Where does one find the motivation to do engineering?

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Descartes
IMO, some people like solving problems and others like finding them. For me, that's the general dichotomy which places people in engineering and others in business (which might encompass marketing, sales, etc.).

It's all about solving problems, just different kinds.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
People say you shouldn't go into engineering because you like computers.
People say you shouldn't go into engineering for the money.

So why do people do engineering?! What makes little kids say, "I wanna design a VLSI circuit when I grow up!" I can understand the mechanical and aerospace engineers.. they wanna design cars and airplanes and such. But the electrical engineers.. them I just do not understand. If you can't already tell, I just effed up on an exam. I feel sick.

it comes from something unspecified. an interest. a hobby. something that excites you.
ever heard someon talk about free form fabrication using a laser (or some other obsure idea like heat transfer) and found you coudn't helpo but be excited about it even though you didn't know what it was really. thats what makes an engineer.

engineers aren't pure scientist. they are more into problem solving and application of science. if that kind of thing excited you then you are into engineering.

atleast those are the reason i am a mechanical engineer in the making.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: orakle
If you have The Knack, that's all the motivation you need.

i guess my above post refers to the knack.
i showed the knack to my rhetoric class. you wo9uldn't believe how much they laughed. in my ME department the KNACK is probably the most famous youtube clip.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

Originally posted by: TecHNooB

Originally posted by: dud
Speaking from almost 25 years of experience (I have degrees in Industrial and Electrical Eng) I went to class, passed my tests, got my grades ... and graduated (twice) ...

... then I entered the real world, a place where what you learned in school is only a foundation that you build upon at work. I hardly ever do anything that I was taught in school (at work).

I went into engineering because my uncle was an engineer (he was my role model) and it seemed to fit me.

You can make a lot of money as an engineer but it's not for those who want to get rich (define rich). I can remember breaking down a few times (after a test) thinking that I had screwed it up badly. Technoob, if it makes you feel any better I can look back in retrospect and laugh at myself for making myself so sick over a stupid test. You will survive ...

Thanks man, i needed that. I thought id be used to studying around the clock after freshman year; []bbut i've missed out on so much stuff.. fun stuff. I just wanted a break and decided to take it during the wrong semester. Ugh. Gotta keep on chuggin I guess :/[/b]

q. can he lead a normal life ?
a. NO. he';'ll be an engineer.

 

[JohnCU]

no BS, i'm doing it for the money. and the fact that when someone asks what you do for a living and you say EE they think you're intelligent.

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
no BS, i'm doing it for the money. and the fact that when someone asks what you do for a living and you say EE they think you're intelligent.

But we know better.

 

[0]

Because its fun to put yourself above those that can't...

 

[TecHNooB]

Originally posted by: tanishalfelven

Originally posted by: TecHNooB
People say you shouldn't go into engineering because you like computers.
People say you shouldn't go into engineering for the money.

So why do people do engineering?! What makes little kids say, "I wanna design a VLSI circuit when I grow up!" I can understand the mechanical and aerospace engineers.. they wanna design cars and airplanes and such. But the electrical engineers.. them I just do not understand. If you can't already tell, I just effed up on an exam. I feel sick.

it comes from something unspecified. an interest. a hobby. something that excites you.
ever heard someon talk about free form fabrication using a laser (or some other obsure idea like heat transfer) and found you coudn't helpo but be excited about it even though you didn't know what it was really. thats what makes an engineer.

engineers aren't pure scientist. they are more into problem solving and application of science. if that kind of thing excited you then you are into engineering.

atleast those are the reason i am a mechanical engineer in the making.

I'm sure a high-tech lab would excite any kid. But show 'em the concepts that are involved. They'll wise up fast. Need some perspective