Ask an Engineer

Feature Questions

What if I don't work fast enough?

I used to love math, science, and problem-solving, but eventually I got frustrated because I couldn’t work as quickly as people expected. (The busywork in math is a particular torture!) I’m intelligent, but I recently learned that I have slow processing speed. I’ve started getting extra time on exams and limited assignments at school, and it really helps me show my understanding...

Read the Responses | See all Featured Questions

Here you can ask those questions you still have about engineering careers. Read profiles of practicing engineers in the I'm An Engineer section and ask someone a question directly, or submit a question here to have EngineerGirl staff try to find the right person to answer you.

We cannot give you actual engineering advice. If you need help designing that booster rocket for your own spacecraft or other project, you may find a resource on another list, and we encourage you to seek the services of a professional engineer for any engineering services you may require.

Search Questions & Answers
  • Jaxsen

    Added Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM

    I'm currently a sophomore in high school, I want to be a mechatronics engineer when I grow up. However, I also want to take as many college classes as I can so I can get ahead. That doesn't leave a lot of space for electives, which are currently band. In the fall, I do marching band, which I love, but in the spring I do concert band, which I've fallen out of. I'd rather take another class, but my parents really want me to stay in band, and I'm scared it will hurt my chances. Am I going to be ...

    Answers 1
    Anu Bhaskar, St. Charles Community College
    Answered Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 2:49 PM
    Since your dream is to become a mechatronics engineer(mechanical+ electronics), its always best to get a basic understanding of electronics. 
    Also math and physics understanding is very important to start your electronics journey, so make sure you have ...
  • RANA

    Added Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 3:45 PM

    I'm interested biomedical engineering and I've been doing research on it but I keep seeing more cons than pros. Right now I'm in my first year for materials engineering. At the same time I'm not sure what to do so i was considering offering electrical engineering. Please I need advise on what to do.
    Answers 1
    Chunqing Liu, Honeywell
    Answered Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 8:35 AM

    I feel that you are at an important crossroads in your academic path during your first year in college. Based on my personal academic experience, I would suggest that you can calm down and try a step-by-step approach to help you to make your decision. I ...

  • haya

    Added Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 7:56 PM

    Do electrical engineers work on space and innovation? I have always wondered what engineer branch would work with innovations (designing new devices or developing devices) as well as having to work with space and rockets? lastly, i would love any advice since i am still in high school. thank you :)

    Answers 2
    Julia Lopez, Turner Construction
    Answered Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 8:50 AM
    I graduated with civil engineering however three of my closest friends currently work at NASA, SpaceX, and Northrup Grumman working on space related projects (rockets, satellites, etc.). There are many different avenues you can take if you want to work ...
    Terita Norton, The Aerospace Corporation
    Answered Monday, April 8, 2024 at 11:53 AM
    Hello Haya, yes electrical engineers work in space. We provide a number for support functions including helping to develop power systems for space applications, designing digital components that become the brains of a satellite, and we help to create ...
  • Sean Thieshen

    Added Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 11:48 AM

    Hello, I'm the Chief Engineer at my building currently. Prior to that position I had 10 years of HVAC commercial/residential service and installation experience. I'm looking to get my degree in HVAC Engineering Technology and Energy Management but it isn't accredited by ABET. Would I be better off pursuing a mechanical engineering technology degree that is ABET accredited? I'm looking to get into energy consulting. HVAC building system design and selection.
    Answers 1
    Andrea Gonzalez, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 10:55 AM
    Hi Sean, 
    
    Unfortunately I am not familiar with the energy consulting requirements. I would suggest you make an appointment with a degree counselor in the school you are looking to get your degree from and ask all these questions. They should be able to ...
  • willow hoyt asked Neeti Sonth, University of Colorado Boulder

    Added Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 3:06 PM

    Answers 1
    Neeti Sonth, University of Colorado Boulder
    Answered Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 6:58 PM
    I have always liked science and maths and I have always been awed by their immense applications. Engineering has made me confident that we can build anything we dream. Humans have always been curious and engineering has made it possible for us to satiate ...
  • Ali asked Kristine Weed

    Added Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 9:22 PM

    Hi there, so I'm currently a junior at high school, and I was thinking maybe about majoring in Electrical Engineering in college, but my concern is that I haven't taken any tech courses, I also don't know how to code one bit and I also haven't taken AP Physics instead I'll be taking regular physics next year in my senior year of high school. So will I be fine if I can even major in Electrical Engineering?
    Answers 1
    Answered Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 2:34 AM
    First of all, congratulations on even thinking about studying Electrical Engineering.  This is the most important first step!
    Please note that when you learn what, whether it's Physics or Programming or anything else, is a journey that you will embark.  ...
  • Rosanna asked Felicia Guerrero Green, Collins Aerospace

    Added Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 10:15 PM

    I'm interested in getting an engineering degree but I'm not sure where to start ??? how did you figure it out?

    I've been an automotive technician/mechanic for years and am looking to go back to school for engineering. I have always loved science and fixing and building things. Not sure which direction to go in.

    Answers 1
    Felicia Guerrero Green, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 5:26 PM
    Hi Rosanna! Thanks for the question! Figuring it out is what engineers are trained to do. We are problem solvers. Being that you are an automotive tech/mechanic, it sounds like you will have a lot of the foundation of tearing a problem down to is basic ...
  • Kylee Hitchcock asked Neeti Sonth, University of Colorado Boulder

    Added Monday, January 24, 2022 at 8:22 PM

    If you do how do you help?
    Answers 1
    Neeti Sonth, University of Colorado Boulder
    Answered Sunday, February 27, 2022 at 1:33 AM
    Helping the world does not have to be something big. We can help on a smaller scale too. We engineers build stuff with the greater goal of benefitting the people, the world. So everything you do, you inadvertently  contribute to the society and help make ...
  • Gwen asked Khadijah Latiff, Amazon

    Added Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6:33 AM

    hello Khadijah! I am planning to study electrical engineering and I would like to work in telecommunication industry. I understand engineering is very tough and require a lot of commitment. But I also want to participate in other extracurricular activities and enjoy my uni life. As much as I'm passionate about engineering , I'm worried it might stop me from doing other things such as cheerleading or dance club. Any advice on how to balance engineering and social life?

    Answers 1
    Khadijah Latiff, Amazon
    Answered Friday, November 5, 2021 at 5:52 PM
    Thank you for your question and I am thrilled that you are interested in studying electrical engineering. It is a broad field that is ever-changing and exciting. It is true that engineering is a rigorous discipline and the workload can be challenging and ...
  • Jane

    Added Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 3:00 PM

    I'm currently studying EEE and finding it very stressful, I don't know if I'd want to get a job in engineering if this is how I'll feel working too. So many late nights working and feeling lost. Is working easier than a degree? Is it normal to feel like you don't know anything.?

    Answers 1
    Maryam Tse, Ciena
    Answered Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 4:56 PM
    What you’re going through is completely normal. School is hard. The degree crams in a lot of information, that you may or may not use directly when you choose a field. In addition to the technical skills, your engineering degree teaches you how to learn, ...
  • Audrey asked Yeshani Wijesekara, Collins Aerospace

    Added Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 11:25 PM

    If the degree isn't, can you still land a job?

    Answers 1
    Yeshani Wijesekara, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Monday, December 21, 2020 at 10:17 AM
    Hi Audrey, 
    
    In my personal experience, I have found that having gone to an ABET accredited school to be very useful. When I was searching for jobs right out of college, almost all jobs I was interested in had asked for a degree from an ABET accredited ...
  • Ajay asked Andrea Gonzalez, Collins Aerospace

    Added Friday, October 30, 2020 at 7:13 AM

    I am a 3rd year engineering student studying in Instrumentation department ... I honestly feel like I don't know anything and this is affecting my day to day life.... I am worried if I will get a job since I feel I don't know anything. Is this normal or should I be worried?

    Answers 1
    Andrea Gonzalez, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    Hi Ajay! First of all I do not believe you do not know anything. Engineering can be a really broad career, and in school they throw at you as much information as they can. What you need to understand is that school is giving you a taste of all the ...
  • Abby Collins asked Nafisa Alam, Collins Aerospace

    Added Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 6:31 PM

    Hello! I am a 17 year old in high school that has been taking college classes these past two years. I have been really thinking lately and this past year what I want to do for a living. I love horses, but I have found out that they need to be my hobby, not job. I was thinking that I wanted to be a pilot, but with the Coronavirus, I want a more stable job that can endure slow downs like this. Now, I am thinking engineer again.

    I have been reading about the different types and I am ...

    Answers 1
    Nafisa Alam, Collins Aerospace
    Answered Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 12:58 PM
    Hi Abby! I didn’t realize I wanted to be an engineer until I was in the 11th grade. I didn’t know much about what engineers do until then either. I went into college with no background in engineering. Make sure you go to an institution accredited by ...
  • Theresa Brunasso, D&S Microwave, Inc.
    Answered Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 11:37 AM
    Hi Tessy. I don't have children, so I may not be the best person to answer this question. However, I do know many mothers who are working engineers, and their children seem to be doing great. There are many ways to handle parenthood and a career. Some ...
  • Leyna

    Added Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 6:57 PM

    Do all grades matter or just math and science grades? I know most engineering is mostly math and science and I LOVE math and science. I want to be an Engineer when I grow up

    Answers 1
    Ursula Gibson, Dartmouth College
    Answered Friday, March 22, 2019 at 11:57 AM

    While the math and science grades can be enough to get you where you want to go, often your GPA will be used as a filter when looking at your admission file, so other courses could count against you. Perhaps you can find a school that has enough of a ...

  • Madeline Heinle asked Kathy Moseler, Paradise Robotics

    Added Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 2:23 PM

    I have trouble staying in one place and staying focused for extended amounts of time. As an engineer I want the freedom to move throughout the day but still get work done. As an electrical engineer do you have this problem?
    Answers 1
    Kathy Moseler, Paradise Robotics
    Answered Friday, March 1, 2019 at 6:48 PM
    Hi! Don't worry, you won't be chained to your desk. Much of the work you will do requires a lot of "thinking" time. Some engineers think by sitting at their desk, looking like they are staring off into space. Others (myself included) think better while ...
  • Abbey

    Added Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 9:05 AM

    Math so far has become easy to me it’s easy to learn and easy to master. I know how to do the problems but I can never remember the names. I want to become an electrical/robotic engineer. Is it crucial to know the names of the problems?
    Answers 1
    Elaine Weyuker, University of Central Florida
    Answered Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 4:58 PM
    Hi Abbey,
    
    Actually names of problems are not really important and, in fact, most mathematical problems don't have particular names so I would not worry about that. What is important to be a successful engineer of any type is your ability to understand ...
  • Brooklyn asked Liz-Hasbleydi G., Tech + Desing

    Added Friday, December 7, 2018 at 11:15 AM

    One of my biggest struggles, is being taken seriously, especially by male. Do you have this problem? An if so, how do you handle it?
    Answers 1
    Liz-Hasbleydi G., Tech + Desing
    Answered Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 8:15 AM

    Hello Brooklyn, :)

    Nice to meet you. About your questions:

    Q: What do you think was the biggest problem you've faced throughout your journey?
    A: The biggest problem I have faced during my life from my childhood to the present in the area of technology, ...

Ask A Question
Ask a Question
0/ 200 chars Your Question