What could I do instead of engineering?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around alternatives to pursuing a career in engineering for someone who finds the associated mathematics challenging and unappealing. Participants explore various fields and roles that may allow for involvement in engineering-related environments without the heavy math requirements typically associated with engineering degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration with math, feeling it detracts from their enjoyment of science and questions if there are engineering-related roles with less math.
  • Another suggests considering a career in Human Resources as a potential alternative.
  • A different viewpoint proposes becoming a mathematician, humorously suggesting that embracing math could lead to a better relationship with it.
  • Concerns are raised about the math requirements in Engineering Technology (EET) programs, with one participant questioning whether this is consistent across different schools.
  • Some participants note that many engineers do not use advanced math in their jobs, suggesting that the initial math education may not be as critical in practice.
  • One participant reflects on their own journey from disliking math to wanting a job that utilizes it, indicating a potential shift in perspective over time.
  • Another participant suggests viewing mathematics as a tool or language for expressing scientific concepts, encouraging a more opportunistic approach to learning it.
  • A suggestion is made to consider becoming a technician, which involves working closely with engineers but requires less advanced math, along with practical skills in electronics and technical drawing.
  • Lastly, a light-hearted suggestion is made to explore biology as another field of interest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the necessity and role of mathematics in engineering and related fields. There is no consensus on a single alternative career path, as various options are proposed, reflecting differing perspectives on the importance of math in professional settings.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express strong emotional responses to math, indicating a subjective experience that may influence their career choices. The discussion highlights the variability in math requirements across different educational programs and career paths.

Tyrion101
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It's not that I can't do the math, I'm just slow, and really don't want to take math for the rest of my life (which is what it feels like is going to happen if I stay in engineering). Math just, makes me really angry for some reason, and while I love science, I just don't want to have to do all of that math. I looked into EET, but at my school it basically requires the same amount of math anyway as an EE, so that's out. I really don't know what to do. Is there something I could do and still work at an engineering firm of some sort that doesn't require the math load?
 
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You could work in Human Resources.
 
You could consider becoming a mathematician. Sometimes it is best to hug your enemy to death.
 
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Tyrion101 said:
I looked into EET, but at my school it basically requires the same amount of math anyway as an EE, so that's out.

That's unusual, did you check across a few schools?

I really don't know what to do. Is there something I could do and still work at an engineering firm of some sort that doesn't require the math load?
Many (or even most?) engineers never use the upper level math learned at university.

I didn't like math when I started engineering, now I want a job that uses it..
 
That is what I keep being told, but I don't want to spend a few more years taking math classes just to get to the point where I don't have to take it anymore. Math makes me want to break things.
 
Tyrion101 said:
Math makes me want to break things.
It often has the same effect on me, but I still love it. In a way math is not unlike women.
 
Interesting take. I love the science, but not the loads of math.
 
Tyrion101 said:
I love the science, but not the loads of math.
Maybe it helps when you think of mathematics as just a language that helps you to precisely express yourself about the scientific problem at hand. I think for an engineer this would be a perfectly valid standpoint. Don't make mathematics more important than it is for you, perhaps be a bit more opportunistic?

Maybe at one point you will even see the beauty of it? But if not, that is fine, too. Then it remains just a tool.
 
Perhaps you'd rather look into becoming a technician. You'll be able to work with engineers and maintain/repair their designs. Math is still needed, but not on the level of design. To do this, you should learn how to solder, build coaxial cables, CAD software, have an ability to read technical drawings and blueprints, use test equipment, and understand the basics of electronics theory. A degree program that states something like "engineering technician" that's hands on from a reputable school (not an online diploma mill) will give you some of this training. For experience you could always enlist into a "job" that's technically oriented, all branches have electronics technicians of some sort.

That or you could go into biology. ;)
 

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