Getting Started in Engineering

[scuba_sm]

Do any of the Engineers (or students who are currently enrolled in college to become one) have any tips for those of us who are interested in becoming engineers? (recommended classes, etc)

Thanks!

-Scuba Steve

[Richard Wallace]

The main thing to know about engineering is that your education will never be complete. That is what makes it fun.

A few ideas for getting started:

Communication: All engineers begin as specialists, and most engineering projects require more than one area of special knowledge. Most engineering is done by teams, just like FIRST. For teams to work best, each specialist must know how to communicate ideas to others. So learn to speak and write clearly and concisely. And learn to draw -- a good picture is really worth much more than a thousand words.

Fundamentals: Take all the physics and math courses you can, as early as possible in your education. The further you go in any area of specialization, the more your early lessons in physics and math will help you.

Find an easier way: Don't be satisfied with the first method that you find for solving any particular kind of problem. Keep looking for techniques that are easier, faster, and cheaper.

[Beausif]

Thx for the tips i have wanted to be a engineer for a few years now and i jumped at the chance to be in FIRST. It is fun and i still like it. thx

[Eric Bareiss]

What kind of engineer do you want to be. The field of engineering you want to go into has a lot to do with the types of classes you need to take.

[Beausif]

While i posted my last reply i noticed that i put in FIRST instead of Project Lead The Way (PLTW). Sry about this error ihad been reading lots of threads and reply's with FIRST in it. I want to try a course in computer engineer or electronical engineer thanks again.

[R2K2D2]

Originally Posted by scuba_sm

Do any of the Engineers (or students who are currently enrolled in college to become one) have any tips for those of us who are interested in becoming engineers? (recommended classes, etc)

Thanks!

-Scuba Steve

Well if you are in high school, there are some fundamental course that you want to take. First off, you want to take at least up through Calculus 1. Calc is a very fundamental part of engineering and to have a good backing coming in from high school is very important. Also, you want to take some type of calculus based physics course such as AP Physics or IB Physics HL(<-For those of you to which this applies). In general in high school, most students end up taking some chemistry and other sciences as well. These classes can help determine if a certain type of engineering is right for you (ChemE or Biomedical Engin). If your high school offers it, take some type of drafting and CAD class. Also, if your school offers some sort of programming class you should take that as well. Even if you dont plan on pursuing ECE, programming is a class that you will most definitely have to take when you enter any engineering program, and it's always good to have somewhat of a background in it. Basically in high school the best option is to take classes that will in general prepare you for further studies in engineering. In most cases you will not be able to find a high school curriculum that will allow you to take enough classes in a certain category to prepare you for a certain field of engineering in college. So, just take classes that will help you in general as an engineer in very diverse fields.