You're considering a career in engineering. How can you be sure it's the right fit for you?

Assessing your interests and skills before embarking on an engineering journey is pivotal. It's crucial to delve into introspection and consider various aspects of your inclinations and proficiencies. Understanding whether you lean towards software or hardware, design or testing, collaboration or independence, and the level of detail you prefer can help guide your path in engineering. Additionally, reflecting on your problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and specific industry interests can provide further clarity. By thoroughly evaluating these factors, you can identify areas where your passions align with your strengths, paving the way for a fulfilling and successful career in engineering.

I have a teenage daughter who is a sophomore in college. She's in pre-engineering and I've often talked to her about her choice. She has many interests, but is understanding of the fact that it's much harder to make a decent living in game design or graphic arts than in a technical field. She has the curiosity and the desire, but High School didn't really prepare her for the rigors of a technical degree (I think everyone in the field has gone through some of that). From many high schools, that 3.95 GPA doesn't go very far when you're facing Chemistry, Physics, and Differential and Integral Calculus. These are the "humblers" that we all go through when choosing this area of study.

Brainstorming and research at the start as career is vital. There are Career Guidance Counselors who can help, but a final decision has to come from the person. A tool which can help and solidify a decision on whether to enter engineering or any other profession is a psychological assessment which can solidify a young persons mind for that so critical decision. What are the soft skills attached to engineering? Patience, attention to detail, methodical, deadline-driven and many more. If the person doesn't have the soft skills that can help with the final decision.

Any type of engineering is not for everyone for sure. You need the right personality to a: earn an engineering degree and b: work as an engineer. There are extrovert engineers but they are few and far between. Before embarking on a career in engineering I would suggest asking trusted friend, family member and other about if your personality fits in engineering. To support their opinions, take a career assessment or two which will help you solidify if you are the right personality. Great and fascinating career.

Si te apasiona la ciencia, las matemáticas y buscas proporcionar soluciones para la sociedad con el uso de la teoría y la tecnología, la ingeniería es para ti, ahora existen muchos tipos de ingeniería que dependiendo de dónde deseas orientar ese conocimiento vas a poder elegir. Siempre consulta con profesionales de la carrera para informarte sobre el alcance de cada una.

Exploring the breadth of engineering disciplines is key to finding your fit in the field. From mechanical to biomedical, each offers distinct methods and challenges. Research online, talk to engineers, and join clubs or workshops for hands-on experience. This exploration will help you pinpoint your interests and align them with potential career paths in engineering.

Explorar diferentes disciplinas dentro de la ingeniería es fundamental para una elección informada. Según Collins (2001), "el éxito se basa en la comprensión profunda de las propias fortalezas y la alineación con las oportunidades". La ingeniería abarca campos diversos como mecánica, eléctrica, civil, química, entre otros, cada uno con métodos y desafíos únicos. Investigar en línea, leer publicaciones especializadas, y participar en actividades prácticas como clubes y talleres permite una comprensión amplia. Esta inmersión ayuda a identificar la disciplina que mejor se alinea con tus intereses y habilidades, aumentando la probabilidad de éxito y satisfacción profesional.

Engaging with mentors and peers is invaluable for gaining insight into the world of engineering. Seek guidance from teachers, professors, or professionals who can offer advice and feedback. Additionally, connect with peers, whether classmates or online communities, for support and shared experiences. By discussing career paths, challenges, and successes, you'll gain valuable perspective and inspiration. Don't hesitate to ask questions and share your goals and doubts; these conversations can help clarify your path in engineering.

Let me build on the excellent contributions by Michael Lambert, Jr. and the others. Engineering as a discipline opens up many career options. This foundation will change how you think about solving problems across many disciplines. The course work in Chemical Engineering matched my interest in physical chemistry and chemical reaction kinetics. Separation of mixtures by distillation towers and membrane diffusion. The mentors that I had in college and my internship with General Electric made a huge difference. At GE my supervising Senior Engineer really helped me discover the wide applications for an engineering career. I worked in the design electronics lab of the Sonar Signal Processing Department. I have branched out from that beginning.

Hablar con mentores y compañeros es crucial para decidir si la ingeniería es adecuada para ti. Según Kram (1985), los mentores proporcionan orientación valiosa y aceleran el desarrollo profesional. Consultar con maestros, asesores y profesionales te brinda perspectivas reales del campo, mientras que interactuar con compañeros te ofrece apoyo y diversas perspectivas. Las conversaciones sobre trayectorias, desafíos y éxitos pueden iluminar aspectos del trabajo cotidiano en ingeniería. Esta red de contactos no solo proporciona información crítica, sino que también puede inspirarte y ayudarte a alinear tus objetivos con la realidad del campo.

Engaging in engineering courses and projects offers a hands-on approach to assessing your compatibility with the field. Explore courses at your school, college, or online platforms to grasp fundamental concepts and techniques. Additionally, dive into engineering projects, either solo or in teams, to apply your skills and creativity to real-world challenges. Seek projects aligned with your interests and goals, pushing yourself to learn and evolve. This experiential learning will provide valuable insights into your passion and aptitude for engineering.

Probar cursos y proyectos es una estrategia efectiva para evaluar tu aptitud para la ingeniería. Según Kolb (1984), el aprendizaje experiencial es crucial para adquirir y aplicar conocimientos prácticos. Inscribirse en cursos, ya sea en una universidad o en plataformas en línea, te proporciona una base teórica sólida. Trabajar en proyectos, individualmente o en equipo, te permite aplicar esta teoría a problemas reales, desarrollando habilidades prácticas y creatividad. Esta combinación de teoría y práctica no solo refuerza tu comprensión, sino que también te ayuda a descubrir si disfrutas y sobresales en las tareas propias de la ingeniería, facilitando una decisión más informada sobre tu carrera.

Learn who you are and what you do best so you don't waste your talent. The missing link goes beyond just interests (what you think you like), and skills (what you have learned but you lose what you don't use). Natural abilities - those hardwired innate things you do well without any special emphasis are the missing link. When you build skills on top of those things you were made to do, you feel engaged and energized. Building skills on top of things you were not hardwired to do can be done, but with a tremendous amount of stress and energy which, over time, takes a toll on all aspects of health. Natural abilities can be measured accurately utilizing the Highlands Ability Battery. To learn more, I can help.

Engineering and Sciences are not for people who have the need to "be the big dog". A true sense of curiosity and eagerness to understand are first and foremost. This field will challenge you and honestly sometimes will metaphorically "eat you for breakfast". I've always told my daughter that ability is only half of the requirement for a technical degree, the rest is tenacity. You have to be willing to put your ego aside, learn from what you did wrong, and get back at it. It's not a career for everyone, that's for sure. Not trying to scare anyone off, but we have one of the highest drop out rates of any career field.