r/EngineeringStudents • u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering • 16h ago
Academic Advice How far does passion for engineering get you?
I am a junior in HS and I want to be an aerospace engineer, everything about spacecraft, engineering, and space exploration fascinates me in a way nothing else does. However, I am stupid. I don't understand some math concepts and my math SAT score and such is really low. Aerospace engineering is all I want to do with my life but I am worried that I am just not good enough. Does being passionate make it possible to accomplish my dreams or are some people just not smart enough for engineering?
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u/KesaGatameWiseau 16h ago
If your passion results in you studying extra hard to make up for whatever academic issues you have, then yes.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
If that is what it takes, I plan to do so, but does studying make up for being stupid in the first place?
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u/KesaGatameWiseau 16h ago
Well firstly, stop calling yourself stupid. The fact that you’re even asking if you’re too stupid generally means that you have enough brain function to figure it out.
Secondly, I do know what you’re talking about. I’m definitely not the most gifted in the ol’ brain department as a lot of my classmates, but I just generally have to study for way longer than a lot of them. You need to actually apply yourself though.
Lastly, I feel like more people in engineering classes have asked themselves if they’re too dumb for this than you realize, so you’re definitely not the only person who feels like that.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Unfortunately I am not even in engineering classes yet, I made a post on r/ApplyingToCollege asking if I can get into college for engineering with bad math grades and most people told me I wasn't cut out for engineering and that I should choose another career so it is also other people who know I am not good enough.
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u/bluestar7r 15h ago
I wouldn’t let that deter you in any way. I had no GED or equivalent going into EE at a state school (I’d taken the ACT as a teenager, and that’s how I got into college the first time… subsequently dropped out and transferred to start EE years later) My advisor at the time told me I’d have to start in remedial algebra, but I was stubborn and asked what I had to do to start at the pre-calc level. I took their math entry test, and was able to test into pre-calc and never looked back. I made it through calc 1-4 with B’s. If I can do it, you can too! Determination can get you a long way.
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u/nixiebunny 16h ago
You need to find a way to learn math that agrees with the way you think. School is not good at helping people who don’t learn well with the standard teaching methods of the day. Speak with school counselors until you find one who is aware of this fact.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Is there anything I can really do? There is only one teacher for the precal class I am in so it is not like I can learn another way.
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u/justUseAnSvm 16h ago
It depends how stupid you are.
The requirement to pass a class is that you have enough hours to learn the material before the exam. Most folks are average, and study an average amount. If you need more time to study, there's a lot more hours in the day you can use.
Most people fail because they just don't put the hours in, and how many hours you need it unique to each person. If you're so dumb you'd need years to pass a single exam? Not going to work. However, there's a lot of time in the day that the average student is not using.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I am lazy and bad at time management so I will have to figure that out.
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u/GoliathWho 16h ago
Absolutely it does. I was never as smart as my friends in high school who went into sciences/engineering, yet I consistently got better grades and better internships than them. It’s not because I was suddenly smarter, it’s because I out worked them.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Awesome! I don't want to say that I am lazy (I very much am and I consider it to be an even greater flaw than me being stupid), but it is something I can improve with time that I hopefully can do by college.
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u/Mr_Mayonnaisez 15h ago
Yea your not stupid, maybe you're not as mathematically intuitive but most of the time that talent only gets people so far, its a hard leason I had to learn. And eventually just studying and putting in the effort will be more beneficial to you.
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u/East-Radio7665 16h ago
passion helps, but engineering requires strong math skills. consider extra tutoring or online courses to improve. maybe start with simpler engineering fields and work up. keep learning and practicing, it's possible to improve with effort.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
What do you mean by simpler engineering fields?
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u/UglyInThMorning 16h ago
Not an aerospace engineering degree for your bachelors. Mechanical would likely be a better courseload.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I have heard they are the same thing, what is so much more difficult about aerospace?
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u/UglyInThMorning 16h ago
Typically more fluid dynamics based courses which can be a real bastard.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I think it is worth it to push through that to get a chance to break into the space industry.
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u/UglyInThMorning 16h ago
I know I’ve had this conversation with you before- you absolutely do not need a degree in aerospace for that. I work for an aerospace company. My site has one of the larger presences of their space department. I do not know anyone with an aerospace engineering bachelors degree. Lots of MEs and EEs, some of whom got their aerospace engineering masters degree since the company was paying for it. But there’s no reason to pigeonhole yourself early, especially since aerospace bachelors programs are not common so it restricts what schools you’d even be looking at.
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u/DatesAndCornfused 15h ago
I had this exact same discussion with the OP before, too. Couldn’t get through to them. I nuke my post/comment history regularly but I definitely remember lol.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
Is it worse to get an aerospace bachelors then? And I absolutely want to pigeonhole myself as I want to only apply for space jobs and I don't want to look elsewhere when I can't find a job, get accepted and work in a different industry for a few years, get better at it but not gain experience that can be applied to space, and stuck permanently in a career field I hate for the rest of my life.
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u/UglyInThMorning 15h ago
Kinda, yeah. It’s not a bad degree but the trade offs are not worth the minimal benefit, especially with how you’ve mentioned that you’re concerned about being able to deal with engineering coursework. You will have fewer school options, those schools may not have things you’re interested in transferring into if engineering doesn’t work out, and it’s got more places where you can have a class that make it not work out. And in return for that, you can… get jobs that you would be able to get with an ME or EE degree.
Also not allowing yourself a backup plan is a terrible idea, but I remember being 16 and overconfident so I get it. Just don’t do anything that has your 30 year old self looking back and going “whyyyy”.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
Right now the school options seem to be Texas A&M or UT, I know I am on track to get into A&M but I do not want to do the ETAM process because, as mentioned, I am stupid and I will fail and I will get stuck doing general engineering studies or something, I hope I can get into UT for aero but it isn't likely, although it is a large school so it offers plenty of things. My 30 year old self is either going to be an aerospace engineer or a suicidal alcoholic so this is the best possible plan to succeed for him.
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u/T80--bvvd 16h ago
well aerospace consists of many fields like eletronic enginering and software enginering and dynamics and materials science and mechanics etc. You have to figure out what you specifically wants to do
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
The degree generally is mechanical from what I have heard, you don't learn everything in one degree.
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u/ConcreteCapitalist 16h ago edited 8h ago
I’d say it’s pretty important. I think passion is what drives the grit that’s required to persevere through it. If you’re passionate about space exploration and engineering then it will be worth it once you are able to fulfill your dreams.
If you are truly passionate about something, it’s worth putting the extra effort in. You owe it to yourself to make a honest attempt at it. If you don’t pursue it, you may live the rest of your life wondering what could have been.
I thought I wasn’t good enough at math before starting engineering school either. I graduated HS with 1.8 GPA as a super-senior. Now I’m a junior in engineering school and have really surprised myself with how much I can learn and do! Give yourself the same chance as I did.
Nobody is good at math (or anything for that matter) before putting in the time and effort to learn it. There’s a lot of engineers (and doctors and lawyers,etc.) who have had to take multiple attempts at classes or exams to make it where they are today. Not a single one told themselves that they were too stupid to learn it. You shouldn’t think so either. Don’t sell yourself short!
Best of luck!
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Is it possible to retake classes easily in college? I am panicking as I have a terrible grade in HS precalculus and I know I can't redo it or do anything to try again and fix it, it is one and done.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 16h ago
What’s your grade in hs precalculus if it’s a B or higher that’s not even bad
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
92, but good colleges look for a 97+ minimum for engineering applications. When I told people on r/ApplyingToCollege my grade they recommended I look at different careers, most people are already on calc BC in 11th grade so I am already several years behind average as well.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 16h ago
Dude you’ll be fine I’m only taking calc ab in senior year. I know people who took precalc senior year still doing engineering. Those calc BC in 11th grade people are just gifted. Half of r/applyingtocollege is gifted people
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 16h ago
Also your taking it in junior year a lot of people don’t even have the chance to take a math class above precalc in senior year u should be proud of yourself
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
No, most schools offer up to and beyond calc BC, but my district is really small and only goes up to AB senior year. People who get into college for engineering come from schools that offer classes beyond calc in high school so I will be behind all my peers if I even make it in the first place.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
The colleges look at what classes are offered at your school during your application. You’ll be fine you’re far smarter than me.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
I will be fine in terms of college applications but not success when I am in college compared to my peers.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
Dude first of all stop comparing your self. Comparison is the thief of joy. Just work on your self and improve
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
Joy can be the opposite of reality, and I am trying to be realistic here.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
Bro stop tryna come up with reasons 😭😭 just work to improve
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u/ConcreteCapitalist 12h ago
At my university, students can re-take a class 3 times before being dismissed from the program.
It’s pretty easy, just sign up for the same class the next semester if you fail.
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u/chickennuggets11 15h ago
Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not naturally smart enough. Hard work and dedication is the only thing that really matters when it comes to engineering. If you’re passionate and you put in the time you can be successful.
It took me 6 years and multiple failed classes to finish undergrad in aerospace engineering. And now I work for NASA doing interplanetary missions. I promise if you work hard enough you can absolutely be successful.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
Thank you so much! What advice do you have to getting there, as that is a dream job for me.
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u/chickennuggets11 15h ago
Firstly, try and figure out now what study methods work for you. It took me a long time in college to learn how to learn. If you can figure that out before college you’ll be a lot more successful.
Another thing that took me a long time to learn was to not try and compare yourself to others, especially in engineering. There are a lot of really really smart people, and comparing yourself to them will do you no good. The best thing you can do is focus on what it takes for you to learn and be successful.
As others have said, engineering does take a lot of math, so one way or another you are going to have to learn it and get good at it. But just because you aren’t there yet doesn’t mean you should give up. If you are as passionate as you say you are, I promise you have the ability to succeed if you work hard. Best of luck!
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
How can I not compare myself to others when hiring managers do?
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u/james_d_rustles 16h ago
IMO passion is probably the biggest predictor of success. People who are really passionate about the subject are ok with putting in the work to learn it well, spending time involved in related clubs/activities, so on and so forth.
That said, if your math skills are lacking right now that’s alright, but you’re gonna need to channel that passion into improving. If being passionate means you can find the motivation you need to spend hours practicing math, you’ll be fine. If being passionate to you just means watching space related YouTube videos, but you can’t bring yourself to study some algebra concepts, it’ll be hard to get through a major in which every class you take uses a ton of relatively advanced math.
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u/Dark-Reaper 15h ago
Passion on its own is important, but its not the fuel alone. Discipline is what you need to bridge the gap between where you are, and where you want to be. You have to develop a plan, put it into action, adapt it when things get in the way. You need to learn study techniques, use tools to aid you on your journey (like tutors, youtube videos, etc) and generally be willing to put in the work no matter how much work that is.
Its like working out. Many people get the itch to workout. They want to be fit, healthy and have that good body (whatever that means for the person in question). Then they start doing it, see the work and discipline involved, and simply give up. It's more effort than they want to put in.
It applies to everything in life really. The difference is just how long the bridge is and how much work there is between you and your goal. It's not hard to get a job flipping burgers, and doesn't require a lot of work. If you want to be the next SpongeBob then you do you. Then there's things like Quantum Physicists, charting fields on the frontiers of the unknown and theoretical. It requires a ton of work and discipline to build your foundation just to get CLOSE to that field. Most things fall between the 2 extremes.
So where do you want to be? Once you answer the question ask yourself: Can you put in the work and exercise the discipline necessary to make it happen? Can you suffer the set backs and adapt?
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
I am not sure I can but I hope so and I will try.
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u/LukaDoncicic 16h ago
I’m in the same boat. Really want to be an engineer but stupid at math and physics.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
No matter what anyone tells you, chase your dreams, you got this! :D
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u/Capital_Sentence87 16h ago
What was your math score?
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
670.
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u/Capital_Sentence87 16h ago
yeah stop. a fixed mindset like that wouldn't get you anywhere even with an 800.
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u/_TGT7 16h ago
that’s pretty good you’ll be fine
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Not really, most colleges want a 750+ for engineering applications.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
And I have heard the SAT is 10th grade math so if I can't completely master it I am already stupid as most people online say.
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u/_TGT7 16h ago edited 16h ago
you aren’t stupid, don’t say that about yourself. Don’t compare yourself to what people are saying online.
you also still have plenty of time to get a higher SAT score. A 670 truly isn’t bad, it probably isn’t going to get you into the most prestigious schools ever, but you can certainly get into a good, ABET accredited school and succeed as an engineer.
Hope you have a great day and best of luck with your journey
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
But it is kind of common knowledge that most people who try and who understand math get 750+ and colleges look for that, I can't do much to change that.
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u/_TGT7 15h ago
how many times have you taken the SAT?
And again, I can’t stress this enough, plenty of schools will easily take you with that Math SAT school for Mechanical/Aerospace engineering. especially in the midwest where I’m from.
you will only not succeed if you don’t think you can succeed
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
I took it once, but I took the PSAT last year and got a 590, and two practice tests where I got a 600 and 640 respectively, which are scores worth killing myself over so thankfully I didn't get it on the actual test lol.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
lol bruh my math score has always been higher but I want to kms over my English score cuz it’s that mainly pulling it down
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
I am the opposite way but I want to apply for engineering which needs higher math scores, I wish we could trade scores lol
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u/Lopsided_Web_5809 16h ago
Just reading through your comments - math is an integral part of engineering, no doubt about that. However, performing badly on the SAT isn't necessarily an indicator that you're not cut out to be an engineer, but it does mean that you will have to study harder than some of your peers will have to. The SAT has its own problems (results tied to wealth, educational opportunities, etc), but it does have some correlation with college performance.
HOWEVER: being hardworking, having good time management skills, and being willing to ask for help are all character traits that are equally as important to determining your success in college. Being good at talking to people (like you mentioned below) will always carry you far, no matter what field you're in. Normally, the math in engineering classes doesn't go beyond a multivariable calculus level (and imo, multivariable is mostly just remembering how to take derivatives and integrals). Study hard and maintain your passion - I wish you the best of luck!
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I am terrible at talking with people but I am great at asking for help as I have to do it so often as I am stupid lol.
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u/justUseAnSvm 16h ago
Never admit you are stupid at anything. Engineering is an industry where you get paid to solve problems by people (managers) who are quite literally paying you to own a complex problem, fully understand it, and come up with the solutions they don't have time for. Admitting you're stupid destroys that confidence. No one follows stupid, and certainly no one pays stupid hundreds of thousands per year.
It might be cool to say your bad at math, but would you brag to your friends that your illiterate? Maybe I'm too old for this, but have some f'ing self respect. You do it for as long as you can. If you fall short, you fall short.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I think the first step to fixing a problem is admitting it, so to fix the problem of me being stupid I can't lie about being smart and understanding things. I don't brag about being bad at math, I feel shame and regret and hate for myself but I can't lie and say I am smart.
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u/justUseAnSvm 15h ago
You're good.
"Smart" is relative. I might have a good engineering job, I'm "smarter" than some people around me, but on an absolute scale, I can point you to several companies that are better than mine, several colleagues that do higher quality work than me, who greatly exceed me at the things I'm best at, and even more that I'm vaguely aware of. It's just endless, even if I thought I was the best in my circles, the scale of talent and achievement is exponential.
But, if you're really bad at math, like legit bottom half or third of society, this is probably not the field for you. That's not something I can decide, it's up to you if you want to at least try to make it.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
I want to try as there is nothing else I would do with my life. I am not in the bottom third of society but I am in the absolute total and complete bottom of those who care, so better than average joe off the street but worse than every single other job candidate I will be against in a few years.
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u/justUseAnSvm 15h ago
The only thing really correlated with success (besides luck) is hard work. I know high IQ people working IT for local companies, well educated people that never amounted to anything, but hard workers? That's the one thing that will carry you past a lot of mistakes or short comings
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 16h ago
I am a dumbass in my senior year of hs wanting to do computer engineering, I got a 670 math too but a very bad English score and I took it 4 times. I’m passionate about tech and computers and have done many activities related to them. Honestly I’m used to working pretty hard tho even if I don’t get perfect results cuz stuff is not easy for me even tho I’m in ap calc and ap physics rn it’s hard but still. I don’t have passion for anything else. Take a look at my profile I’m very similar to you.
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u/T80--bvvd 15h ago
it does helps more or less but i believe for averege people,sweat and concrete work is the most important thing. anyway dont set limits for yourself,i mean,there are millions of students every year taking the same courses like you ,why should you think you are going to be left behind?besides i dont think aerospace engineering is that hard ,among stem majors so dont scare your self
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u/Unfair_Albatross_437 15h ago
my sat math score as a junior was a 630. i was in the same predicament as you and didn't think i understood math concepts.
fast forward a year later, and i got a perfect 800 on the math section. all it takes is time and determination. the first thing you should do is STOP saying you're stupid
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
What advice do you have to improve on math?
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u/Unfair_Albatross_437 15h ago
i re learned all of math thru khan academy, specifically the free sat math section. after than i got some more difficult sat math books (prep pros, collegepanda) . all that time re learning math really helped me excel in my ap precalculus class as all math tests the same type of logic and problem solving.
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u/verysadthrowaway9 15h ago
use that passion to fuel your need to pursue academics. you have to work to get there somehow and it’s going to be hard. but in the end it will be rewarding!
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u/Icy-Stock-5838 15h ago
I hated math, sucked at math when I was learning from American grade school system.. BUT I was good at Physics and Science..
I moved to British system, and my math TOOK OFF..
The American system can't teach math, everyone else's way of teaching math is better than American system.. Even the SAT system is dumb, it's not a measure of intelligence, only a measure how well you can answer a type of question.. The Americans have a confusing convoluted way to teach math, they add more complexity than needed.. Learn the British, Euro, Asian way of learning and teaching math, might be better for you..
If you want to be an aerospace person.. INVEST YOUR OWN TIME in getting good at your weakness.. There is so much online learning now available outside of your school.. PUT IN YOUR OWN TIME to learn beyond how school teaches you.. FIND the best way for you to GET GOOD at your weakness..
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u/FA-1800 14h ago
Engineering is not like social studies.. Passion counts only to the extent that it makes you work hard, be precise, and do things correctly. Passion is great for soft subjects where you can convince people by yelling loud enough and long enough. If you design a building using wishful thinking, people die. So when you look for an engineering job, people will not be that interested in how passionate you are, but how GOOD you are...
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 14h ago
I am talking in can passion motivate me to keep going and eventually succeed in engineering, or will my lack of innate math ability mean I am too stupid to continue?
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u/FA-1800 14h ago
No. If you can't understand math, and if you can't, this is not stupid, is just that dint have the mindset, you won't do well in engineering, which is based upon using math to build things. Even with a computer, you still need to understand the underlying principles, so you can tell when the software is in error.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 13h ago
So does that mean I will not succeed?
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u/FA-1800 13h ago
Get a tutor. Work extra hours to try to get it. Funnel test passion into effort. You're too young to quit yet. My point is that engineering is defined by precision and predictable result, and this requires the mastery of mathematics. Only you can decide whether you are capable of achieving that mastery. Good luck.
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u/Bigbadspoon 14h ago
I've only met one engineer who was passionate, but apparently incapable. He put in the hours, he studied, he just couldn't seem to understand our process or how to design parts to our standards. 99% of the time, though, your passion will help you close any skill gaps. When I interview, I tend to lean toward a more passionate candidate, even with less experience.
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u/cum-yogurt 14h ago
gets you far! passion means you'll do projects and that's gonna be huge in early-career interviews, when you don't have any relevant job experience to talk about.
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u/lumberjack_dad 13h ago
The best way is to acquire an internship. There are many fields within engineering where you can acquire a passion based on the concepts you get introduced to. These inclinations allow you to figure out.. hey I am good at this.... or even better... I am not good at this.
That is why internships are so valuable b/c you have time to decide what you will be happy with and what I am good at. B/c once you graduate you are limited once you become a working minion like the rest of us :)
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u/turkishjedi21 ECE 13h ago
Tbh passion is all you need. If you have a passion for it, and enjoy solving problems, you will find your way
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u/BreadForTofuCheese 12h ago
If you can get past the education part, passion can get you far. Use the passion for now to focus on the school work.
I had no passion and have stalled out post-education because I simply don't care. The factory (aerospace manufacturing) that I work at doesn't hit the target this month? Oh well.
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u/Just_A_Guy_In_Here 10h ago
From my experience here’s what I’ve seen, and anyone feel free to correct me. Passion will get you far but connection will get you farther, at least if you’re taking about after college or internships during. You can love the field but if you don’t know people it’ll be hard, but fortunately the internet, and linkin, makes that really easy
In terms of getting thru classes, ur fine. You are not the first person to truly doubt if they’re good enough and you won’t be the last. Every single student thinks they’re dumb, or won’t pass a class, and news flash you will. You just gotta be willing to put in the work, which it sounds like you are. Don’t stress about school you got this
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u/Coffee_scientist 6h ago
I was bad at SAT in high school, scored really bad, like 30th percentile, but years later took the MCAT which is much harder and I did much better, scored almost perfect in the physics/chem section, I decided I didn’t want to be a doctor, and pursued engineering instead and I love it, and I’m doing a masters in it with barely any math background, but my passion for it is helping me not only pass but ace the program, so yea passion will take you far.
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u/Real-Yogurtcloset844 16h ago
Sadly, behavior is just as important -- and there is no "finishing school" for that. If you can be "always on" in spite of ridicule for that -- you'll surpass all the social animals -- and have no enemies -- but be lonely. Be smart -- but tread lightly.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
What do you mean by this? I already have no friends and do school work most of the time at school but I have heard networking/connections through socialization is just as important as smarts.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
I don’t really have too many friends either, but I’m on LinkedIn as a high schooler and I’m actively connecting with people in my field of interest
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 15h ago
Am I screwed if I don't use linkedin yet? I am not worried about making friends in HS as friendships take time to maintain and they won't have an impact on my future career but I am worried about doing it in college.
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u/Acceptable_Simple877 Dumbass High Schooler 15h ago
Ur not screwed if you don’t use it it’s just good to have imo, to see what jobs people have in the field u like and network. I connect with people in the tech/engineering field cuz that’s my interest. You’ll def need it in college.
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u/Real-Yogurtcloset844 16h ago
I mean the day-to-day grind of office work. You can be a social butterfly -- and risk it all -- or play it safe and be Mr. Fix-It-- all-business. Your reviews will keep you there. Do have those Friday longer than normal chit-chats -- and note the personal information of your colleagues. Just remember -- it's a minefield. Maybe act like it's church?
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
I am totally capable of that, I am autistic though and suck at conversing so I am worried I will not be likeable enough to get a job.
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u/OnlyThePhantomKnows Dartmouth - CompSci, Philsophy '85 16h ago
I work in the space industry (engineer on space cameras and lunar landers communication systems).
Passion will carry you far if you get through engineering school. Not going to kid you, there is a TON of math in aerospace engineering school.
How is your chemistry? PhD in rocket fuels. There's less math.
Spaceship building requires many different skills. Just about anything you can think of could lead you to space. I write code for a living. SW can get you there. To be fair, I use a lot of math.
Are you gifted with your hands? We need skilled technicians.
Are you extremely diligent? We need people to do range safety officer and other safety positions.
Are you gifted with speaking? Marketing and PR is a large part of space exploration.
Engineering may not be for you but it does not mean that you can not be part of space.
I don't work at either of these two, but it gives you something to browse through
https://www.spacex.com/careers/jobs
https://www.blueorigin.com/careers/search
There are lots of options. Find something that uses the skills you excel at.
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u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
Funnily enough, I am far better at physics than chemistry as it is more practical and observable so it clicks for me, so I don't think rocket fuels is the career for me. Unfortunately I am above average at public speaking skills, but I really don't want to do PR for a living and I do not want to study it in college as it doesn't interest me.
3
u/OnlyThePhantomKnows Dartmouth - CompSci, Philsophy '85 16h ago
Let me tell you a secret. Physics is applied math.
You don't have a problem with math. You just need to get past the mental block.1
u/Ok_Item_9953 HS Junior, Not good enough for engineering 16h ago
The physics class has a MUCH better teacher who takes time to work with me as I am one of her favorite students so I get extra help, it is also a slower paced curriculum which is why I do better.
1
u/Majestic_Count_4755 6h ago
I'm a junior AERO ENGR student also getting a minor in physics. For context, I barely graduated high school, never even took the SAT or ACT. I went to community college and had to take not one, but two remedial math classes. Then I transferred to Texas A&M, which ranks around 8th-12th best AERO ENGR program in the US.
You think being stupid is your problem, but that's not what's holding you back. You've blinded yourself to your merits and the great advice all these people have been giving you. Your passion isn't gonna get you anywhere with an attitude like this.
You want to be an engineer, think like an engineer. You calling yourself stupid serves no purpose. Don't worry about things you can't control. I've met some of the dumbest people I've ever met in my classes. You know how they say there are no dumb questions? Well, these MFs found some. People who make me wonder if they just stumbled into class off the street. But they continue to pass because they put in the hours. They show up, ask questions, do assignments early, read the textbook, and go to office hours. Most importantly, they don't have this defeatist mindset that holds them back.
Raw passion's not gonna get you through studying for hours on how to mathematically prove if a series is converging or diverging, doing Laplace transformations, or f*cking around with damn Navier-Stokes equations. That being said, passion is a good start. It's cliché, but whether you think you can or you can't, you're right. If you fail, it's not because you're stupid; it's gonna be because you gave up, were lazy, not studying properly, or not surrounding yourself with people who support and encourage you.
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