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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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  • Maryam Soliman

    Added Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:43 PM

    I'm really interested in nuclear and chemical engineering, and NASA or CERN seem like fantastic places to work.

    I'm a freshman in an engineering program. I find that I struggle a little bit with the CAD Program we use, Fusion 360, but I can get it with practice. The main reason I chose engineering is because I'm good at math and I love doing it. There are so many different options for what discipline I could major in, and it's amazing that I can get feedback from actual engineers!

    Answers 1
    Sarah Absher, Procter & Gamble
    Answered Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 9:37 AM
    I am a Chemical Engineer - I chose the field because I loved Chemistry and Math.  Any Engineering discipline is foundational to establish critical thinking and problem solving, regardless of the "discipline".  It is important to think about what you love ...
  • Halima

    Added Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 2:54 PM

    I am interested in studying aerospace engineering in uni but after that i want to go into project management, so i was wondering how you got into it? and any advice on how to go about it. thank you
    Answers 1
    Answered Monday, September 16, 2024 at 2:16 PM
    There are many different ways to get into project management. Many companies that hire you will have a path and training within the company to help you on that path. Another option is to get an MBA, but I would get at least 2 years of experience before ...
  • Bryan

    Added Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 3:30 PM

    Answers 2
    Arielle Miller, Dr Arielle Miller Coaching & Consulting
    Answered Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 3:09 PM
    Choosing nuclear engineering was a natural fit for me. My love for science and understanding how things work drew me to this field. Being the advocate for nuclear energy that I am, I believe it can play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and ...
    Answered Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 11:51 PM
    A minority is lucky to know what they want early on in their career or during their studies. I must admit with humility, I did not fall into that category. I took Mathematics (I love) and Software engineering (evolving branch, 20 years back). And I am ...
  • Michele Saranovich asked Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author

    Added Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 5:54 PM

    Hi Patricia, great to see you again. What is the most exciting thing you ever did as a nuclear engineer?

    Answers 1
    Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author
    Answered Friday, September 24, 2021 at 10:32 PM
    I have done so many different things that were exciting.  Being involved in reviewing the design of nuclear submarines, getting involved in analyzing events that happened in other countries, creating nuclear based policy for the US and for the world ...
  • 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 ...

  • Jillian asked Sara Dolatshahi, OPG

    Added Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 4:08 AM

    Answers 1
    Answered Monday, October 8, 2018 at 8:29 AM

    After high school, I studied 4 years of Chemical Engineering. Few years later, after I started working for a Nuclear power plant, I completed 2 more years of school part time to obtain my masters in Nuclear Engineering. Let me know if you have any other ...

  • 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 ...

  • Melat

    Added Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 2:45 PM

    I love engineering and adore building and creating things. I also have fascination with astronomy which is why I would like to be an aerospace engineer. The problem is when I hear engineers talking about their jobs they talk about the creative aspect, specifically the drawing aspect. I am absolutely terrible at drawing so I am wondering if being good at drawing is essential to becoming an engineer. Because I would love to be an engineer but I cant if I don't have the essential skills.
    Answers 1
    Katelyn Lichte, Corteva Agriscience
    Answered Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 1:43 PM
    Hi Melat,
    
    You can absolutely be an engineer without being good at drawing.  Not all engineering paths require good hand drawing skills.  Especially as an aerospace engineer, you'd like be using a computer aided design program to do your drawings with. ...
  • Nafis Fuad

    Added Friday, January 12, 2018 at 1:42 AM

    I have completed Calculus 1, 2, 3. I haven't yet completed differential equations. What other courses do I have to take to get started? I know that there are difficult topics in reactor physics like neutron transport equation. So, it would be really helpful if you can give some guidelines so that I can learn all of it by myself. Thanks in advance
    Answers 1
    Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author
    Answered Monday, January 22, 2018 at 3:28 AM

    Hello and thanks for your question.

    To learn neutron transport theory on your own is ambitious but doable. Until you get through the differential and advanced calculus classes you may want to start by first googling "neutron transport for dummies" and ...

  • 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 ...
  • 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 ...
  • Gillian Montgomery, Buehler Engineering, Inc
    Answered Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 3:13 PM
    It very much depends on where and what you area of engineering you would like to get into.  
    
    Obviously, public sector would require staying within the area you serve. For example a water resources engineer for the state of California, could change to ...
  • 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 ...
  • VL

    Added Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 1:38 PM

    Hello! I had a bad experience in my last company. It was very small, with very sexist male engineers. Basically all of them, except the manager, told me that it was a job for a MALE engineer. Spite of all my efforts and my manager support, they didn't accept me in their group, treated me like my work was not good enough and said sexist things in my presence (for example, my coworker said to my manager, when he was talking to me: "I want a girl in the office! A GIRL. Where is my girl?"). I ...
    Answers 1
    Aurelia Gooden, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology / Wayne State University
    Answered Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 8:38 PM
    Hello, VL.
    
    I am sorry for your experience.  It is a great time to be a woman in the sciences. However, sometimes, the world is not prepared for our unique methods of being naturally caring yet strong, but with a splash of flamboyance.
    
    As you ...
  • Jacqueline, Houston

    Added Monday, January 9, 2017 at 12:04 PM

    What do you say would be the most difficult task within applying for jobs that have to do with engineering and also the fact that you're a girl? Like the criticism and the sexist comments. I would like to get advice in how you decide to retrieve the situation.
    Answers 1
    Jocelyn Cole, Penny Hydraulics Ltd
    Answered Monday, January 9, 2017 at 12:04 PM

    I’m lucky enough not to have had to have a job interview for a few years but I’ve been through interviews for certain roles and most recently my Chartership, and I can’t actually think of a time where I’ve faced criticism or ...

  • Sylvester, Memphis asked Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author

    Added Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 11:19 AM

    Do you have any hobbies or interests
    Answers 1
    Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author
    Answered Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 11:19 AM
    Hi.  Thank you for asking.  I love to garden and have taken the training to become a Master Gardener.  I also love to travel so when I can, I visit gardens outside the US in places such as Singapore, London. St. Petersburg and Germany.  It is interesting ...
  • Praneeth, Srikakulam

    Added Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    I am a chemical engineering student. Can I work as nuclear engineer?
    Answers 1
    Answered Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    Dear Praneeth,

    Generally, you can work as a nuclear engineer with a chemical engineering degree, as I did.  Sometimes though, particular companies may prefer to hire people with nuclear engineering background.  However, most of the companies ...
  • Martha, Bethesda

    Added Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    Are nuclear engineers similar to nuclear physicists? Also, how interdependent are the two fields? Thanks!
    Answers 1
    Patricia Eng, Self Employed: Speaker and Author
    Answered Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10:38 AM

    While the undergraduate courses for both nuclear physicist and nuclear engineer are similar, graduate courses are different as are the job descriptions.  Nuclear physicists do more theoretical things.  They look at the essence of matter and ...

  • Kelly, Cape Town asked Megan Harrington, Blue Origin

    Added Friday, April 25, 2014 at 6:59 AM

    Hi there! I'm fascinated with your bio and career. You sound incredible and the work you do is amazing. I'm 26 and looking to go back to university to do a degree in mechanical engineering. I'm spending the next couple of years redoing high school maths and science in preparation. I'm a South African and I want to work with rockets and propulsion systems. I know aerospace and defence industries outside of SA are largely off the cards because I'm not a citizen of the USA, for example. However, ...
    Answers 1
    Megan Harrington, Blue Origin
    Answered Friday, April 25, 2014 at 6:59 AM
    Hi Kelly!
    
    First off, high five for taking the first steps towards achieving your goal. Secondly, and to answer your question, heck no, your career plan is not ludicrous! That's not to say it won't be challenging, but that's a true statement for anyone ...
  • Kolby, Arlington

    Added Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    Why is it so important to have a bachelor's degree for Nuclear Engineering?
    Answers 1
    Answered Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 10:31 AM

    Dear Kolby,

    Nuclear engineering is an exciting specialized field, which is not something you can pick up at high school or community college level.  Nuclear engineering is mostly used in jobs involving generation of electricity from a nuclear power ...

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