• Question: hi i would like to become an engineer and would like to know what subjects could help me achieve my goal?

    Asked by VTEC kid to Pete, Fe, Joe, Lauren, Olivia on 6 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by its_just_sabir.
    • Photo: Peter Roskilly

      Peter Roskilly answered on 6 Mar 2015:


      Ultimately it’ll depend on what kind of engineer you want to be!
      But Maths and Science (Chemistry, Biology and of course Physics) are the foundation for most engineering disciplines AFAIK. Doesn’t hurt to make sure your Spelling/grammar/writing skills are good too. I have to write a _lot_ of reports and letters to clients and I really wish I had worked harder on those things at School. Spell checkers don’t solve all problems!

      Focus on the Sciences and discover what you like, then go hunting for what type of engineering fits.
      Wouldn’t hurt to look into the work different types of engineers do and see what peaks your interest. (This event should be an ideal starting point!)

      *EDIT
      Just discovered your profile, Mechanical engineer who likes cars.
      You’re road ahead (ha! pun) should be pretty straight forward. Stick with Maths, Physics and Chemistry and look into University Mechanical Engineering courses when the time comes.
      Hopefully someone else in this zone has done MechEng and will be more help than me.

    • Photo: Olivia Stodieck

      Olivia Stodieck answered on 7 Mar 2015:


      I completely agree with Peter’s post. It’s important to get your Maths and Physics right, but communication skills (i.e. writing and presenting) are also important.
      Besides school, there may be other ways to build your engineering skills – I’m thinking about hobbies/sports where you get to build something fun like remote control airplanes or pedal cars. It’s good hands-on practice and it will help you understand why some of the things you learn in school are important. Plus, it looks good on your university application 😉

    • Photo: Felicity Harer

      Felicity Harer answered on 9 Mar 2015:


      Maths! It’s a huge one. Beyond that, physics is a nice to do but not a must. If you can get work experience and do something like Smallpiece courses that should set you up pretty nicely. Can’t beat a bit of hands on experience!

    • Photo: Lauren Dransfield

      Lauren Dransfield answered on 9 Mar 2015:


      Usually maths and physics are the main two, though chemistry and DT can be an added bonus.

    • Photo: Joseph Chilcott

      Joseph Chilcott answered on 15 Mar 2015:


      Hi, It definitely does depend on what area of engineering you choose but since your profile states mechanical, I would say Maths is a big one. Physics also covers a lot of mechanical theory. Although Maths and Science are the obvious ones, it is important to have good literacy skills so English language/literacy is important. In any area of engineering there a normally a lot of reports to write and it is important to be able communicate both on paper and verbally.

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