  • Answered Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 10:20 AM
    Those are both great majors which play an important role at Nike!  And oftentimes people which those degree interact with each other, so they lend themselves to similar projects as well. I love my degree and background in Materials Science, but textiles ...
  • 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 ...
  • Sara Stroker, Georgia asked Andrea Hodge, USC Viterbi School of Engineering

    Added Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    I am a freshman and I am interested in being a biomedical engineer. I already know some of the classes I need to take to help me hopefully get into Ga Tech. The only problem is i am currently in band and the play the oboe but i don’t know if i should quit band to take a harder class next year or stay in it. In the long run do you think it would look better to be in band all four years of high school or take another AP class instead? Thanks for your time, Sara
    Answers 2
    Andrea Hodge, USC Viterbi School of Engineering
    Answered Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 7:53 AM
    Dear Sara, Stay in the band! I am not sure when you will have another chance to play in a band so you should enjoy playing the oboe. I assume you have good grades already and a good SAT/ACT score. So at this point you should just make sure to keep ...
    Jennifer Elisseeff, Johns Hopkins University
    Answered Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 7:53 AM
    This can be a tough question and there is no "right" answer. I will be biased in my response since music/instruments are an important part of my family's life and I believe in the many benefits of music in education, brain development, and overall ...
  • Crystal asked Lori Romano, Verizon

    Added Monday, January 2, 2023 at 2:54 AM

    Hello, my name is Crystal. I recently declared civil engineering and I'm not sure that I'm going to stay with it. I might switch to environmental. one thing I am sure about is that after I graduate I want to do industrial engineering work too. Mainly in hospitals, making it easier for people with rare diseases to get properly diagnosed and to also help issues with racial bias in healthcare. I also would potentially use it in the entertainment industry as well. But I didn't even have to option ...
    Answers 0
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