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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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  • Ivan Reyes asked Shima Hajimirza, Stevens Institute of Technology

    Added Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:22 PM

    Is an engineering degree still valuable to employers if the college is regionally accredited but not ABET accredited? I recently applied to school called ECPI university. I want to pursue a bachelor's degree in mechatronics at this school but they are not ABET accredited

    Answers 1
    Answered Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM

    Response provided by the ABET Senior Director of Communications

    Thank you for your thoughtful question.

    ABET plays a critical role in providing quality assurance for programs in engineering, as well as in applied and natural science, computing, and ...

  • Rosanna asked Felicia Guerrero Green, Collins Aerospace

    Added Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 10:15 PM

    I'm interested in getting an engineering degree but I'm not sure where to start ??? how did you figure it out?

    I've been an automotive technician/mechanic for years and am looking to go back to school for engineering. I have always loved science and fixing and building things. Not sure which direction to go in.

    Answers 1
    Felicia Guerrero Green, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 5:26 PM
    Hi Rosanna! Thanks for the question! Figuring it out is what engineers are trained to do. We are problem solvers. Being that you are an automotive tech/mechanic, it sounds like you will have a lot of the foundation of tearing a problem down to is basic ...
  • Sarah Harrison asked Sarah Jamal, Oracle

    Added Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 6:34 PM

    Answers 1
    Sarah Jamal, Oracle
    Answered Friday, January 20, 2023 at 3:15 PM

    Hi Sarah, I suggest you take a look at all the engineering fields and figure out which would suit you best. Engineering will always give you a fantastic foundation for whatever career you might engage on in the future, so I would say it's a great and ...

  • bella asked Ruth Gay, NV5

    Added Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 1:59 PM

    Is energy engineering dangerous?

    Answers 2
    Donna Hull, Verizon
    Answered Monday, January 24, 2022 at 4:03 PM
    Your sub question: Is energy engineering dangerous? The short answer is yes! But the knowledge based answer is no!
    
    Any type of work can be dangerous if a person doesn't respect and comply with safety protocols. In an office and stores heavier items  in ...
    Ruth Gay, NV5
    Answered Friday, January 21, 2022 at 4:36 PM
    Safety is very important in every company I have worked for. I mostly work at a computer, with the occasional on site visit, so the job is fairly low risk.  When I am onsite I take care to follow that site’s safety procedures and wear the PPE appropriate ...
  • Ajay asked Andrea Gonzalez, Collins Aerospace

    Added Friday, October 30, 2020 at 7:13 AM

    I am a 3rd year engineering student studying in Instrumentation department ... I honestly feel like I don't know anything and this is affecting my day to day life.... I am worried if I will get a job since I feel I don't know anything. Is this normal or should I be worried?

    Answers 1
    Andrea Gonzalez, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    Hi Ajay! First of all I do not believe you do not know anything. Engineering can be a really broad career, and in school they throw at you as much information as they can. What you need to understand is that school is giving you a taste of all the ...
  • Hamna asked Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council

    Added Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 4:11 AM

    What is the life and role of architectural engineer in green building? How much and what impact do they have? I am asking because I am looking for engineering careers that help the planet. I am currently an A level student trying to decide whether to study Architecture or Architectural Engineering.

    Answers 1
    Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council
    Answered Friday, October 30, 2020 at 4:37 PM
    That's such a great question, Hamna! We need every designer (architect, structural engineer, contractor, etc.) doing their part towards responsible, sustainable design. I've really seen this change over my career: sustainability was a "nice to have" ...
  • Abhishek asked Victoria Tinsley, Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc.

    Added Monday, March 2, 2020 at 11:35 PM

    Answers 1
    Victoria Tinsley, Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc.
    Answered Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:42 PM
    Hi Abhishek, the answer is it depends--it depends on what you'd like to do your day-to-day job.  You can get actually get a degree in Petroleum Engineering.  Petroleum Engineers typically design, develop, or help operate oil and natural gas wells to ...
  • R Z asked Diya Dwarakanath, Self-employed

    Added Monday, May 11, 2020 at 8:56 PM

    Hi! Throughout college, I thought I wanted to go into medicine or some allied health field. Then I got to my senior year and realized I didn't want to do that (or so I thought, perhaps it was just senioritis). I had never even considered engineering before or during college. Fast forward to two years after graduating with my bio pre-med degree and engineering has been something I have gotten really interested in. Except, I don't know where to start... I have always loved math and often said ...

    Answers 1
    Diya Dwarakanath, Self-employed
    Answered Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 6:37 PM
    Hello!
    Apologies for the delay. I didn’t see this. 
    Great question and it’s okay if you’re changing your mind now. All engineering fields fit what you’d like to do. Given your Bio degree and if you have an interest in medicine or helping people through ...
  • Mia Sacco asked Tiera Fletcher (Guinn), Boeing

    Added Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 11:48 AM

    Hi Tiera! I am a rising senior in high school and have been juggling what kind of engineering to study in college. How did you determine the type of engineering you wanted to study in college?

    Answers 2
    Danielle Schroeder, STEM Changemaker
    Answered Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 6:17 PM
    Hi Mia! Tiera gave some great advice. 
    
    To figure out what type of engineering to study in college, the best advice I can give is look for opportunities beyond school about engineering. My junior year, I attended an engineering camp for girls at a local ...
    Answered Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 11:41 PM
    Hi Mia!
    
    This is a great question. Although I decided on aerospace engineering at a young age, I wanted to make sure that it was what I wanted to do as a career. So, I took on various research opportunities, externships, seminars and internships to dig ...
  • Joanna

    Added Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 8:36 AM

    I am a 5th Grade student and making a project for school about petroleum engineers. I am doing GREAT, but the only problem is that we need to dress up as one. I did my research but still don't know what to wear. I will be so very grateful for even the little details. Thank you!

    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 2:48 PM
    Hi Joanna,
    Petroleum engineers, like most engineers, dress differently based on what they will be doing for the day.  If they are in an office working on designs remotely, they will usually wear clothing that is appropriate for their office.  If they are ...
  • 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 ...
  • CBliss asked Marnie Smith, Network Partners

    Added Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 7:24 PM

    The BA is in nothing related to engineering and I am only 3 years out of college and have already excelled in my field, but am bored out of my skull. I work at a job counseling people and then I come home and tinker and build things out of whatever I have lying around the house. I want a job that would let me design, build, and invent things for solutions to public health issues, but I am so paralyzed with fear that I have already ruined my life with that horrible decision to get a BA instead ...
    Answers 1
    Marnie Smith, Network Partners
    Answered Friday, December 7, 2018 at 2:22 PM
    You are not a lost cause!
    
    First, I want to say that I'm sorry that you were given such poor feedback and support that ultimately discouraged you from pursuing Engineering. This day and age, that is really unfair! Your journey does not have to end here. ...
  • Marnie Smith, Network Partners
    Answered Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 1:02 PM
    HI Debbie!
    I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and work in the Medical Device industry. I'm currently a Director of Quality Engineering which means I'm ultimately responsible that the products we are designing and manufacturing for use with ...
  • Cody Melane asked Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs

    Added Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    Answers 1
    Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs
    Answered Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 8:20 AM
    Yes I love my job! I am always hashtagging #ilovemyjob over on my IG @dumontandi. I would absolutely consider moving to a different company or trying out a different part of my company. I do very fun projects and, on any given day, have many different ...
  • Ace Reave asked Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs

    Added Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 3:48 PM

    How and what do you do as water resource engineer when you are mainly outside? I thought most engineers work in factories or in their own businesses.

    I am a student from a school in Maryland where our project is an interview with an engineer. I decided to chose you because this was an engineer type that I have never heard of so I wanted to ask a couple of question about what you have done as this engineer and what happened on your way to becoming this engineer.

    Answers 1
    Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs
    Answered Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    I do many different sorts of projects, including ones that require field work or traveling. Because I have a background in hydrogeology, my field work typically consists of drilling or sampling activities. This means I will hang out with a water supply ...
  • Andromeda DuMont, CH2M / Jacobs
    Answered Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 8:17 AM
    Hello! And thanks for your question. I chose engineering because I wanted to make a difference! I have always loved technology and cool gadgets. I had plenty of mentors along the way including my father (an engineer), my mother (encouraging and ...
  • lalaine asked Ayanna Howard, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Added Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 10:22 PM

    Hi Dr. Howard! I am going to occupational therapy school and am very interested in integrating technology (i.e. robotics, assistive devices) and Occupational Therapy (our goal is to improve patient's physical function). What role can OTs play in the design of robotics? What computer coding languages would be useful for OTs to pick up if they are interested in working with robotics as well?. Thank you, I am inspired by what you do!
    Answers 1
    Ayanna Howard, Georgia Institute of Technology
    Answered Friday, September 21, 2018 at 3:52 PM
    OTs and PTs are especially important in the design of robots for therapy. They are instrumental in terms of determining what types of robot behaviors are optimal for improving patient outcomes, designing appropriate human-robot interaction therapy ...
  • Micaiah Blackford

    Added Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 8:11 PM

    Such as specific words, robotic knowledge, etc.
    Answers 1
    Kathy Moseler, Paradise Robotics
    Answered Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 11:10 AM
    The typical college-prep courses with an emphasis on math and science is the bare minimum and perfectly acceptable for many universities. But, if you want to have an outstanding college resume that opens doors to prestigious schools, make sure you ...
  • 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 ...
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