Frequently Asked Questions by Parents

How can I help my child become an engineer if I don't know anything about engineering?

How can I pay for college?

What classes should my child be taking in school?

My daughter is not very good in math but she wants to be an engineer, what should I do?

   1. Send them to a introduction to engineering summer camp. See the listing of summer camps on this web site for more information.
   2. Help them get involved in an engineering competition such as Future City, a Robotics Competition, the Science Olympiad and others. See the listing of competitions on this web site for more information.
   3. Encourage math and science classes in school.
   4. Visit the student links web page to find more resources.
   5. Visit all the engineering schools in your area.

How can I pay for college?

   Visit Super College. They have a wealth of information for parents interested in finding ways to afford college tuition.

What classes should my child be taking in school?

   Your child should take as much math and science as possible. These courses are the foundation of engineering. There are different types of engineering you could choose based on which type of science you like best. For example, if your child likes chemistry, chemical engineering might be a good choice. If he/she likes biology, biomedical engineering might be of interest.

   Engineers also need communication skills. Engineers usually work in teams and have to work with people in management, finance, construction and more. Engineers write reports to document their work so others can use it or add to it. The best engineers are not just math and science geeks. They are those that have a well-rounded education. The best ones do great engineering with their math and science background, but then convince someone to provide financial support for their project and work with the construction forces to actually build something.

   The best thing to do is check with your school counselor to get specific advice and direction on the courses available at your school. Even if your school does not offer all the courses necessary to prepare for engineering, your counselor will be able to help you determine what you can do to get ready.
Adapted from discoverengineering.org advice

My daughter is not very good in math but she wants to be an engineer, what should I do?
   1. Help her find a mentor. Studies show that girls do better in science and math if they have a mentor.    
Advisors or career counselors should know if a mentoring network is established or if there are any upperclassmen willing to help.
   2. Research shows that women are being discouraged from science and technology at a young age. One of the reasons why girls tend to shy away from the field of engineering is because communities and clubs that serve kids with technical interests are largely male-dominated. To interest more girls in science and technology, both educational institutions and households must make a concentrated effort to breed an atmosphere of encouragement where gender does not apply. We must convince girls that technical careers are not just attainable, but fulfilling.