Ask an Engineer

It really depends on the type of engineering role you get, and the industry. There are a lot of different job types for engineers - design, stress, test, manufacturing, research, specialty analysis (aero, thermal), quality, project. 

For example, a ...

Hello there!
Engineering is very broad, and there are all types of jobs! I spent my first 5 years in design, every day. As you progress in your career, you may choose to get more into project management than design all day! 
I found that I was losing my ...

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, ...

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, ...

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 ...

All college programs are going to require self-discipline and dedication in order to succeed. I wouldn't say Engineering is any different. It is a matter of passion and commitment. Most universities offer an introductory course in Engineering within the ...

Engineering school is hard. But you learn tips and tricks to help you improve your study habits. Many of the engineering classes are challenging but they are also interesting. Studying interesting things makes them feel less hard.

My advice is to find a ...

Engineering classes do tend to have a bigger workload than other majors. However, just like you are learning time management and studying skills as a freshman in high school, you will take these high school skills and build on them as a freshman in ...

Hey! It's awesome that you're interested in engineering and that you're strong in math and science – that's a fantastic foundation! Seriously, those skills are super important for becoming an engineer, so you're already on a great track.

Your sister does ...

I won't lie to you: the better you are with words (reading and writing), the stronger your impact as an engineer will be! I cannot imagine an engineering job in which you won't need to communicate your ideas, plans, and accomplishments to other people. ...

You do not have to be good at every subject. I would encourage you to look for STEM in subjects that you aren’t great at. You’d be surprised how much STEM plays a role in history, and you can find books related to your interests or find STEM in the books ...

Your love of math and environmental impact within civil engineering is a powerful combination. Consider specializing in areas like:
 * Water Resources: Heavy math, direct environmental impact.
 * Geotechnical: Sustainable materials and modeling.
 * ...

Recognize and acknowledge your feelings: Understand that imposter syndrome is a common experience and that many high-achieving individuals, including Maya Angelou and Einstein, have felt the same way. Gather accomplishment evidence: Collect tangible ...

It may help to hear from people who had similar experiences, so here's mine:

When I first started studying Electrical Engineering, I'd get anxious when I saw my male colleagues get their electronic circuits to work much faster than I did. On paper, I ...

I wish I had a magic answer on how to deal with imposter syndrome. I believe it will diminish for you as you continue to work hard and gain more experience and more confidence. But that may not offer much comfort to you right now!

What I can say is that ...

Hi Kayna,

First of all, it's great that you're already thinking about opportunities to get more experience this early in your engineering career - well done! In my experience, securing an internship as a college freshman can be challenging, but not ...

That's a great question! I worked on the engines for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter, in college I built FSAE race cars, and now currently I am the product manager for a new mental health app. I think as engineers we should take credit for all the amazing ...

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 ...

Engineering is one of the best domains to study if you don't know what you want to do in your career--there is no reason for you to fear getting stuck if you end up not enjoying a specific line of work.

In my case, I studied EE, started my career as an ...