Debunking 10 Most Common Engineering Myths
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Certain stereotypes and myths are connected with engineering careers like any other profession. It's not uncommon for the general public to have a one-dimensional view of engineering careers, associating specific personality qualities. There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding engineering career and engineers in general. If you are an engineering aspirant planning to pursue an engineering course or already working in engineering field, you might have at least one of these myths. So let's have a look at the top 10 most common myths about Engineers to clear things up.
Myth 1: They are incapable of interacting with others.
People perceive engineers as socially awkward and geeky, preferring to spend long periods indoors on their computers rather than engaging in social activities with other individuals. However, this is not the case. Professionals working in engineering careers are like any other professionals in other fields. There are introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts. The best example would be some excellent motivational speakers from engineering background. One can't determine whether somebody is an introvert or extrovert based on the title of their chosen field of career.
Myth 2: They have a strong desire to 'correct' things.
Unfortunately, there is still another prevalent misunderstanding that we can credit Hollywood for. It is responsible for a great deal of toxic interpersonal dynamics associated with engineering careers. Friends, relatives, and sometimes even spouses frequently refer to an engineer as a walking encyclopedia when diagnosing problems with their home equipment. Such expectations tend to become tedious after a short amount of time if the situation is repeated frequently. No one asks doctors for free checks at family gatherings, but expecting an electrical consultation isn't a huge deal.
Myth 3: They are not regarded as 'innovative.'
It simply appears to be rational. If they were – wouldn't they have pursued a degree in fine arts? Wrong… Artistic people can still find a way to express themselves via their work in the engineering sector. In many ways, they would have been better off if they had chosen a different profession. An engineer career is all about striking a delicate balance between logic, critical thinking, creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong desire to see things differently.
Myth 4: Their work is monotonous.
It is easy to dismiss engineering career because of its work repetitiveness and homogeneity, which is similar to the idea of a lack of originality. On the other hand, those are inherent to physics, chemistry, and mathematics, and no one would dare to call them uninteresting! It is a commonly known fact that most engineers are problem solvers and critical thinkers. Their goal is to push the boundaries of what we consider technologically feasible, making it the furthest thing from boring as you'll ever find a job.
Myth 5: They are fascinated with mathematics.
Assuming that engineers enjoy math just because they are required to be proficient in the subject matter would be wrong. Professions, such as engineering, require nothing more than a passionate commitment to a task that you despise.
Myth 6: They are unable to communicate effectively.
Communication is the most crucial component in today's world, and engineers do not live in a bubble separate from the rest of the population. In reality, they frequently attend conferences and collaborate to share ideas, brainstorm, invent, produce products, and do various other tasks.
Myth 7: They are only interested in a few things.
It's odd how the perception of individuals in an engineering career has evolved through time. Mostly, engineers are seen as become the literal definition of the term "geek," or even the less favorable label "nerd." Because their work necessitates great concentration, dedication, and attention to detail, it is only logical that they completely immerse themselves in their tasks. Nonetheless, engineers are human beings with different set of interests and activities that contribute value and satisfaction to their lives.
Myth 8: Engineering as a field is dominated by men.
While this has undoubtedly been the case in the past, things are beginning to change. Women are increasingly entering the STEM fields, bringing with them a slew of new ideas. They are bringing a fresh perspective on problem-solving and creativity to the field of engineering, science, and technology. As a result, we can already see a lot of women building succesful engineering career in both conventional and unconventional streams.
Myth 9: They don't begin working till they are in their 30s.
Engineering school is challenging and necessitates a significant investment of time and work. However, engineering is not as rigid as most people believe. Many part-time and online postgraduate degrees and programmes are available to engineers who want to further their education while still working, making the options fairly diverse.
Myth 10: They are restricted to a single field and a single location.
The abilities engineers learn are often thought to be non-transferable on an international level. However, this seems more like talking of lawyers' profession than an engineering career. Being an engineer consists of a set of standardized principles and universal laws and correlations. Many nations welcome foreign engineers to cover skilled migrant shortages. As a result, travelling and living abroad can be less difficult for engineers than other professionals.
Choose ITM to Build a Successful Engineering Career
Applied mechanics, mathematics, and science are used to develop solutions for daily problems. As a result, a curriculum that encourages analytical minds to think creatively is required to study engineering. Our engineering courses cover various streams that allow you to explore different engineering careers. The industry-oriented B.Tech curriculum at ITM is based on delivering a hands-on learning experience through appropriate industry immersion programmes, workshops, and internships. Throughout the 4-year duration of the engineering course, students are encouraged to build scalable technological talents and transferable skills that will enable them to adapt to changes in the industry and work across domains as needed.
Towards the end of your engineering courses, ITM organizes campus placements during which top industry players visit our colleges to hire our engineering students.
The Final Note
We hope you will better understand what an engineering career entails when these myths have been debunked. Always keep in mind that there are advantages and disadvantages in every career field, engineering is the same. So, before you commit to anything, make sure you complete your due diligence by conducting an extensive study on the subject matter. Please don't let bad counsel and gossip affect how you make decisions.