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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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  • Victoria

    Added Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 4:24 AM

    I still have a year and a half left of my undergrad and knowing that biomedical engineering is very broad and there are so many routes to take and possibilities makes me even more confused. I'm pretty task-focused and my CliftonStrengths are Learner, Input, Achiever, Intellection, and Strategic. I'm very creative. I think I would want to do clinical engineering or R&D, tissue engineering or product design, but I've more experience in project management, leading teams and bigger-picture projects ...
    Answers 1
    Ying-Ja Chen, Pronutria
    Answered Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:43 AM

    Biomedical engineering is broad and it's great that you already have some idea. Here are a few possibilities to try that may help you choose.

    First, you can do an internship at a medical device or biotech company in the upcoming summer or next year to ...

  • Added Monday, February 26, 2024 at 3:24 PM

    FeatureQuestion.jpg

    There are many colleges that I can go to to get a degree in engineering and I was wondering, does it matter whether I go to a huge, world-renowned college or a smaller and lesser-known college? Will it make a big impact on my career? What should I look for when deciding between the different types of colleges?

    Answers 16
    Tina Swangphol, Chevron
    Answered Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 3:12 PM
    This is a very difficult question to answer but I would have to say that graduating from well-known universities will help your career. For example, if you want to work in Texas then try to go to U. of Texas or Texas A&M.  If in other states, then try to ...
    Kerri Phillips, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
    Answered Monday, March 4, 2024 at 7:37 AM

    When looking for a school to study engineering, one of the main things I prioritized is that it was ABET accredited. ABET is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and they accredit college and university programs in the disciplines of ...

    Sarah Wright, Chevron
    Answered Monday, February 26, 2024 at 3:57 PM

    In my experience, how you take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you is more important than what college you go to!

    I did not go to prestigious schools and have still done okay because I worked hard, showed up, and recognized ...

  • Eliza asked Barbara Nielsen, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

    Added Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 12:01 PM

    Answers 1
    Barbara Nielsen, Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
    Answered Friday, January 26, 2024 at 4:06 PM
    Anyone can become an engineer.  I am not sure if any of your existing schooling will carryover, or if you will be starting over, that is a question for the engineering school you are interested in.
  • 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 ...
  • 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. 
  • Debaroty, Louisiana asked Victoria Tinsley, Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc.

    Added Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 7:53 AM

    Hello, I am a PhD student right now. In future, I can see myself as working in a Chemical Industry mainly based on Polymer or as a product engineer. I would love to work on manufacturing field also. I want to know the possibilities of getting a job after PhD in such fields. Would it be tough to get a job after PhD? My research subject is nanomaterials. I am an international student. What qualifications are needed for an international student to fulfil the criteria of a company? Thank you.
    Answers 1
    Victoria Tinsley, Total Petrochemicals and Refining USA, Inc.
    Answered Friday, October 2, 2020 at 11:57 PM
    Hi Debaroty, yes you can get a job in industry with a PhD.  It really depends on the industry and the company as to what that job might look like.  You could work in a research group developing ways to incorporate nanomaterials into existing or new ...
  • Isabella Gonzalez asked Debra Long, Collins Aerospace

    Added Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 4:22 PM

    I am trying to figure out whether it would be smarter to get a BS in Aerospace or Mechanical engineering, and then go on to a Masters in aerospace. Which would you suggest?

    I am entering my senior year of high school and am really passionate about one day working for either SpaceX/NASA or the like. I have not taken a jumpstart on engineering or tech classes since I have only recently became sure of my desired major, but have long been a lover of space. Now that it is time for me to ...

    Answers 1
    Debra Long, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 8:02 AM
    I would highly suggest going straight for you BS in Aerospace!  That's what I did.  I actually got my BS in Aerospace and then my Master's in Mechanical.  The BS in Aerospace really exposed me to all of the aspects of aerospace engineering that are out ...
  • Lenza asked Gillian Montgomery, Buehler Engineering, Inc

    Added Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 6:12 AM

    I haven't worked in engineering field yet, and i don't know whether i can do structural engineering or not because i wasn't smart at college i was ok, i'm good at math, drawing and Auto Cad.
    Answers 1
    Gillian Montgomery, Buehler Engineering, Inc
    Answered Sunday, January 13, 2019 at 9:17 AM
    Hard is relative.  I found a passion in it, so it made the studying easier.  Maybe think about what part of math, drawings and AutoCad you like the best. Do you like understanding the deep theories  or crunching the numbers and using computers to help ...
  • Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel
    Answered Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at 7:31 PM
    Hi Emily. I was pretty solid in my degree choice while in school. I wasn't sure exactly what job I would find afterwards, but I was fortunate to go into consulting to start out. Environmental engineering can take you in many directions, so starting in ...
  • 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 ...

  • 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 ...
  • Rachel Foy asked Jamie Steinberger, DENSO International America, Inc.

    Added Sunday, August 12, 2018 at 4:37 PM

    I am an upcoming sophomore in college currently pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. I am starting to think that industrial engineering may fit my interests more, though. Unfortunately, the college I attend does not have an industrial engineering degree. I am contemplating transferring, but I am reluctant to leave the school I love. Is it possible to work in an industrial engineering position as a mechanical engineer? Or should I try to transfer or get my Masters in industrial engineering ...
    Answers 1
    Jamie Steinberger, DENSO International America, Inc.
    Answered Monday, August 13, 2018 at 4:11 PM
    Hi Rachel,
    
    Great question! I, myself, have an ME degree, also from a university that doesn’t explicitly have an IE major. I think you have tons of options and bottom line: you do not need to transfer. 
    
    The amazing thing about an ME degree is the ...
  • Ashley Bushey, Greenheck Group
    Answered Thursday, August 9, 2018 at 4:56 PM
    Hi Allison,
    
    It really depends on the program and school you choose. Some will have hard requirements on acceptable undergraduate degrees in order to be admitted, however, others will be a little more flexible. I recommend you check around on the ...
  • Berta Candela

    Added Monday, July 9, 2018 at 10:39 PM

    Hi ladies, I'm a chem engineering major going into my junior year. I am looking into scholarships to pay for school and I'm looking for any tips on that, as well as guidance on what extra courses may make me a more competitive in the field. Was thinking about possibly minoring in mathematics or maybe Mandarin (I spent some time in China)? I work a lot to pay for school so I haven't been able to network much so really anything helps me lot! Just found this site and so far loving it. Thank you!
    Answers 1
    Stacey DelVecchio, Caterpillar Inc
    Answered Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 5:10 PM
    Great questions Berta. Regarding the scholarship, I think the best thing you can do is focus on results. If you'd had internships, talk about the results and/or impact of the work, not just the name of the company or division. If you were measuring parts ...
  • Karthik, India asked Zahra Khan, Columbus Technologies and Services

    Added Wednesday, June 10, 2015 at 11:54 PM

    Hello Madam. I'm Karthik from India. I have completed my B.tech in Aerospace Engineering. I have read your previous posts regarding the job scenarios in USA and the necessary restrictions of ITAR for the work permits of foreign nationals. I haven't yet applied to any grad school for my masters. I have the following queries: 1) Will it be better to apply for a Masters in Mechanical engineering with a research paper in Aerospace and then hunt for the jobs. If yes what would be the percentage and ...
    Answers 1
    Zahra Khan, Columbus Technologies and Services
    Answered Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    Karthik,
    My apologies. I'm just seeing this question now although its 3 years later! 
    Not sure if you still need an answer but in case you do, here are my thoughts:
    1) If you're looking for work in the US, its much better to complete a Masters in the ...
  • 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 ...
  • Kristin Malosh, North Star BlueScope Steel
    Answered Sunday, March 4, 2018 at 9:38 PM
    Hi Kim. I'm not sure you "need" a Masters in Environmental Engineering- I guess it depends on the type of job you are interesting in pursuing. I don't have much familiarity with online MS degrees, so I'm probably not the right one to answer that ...
  • Tom Holmes

    Added Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 2:48 PM

    I would like to go into signal/image processing, but also want a graduate degree in electrical engineering. Should I first get another bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and then go on to graduate school for it, or should I go straight into the graduate program for it. I have read that that plenty of people go into engineering graduate programs without the undergrad but am curious about your opinion on it. My grades and GRE scores are good enough to get into Columbia, and the admit ...

    Answers 1
    Khadijah Latiff, Amazon
    Answered Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 10:16 AM
    Tom, congratulations on your decision to apply to graduate school! I think it is totally fine and reasonable to go into graduate program for electrical engineering with a bachelor's in applied mathematics. Talk to your advisors or professors later if ...
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