Are some people natural born engineers? Does engineering ability run in the family, like artistic or musical talent?
Engineering is hot right now, and continues to top the list of highest-paying college majors. But, it takes more than desire to be an engineer; it takes passion, ability and academic rigor. How can you spot that passion in children as they explore the world around them and in teens as they start to look into college majors and future career choices?
Engineers are curious, creative, and often have a great sense of humor. They are usually tinkerers, feel that they can fix everything, and will never say, “I can’t.” Plus, a strong interest in math and science is a good indicator of future engineering success.
Future engineers are:
- Curious, creative and enjoy discovering how things work
- Always asking “Why?” and “How?”
- Fascinated by Legos, K’NEX, Magnetix and other building toys
- Interested in science and math, with strong abilities in these areas
- Logical, they like to develop theories and explanations
- Tinkerers; they like to take things apart to try to make them better
- Always looking for a better way to do things
- Typically perfectionists who like order and structure
- Tenacious; generally up for a good discussion or debate
- Interested in solving the world’s problems
There has been a lot of talk about a greater push for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, and how the U.S. can be more competitive in the world economy by producing more STEM college graduates. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 5 percent of U.S. workers are employed in fields related to science and engineering, yet they are responsible for more than 50 percent of our sustained economic expansion.
Time magazine and many others have explored this issue and discuss possible solutions such as upgrading the quality of the math and science teaching through better recruitment and training, exposing kids to STEM fields early on, and using scholarships and inducements for them to choose STEM careers. Unfortunately, a lot of students aren’t equipped for STEM degree programs due to the quality of education they are receiving at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.
With the thrust for more students to study STEM fields in college, there is also a danger of pushing kids into these fields when there is no real passion or ability there. A child needs to follow his or her own strengths for long-term success.
Here are five more indicators, focused on teens, who may be interested in a future career in engineering. These characteristics of a successful engineering student may help guide decision making:
- They have developed apps for phones
- They have started a little company or created a product
- They have done computer programming
- They have taken the highest level math their school offers for four years (ideally AP Calculus BC)
- They have also taken four years of science (which ideally includes AP Physics and an AP lab science)
Do you see these traits in yourself and others? What else would you add? If you are an engineer, how did you make your career choice? What advice would you give to teens who are interested in pursuing an engineering degree?