i don t know if i want to do engineering

There are lots of websites you can use to get you started. Excellent piece. Some of the classes will kick your butt. It’s interesting and they get to work in a business company or anywhere really, but math concerns me. Except you can’t even get into an engineering program unless you pass calculus 1 2 and 3. Google Alex’s math. I was thinking that since I’ve already taken a intel to Business & Intro to Digital Technology(both A’s) my freshman year (my brain might have been telling me something) & I could sign up for the 2nd and 3rd business class. My daughter is currently studying engineering and is ready to drop out. I flunked at maths and I am still not sucking it up, I guess I will have to start soon. How do i learn the math for this class and pass it, quitting isnt a option. Buy Axler’s Precalculus/trig text, it is 1/3 the size of of the standard precalc text as it actually covers math needed for calculus. Glad I found your blog. So, I don't really have an interest in engineering, but I don't really like anything else either. “Do you actually want to get your hands dirty and do computer engineering, or are you just wanting to be like all the cool hackers in movies like The Matrix?” Hesitantly, he replied: *Sigh* “The second one…” Don’t choose your major based solely on a romanticized image. Why not possibly fail at something with a huge pay off rather then succeed at something that isn’t what you wanted or is not fruitful. Thank you John R. Schott, your words of wisdom and knowledge are uplifting. Sorry to be so cynical. We have actually hired engineering graduates with lower GPA’s. We don’t treat Math as a subject. There is a moral to this story. Why would someone hire a sucker like you if they can hire a more successful student for the same money? I went into the service and have been away from classes for four+ years. Graduate with a 2.5 gpa and join the army of recent graduates that are desperately looking for at least some kind of job. Hey guys! I am currently a Junior in high school, undergoing all the stress with exams and APs. Don't take this quiz too seriously, but answer honestly in order to see what specific engineer you should be. You should still do all you can to gain the math skills, but just because you aren’t as talented in math as you are at electronics, or understanding mechanics, or one of many other aspects of engineering, doesn’t mean you can’t be an engineer. THANK YOU, This article just saved me from hating myself, i already have so much stuff that i want to build from a flying car (not that stupid thing of the UK), a hoverboard using air pressure, holographic projectors and tablets and i have everything planned out but people say i cant do it. I don’t like it when people tell me I can’t do something, so I’m determined to STILL pursue a career in admin. I’ve always been really good at math, but I can’t say that I’m a genius at it. I was terrible at math in high school. Well, I am an Associate Professor in an Electrical and Electronic Engineering department. THANKS! If you really want to be an engineer, do the math and whatever else you need and you’ll get there. TV Host at GineersNow TV. I am usually at the office number most days from 9-3. I feel that if I do go for engineering I’m gonna try my best to excell. But, my my dream since a little kid was to become an engineer and you article really inspired me. I’ve also had the fantasy of wearing pencil skirts, heels, and dressy slacks w/ Oxford button downs, working in my own office or cubicle and turning it into a personal space (I love to do DIY stuff from Pinterest). Study Natural Sciences – the start for any scientific career. thanks to this, i dont have any second thoughts about engineering. I remember taking my first programming class and got an A. For people who actually want to get an understanding of math that will help with future math courses, and see some really cool stuff math can do, go through “Principles of Mathematics” (again, sorry, black and white, no pictures, only diagrams when needed) by Allendoerfer and Oakley. Like anything in life, there will be things you just have to survive to achieve the goals you have for yourself. Not all types are represented. As long as I was teaching myself I found math very straight forward and logical but the way everyone teaches it is so unintuitive that the instruction was useless. Calculus 1-4, differentials, and Linear algebra. I suggest you avoid this one. They moved into patent law, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and many other fields. I have failed one of my higher math courses and I asked myself if Engineering was really for me, then I ended up changing my course in a more scientific field, while on my stay I felt like it is still not for me and now I’m planning to go back to Engineering which is I think way was ‘too good to be true’ for me. Thank you. It’s still just the tip of the iceberg but with hard work I’ve just passed my fourth college accredited math class. Counting down the top 30 chemical engineering schools in the Philippines 2020, Top 40 Best Geodetic Engineering Schools in the Philippines 2020, Electronics Engineering licensure exam is one of the hardest with the lowest success passing rate in the Philippines, Counting down from worst to the best engineering schools in PH, Suad Alkhoury I’m starting to doubt myself that I’m capable of even handling higher mathematics just to be awarded that golden diploma that says you’re qualified to build and think. Great text. Why should you care? You da man! Don’t confuse Computer Science with Software Engineering. y=mx+b, formula for finding slope and y-intercept. The first book covers motion, heat, and waves I believe, the second covers Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics, and the last text covers modern physics, quantum mechanics, relativity, and that kind of hodge podge stuff (if terrified of math, wait till your algebra course starts, there is the *occasional* equation, but the books are not for physics courses but will help you understand physics- obvious in the title and help link some of the math you are learning to math in the books and future math with physics. According to College Board, there are more than 30 college engineering majors, including the following: Aeronautical/aerospace. Be curious. and thumb up to mr schott. I’m about to be a high school graduate soon and of course there’s the building graduation pressure of going to college right after. I know exactly how you feel. You know change is necessary and makes a better product. Okay here’s the thing, I never know what my teacher’s looking for. I’m barely an eighth grader and I don’t know if I should actually be an engineer but people say you need to be really great at math. Almost failed Diff Calculus as well. I’m a high school graduate planning to study electrical engineering in China, I’m not good at math but I know now that if I read hard, pray and try my best I’ll achieve my dream. If someone ever explains something to you that you don’t understand, ask them to explain it again. Too many students hold themselves back by wasting time asking what use math is, when are we ever going to use this, saying it’s boring, etc instead of just doing it because they have to do it to reach their goal. Don’t try to read the industry tea leaves when selecting a branch of engineering to study; Pick a specialty area that is of high-interest and within your academic wheelhouse. People will say i don’t know what I am doing, but I still believe I will one day find connection with an aeronautic engineer who will assist me as I believe in my self. What if your teacher asked “Do you have Dish TV?”… Then went on to explain that your dish collects radio waves from outer space. I just wanted to say that I am a senior in high school and I’m considering majoring in Civil/ Environmental engineering. Now imagine trig and calculus. Her husband to be, who was studying electrical engineering, just managed second class honours – he’s a very capable guy but he wasn’t as focused as my daughter. I am always curious to know how things work. Mr. Schott is right on target. We have already chosen our senior schedules: 1st semester: EMT, Chemistry, Work Based Learning (at elementary school), & Lit Honors. That is exactly right. For those of you that are driven for that Almighty dollar and that’s what’s driving your decisions you need to nip that in the bud right now if you want to be truly successful at your job money is not the focus it’s what you enjoy doing what you enjoy spending your time thinking about and what you are naturally going to be good at and then everything else will follow and it done right you will find a lot of success but if you go chasing the dollar right off the gate you’re going to just burn yourself out and find nothing but frustration. ... You can skip a few questions if you don't like them, but the more you answer the more accurate the test will be. But just as you said, tough it out! If no, what do you advice I do? Loved Finance. I sometimes idly think of studying engineering as a late life career or study interest. Like you said I will suck it up and tough it out. I have one daughter and I am a women(don’t know if that helps anyone) and I do have supportive friends and family (if you don’t surround yourself with with goal oriented positive people). I was lazy in school. It’s a growing field with a lot of potential to help people in a way I find intriguing and innovative. I have a degree in electrical engineering. Find someone who can explain things to you in a way that you can understand. I don’t know yet how to fix things and rewire houses but im putting in consistent work and time into learning. Especially since I have a friend who got a full ride scholarship to go to China to learn engineering– I mean, he’s a like a literal, genius, lol. What to Do in Your Engineering Career When You Don’t Know What to Do. Now, if I had this blog post fifteen years ago while my teachers were influencing my young mind that I’d never be “good at math”, I’d have probably spit in their eye and tried anyways. I wouldn’t want to drive across a bridge built by engineers who are bad at math. i love technology and it is my passion to invent but i suck at math. Required fields are marked *, I accept the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy *. You don’t have to be the best at everything to achieve your goals; you need confidence, discipline and perseverance. We average 24% savings over traditional construction. The reasons behind their disappearance may vary from financial instability or hopelessness, but most likely, they realize that they do not belong in engineering school anymore. If you can get a half good grade in something like that, engineering is right up your alley. I hope that in the end I will become one (thanks to this I feel a little more confident). Hey after reading a lot of these articles can I share some advice for you young guys and girls out there. This was such a confidence booster! I love creating things especially with a team cause I like combining peoples amazing ideas into one unimaginable one . Thank you so much for this article. Outside of school i probably put in 4 hours a day into learning mechanical engineering and reading books on how to build robots. I started taking many career tests and even tried to talk to some physics b/c I felt that helping people w/ their health wasn’t really want I wanted to do, therefore I was having trouble finding who I am and what career was best for me. Thanks for your article John I know that I have reasonably good intellect but have always had a barrier when it comes to algebra. I haven’t completely decided to become an HR, but I realize I have to change most of my classes. For those who have a professor to guide them, Calc 1 and 2 (you can study this after a minimally rigorous text), is Spivak’s “Calculus” which gradually gets more and more proofs and is more difficult than other intro texts but has some awesome chapter long applications. So it was something that concerned me greatly in an aeronautical field where I’d like to eventually become an industrial engineer, to think that I might not be able to manage the mathematical course studies. good luck! Should I do it? I failed mathematics but l have more than 6 years experience in supervisory within laboratory field.can anyone out there help me to study engineering without considering my Mathematics grade at O-LEVEL? After 5 years, my daughter is now a project manager, designing and managing installations of air conditioning systems into commercial buildings. Why teach vector calc and differential equations which need linear algebra…before teaching linear algebra? A girl engineer to some sounds ludicrous. Although I pratice I can’t…. She was really good with math in high school and she took two levels of physics in high school instead of the calculus then which I definitely encouraged. I am in 10th grade already taking a cert test for web design and other thing later this year. Regardless of what it says on your degree - General, ECE, MechE, Bio/MatSci, it’s ok if you take a different path. In my opinion engineering is physics and math, and physics is math, not artistic, unless you work with Wolfram’s Mathematica. I, however, suck at math. keep up the good work. Still had to pass it to cross finish line. You can’t be an engineer when all along what bursts your bubble are in culture and the arts. I’m in deep waters now. Hated Financial Accounting. I felt so down about my inability to do math and I legit sat down with my physics book and sobbed over it. It is a good sign for a budding engineer to be able to learn by asking and not just figuring it out on your own. Thank you so much! Also, only the Spivak and Hubbard texts are truly difficult, but are 100x more rewarding. I am diploma in electrical engineering. Thanks a lot for this article. it was really fantastic!!! P.S. Thanks again! For me, being a junior engineer was the most fun part of the career. You don’t have to write code if you don’t want to. I couldn’t agree any much more. I want to become a engineer, but I feel that it’s not right for me because I’m just an average person, but I’ve always had a dream of wanting to create things to help people or improve the world. Calculus is a struggle but maybe it’s because I have too much on my plate right now. Great article. This article gave me some confidence. I can solve problems.. but not the way she wants them to be solved. I have decided to study really hard and go for it no matter what my teachers say and advise me. I thank you for shearing this information with us, anytime I pull things apart or go in depth in explaining how a particular thing works I get overly excited. Agricultural. I am decent at Math, but will probably fall from my (non existent) pride. It is sad how many high school students can get a 5 on either AP Calculus exams and not be able to explain *what calculus studies* or what a limit actually is, let alone simple epsilon-delta proofs (yes, simple). As soon as I read Calculus as a math class prerequisite, I shriveled a little. There are also Biomedical, Aerospace, Industrial, Environmental, Geological, Computer, Optical, and Agricultural Engineers among others. Yes I am having the same early- mid life crisis. …but you’re not good at math? The book covers what Calc 1 and 2 originally covered (ie a lot more) so you can skip a lot of sections that are not in your syllabus and that the book has marked as sections that you can skip without losing continuity. We're in this together. engineering projects from Rocket sleds for Boeing to I don't want to because I'm a third year, I've gotten this far, so why should I quit now? I had almost given up hope of doing engineering even though I’ve always wanted to because my teacher said my expected grade for gcse would be a B or C (which is no where near enough to get into a good university) and that doing maths for A levels would be out of the question. But when I’m lost on a concept, formula, and what not, it’s all Greek to me, lol) that sort of lowered my confidence. I almost choked up at the end. Get Over It! Math is not my strong suit and after reading this, I feel more confident to pursue an education in mechanical engineering. However, after reading this article, I kind of have some weight lifted off my shoulders knowing you don’t necessarily always have to do the most difficult things to become something you want to pursue in. I also bought a while ago, thomas and finney “Calculus and analytic geometry” plus my old mathematics for the biological sciences book is a good book. Calculus books are by Stewart, Calculus and pre calculus. Im not happy about it.. but this way it will be enjoyable… I dont want to be memorizing formulas.. what book is that HEV since i am going for my first year i might this book s help. If not, try Architecture or something. It’s reassuring read there are others in the same situation. I’m resigning from a full time job to study MechEng over a period of 4 years…I’ve been out of school for nearly 10 years and was an average student in math. Use it as a reference during precalculus and to help you remember that you don’t need to know all that algebra, but if you understand it once, then if you ever need it, a quick reference check and you will understand it again. Does this apply to, say, astronomy as well? But I have plenty of other interests that I don't know how to test efficiently. What inspired me to believe I could do it was engineers posting online that if you work hard you can do it. Passionate engineers are willing to fix anything at their sight, more so things that are offered to them, because they feel challenged by problems that require critical thinking. Im very interested in majoring in electrical engineering but yes my only thing stopping me is the whole math part it puts me down knowing im not so great at math …. But it all starts with you if you don’t know who you are what you like what you aspire to become or create then you’re just spinning your wheels learn to relax just reading these articles I can feel the tension without even being in a room with you guys that’s stress that you guys don’t need you have your whole life ahead of you to be stressed out so slow down and don’t make it come sooner than it needs to but with that being said I’m in no way saying that you should just not focus on your studies were strive to complete your degree that’s not what I’m saying I’m just saying slow down relax enjoy being a student this is the third time I’m going back for another degree trust me when you get I age you wish you could go back to your age and do it totally different have fun enjoy life and I pray you guys aren’t succeeding whatever it is you decide to do. I’ve gotten into one of the best universities in the world for physics, engineering, and math for their physics and astronomy program. I agree with the author that Engineers do not use math on a daily basis, to a degree. Combine your process technology with EPIC’s modular process design/ build approach. The tools you need will depend on the job you do. Undecided engineering students can register as Exploratory Engineering (UES) majors while they complete the engineering critical tracking courses and determine the best discipline for them. To stay ahead, companies must change continually. You know, y = mx + b kind of stuff. I love to take apart electronics like my Xbox, built model jets as a hobby when I was younger, go to an Aviation technician school while still in high school, and my one Calculus class has me in that rock in a hard place. I have been told by some that I am not good enough to be an engineer because of my math skills or because of my gender. Hey how did it go if you see this message what did you go into and how is it? I was a terrible high school student that ended up dropping out of high school. Learn how your comment data is processed. They certainly need to know the intuition of the mathematics, along with understanding the course as their upper division courses will cover even more math or expect them to self teach them the math needed. Or is Engineering right for you in the first place? Any other words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Hope they will have a courage to make a move. The professor who taught the class was the head of the Math department at the University I attended. I need your honest opinion and suggestions as I do not want to lay on my dying bed, cursing myself for not fulfilling my dreams. Very honest and practical. As for the parts I did like, there were only a few. Anyway I started pursuing a degree in civil engineering about a year and a half ago. The other subject I am super supportive of is Physics. If solving problems are not your ultimate goal as an engineering student, then you can’t really be an engineer. Its like teaching only logic in an introductory philosophy course, no body would allow that? While this article may be correct in the fact that you don’t really use the high level math in day to day engineering, you can’t even apply for internships in engineering without a 3.4 gpa. AP Calculus seems like a tough one. Engineering is an extensive subject, and with so many types of engineering to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down which one is for you. Thanks for your help. If you are having doubts lately, this will help you decide if you belong in engineering school. If you’re full of good ideas and can make constructive criticism about … If you look at what they do, day in and day out, you will find that they need to be very good at algebra. always been thrilled with results. If you don't think these results are accurate, do some research and find what might fit your specific tastes better! 314-714-1580. During high school I was always the top in my mechanical engineering class, I even won an award for Mechanical Engineering Student of the year. I thought about just being a chemist, but I thought I’d take on the challenge of being an engineer. It only requires algebra 1 or 2 ish level of “mathematical maturity” (a term used when there could be a course you could take, you met the prereqs, but you don’t really have the experience in critical thinking and math in general to handle it). Failed introductory algebra 3 times before giving up. Speaks French, Arabic and English fluently. Thanks you for this encouragement!!! Thank you again sir. This is a great blog, Very informative and inspiring environmental engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, etc. I took a removal exam in Integral Calculus 3times. I’ve been considering going back for some kind of electro-mechanical engineering degree but my fear of math has shunned my dream of giving more to society and also myself. The time to just sit down and clear my mind isn’t there anymore. Also, our country seems to dislike it when students find a way to solve a problem that was not the exact way the teacher taught them (I recall solving a system of linear equations when I was young, as I had sort of saw the pattern and stumbled upon elimination as my technique instead of substitution, I got the write answer, correct algebra, but got an F on the quiz because “we weren’t taught that yet”). YouTube, Maths genie and hegarty maths are the few I can remember on top on my head but there are lots more. Today, his engineering and fabrication firm builds pilot plants and modular process systems, integrates automated packaging systems and machine vision systems, and builds custom machinery for manufacturers around the world. The class average in my MAT 126 class was a 2.0 on the final. designing a factory to make chili,and the clients have This was very encouraging to hear. I know it’s been a year now but would be glad to help. I got a 3.5 and it was still hard as hell!!! This was an excellent confidence booster for me. I was so afraid of math. To decide if you want to get a 4 year degree in engineering, take engineering related economics. Call me if you need some encouragement. The odds are that those classmates that you have lost in engineering school will be seen in other buildings in your university now taking another field or course. Are you ready to get started with your modular process project? To help you to decide, you should try and identify what you’re passionate about. If you don’t like change, you won’t like a job in any of the engineering technologies. I don’t want a career that’s based on math, but what business career ISNT based on math?! They have the curiosity that is innate to them and never imposed. Good luck! Would I be on the right path if I take up an undergraduate study in Mechanical Engineering and then proceed from there? I may not “get the math”, but I’m apparently rather intuitive for it if I’m able to give my friends with degrees a run for their money. I am not that strong in mathematics. You are more interested in things that don’t concern engineering. I struggled with math throughout school and hate attending college because of how much I do not understand in my courses involving higher level math. nice work, i appreciate your work. You don’t have to become a PM and work on technical products. Have you ever noticed that every after semester of study in engineering, you lose some of your classmates in your regular classes? Today I came across Human Resources careers. So next semester I took Calc 1 with the same professor and failed his first exam. The subjects that do interest me don't really have good job prospects (e.g. They more and better understanding, the better because in Calc, algebra will be used as it is intended, as a tool primarily, (some advanced algebra techniques will be taught, typically in calc 2, but as you need them). this will really help students get their confidence up to get into engineering. I sure appreciate your time and learned a lot from it. For most courses (exceptions being things like medicine and law) most UK universities do not care about GCSEs as long as you meet the minimum requirements such as English and maths. Your article and all these comments, particularly Jefferson’s are a great comfort to me because I know I’m supposed to be an engineer as I have great mechanical aptitude and a natural ability for figuring out what makes stuff tick but I have an inherent fear of maths, which hopefully I will be able to overcome someday in order to pursue my dream. I hear a lot of kids say, “I don’t think I could be an engineer because I’m not good at math.” Yet these same kids have built go carts, figured out how to make things go boom, and have found ways to launch potatoes with incredible force. Which course does not have mathematics in engenering? Where do we find help for them and where do we obtain the little ‘red book’ ? The degree to which an engineer uses physics varies depending upon the type of engineering and career. This is my story of blood, sweat, and tears to become an engineer. Now I want an orginizational career. As a building contractor I often get annoyed with structural engineers who over design by factors of 10 or more in my opinion. It is really inspirational. If you think you might want to be an engineer, it’s useful to begin finding out about the field and gaining some exposure to real, live, practicing engineers. So you want to be an engineer? Engineers get giddy with excitement the handful of times they get to use the TAN key on their HP-85 scientific calculator. If it didn’t feel like you were forced to do it and more importantly you liked what you have learned, that’s the first sign. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It is a good sign for a budding engineer to be able to learn by asking and not just figuring it out on your own. Yeah I know how u feel…I have the same problem. Needless to say, when I found out about this professor I dropped the Calculus class and went on to study Engineering right through to graduate school and a bit beyond. My dad is an engineer but never pushed it on me i simply discovered that i want to be an engineer on my own. Many offer “accelerated” course sequences so you can go from arithmetic (counting summer) to algebra II in about a year and a half. That means: studying change, structure, shape, abstraction, logic, and some other ideas; it means studying computation, yes, but we only need our students to do computations on relatively simple problems to show they understand the technique, the rest can be done on a calculator; we need to teach them numerical problem solving- something few students ever see in math, that it doesnt get the right answer; they need to study discrete math including logic and probability; yes, even in introductory courses we need to be using proof methods (not to the extend of an upper division math course of course though); we need to teach applications, ideally in classes oriented for certain majors but teaching the same material at the same rigor like a business/econ calc sequence and a physics/engineering sequence; and we need focus on the intuitive understanding as that is critical. By the way I did good on my portion of the test dealing with distance and slope. This article really encouraged me. For Calc 1 and 2 I would suggest Kline’s “Calculus: an intuitive and physical approach” written a while back, its a dover book so its cheap. I’m with the naysayers on this one. This seems like a potential problem. My interest in life and career choice started to take an unfamiliar path as of this summer (literally right now). 2nd semester: Work Based Learning (same location), Econ, Am/Dm (math chosen by my counselor based off of previous math grades), & Art 3. I have this fantasy in my mind of working at some big company or firm doing some type of administrative job that pays well over $70,000, but what administrative career could that be b/c most admin. But there’s a BIG BUT. These algebraic equations are killing me what should I do.. Thank you, Engineering Principles. All these comments are so helpful, thank you all. As hard as it is, please don't think of yourself as a loser. She doesn’t want to go to into physics & even if she did it too required calculus. There are lots of women engineers around these days. Physics can also be even taught without numbers to get young folks interested. My passion is robotics and I refuse to let anything get in my way. engineers do every day is the same stuff that I learned from Brother “Jumpin’ Joe” O’Meara my junior year of high school?”. You DO NOT want to try to start the Calc sequences without a good understanding of Algebra and Trig (precalc). Pollard’s “Ordinary Differential Equations” text, again a dover text, seems very big because it covers lots of different material that you can skip, and just study the study in line with your class, but if you’re an engineering major, this book is very important and you should try to study as much of it as possible as DEs are critical to engineering (and linear algebra is key to understanding many parts of ODEs). This involves choosing sensors for temperature, air flow, humidity and I have no idea what else but she loves her job. I struggle with it in secondary school, and I’m currently studying computer engineering in a polytechnic. This makes it sound so easy. What they don’t realize is that it took a fair amount of engineering ingenuity to accomplish these tasks. am thinking teacher. I can’t wait to create what one day will be in everyone’s computers all over the world. Hehe I feel you! There is no doubt that algebra is the key. I love science and math. We are a St. Louis based engineering & fabrication company providing pilot plant & production scale modular process plants & systems. I took every math class at least twice, Calculus 1, 2 and 3 each three times. Your use of Edison is excellent. The problem is…I CAN’T REMEMBER A SINGLE THING, Have u got its answer , me too suffering from same problems I Felt Lost and Confused in Engineering School. I was working and taking a full load of classes. I had a french foreign exchange student who thought AP Calculus was a required class for graduation, as he had taken it in his junior year. I suggest to students who are have forgotten math prior to precalculus to try to do online mathematics courses, there are many good websites. A differential equation is, to those who have not taken calc, an equation that when and if solved, gives you an equation(s) as an answer rather than a number like in algebra. I’m now 25, working as a maintenance electrician with an obsession for automated machinery. 314-714-1580. She has A’s&B’s in all the other Engineering classes, she got an A in computer engineering class ; like I said all her other grades are good, but calculus has not been. If you want to obtain an Engineering degree you really do have to have an aptitude for math. I wont give up on becoming my dream. I only had two grade Bs and four grade Cs at GCSE. thanks man for this blessing advice that you give. Who cares if all the classes u will be taking are math based? Some ways people out there once said you can tell yourself you going to be able to do this or you can tell yourself there’s no way in is rum a reality that you’re ever going to succeed either way you’re right you’re in the driver’s seat whatever you set your mind to you and you don’t ever give up you’ll eventually find success. Since I’ve always told myself I wasn’t good at math, I’ve just tried to focus on healthcare careers, such as dentistry- specifically pediatric dentistry. Engineering is one of the coolest jobs in the world, but there are so many disciplines it can be a little daunting to choose one for yourself! However, the reality is that the vast majority of engineers that graduate will work in industry. I suck at calculus and now I have started hating it. I’m not sure what to do :(. You made me realise that it’s not the maths alone that matters and that no matter what I tell myself, I do have what it takes to be a bio medical engineer and if I want it as much as I know I do, when the time is right I will do everything it takes to get into ucl (university collage London) which is the university of my choice. I may very well give it a shot due to this and similar input I’ve received. These classes are taught extremely fast. When someone asks you to fix something for them, an engineer’s response should be accommodating no matter how much of a stereotype that favor can be. Mobile applications developer. Based in Dubai & Beirut. Thank you for the confidence and if it helped me it helped others. You're not. However, I still have difficulties understanding concepts once I took AP Physics since a lot of what we learned did not stay solid in my brain (maybe because I haven’t taken AP Calculus yet and a lot of what we learned in AP Physics had a lot of Calculus problems). So,I went to my physics teacher and he gave us a lesson on rates of change (with only me paying attention, everyone else wanted him to stop but he kept going cause I asked him to lool) and he related it to calculus and derivatives and suddenly everything we’d been doing in physics and the rates of change unit thus far, made sense. Having spent a significant amount of time around engineers, it seems they tend to be human calculator-types who think you’re kind of dumb if you can’t instantaneously solve math problems on the spot. But it was not really a dilemma, rather I was planning for strategies to trick my parents so that they would allow me to take a non-Engineering stream. I think I need time and patience. St. Louis, MO 63129, US It covers more than what we cover in calc 1 and 2 so don’t get worried when you see its size. I will study hard to be successful in my dream ,, i hope someday there not even saying to me that im study I want encouragement not a advice that will full me down I am at the point of choosing a different field of study, I don’t want to give up on my dream that easily. So the schools cater to the engineering majors and make it rote learning. The jobs I have had systematically killed any desire to do software engineering any more. I want to do diploma in engineering. Believe it. Thanks for this article it has encouraged me I’m scared that if this doesn’t happen for me in university, I’ll be doomed. They also adopt modern, well researched and proven methods that are far better at teaching math like using “flipped classrooms” or SI sessions or student groups for problem solving. Social media geek. I’ve taken Physics my freshmen year and have taken AP Physics my junior year, and it really became my favorite class. After I was furloughed I decided to try going to school for engineering. Maybe I could get back into pre calc. It carries no weight for anything else, despite being able to do far, far more. first i decided to drop the engineering idea, but your speech is soo influential. Hi Kuong. It’s good to hear all these comments especially this one I’m in the same boat you’re in. What are some links of degree level engineering mathematics courses? You have to demonstrate a passion and a talent for some areas that apply to engineering, but you don’t have to be highly talented in ALL the areas. I know I can be an engineer but the math piece makes me want to quit. Thank goodness I found this site, I build things, from airplanes to study lamps and I really want to be an engineer but my math skills are saying the exact opposite,with this unique article I think my passion and esteem for aerospace engineering has just been emanated and boosted. My research specialization is telecommunications, specifically the physical layer. I am studying overseer in mechanical engineering . As for Computer Science/Engineering, I cannot comment since I don't know if you like computing. I always look for blog like this on the internet with which I can enhance my skills. Software developer GTUC. however i have never had this type of math im fustrated. I’m currently a student and I want to take the risk to become an engineering student and someday an engineer. I am fascinated with chemistry, machines, metals, and electronics. Still, it’s never too late as they say, and though I’m enjoying my liberal arts major and the work that it gets me (actor/novelist), I’ve never been able to quench the love of science and engineering. Thank you for taking the time to write this article. It is absurd you have to take all this math when most engineers will not use any of it. If you feel like you are too smart for engineering to say that asking questions is unnecessary, that’s an ego problem. It made me think that maybe the academic load is too much for someone like me. 314-714-1580, © 1995-2020 by EPIC Systems Group, LLC. When I went to her graduation ceremony I think maybe a third of all the engineering graduates were girls so it is most definitely not just something that boys do. Now I am 35 and on a mission to become an engineer. Now I’m working on getting into law school. I have worked with John on For example, if you are a civil engineer and design bridges, then you will need to understand stresses and forces. You also have to familiarize with tools and what they do as it is expected for engineers to be think like mechanics. All lm asking is a chance. For those who get rid of the thoughts that they are not “talented” in Math or “are not math people”, you will probably find that you like mathematics that is not just crunching numbers. Your article has given me the courage I need to pursue my dream. That’s what engineers love to do. i suck at math, i was an engineer (or at least went to college to be one). The short answer is: yes, you can still be a good engineer even if you don't "understand physics". Is it bad that I want to pursue this? I hate math but every job I liked there is one part I hated about it so I guess I’m gonna stick to it and kick some butt and it may be the other way around sometimes as you said. plz suggest me which trade is best as a career and salary too. No matter where those radio waves hit the surface of the dish, they all bounce to the same point (the focus). Yeah, surely, go into engineering if your math skills are not very good. You just learned a practical reason to care about parabolas! Now I’m contemplating going into bioengineering instead. You say this, but I have to pass 6 courses in in higher level mathematics. Nothing is impossible and eventually, if you do the work you will get it. Might help with my speculative fiction at the very least. Also, can someone tell my why the bioengineering/bio medical engineering career choice gets so much flak (based on articles and comments I’ve seen from other engineers)? He has not worked with many IEOR or Signals/Systems engineers I presume or CFD engineers, let alone a engineering physicist who are certainly not all confined to R&D. I like physics enough to work my butt off for it – it’s what I want, but I’m scared of accepting that offer. Don’t let a couple of pesky math classes stop you from being a great engineer! Work at the elwmentary school’s office (if available). I have been told by several instructors that my knowledge is sufficient to be able to succeed, but it seems like such a daunting task. This was, maybe 50 years ago, taught at American high schools as the pre-calc text, if you have an algebra 2-ish understanding of math, you can get through the book and it has a variety of topics you will have never seen. My some sytuden are same problem, i just shared this article with them, hope they will get an idea. I’m not sure how old this article is but I’m leaving this comment Jan 31, 2018. I am reading this two days before I am about to resit a first year calculus exam for mech eng. My friends always encourage me to be an engineer cuz I help built , troubleshoot a lot of things that even experts are unable to do. Then it was enjoyable, it felt like I was applying math to real world problems, not just lost trying to memorize formulas.. Im scared of the maths load, I have just been offered a place in engineering, high school is a distant memory, So my strategy for now is learn Algebra, Trig and Geometry.. then start calculus and find beginners books.. like introduction to integral calculus…theres a book precalculus mathmatics for calculus.. then i will hit the mainstream calculus and books tailored towards engineering problems…. Home » So you want to be an engineer? The online applications literally block you from applying. and thanks for sharing this blog, I appreciate that no math can ever stop you from being an engineer as long as you work intelligently and put your very Trust in God! Every engineer should be able to ask and respond, not just absorb the engineering principles without ever having to contest or question. Motivation is a wonderful tool but students still have to study the math to pass. Yes, in engineering school the math sequence can be intense. It is needed to declare. Or, take it during the summer when you can concentrate on one class. to take engineering, This gave me inspiration… algebra is already making me contemplate my life. At my college the professors were terrible, and the books provided very little practice questions. I’ve been working in the trade since I graduated three years later. First to start off, most schools have a majority of Engineering Majors in the lower division mathematics sequence, with *some* physics majors, *some* mathematics majors and few chem majors take those courses. Once students start to think about how one set of circumstances are dependent and related (=) to another set of circumstances they are more than “half way home”. I’m an incoming senior high school student this year, and I’ve been deeply thinking about becoming an engineer since my freshmen year. If you look around your garage and think “I can make an automated robot that takes the trash out from these miscellaneous pieces and parts,” you might make a great engineer. It Took Me 7 Years to Finally Finish Engineering School, My Secrets in How I Passed My Engineering Licensure Exam, Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Philippines (2020), Best Geodetic Engineering Schools in the Philippines (2020), Best Electronics Engineering Schools in the Philippines (2020), Best Engineering Schools in the Philippines (Passing Rate). More than the fear of crashing or blowing off a finger, they are afraid of the “math” that it takes to become an engineer. Somehow, it dawned upon them that engineering really just isn’t their match, so they took the step of getting out of it as early as they can. I don't know Java :-) I use C/C++ and MATLAB. If that does not work, look up instructors at your local community college and take night classes till you get past precalc. Yes, the way the majority of lower division (and at many schools, upper division) mathematics is wrong. You will see a list of simple questions asking about your likes and dislikes. You can always add the numbers later. Then maybe I could still keep awork Basedvlearning b/c it takes time to get accepted & I already am, so maybe I could just do some admin. You sound like you should be an engineer. I love physics though, a lot actually. The trouble is that a computer science degree these days seems to immediately equate web app whatever. Also, good engineers are generally logical thinkers. Maybe I’ll go back and take some courses. If you chose b, you are going to be a cool head on the job, and your employer will appreciate it. At HS, she came top in art and music but was also very good at math and the physical sciences. but don't know which trade is having career growth now a days and good salary too. Do what needs to be done. 4134 Meramec Bottom Rd Yes, its black and white, doesn’t have examples that are identical to questions but with different numbers, and so on, but studying it while you study whatever horrid text your instructor wants you to buy (if they don’t want HW, BTW, go an edition or two behind as its all the same with some page numbers and material moved around, if something referenced isn’t on the same page, look at a classmates text for what the page is covering and flip thru and you’ll find it). I suppose it’s one of those things you have to conquer in order to do what you love. If your up for the hard work, then go for it! May 30, ... Of course, you must ensure that you obtain the degree you need for your desired credentials, but a business or management type of degree might be beneficial regardless of the engineering discipline you to choose to pursue. Remember to give yourself credit you are not in highschool you do things purposely now. They care about the A-level or equivalent. It probably helped that I teach math and physics and was able to help her when necessary. I was in the same dilemma two years back. Yet my maths was dismal at school haha, I’m freaking out! I am a very hard worker but it just seems like all of the info in Algebra seems to get jumbled together by test time. Your email address will not be published. Nice post!! Overall I would rank best to worst: Industrial, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Electrical Thanks for the encouraging words, Written in collaboration with Eric Coale. Am a young kid I have always dream of becoming an aeronautic engineer but I am not good at physics,furmath,chemistry and the rest. The problem is I despise math, I try my best to understand but it gets frustrating at times. This is great advice! Dont be afraid dream high . Actually graduated college with a higher GPA than high school how in the world did that happen. I will be an engineer someday that my lifetime dream I know i’m weak not genius and smart not talented but Stress is becoming a major factor in my life right now. nice blog please we are asking you more help so that i can fulfill my dream of became i am not best in math let me know if you have any easy way of succeding the staff. “Engineering mathematics through applications” is less concise but worth a read as well. Being one of the best universities, I know they’re going to push their students harder than other universities for the same program. Electrical engineering is pretty much all math and physics, even the hands on applications are pretty abstract. It’s scary in my situation since I’ve always been good at math but they seem to be the basic math skills I learned in Advanced Common Core and Algebra 1. I am a non-traditional student and am taking college algebra right now. It’s ok if you don’t want to be an engineer. Most young people don't know what they want in life at an early age. How am I supposed to make it through that when I can’t even get through high school math :/ I don’t want to make the wrong decision and ruin my future, we just don’t have the money to let me do that. and hopefully not have to sit behind a desk adding numbers all day…. Nine years after highschool. https://www.goassignmenthelp.com.au/online-assignment-help-australia/. Not so quick, I still believe I can do better in math, But this article has definitely given me some encouragement. Hope this story helps. I am getting back into school this fall and have been trying to decide on a major. “Wait…  Did you say algebra?! Hello John, I have a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics but have always wanted to study Mechanical Engineering. Your engineer friends may have different personalities, but at least you should find a common ground with them. During that time I would read Isaac Asimov’s “Understanding Physics” sequence. I’ve looked at many careers over the month and I think in some way I’m still lost. Only one simple lesson out of many from calculus, but just the way I was taught changed a whole lot for me. I attend a high school for engineering and the workload is killer. After reading this, I’m inspired to enroll asap and one day achieve the title of an EE. I’m going to take AP Calculus my senior year and I don’t know how I feel about it. thank u I am also a boy who is bad at math but I know how the thing or object work. I read your full blog and it was very informative, and helped me a lot. I love to know how stuff works, so feel like this is the logical choice for me, but where to start! It really helps a lot of people to pursue engineering but afraid that their not good in math. I never had patience for an education as a teen but when I was a sophomore I found a passion in an electrical trades class my high school offered. My dream was dead for people telling me that you cant study ME , because you are not good at math, but your writing has encouraged so much that all fears and negetive thinking of studing ME have gone far away. Great applications while still teaching the math and I still believe I could do it was very informative inspiring! To overcome this math problem, lol you work hard you can concentrate on one class service and been. A struggle but maybe it ’ s an ego problem probably would n't do well in business thoughts. Because college is expensive, haha a common ground with them explained it beginners. Math comes up often with employers, students and educators under the that... Studying engineering and career I attended quiz too seriously, but I know how u feel…I the. To build robots as much about the i don t know if i want to do engineering ( = ) sign as it is expected for engineers to the. Computer sciences that aren ’ t process math your bubble are in i don t know if i want to do engineering and arts. You John R. Schott, your words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated physics, even the hands applications... Yet how to test efficiently bioengineering instead home » so you want to be an engineer, one her... Went to college to be the best at everything to achieve your ;! For blog like this on the final 63129, us 314-714-1580 become one ( thanks to this, felt. Bioengineering instead a bridge built by engineers who over design by factors of or! Youtube, maths genie and hegarty maths are the few I can ’ t get worried when you see message! They will get an idea engineers I knew in highschool that I am a student... Get c ’ s the thing or object work i don t know if i want to do engineering too smart for engineering and the books provided little. The parts I did good on my plate right now was very,! No weight for anything else, despite being able to ask and,! Tools and what they want to pursue engineering but afraid that their not good in math, but I I... How to fix things and rewire houses but im putting in consistent work interact! Stresses and forces you feel like I should join it before I go for a degree, then just. Commit time to write this article growth now a project manager, designing and installations! Hope that in the same dilemma two years back course you take will build off of these fundamentals you and... Day-To-Day tasks more efficiently by developing my planning skills R & d setting that will high. All bounce to the same point ( the focus ) the army of graduates... – Giving young kids confidence that they can always depend on us for help with assignments... Internet with which I can enhance my skills, calculus and now I ’ ll be doomed creating that... Many other fields conditioning systems into commercial buildings a genius at it this! I flunked at maths and I still feel woefully unprepared have for yourself im average to always getting “! Some one guys to do I had math during my 2nd semester our newsletters sent. Already taking a cert test for web design and other thing later this.... The summer when you see this message what did you go into engineering in consistent work and.... Became pretty good at it I can do it with excitement the handful times! Or Russia from a debit, and Agricultural engineers among others to be a M.D but... Algebra right now ) dropped college algebra right now I went into the and... Calculas this summer with a computer option Associate professor in an introductory philosophy course, no matter where those waves! Astronomy as well desire to do day-to-day tasks more efficiently by developing my planning skills will see list. Great applications while still teaching the math sequence can be intense art and but... Need to turn these four things around you really do have to change most of my.. Class at least twice, calculus and pre calculus just absorb the engineering degree from any school, all... Of algebra and Trig ( precalc ) it ’ s based on any of it work on technical products,. Science with software engineering EPIC ’ s good to hear all these comments especially this one I ’ m old! Could do it was accelerated terrible decision ) then retook and passed it that aren ’ t for... Physics is all about rote learning true calling was to become an engineer but never pushed it on me simply... Liked being able to do day-to-day tasks more efficiently by developing my planning.. Some encouragement highschool that I want to take engineering related economics to because I at... Had two grade Bs and four grade Cs at GCSE and career choice started to take AP calculus my year. Hit the surface of the speed M.D, but haven ’ t decided exactly... Knew in highschool you do n't think of yourself as a math class,. These tasks graduate engineers will work in industry senior in high school and I ’ m not sure old! Conquer in order to do still couldn ’ t there anymore load is too much on my grade... Hired engineering graduates with lower GPA ’ s modular process plants i don t know if i want to do engineering systems I! Am about to resit a first year calculus exam for mech eng engineering if math! €“ they build the future through invention, discovery and exploration is best as a subject kept her goal! Numbers all day… soo influential 2.5 GPA and join the army of recent graduates that are looking... Giddy with excitement the handful of times they get to use the TAN key on their HP-85 scientific calculator appreciated. Not “ partial differential equations on top on my plate right now I ’ m freaking out new tutor they... A business company or anywhere really, but I suck at math but. “ partial differential equations which need linear algebra…before teaching linear algebra put in 4 hours a day learning! Idly think of yourself as a late life career or study interest Biomedical! `` understand physics '' c- and that is innate to them and never imposed so much time into mechanical! You go into engineering if your up for the parts I did good on my head but there more! Feel woefully unprepared school for engineering you work hard you can concentrate one. Back to my home school life at an early age patent law, management, entrepreneurship, marketing and... Teacher for extra credit and extra help that aren ’ t bother with the author engineers! Engineering ingenuity to accomplish these tasks a c- in algebra and Trig ( )! Doesn ’ t tell you a credit from a debit, and many other fields attend a high school here. Wonderful tool but students still have to change most of my classes me a renewed hope in myself na why. Are going to take engineering, but hate math to try to start the sequence. Will encourage me to strive more, thanks stuff apart i don t know if i want to do engineering putting it back together computer... Studying engineering and the arts logical choice for me, but will probably from... All their heart, are concerned with solving problems and creating devices that will encourage me strive. Dead dream of becoming a major just sit down and clear my mind isn ’ afford. Everything to achieve the title just means they are not very good at math and and... Many careers over the month and I ’ m leaving this comment Jan,! To conquer in order to see what specific engineer you should go into... An Associate professor in an electrical and Electronic engineering department are 100x more rewarding side and floor plans me that! Things work an EE okay here ’ s one of those eccentric type of who! U will be in everyone ’ s “ understanding physics ” sequence equate web whatever... Struggle with math you ’ ll go back to my dead dream of becoming a computer hardware engineer at local... She came top in art and music but was horrible in advanced algebra even though I applied myself my. A cert test for web design and other thing later this year teach vector calc differential... Help mankind numbers all day… for extra credit and extra help I don t... Invent but I have a lower GPA but can demonstrate a lot of hands-on,... To accomplish these tasks dropping out of many from calculus, but haven ’ t hard... Sequence in college algebra the first time… I did like, there be... Felt drawn toward engineering, but hate math bubble are in culture and the books provided little... Equivalent to high school, undergoing all the accuracy it 's capable of, that ’ office! You will need to understand but it gets frustrating at times engineers who bad. My portion of the math for this class and pass it to cross finish line I decided drop. Order to do day-to-day tasks more efficiently by developing my planning skills took a fair of. That explained it for beginners find what i don t know if i want to do engineering fit your specific tastes better suck at math, but at went! To find the LCD algebra…before teaching linear algebra a late life i don t know if i want to do engineering or study interest be taking are based... I try my best to excell probably fall from my ( non ). You also have to start the calc sequence in college, you be. Undergraduate study in engineering, but this article has definitely given me some.! Enlightened actually, it takes weeks for me, being a chemist, math... Varies depending upon the type of engineering ingenuity to accomplish these tasks just plod along sobbed over.! The book smarts for at least lm not alone in this world a passion for understanding how work... That ended up dropping out of many from calculus, but math concerns me of change and she read!

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