Myths and stereotypes are part of the field of engineering. Some of these stereotypes may be familiar to you, such as engineers being all blokes in boiler suits, working in grease and dirt, earning low income, etc. We’re busting all the common myths about engineers!
However, it’s not the complete truth!
Engineering is an exciting and forward-thinking field of study that can lead to a rewarding career in various industries.
Considering its worldwide scope, clarifying some unusual opinions associated with this field is important to encourage students to join the workforce.
In this article, we’ve listed some of the most bizarre myths related to studying engineering.
If you are someone who wishes to be an engineer, then this article is for you.
Common Myths About Engineers That Need to be Shut Down Now!
It’s time we tell you about the common myths about engineers that are concerning and should be shut down for their good!
Check out the following myths and the truth behind them:
1. Programming Experience in High School Is a Must
One of the most bizarre myths about engineering is that tech students should have high school programming experience. There are no such criteria for engineers to have expert skills in programming.
However, engineers can learn basic electronics and programming skills through available online tools if required. Hence, engineers don’t need to be programmers.
Although some candidates have extensive programming knowledge, the majority do not. Interest in discovering the right solutions to technical problems is more important than programming experience.
2. Engineering Means No Fun
Another myth associated with studying engineering is that social life ends here. Engineering takes more studying than other majors, but that does not mean that engineers do not socialize or go out with their peers.
Engineers work and research in groups and, contrary to popular belief, often find time to socialize with friends and spend time with families.
3. It’s A Boring Subject
Engineering is a diverse and exciting career that inspires creative thinking and innovation. Many universities offer courses with exciting modules to expand students’ learning and equip them with the required skill sets.
Like every other field of study, engineers can add diversity to their existing knowledge, experience, and skillset.
More and more engineering graduates opt for an MSEE to expand their knowledge in other concentrations. Thus, engineering is an exciting subject, not a boring one.
4. Engineers Are Peculiar
Many think of engineers as strange and socially inept people who stay at home staring at their machines rather than mingle at social events. Thanks to popular sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory.
However, there are both introverts and extroverts in the industry, as in any career. Perhaps just because an engineer doesn’t participate in lively discussions doesn’t mean they’re not interested in them.
5. Males Dominate The Engineering Field
Engineering is, without a doubt, a male-dominated area. However, many female students have already broken the stereotypes by joining STEM fields that were once limited to male students.
Like every other profession, the engineering field is becoming more diverse. Over the last ten years, the number of women employed in engineering has nearly doubled, from 25,000 to just over 50,000.
Engineers come from various ethnic backgrounds, and the number of ethnicities continues to increase. According to the World Economic Forum, women occupy one in every five top positions in science, technology, math, and engineering.
6. Engineers Can Fix Everything
Unfortunately, another common myth is that an engineer is a walking encyclopedia to diagnose and fix everything.
Engineers aren’t magicians and do not come with an all-in-one diagnosis guide for any technical problem that one might experience.
Just because an engineer creates circuits for a living doesn’t mean they can repair your lights.
7. Engineers Have Dull Jobs
It sounds reasonable, considering if they were creative, they would have selected music or fine arts as their profession. That’s incorrect! The secret to being innovative is right there in the title – to make!
Engineers build goods, services, and processes that impact people daily. Engineers tend to think beyond the box to solve new problems and fulfill consumer needs.
They have the immense privilege and obligation of imagining ways to raise the bar of current living standards. Perhaps, the amount of effort engineers have to put in, even in a tiny task, is commendable.
8. Engineering Is Working Alone
Engineers don’t sit in a lone room and work all day. Although some engineering positions are mostly desk jobs, most engineers work outside their cubicles on construction sites, laboratories, and factories with several different workers.
Perhaps, in most cases, their job roles even include traveling from one place to another. They work together in teams and bounce ideas off each other.
People from various engineering disciplines and strengths often make up teams. There’s room for professionals who love science and technology and those who are super imaginative and have creative ideas!
9. Being An Engineer Doesn’t Pay Very Well
Like every other profession, the engineers’ pay scale and employment benefits vary from their education level and years of experience. Notably, top engineers enjoy 50% higher salaries than business graduates.
Besides, according to the Office of National Statistics, engineers can earn a hefty sum. The report further suggested that the average wage of an engineer in the UK is about £40,000 a year, i.e., about £10,000 higher than the national average of £29,588.
Besides, NACE predicted that the average graduate would receive $80,000 in the upcoming years. Surprisingly, those in high-ranking positions will earn more than £100,000 a year!
10. Engineers Will Have to Be Engineers Forever
It might be surprising that many businesses have employed engineers and engineering graduates for non-engineering positions. They often possess in-demand skills and abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and numeracy.
As a result, engineering graduates are typical in accounting, management consulting, logistics, and even finance and can work in similar positions.
11. They lack social skills
People can get inclined towards believing that engineers are socially awkward and geeky without social skills. Preferring to spend hours indoors isn’t something they do, but a clear myth!
Engineers are some of the most talented folks out there – some of the most famous actors and actresses across the globe studied engineering! Engineers are quite the entertainers from Rowan Atkinson to Alfred Hitchcock and Ashton Kutcher!
12. They Love Fixing Things!
No, that’s the last thing they want to be handed over as a task. There are a lot of unhealthy relationship dynamics that they single-handedly take care of! This is far from the truth – they are walking encyclopedias who know a lot more than just engineering.
13. They have a boring work
Their work is not boring – and they surely have a lot of interesting ways to solve problems. They are great thinkers, and they test the limits of what is perceived as technologically possible.
14. They love math!
There are engineers who dread mathematics and cannot do it with all the joy in their hearts. Most of the engineers you’d find are not enthusiastic about the subject. They need to focus on the task, not the degree or subject.
15. They do not have stable job roles
That’s far from the truth and is also one of the biggest topics of jokes in many countries! Engineers are best known to grab the best opportunities with competitive salaries and have the highest potential to move up the ladder with a great salary!
These are some of the most common myths about engineers that aren’t true and do not help you pursue a career in this field. No matter your identity, there is no limit to who can become professional engineers!
Final Thoughts
With all these common myths about engineers debunked, we intend to give you a deeper understanding of what engineering entails. Remember that in any sector, there are always advantages and disadvantages.
Before you pledge to something, complete your homework by doing thorough research in the field. Don’t let lousy advice or rumors influence your decision.
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