• Question: What advice would you give to people who want to become engineers?

    Asked by Hazel1597 to Ted, S. S., Laura, Kevin, Ellen, Andrea on 6 Mar 2019. This question was also asked by 698heaq28.
    • Photo: Ellen Simmons

      Ellen Simmons answered on 6 Mar 2019:

      Make sure you know which type of engineering interests you so that you can go on the best university/college course for that subject. If you’re not sure, maybe pick something quite general to get you started – you can always specialise later on. Remember engineering is super varied, so you’ll definitely find an area that suits you.

      I always regret never doing more of my own projects throughout school and university – search online and see if there’s something you’d like to make or a coding language you’d like to learn. This can put you way ahead of your peers when you start working. And – it’s fun!

      https://www.instructables.com/
      https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming

    • Photo: Laura Farina

      Laura Farina answered on 7 Mar 2019:

      I would suggest them to study physics and then reading all the engineering programs offered by the different university, go to open days.. and chose what spark your curiosity! And also try different aspect of the engineering approach. When I started my first year of engineering I believed that my love was mechanical engineering. Then a I challenged my self with different subject: robotics, electronic, miscroelectronic, electromagnetism, communication and signal theory… Like that I actually discovered that my real love was electromagnetism and I would never get back!
      And at the same time I learned different things: having a broad knowledge is always useful!

    • Photo: Ted Burke

      Ted Burke answered on 7 Mar 2019:

      Try to build up your skills in maths and science, because those will be very useful to you as an engineer. Practice drawing things, because you’ll need to communicate ideas visually to other engineers and scientists who you work with. Learn a programming language – it doesn’t really matter which one, but Python or Javascript would be good choices. And if you can get your hands on an Arduino then do!!!

    • Photo: Kevin OBrien

      Kevin OBrien answered on 11 Mar 2019: last edited 11 Mar 2019 1:51 pm

      I’d advise anyone interested in a career in engineering to find out what area interests them most. Do some simple projects to gain a basic knowledge in that area, as it’ll give you a great head-start when it comes to college/university.
      Get involved in local groups, if they’re available, like hackers-/makers-spaces.
      Take opportunities like this to chat to engineers about their work.
      I think the majority of engineers love talking about what they do, and often don’t get to in their normal lives.

    • Photo: Andrea Pacheco

      Andrea Pacheco answered on 11 Mar 2019:

      > Exploit your potential from now!
      Natural sciences are the core of engineering, get involved in physics, maths, biology and chemistry studies.
      I think programming and coding is very important, if you learn any programming language such as python you will be a step ahead starting your studies in engineering.
      > Keep your curiosity alive: There are not stupid questions, the more you ask your self the more you learn while finding the answers.
      > Look for some interesting programs, TED talks, youtube videos in science and get inspired by the hot topics.

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