Engineering curious

[Anonymous]

If he is strong in math and physics, go for it. He won't know what an engineer does as a high schooler. For one thing, engineering jobs are so different from one another, e.g. one job can be very hands-on, whereas another can be extremely theoretical. Heck I did not even know what an engineer does when I was undergrad.
A PhD engineer.

[Anonymous]

OP: he loves physics and will take multivariable calculus as a senior (in calc. BC now as junior) Spends lots of time building train sets and legos in our basement. Has taken CS and liked it too but doesn’t want to major in it. Appreciate the suggestion of summer engineering programs, but I’m feeling uncertain about paying thousands of dollars for one if there’s a book or a YouTube series or something he could do now for less $ that would give him a more concrete sense of engineering path. High school has robotics club but it conflicts with his sport and there are no other engineering activities at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard great things about Project Catapult

https://www.rose-hulman.edu/admissions-and-aid/early-planning/operation-catapult/index.html

I was going to recommend this- you will love it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP: he loves physics and will take multivariable calculus as a senior (in calc. BC now as junior) Spends lots of time building train sets and legos in our basement. Has taken CS and liked it too but doesn’t want to major in it. Appreciate the suggestion of summer engineering programs, but I’m feeling uncertain about paying thousands of dollars for one if there’s a book or a YouTube series or something he could do now for less $ that would give him a more concrete sense of engineering path. High school has robotics club but it conflicts with his sport and there are no other engineering activities at school.

There are definitely YouTube videos about what engineers do or what an engineering major is, just search the site. If it's still appealing after that, I do think a short summer program is worthwhile. Both my kids did them for different fields and they helped confirm their interest in that major and they felt more comfortable going into the college application process after those experiences.

Pricing definitely varies. You don't necessarily need to spend "thousands". Here's one at Susquehanna for $875
https://www.susqu.edu/academics/summer-pre-college-programs/i-engineer/
(my DD had a good experience at their stream ecology program)

Or closer to home, Catholic U for $995
https://engineering.catholic.edu/community/engineering-new-frontiers-summer-program/index.html

[Anonymous]

I would look for a hackathon, or some sort of hands on program (which is tough to find at past the middle school age group.) That’s what got me into engineering.

[Anonymous]

The only thing I didn't like about the engineering school I attended was that 118 of the 134 credits required to graduate were STEM requirements, and two-thirds of that had nothing to do with my specific major but were general or intro engineering courses. The lesson for me was to look closely at the requirements for the places where you apply.

[Anonymous]

“The only thing I didn't like about the engineering school I attended was that 118 of the 134 credits required to graduate were STEM requirements, and two-thirds of that had nothing to do with my specific major but were general or intro engineering courses. The lesson for me was to look closely at the requirements for the places where you apply.”

Thanks, this is quite helpful—he’s definitely a kid with other interest too. Appreciate it!

[Anonymous]

Try to shadow engineers. And different types, preferably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“The only thing I didn't like about the engineering school I attended was that 118 of the 134 credits required to graduate were STEM requirements, and two-thirds of that had nothing to do with my specific major but were general or intro engineering courses. The lesson for me was to look closely at the requirements for the places where you apply.”

Thanks, this is quite helpful—he’s definitely a kid with other interest too. Appreciate it!

Good advice. Our student looked at the curriculum pathways for the schools of interest - reviewing the necessary coursework helped him compare schools when he was deciding which one to attend.

It sounds like your student is taking the necessary high school classes but needs more hands-on or practical application experience to figure out what they might want to do next. Do you or does your student teacher know anyone who is an engineering? Someone who they could talk to or shadow? We were lucky our student has several relatives that were more than happy to talk to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“The only thing I didn't like about the engineering school I attended was that 118 of the 134 credits required to graduate were STEM requirements, and two-thirds of that had nothing to do with my specific major but were general or intro engineering courses. The lesson for me was to look closely at the requirements for the places where you apply.”

Thanks, this is quite helpful—he’s definitely a kid with other interest too. Appreciate it!

+1 This is really helpful, thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6% of bachelor's degrees are engineering and 3% are computer science. Yet by reading DCUM, you'd think that most students go to school for those two degrees.

That’s because a TON of them wash out and never make it past their Organic Chem class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6% of bachelor's degrees are engineering and 3% are computer science. Yet by reading DCUM, you'd think that most students go to school for those two degrees.

That’s because a TON of them wash out and never make it past their Organic Chem class.

What a weird comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6% of bachelor's degrees are engineering and 3% are computer science. Yet by reading DCUM, you'd think that most students go to school for those two degrees.

That’s because a TON of them wash out and never make it past their Organic Chem class.

What a weird comment.

my neighbor is a first year at Purdue Engineering, taking calc and chem and whatever else they require, living in the engineering dorm, and knows quite a few women who have already changed majors out of engineering. HS was easy for her but she is getting her butt kicked with first year classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he is strong in math and physics, go for it. He won't know what an engineer does as a high schooler. For one thing, engineering jobs are so different from one another, e.g. one job can be very hands-on, whereas another can be extremely theoretical. Heck I did not even know what an engineer does when I was undergrad.
A PhD engineer.

+1. It's almost impossible to answer your question OP. Some engineers work hands-on, some are in project/program management (even as a new engineer), some in design, and some may review papers all day (like myself). My son (another engineer PhD like PP) works in a lab. If your kid is interested, have him go for it and see how things play out for him.

[Anonymous]

I think the deadline might have passed for some internships, but there are MANY paid government/civil service internships for science & engineering in metro DC.

ARL, NIST, NIH, NSWC, NRL, and more government organizations offer these both to high school students and for college students. Look at USAjobs.gov and do web searches. These internships often are posted for only 2-3 weeks online, so if you do not see something today still keep looking. If one of these is near you, call their HR folks and ask.

Government contractors (Lockheed, Mitre, others) also have paid internships locally for science/engineering for HS and college students.