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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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  • Added Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 6:52 AM

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    Like what other careers can you use an engineering degree in? I’m curious what kinds of options I could have if I don’t want to work in a traditional engineering role.

    Answers 10
    Answered Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 7:18 AM

    That’s an interesting question, as it makes me curious about what you imagine is a “traditional engineering role.” Quickly off the top of my head I know of friends with engineering degrees who work in sales, product design, quality assurance, testing, ...

    Carla Bailo, ECOS Consulting
    Answered Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 7:17 AM

    An engineering degree prepares you for a plethora of career opportunities. The fundamentals that you learn can be applied in the world of fashion, entertainment, medicine, and many more. I personally have several schoolmates who are now doctors, ...

    Danielle Cooper, The Chemours Company
    Answered Tuesday, July 29, 2025 at 7:15 AM

    When I think of “traditional engineering,” I think of a role that is very technical. There are a vast amount of roles that engineers can have that are far from the technically detailed roles.

    I am a Chemical Engineer and have been a Project Manager, in ...

  • Jas

    Added Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 2:16 AM

    Currently, I am thinking about declaring a major, but I am stuck between civil or environmental engineering. I've always had a passion for helping the environment but more so in urban planning/studies. I don't really know which engineering would be more geared towards urban planning and, thus I am stuck choosing between these two majors. I am also really interested in transportation as well, and I'm also interested in ways to reduce pollution in our atmosphere.
    Answers 1
    Answered Monday, April 14, 2025 at 12:21 AM
    The best fit depends on your emphasis: choose Civil Engineering if your primary drive is designing the core physical systems with environmental protection as a key component, or Environmental Engineering if you're more drawn to the specific pollution ...
  • 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 ...
  • Kayla cleminshaw

    Added Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 2:07 AM

    I am interested in studying further to make a significant impact on the environment. Would mechanical engineering be the right fit for that? I want to help reduce carbon emissions, minimize energy waste, and improve hydraulic systems.
    Answers 1
    Linsey Marr, Virginia Tech
    Answered Monday, January 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
    Most types of engineering have the potential to make a significant impact on the environment. Mechanical engineering is a great choice because you can help improve efficiency of machines so that they use less energy, design machines to extract and store ...
  • Brooke Menne

    Added Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 11:51 AM

    I got rejected from only aero university in MN after previously pursing an aerospace degree elsewhere. Am I able to pursue the same dreams I had as an aerospace engineer if I do a mechanical degree?
    Answers 1
    Kim de Groh, NASA Glenn Research Center
    Answered Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:22 AM
    Hi Brooke, I can not answer your specific question, but I can let you know that I have a BS & MS in materials science and I work at NASA Glenn Research Center flying spaceflight experiments and studying the durability of spacecraft materials in the space ...
  • 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 ...
  • Jocelyn

    Added Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM

    I am currently a junior and just switched from chemical to environmental engineering, and am struggling if I made the right decision. I am really interested in chemistry and biology and ultimately want to go to grad school to study genetics or something to do with medical research. I switched because I was not interested in the industry side of chemical engineering (like refineries and food production) and it seemed like most of the higher division classes were focused on industry. I wanted a ...
    Answers 1
    Margaret Byron, Penn State University
    Answered Monday, February 12, 2024 at 9:31 AM
    Hi Jocelyn,
    Yes, there are lots of opportunities in environmental engineering to impact health!  The one that comes to mind for me immediately is water quality. Plenty of environmental engineers spend their time picking through problems of managing (for ...
  • Joey

    Added Sunday, July 23, 2023 at 10:25 PM

    I am currently working as a registered nurse but feel the good I do for other people is just too small. I am considering a degree in global health and/or a degree in some type of engineering where I make significant and lasting changes on the world, specifically the environment and those in need.

    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 5:22 PM
    Thanks for your question. It is good to see how passionate you are about making a global impact. I believe it is that passion you have that will drive you to make long lasting global changes whether in the healthcare of engineering profession.
    
    If I were ...
  • Katarina Tomich asked Kay C Dee, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

    Added Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:19 AM

    Hi Dr. Dee - I am a fourth year mechanical engineer with a specialization in 3D modeling. I plan on finishing my degree but I have realized that I have stronger interests in biomedical and chemical engineering. I like learning about new technologies and drugs regarding women???s health and wellness. I also enjoy learning about growing skin allergies and the new wave of research on how chemicals affect us and the development of clean products, especially for women.

    I am not sure if i ...

    Answers 1
    Kay C Dee, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
    Answered Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 11:53 AM
    Hi, Katarina, I can think of a couple of different ways to move forward in this situation.  I hear what you are saying about not wanting to lose momentum in academics - you're using a specialized skill set right now. Once folks start working full-time or ...
  • Added Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 9:26 AM

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    Engineering seems interesting but I love helping people so I don’t know if it’s right for me. Does engineering help people? If it does how can I do that?

    Answers 13
    Kay Hatlestad, Trane Technologies
    Answered Friday, April 28, 2023 at 9:08 AM

    Helping people is the reason I became an engineer! I’m an acoustical engineer. Some of the things I’ve worked on:

    • Microphones so people with hearing aids can hear a phone conversation even in a noisy room
    • Wall & ceiling design so you don’t hear your ...
    Kim Linder, Honeywell FM&T
    Answered Friday, April 28, 2023 at 9:03 AM

    There are so many ways to help people as an engineer. You can go into areas in which the end users is a person that may need assistance, think devices such as prosthetics or hearing aids or other medical devices, the list goes on. You can work in areas ...

    Lyn Kyle Manson, Verizon
    Answered Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 4:54 PM
    Engineering is a profession that will open doors to many opportunities to help people both directly and indirectly.  Like any degree program you learn three things:  1) background information specific to your major, but also 2) how to find and organize ...
  • Added Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 8:57 AM

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    I have an interest in engineering but I'm worried that I'm not creative/innovative enough for it. I'm good in other fields such as writing, but I don't have that same confidence in Engineering. Can I learn and develop creative and innovative skills?

    Answers 9
    Diya Dwarakanath, Self-employed
    Answered Friday, January 27, 2023 at 9:37 AM

    Absolutely! I had the same fear initially and I learned later that it was unfounded. Creativity and innovation can be learned and it often comes from experience, as strange as that sounds. Seeing the same problem before gives me an idea for how to solve ...

    Haley Antoine, Toyota Motor North America
    Answered Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 9:14 AM

    You can absolutely learn to be creative and innovative! I have learned creative thinking through my undergraduate and graduate studies, and after becoming proficient in my current job function at work. Even if an engineering problem seems complex, it can ...

    Jennifer Myren, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 9:13 AM

    Yes, creativity and innovation can be developed! I have found that creativity and innovation become easier for me when I have multiple experiences under my belt to pull from, then I feel comfortable coming up with new/different ways to approach a ...

  • Carly asked Leila Akello Gonasa, National Environment Management Authourity (NEMA), Uganda

    Added Monday, December 21, 2020 at 2:41 PM

    I'm looking at different colleges and a couple of them offer environmental science, but not environmental engineering. Is it feasible to get a degree in environmental science then transition to environmental engineering for grad school? I'm wondering if I take certain electives or something maybe the transition would be smoother? Or are they different enough that I should prioritize environmental engineering exactly when I'm researching schools. Thanks so much for your help!

    Answers 1
    Leila Akello Gonasa, National Environment Management Authourity (NEMA), Uganda
    Answered Friday, April 22, 2022 at 4:24 AM
    Yes Carly, it is very possible!
    
    The concept of study is related and the course units studied at Bachelors of Science give one enough grounding and theoretical concepts to Master in Environmental Engineering. 
  • Capt asked Kelly Anne Fay, University of Ottawa

    Added Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 3:12 PM

    I've done my bachelors in Biomedical Engineering but I've always had this longing interest to study environmental sciences and related studies. Will my BME degree make me eligible for postgrad studies in Environmental Sciences.
    Answers 1
    Kelly Anne Fay, University of Ottawa
    Answered Friday, January 7, 2022 at 5:25 PM
    I’m so sorry I didn’t see this sooner! 
    
    I really think that so much of your BME will transfer to grad studies in Environmental. You would certainly have an advantage in the eco-toxicology sub discipline! 
    
    As a first step, take a look at courses in ...
  • Fabiola asked Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council

    Added Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 1:46 PM

    Janelle - I'm in the middle of Pursuing a Bach. in Arch. Engineering. I did some research and found out you can become a PE. I read to become a PE or stamp MEP or structural drawings you have to be licensed in each one. Is this true?

    What would I need to do to be able to stamp my own drawings. Not only am I constantly questioning how we are making a building, but in the long run I would like to hopefully make and sell my own floor plans (not necessarily to make loads of money, but ...

    Answers 1
    Janelle Leafblad, WoodWorks - Wood Products Council
    Answered Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 5:43 PM
    Fabiola,
    
    The specifics on licensing have changed since my test-taking days, but the basics remain the same. In order to stamp drawings as a licensed professional engineer you'll need: an engineering degree from an accredited institution, experience ...
  • Sohana asked Roberta Cortez, Collins Aerospace

    Added Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 2:46 PM

    Hi! I???m a final year chemical engineering student. I love mechanical engineering though. Can you recommend any good online platforms to study mechanical engineering courses?

    Answers 1
    Roberta Cortez, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 5:28 PM
    Hi Sohana-
    
    One of the positives coming from Covid is that many colleges have created online courses of study.  I am several years out of school, so I am not up to speed on the most current offerings.  My son is currently attending Iowa State University ...
  • HJ asked Krista Karns, Verizon

    Added Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:06 AM

    I've been thinking that I want to be able to code while working as an environmental engineer. Would there be specific fields/industry where environmental engineers use programming languages frequently? If so, how do you apply them to your work?

    Answers 1
    Krista Karns, Verizon
    Answered Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 3:36 PM
    All fields will be able to utilize data analytics skills (i.e. python).  The more you're able to use historical data alongside forecasting models the better off you'll be in many cases.  While I have an environmental engineering degree I've worked at ...
  • Ramya kiranmai asked Christine Frazier-Hollins, Chevron

    Added Tuesday, August 25, 2020 at 6:07 AM

    Hi! I am studying petrochemical engineering, 3rd year. I have a dream to work in the cosmetic industry. What steps should I take after 4 years of undergraduate in petrochemical engineering to become process engineer in cosmetics??

    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 9:47 PM
    Internships while you are in school is a great way to get experience and try out other industries. When you graduate target the types of companies you want to work for.  Good process engineers are always in demand. 
  • 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 ...
  • Tiffany asked Annalaura Arredondo, Schlumberger

    Added Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 2:57 PM

    I want to study chemical engineering, but my school doesn't have that specific major. Can I still work in the industry if I get a degree in mechanical engineering? Will my career choices be limited if my degree is in mechanical engineering? I'm not sure what sector I want to work in but I want to have as many options as possible.

    Answers 1
    Annalaura Arredondo, Schlumberger
    Answered Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 2:50 PM
    Hi Tiffany, 
    
    I hope this finds you well. My short answer to you is a YES. You can have a mechanical engineering degree and work for a chemical, energy, research, or technology company. Your engineering skills are applicable wherever you go. The ...
  • Ema Okpohworho asked Zoe Mote, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Added Monday, October 21, 2019 at 11:58 PM

    I have just recently developed a special interest in Biomedical Engineering, but I have always dreamed of becoming an OB/GYN. Does anyone know if it's possible for me to pursue both?

    Answers 1
    Zoe Mote, Georgia Institute of Technology
    Answered Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 12:50 PM
    Yes! About 1/3 of my graduating class went on to medical school after getting their bioengineering degree! 
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