Yashika asked Karen Panetta, Tufts University Added Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 11:36 AM Can I become a cloud computing specialist if I'm bad at math? I am in eighth grade and very bad at math but I want to become a cloud computing specialist and get an IT engineering degree when I grow up. Can I do it? Answers 0
Liam asked Amy Elliott, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Added Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 8:56 AM Math and mechanical engineering If I'm not good at certain types of math can I still be a mechanical engineer? Answers 0
Emma asked Kristen Young, Verizon Added Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 10:41 AM Trouble with Math How come I can do math by myself but when we do it as a class I can't do it? It is like I don't understand the math. Answers 0
EngineerGirl Team Added Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 12:12 PM What if I don't work fast enough? I used to love math, science, and problem-solving, but eventually I got frustrated because I couldn’t work as quickly as people expected. (The busywork in math is a particular torture!) I’m intelligent, but I recently learned that I have slow processing speed. I’ve started getting extra time on exams and limited assignments at school, and ... Answers 10 Amy Elliott, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Answered Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 2:11 PM I'm so glad you have gotten accommodations for your processing style! The good news is, science and engineering are for all types of thinkers - deep thinkers like yourself included! I encourage you to continue to "learn how you learn" and explore what ... Kim Linder, Honeywell FM&T Answered Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM The classes you are taking now are teaching you fundamentals and giving you the tools to solve complex, engineering problems. As long as you understand the concepts, that is knowledge you gain and will always have with you. Notice that I've said nothing ... Paige Sheppard, Parks Canada Answered Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 2:07 PM Hi! I would suggest not working as a design consultant – I found there was usually a time crunch and urgency, working under pressure to finish things, but I feel like maybe working in research or in academia may align better with taking more time to go ...
Kylie asked Vanessa Rutherford, Honda Performance Development Added Monday, November 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM Where do electrical engineers work? Where do electrical engineers work? Answers 1 EngineerGirl Team Answered Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM Hi Kylie. Electrical engineers are very versatile. They often work on teams with other engineers and scientists and can find jobs in industry, government, universities, consulting, or other areas. Check out more on our careers page
Rahel Added Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM Advice and recommendations for a high school student interested in aerospace. Hi, I'm currently a sophomore in high school with a dream to become an aerospace engineer. What tips/advice would you give me and what activities/classes in school would you recommend I look out for? Answers 1 Danielle Hilliard, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab Answered Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM Hello I was interested in my field when I was in high school- so this is a fantastic question! What has helped my 3 decade career as an Aerospace engineering professional started with those foundations. I built a really strong math aptitude even though ...
EngineerGirl Team Added Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM How do you keep going? I want to be an engineer but sometimes I feel like I want to give up. There are so many challenges and distractions these days. How do you keep going and persevering when school gets hard (or now your job I guess)? What are you persevering for? What inspires you to keep pushing? Looking for some encouragement and advice to keep at it. Answers 8 Nancy Post, Boston Consulting Group Answered Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 3:29 PM I think it's very natural when undertaking a long and (sometimes) difficult task, to feel overwhelmed and want to give up. It is especially helpful to determine your purpose. Are you going into engineering to create innovation that will help the world ... Beth Crisco-Kestner, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. Answered Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 3:27 PM Defining and refining your Purpose is crucial to continued focus and success. In business, a company must define their purpose, mission and vision for existing. These are the statements that can be used to reflect back on when the business hits a bump in ... Kim Linder, Honeywell FM&T Answered Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM Great question! There is A LOT to deal with these days. I think you first need to understand your personality and what gives you a sense of accomplishment – do you need short term goals, long term, other? Also, what are the things you like to do that ...
EngineerGirl Team Added Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 9:52 AM What is the workload like when studying engineering? I generally do well in school, but I’m struggling with my 9th grade class workload. I want to be an engineer and I’ve heard that there is a lot of work to do in college classes. I’m worried that if I’m already having trouble with my workload in high school that I won’t last in college. Is the engineering workload as hard as I’ve heard? Any ... Answers 7 Beth Crisco-Kestner, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. Answered Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10:09 AM 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 ... Erin Gately, Iron Mountain Answered Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM 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 ... Kim Linder, Honeywell FM&T Answered Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 10:06 AM 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 ...
EngineerGirl Team Added Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM Do you have to be good at other subjects to be an engineer? I want to be an engineer and I’m good at math and science but I’m not good in reading and social studies. I don’t really like those other subjects. Do I need to be good at things other than math and science to be an engineer? I thought engineers just used STEM stuff but my sister says they use more things too. Answers 11 Nina Astillero, ERM Answered Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM 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 ... Patricia Mokhtarian, Georgia Institute of Technology Answered Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:28 PM 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. ... Wendy Sahli, Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society Answered Monday, April 28, 2025 at 12:23 PM 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 ...
Shelby Koch Added Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM If I struggled with college algebra would any of the engineering branches be worth looking into? Hi all, I've already completed an Associate in Liberal Arts degree back in community college because I couldn't land on a specific major I wanted to pursue in University. I'm now 28 years old working in a TV control room and I want to pursue an actual career instead of living paycheck to paycheck. My only issue is, while I'm interested in engineering and technology I had to take college algebra 3-4 times in order to pass and I remember I only really passed because we got extra credit for great ... Answers 0
K Added Monday, March 3, 2025 at 12:26 PM I'd really like to go into engineering but I'm bad at maths. Is there anything I can do? To take engineering in university, I need to take A level maths but that isn't even a choice for me. I'm doing foundation maths meaning that the highest grade I can get is a 5 (9 is the highest but that's for a higher paper and I need at least a 7 for A level maths) but I'm so bad at maths I'm barely passing but I really want to do engineering. I'm looking at aerospace and pharmaceutical engineering. Is it possible to do engineering? Answers 1 Moyra J. McDill, Carleton University Answered Monday, March 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM Engineers are problem solvers. This is a very good problem for you to solve on your way to becoming an engineer. First, how are you doing with other courses such as physics or chemistry? A-levels, or their equivalent, in these subjects and some others ...
Ash Added Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 1:14 PM Will having a C in Pre-Calc affect me if I want to continue majoring in engineering? I have taken 2 math classes in college. I have a B in Trig. and I think I am getting a C in Pre-Calc. I am wondering if getting a C will affect me if I want to continue majoring in engineering, especially aerospace engineering. I know I will do my best to get better grades in the next math classes, but I am not sure if I should continue or give up. Should I continue majoring in engineering or no? Answers 1 Kerri Phillips, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Answered Monday, January 6, 2025 at 2:39 PM If you are passionate about engineering, then I wouldn't let a stumble in a class deter you from pursuing your dream of being an engineer. I know plenty of engineers who have received a C in a class and continued on to be highly successful in their ...
EngineerGirl Team Added Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 1:15 PM How do I deal with Impostor Syndrome? Hi, I’m a freshman in high school and I’m interested in robotics. I’m struggling a bit in my engineering class and it feels like everyone else knows what they’re doing. I got extra help on a project with my robotics club but I can’t help but think it’s because I’m a girl who is behind. I feel like I’m walking a thin line and being watched, ... Answers 20 Crystal Ramon-Miranda, Chevron Answered Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at 4:20 PM 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 ... Adriana Beal, BealProjects.com Answered Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 2:05 PM 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 ... Patricia Mokhtarian, Georgia Institute of Technology Answered Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 2:03 PM 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 ...
Anonymous Added Monday, October 14, 2024 at 12:48 AM How do I deal with Impostor Syndrome? Hi, I'm a 4th year robotics engineering student at UC Santa Cruz. I guess I picked robotics because it involved both computer and electrical since I wasn't sure. Currently, I'm struggling in classes, especially the electronics class that I'm taking, and the prof gave me and my friends extra time on the assignment...but I can't help but think "Oh, he's only being nice to us since we are girls" I'm a first-gen college student and I had a sexist mentor through a scholarship that said ... Answers 0
Spring Added Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 12:58 AM What type of engineering would allow me to utilize my art skills while also being in the entertainment industry? I'm a senior in high school and I'm still unsure about what I want to major in college. I know for sure that I want to work in the entertainment industry (Gaming, Film, or Music) and I've had a deep passion for art however I'm aware that having an art major would most likely not be the smartest move (due to typical low salaries). So far I've taken AP 2D Art and am currently taking AP CSA and AP Stats if that helps. I am aware that Software Engineering is an option however that field is very ... Answers 0
EngineerGirl Team Added Friday, April 26, 2024 at 3:11 PM Should I try to become an engineer even if I don't excel in math and science? I'm a female high school student who really loves things such as cars, motorcycles and planes but I didn't grow up with an aptitude for math like most people. I would give up easily in my math classes and take shortcuts. I can understand the principles behind it and appreciate how structural math is, but I can't apply it myself. I am ... Answers 15 Julia Lopez, Turner Construction Answered Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 8:35 AM Absolutely! I was a lot like you when I was in high school. I was never great at math. I understood the concepts but when it came to apply it, I would always get lost. Then I was then diagnosed with dyscalculia my freshman year of college. Many students ... Karen Panetta, Tufts University Answered Monday, May 20, 2024 at 4:50 PM YES! Who says you are not good in math? Your grades? These are skills that you develop as you use them. If you learned to play an instrument or a sport, you know that those things take practice. Math is no different! You learn to use math and the more ... Carla Bailo, ECOS Consulting Answered Friday, April 26, 2024 at 3:27 PM This question is always a difficult one to answer. It depends on what you mean by excel. If it means you don't enjoy math and science, then engineering may be difficult for you. If it means you enjoy math and science, but find it difficult, then ...
A Added Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 4:48 PM Can I still become a mechanical engineer even if I don't excel in math and science? I'm a female high-school student who really loves things such as cars, motorcycles and planes but I didn't grow up with an aptitude for math like most people. I would give up easily in my math classes and took shortcuts. I can understand the principles behind it and appreciate how structural math is, but I can't apply it myself. I am graduating in a few months, and I want to enter mechanical engineering (as I have a huge interest in engines and mechanical systems) but I'm not sure I can handle ... Answers 0
EngineerGirl Team Added Monday, January 29, 2024 at 2:53 PM Is engineering the right field for me? I've been interested in chemical engineering, particularly cosmetic chemical engineering, for some time now. I felt like this pathway would have been good for me as I enjoy science and math and like the lifestyle that it could provide (work, family/life balance, flexibility, hands-on, salary, etc). I'm a little conflicted because I often ... Answers 12 Sandra Hernandez, Chevron Answered Monday, January 29, 2024 at 3:20 PM If you enjoy science and math, I don’t see why you should stress about taking chemical engineering as a major! Engineering, as many other majors, requires hard work, but this doesn’t mean you need to leave your social life behind. Engineering offers a ... Bianca Stamps, Chevron Answered Monday, January 29, 2024 at 3:19 PM While the curriculum involved in pursuing engineering is rather difficult, I have found that it did not make me any less social. In some cases, it made me more social! In my junior and senior years, I worked more in our engineering building with fellow ... Leteshia Lowe Answered Monday, January 29, 2024 at 3:18 PM This is a fair question and I think a lot of people are scared off from majoring in engineering because of this and also fears of the difficulty of engineering classes. First, I would absolutely recommend you pick chemical engineering as a major, since ...
Ari Added Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:24 PM Is Engineering the right field for me? I've been interested in chemical engineering, particularly cosmetic chemical engineering, for some time now. I felt like this pathway would have been good for me as I enjoy science and math and like the lifestyle that it could provide (work, family/life balance, flexibility, hands-on, salary, etc). I'm a little conflicted because I often hear that university, especially the first year, is incredibly difficult and stressful, and I'm afraid that this career choice might leave me with little ... Answers 0
Joeria Added Monday, December 11, 2023 at 9:48 AM What subjects should I take right now to be a mechanical engineer in freshman year? Answers 1 Dennice Gayme, Johns Hopkins University Answered Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 9:30 AM Typically there are a list of courses recommended by the department for the Freshman year as part of the program. Requirements will be program specific so it is important to be aware of these