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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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  • RANA

    Added Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 3:45 PM

    I'm interested biomedical engineering and I've been doing research on it but I keep seeing more cons than pros. Right now I'm in my first year for materials engineering. At the same time I'm not sure what to do so i was considering offering electrical engineering. Please I need advise on what to do.
    Answers 1
    Chunqing Liu, Honeywell
    Answered Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 8:35 AM

    I feel that you are at an important crossroads in your academic path during your first year in college. Based on my personal academic experience, I would suggest that you can calm down and try a step-by-step approach to help you to make your decision. I ...

  • Ayesha asked Kim de Groh, NASA Glenn Research Center

    Added Monday, August 14, 2023 at 10:24 AM

    Hi! I hope you're doing great. I wanna ask you a question. Should I take material engineering for my bachelor's degree if I don't have any interest in chemistry?
    Answers 1
    Kim de Groh, NASA Glenn Research Center
    Answered Friday, October 6, 2023 at 10:48 AM
    Hi!  Materials science and engineering is inherently interdisciplinary, with strong connections to physics, chemistry, math and the engineering fields.  When I was in high school, I did well in math but did not like chemistry or physics very much.  But, ...
  • Lily

    Added Friday, February 4, 2022 at 4:40 PM

    Please be specific.
    Answers 1
    Karrin Felton, Naval Sea Systems Command
    Answered Monday, February 14, 2022 at 9:23 AM
    As a chemical engineer, several projects dealt with processing of raw materials.  One of our products had a defect and it was my teams job to find the source.  We set up a design of experiment in order to be very specific with the parameters, with clear ...
  • Anonymous asked Viviana Monje, University at Buffalo

    Added Monday, December 9, 2019 at 4:17 PM

    I'm attending college soon for a degree in Chemical Engineering and hopefully Materials Science and Engineering down the road as well. Is taking calculus-based physics classes necessary or worth it? The college I'm about to attend gives me a choice between algebra-based physics and calculus-based physics. I understand that physics is fundamental for the basic understanding of science and engineering in general. While I do have experience with calculus classes, I wanted more insight in ...

    Answers 1
    Viviana Monje, University at Buffalo
    Answered Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7:36 PM
    Dear Adrianna, 
    I am deeply sorry for not answering your question before, I was not aware/notified about your question until I entered the site to update my information. This is way after the fact; nonetheless, a calculus-based physics is the best choice ...
  • Claudia Ketcham asked Jacquelyn Berry, Collins Aerospace

    Added Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 12:57 PM

    I worry that because my school isn't well-known for its engineering degrees (we only have 2) that it will make it difficult to find a job because employers will hire people from schools with bigger names, so I feel like I should transfer to a more well know school to have a chance. How much does school name really matter in the hiring process? Am I overthinking this?

    Answers 1
    Jacquelyn Berry, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 4:19 PM
    I am sure people have differing opinions on this, however, from my standpoint, the school matters a lot less than what you did at that school, what your grades were, and what you got involved in. I went to a California state school, and while it was ...
  • faiza asked Hannah Noll, ATI

    Added Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:30 PM

    Hi Hannah – What is nano-metallurgy? I've heard a lot about it but i don't understand what is it and can't find information that's easy to understand. Can you explain it please and give some examples?

    Answers 1
    Answered Friday, March 22, 2019 at 12:00 PM

    Nano-metallurgy is the study of metals on a nano scale! As our electronics are getting smaller (cell phones, medical devices, etc…) a better understanding of the materials that go into them is required. Let’s say you want to make a very small electrical ...

  • 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 ...

  • 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 ...
  • 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 ...
  • Stephanie asked Nita Patel, Otis Elevator

    Added Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 2:38 PM

    I am definitely older than most in this forum, but I figured it was worth a shot. I read your story on ECN called "I Became an Engineer: Because of a Sewing Machine" and it was definitely something that spoke to me. I am a creative person. I love any kinds of crafts that I can get my hands on, but I also find that I love tinkering with machines and how they work. Recently, I have been exposed to very experienced engineers in my life, but I feel like they are biased in their opinions toward me, ...
    Answers 1
    Nita Patel, Otis Elevator
    Answered Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 6:40 PM
    Hi Stephanie! I do not think one is ever too old to become an engineer and thirty is definitely not old. :) There will certainly be a learning curve but no different than learning any new discipline at any age. I took up chess in my mid 30s; it was the ...
  • Ani Clemons

    Added Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 3:03 PM

    Everyone around me tells me I shouldn't pursue engineering, or doesn't believe I can really do it. What can I do as a Junior in high school to prepare myself for the engineering path? I am not a mathematical wizard, but I love using my creativity and solving problems. My biggest fear is getting to college and not feeling prepared for my engineering-based classes. I feel like maybe I'm not smart enough and I'm wondering what I can do to pursue my dream. I live in Ave Maria, Florida, and I ...
    Answers 1
    Nicolette Yovanof Little, The Boeing Company
    Answered Friday, July 13, 2018 at 8:26 AM
    Hi Ani, I think that the best thing that you can do to prepare is continue to take math, science, and physics classes in high school to get yourself ready for the college courses.  If you feel like you may not be prepared, I would recommend looking into ...
  • Linda Schadler, University of Vermont
    Answered Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 1:06 PM
    Materials Engineering is a growing field. Most engineering products are made out of materials and thus as companies develop new high tech products, they need materials engineers to help. Materials engineers work in fields ranging from aerospace products ...
  • Kennedi Cox asked Victoria Cummings, Walmart

    Added Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 5:04 PM

    I am considering HBCU's. Petroleum engineering sounds interesting but I am open and wondering about your experience in chemical eng.
    Answers 1
    Answered Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 7:50 PM
    Hey Kennedi! 
    
    Yes, I believe I am faced with discrimination and adversity in the field. I can't really say if its because I'm African American or if it has been because I am a woman or BOTH because I've never had anyone to actually tell me why, but ...
  • 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 ...
  • Kaylee

    Added Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 1:25 AM

    I have a degree in physiology, but know I am for sure switching to engineering. I don't feel that I'm all that interested in biomedical engineering though. Would a second bachelor's be worth it? Or should I pursue a master's degree? What is the difference between having a bachelor's or a master's in engineering?
    Answers 1
    Michele Miller, Campbell University
    Answered Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 1:49 PM
    Kaylee,
    
    That's great to hear that you are thinking about switching fields.  I would recommend talking with someone at the college you are interested in.  Most engineering departments have a Graduate Director--that would be a good person.  Some ...
  • Jennifer Bahena

    Added Monday, October 23, 2017 at 12:58 AM

    Answers 1
    Jennifer Gilleece, Network Rail
    Answered Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 9:38 AM
    Hi Jennifer,
    If less and less girls get into engineering, more and more girls would miss out on a wonderful career! I love being an engineer and making a difference in my job so I feel sad that some people rule themselves out from engineering because of ...
  • Alyssa Will asked Tiera Fletcher (Guinn), Boeing

    Added Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 11:27 AM

    I want to work for NASA and be an Aerospace Engineer/Scientist. Some more questions are: What school/college did you go to? Why? Do you have an alternative career? Are you happy with your work? Again, Thank You.
    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 9:14 PM
    Hi Alyssa, I'm so very happy to hear that you'd like to pursue rocket engineering. I went to a high school named Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA and it had a great STEM program where I was able to take engineering courses and advanced classes in ...
  • Valentina

    Added Monday, October 2, 2017 at 11:36 AM

    I have wanted to be an engineer since high school, but then towards the end I didnt do great in calc 1 and physics 1. I decided to go to community college so that I would be sure that engineering was for me and the class itself was very enjoyable but then the math and science classes that i am taking make me feel like im dumb because i have gotten bad grades. I also dont know what kind of engineering to do because there's so many and how am i supposed to know which one im good at or which one ...
    Answers 1
    Kristy Rasbach, General Motors
    Answered Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 7:50 AM
    Valentina,
    
    If you enjoy your math and science classes and you are interested in pursuing engineering as a career, my best advice to you is "don't give up!"  My experience was that the foundational courses for engineering study were VERY challenging.  ...
  • 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 ...

  • Samantha Patrick

    Added Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 9:29 PM

    Hello, my name is Samantha Patrick from Thornburg Middle School, and currently are working on researching a career project. I am focusing my project on engineering, and I have a few questions that if you could please take your time to answer. Thanks, Sam. What classes in college helped you with your career? What do you find most enjoyable about engineering? Is there anything that specifically made you want to become an engineer? Where are you hoping to get to, with your career choice? Is ...
    Answers 1
    Katelyn Lichte, Corteva Agriscience
    Answered Friday, July 28, 2017 at 11:11 AM
    (Post 1/2)
    
    Hello Sam,
    
    I'd be happy to answer your questions.  First of all, I'm a mechanical engineering major now working at a seed (think corn/soybeans) production facility.
    
    There weren't any specific classes that helped me with my career but ...
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