What are engineers like?

stjimmy

What do you guys think engineers are like in personality,politics,etc
what do you think is most attrative to future engineers about the engineering field? What do you think of the nerd sterotype?

brewnog

Silly question.

What are politicians like? What are doctors like? What are women like?

cronxeh

Dilbert.com

FredGarvin

They vary just as the general populace does.

The myth that they are high paying jobs, with the respect of the management above them.

If the slide rule fits...I don't mind it one bit. I never understood how the idea that if someone is considered "smart" it is taken as an insult.

Clausius2

That's not a silly question. Do you mind answering it to me, please?.

brewnog

Honestly Clausius, if I could, I would..!

pack_rat2

Engineers come with the full range of variations in personality, politics, attitudes, etc, as is found in the general population. But having said that, there are certain general trends that are evident. Engineers are more likely be politically conservative than say, sociologists or journalists, since they tend to place emphasis on what's been proven to work, as opposed to what might be theoretically possible. They tend to be more interested in creating something that works, than in fully figuring out the underlying principles, as would, say, a physicist. Of course, engineers, like scientists, must be highly logical in there thinking, as opposed to what's required of artists, musicians, advertising executives, etc. And engineers as a group are considerably more honorable, ethical, and decent, than lawyers...;)

Pengwuino

99.5% of engineers are 5'11" tall, weigh 150 pounds and drive geo-metros. They also enjoy playing X-box on saturdays between 9-3am. They also have black hair.

jamesrc

Engineers are people too.

Chronos

Engineers are just about the most pleasant and agreeable creatures you could hope to meet - salt of the earth type. I have some beach front property for sale too... I think it would be safe to say that engineers are curious by nature. They desire to know how things work interactively, not so much why as would a physicist. Engineers need breadth, as opposed to depth of knowledge. Your typical mechanical engineer [which is my species], needs a solid understanding of mechanics, chemistry, electromagnetism, material science, statistics, metrology, ergonomics, economics, etc. Most engineers have a very practical approach to problem solving. A good engineer considers many factors before suggesting a design or process. How does this translate into personality? Engineers tend to form more detailed and carefully considered opinions. But, of course, if you get them out of their elements of expertise, they can be just as guilable as anyone else.

pack_rat2

I agree! As they say, "Great minds think alike"...

hypatia

I'm dating one right now, and hes funny and fun to be with. Hes a very stable and honest person{so far anyways}, who enjoys travel, animals, cooking and all kinds of music. And he knows how to leave work AT work.

Moonbear

I have to agree that I've always had really good experiences in my relationships with engineers. There is no single, stereotypical engineer, but then again, it does seem that people who are attracted to engineering have certain traits in common. I can't overly generalize, but can share what those I know well have in common. They are very direct people; don't expect them to beat around the bush or to worry about being PC, they're going to tell it like it is. When younger, they have a tendency to be overly literal about things and to over-analyze everything, but as they get older, they mellow. They enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems, but also enjoy getting out in the field and getting their hands dirty to apply their knowledge to real world situations.

(And the men have a tendency to dress in khaki pants and tucked-in polo shirts. )

Generally, I think they are pretty well-grounded people who are attracted to a field with obvious applications; they aren't content with just theory.

Now the engineers can speak up and tell me if I have them pegged or not.

(Oh, and certain biologists find themselves hopelessly attracted to engineers...not sure if that's a selling point for engineering or not... )

Math Is Hard

I always thought they tasted kinda like chicken.

FredGarvin

You've been going out with those free range engineers?

cronxeh

Depends on the engineer's specialty I'd say

I think Chemical Engineers are more into money making aspect, while Mechanical Engineers just like a lot of things, and nothing in particular. Electrical Engineers are mostly into computers or calculators or anything they can get their hands on and then make it their little slave.

I have yet to explore and understand world of Bioengineering - personally I think its a fascinating area to go into, and I'm not sure about the people but their mindset is somewhere between becoming a medical doctor and a biologist, but also a heavy duty mix of engineering problem solving.

Math Is Hard

well..hmm.. I guess the software engineers I've dated weren't free range.
They usually keep them penned up in cubicles like veal.