HELP im 17....i want to be an ENGINEER???

Question

can someone who is educated about this topic inform me about the steps i will need to take ......detailed if you could.... from highschool all the way through college on how to get my degree in any kind of engineering... i just want to make a goal list for myself because im kind of a lost boy right now. no body really tells you the steps on how to become anything i wish high schools would focus on that stuff... doesnt that make sense? am i retarted?

Answer 1

I agree that often schools don't have the time or resources to do career guidance better.  However, there is a ton of information out there.  Check out the first link below it gives great information in line with the questions you are asking.  The page can be a little overwhelming at first so make sure you read the information on it - don't just try to look for the answers to your questions.  It is a government link so it also has good statistics and averages.  Then check out the second link for college and SAT information.  Good luck!

Answer 2

My father is an engineer at IOS (Intelligent Optical Systems) and i just asked him for a job and he got it for me. Im sure it wont be as easy for you, but if you find a field of engineering that you like, go to the company and try to get an internship there. I am only 15 1/2 and i am getting paid $8 an hour, but there are college students under internship there that are working for free, but building up a foundation so they can get a higher level job with good pay in the near future. I suggest that you either do that or ask someone that you know who is an engineer.

Answer 3

No, you're not retarded (which helps if you want to be an engineer, lol).

Anyway, the most important thing to do while you're in high school is to try to decide what, not exactly what, but a general idea of what you want to do.  Different fields of engineering are diverse, so it's not just a matter of deciding that you want to be an engineer, but what type.  I don't say that to make you panic even more- you don't HAVE to decide anything, really, it just helps to know at least two or three different fields that you're interested in, so you can search for colleges that have good programs in those disciplines.

Most engineering colleges have a broad array of majors, so pick a school that you like, and you can decide what you want to do exactly a little farther down the road (you won't have to declare a major until after your second year in college or so).

As for now, just research majors to see what kind of engineering interests you- interested in infrastructure? try civil; engines, machines, gadgets? try mechanical, etc.  Then research colleges that fit your liking, and then just work hard.  Being successful at engineering is just like being successful at anything else- you have to work hard, make the grade, and be creative.  That's all you really need now- you can explore career options once you're in college and have a better idea what exactly you want to do.

Good luck!

Answer 4

You might want to look at colleges first and see what the entrance requirements are -- typically engineering will require a certain level in both math and science.  Then you can arrange your high school credits to meet the college entrance requirements.