6 Myths Women Have About Engineering

by Cherish · Published September 20, 2018 · Updated August 15, 2019

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Growing up, l always knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I just always thought I’d teach math.

Instead, I ended up being an engineer and teaching engineering. And it is AWESOME!

Engineering is an amazing field that has so many career opportunities. Opportunities that are perfect for women.

Unfortunately, many myths exist about engineering that keep bright, young women from pursuing this path.

Let’s debunk some of these myths!

The Engineer Stereotype

Most women imagine engineers as nerdy, anti-social guys who sit alone in dark cubicles typing away on computers. This is most definitely not the case!

I am proof of this. As a talkative, height-challenged, blonde woman I definitely do not fit the stereotypical image of an engineer.

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During my time in industry I met so many amazing people. People from all different backgrounds with all kinds of personalities.

Some were quiet yet hilarious, some were overly talkative and sarcastic. Regardless of personality though, they made the workplace fun! Everyone was different yet we all had the same logical, analytical thinking.

Now, of course, I did have the pleasure of meeting a few stereotypical engineers but they were few and far in between…fortunately.

You Gotta Like Mechanical Things

To be honest, I’ve never had to build anything. I’ve never had to do mechanical type work. I’ve never even wanted to do these things!

There are so many aspects to engineering that don’t involve manufacturing and design.

If you like math but don’t like putting things together there are branches of engineering for you!

Look into Industrial Engineering (I’ve got a B.S. in it) or Systems Engineering. These branches will let you put those math talents to work in a different way.

For example, industrial engineers are involved in a variety of tasks: quality control, reliability engineering, inventory control, logistics, operations research, ergonomics. These are all very useful, math driven subjects that don’t need you to get dirty.

Manufacturers employ these engineers. BUT they are also by hired by airlines, delivery companies, Amazon, hospitals, you name it!

Just because you’re an engineer doesn’t mean you’ll work in a standard engineering environment.

Not For Creative Types

WRONG! Engineers’ creativity is only limited by technology. And if the needed technology isn’t available yet, well engineers can create it!

The pursuits of a creative mind are endless in engineering. Fine Arts isn’t the only option for those wanting to put their creativity to work.

Women Engineers Aren’t Valued

Nope! This isn’t true either.

Now I can’t speak for everyone but I, personally, have never had anyone talk down to me or be disrespectful because I’m a girl.

In fact, I found the opposite. The men I worked with always seemed glad to have a girl on the team. They were always very supportive of me and my career pursuits.

As long as you are competent and able to do your job, you’ll more than likely be respected just as much as the guy sitting next to you.

All Engineers Are Smart

After teaching 1000s of students at several universities I can say that this is false! Yes, engineering does have more intelligent people than some fields but that doesn’t mean every engineer has a brilliant mind.

I’ve seen students who I didn’t think would graduate go on to start their own engineering companies, patent products and work their way up the ladder. How’d they do it if they weren’t as smart as others?

Dedication and drive! They set a goal for themselves and worked to reach it.

If they can do it so can anyone else. If you tell yourself you’re not smart enough, you’re just making an excuse.

Stop that! Have some confidence and see how far you’ll go!

Engineers Are Stuck in Engineering Permanently

False! Many industries that you would normally consider as being for engineers actually WANT to hire engineers.

Take finance for example. Lots of the workers in the computational finance were engineers at one point.

Engineers are sought after for their computing skills and quantitative skills. I know of a few engineers who went on to work at large accounting firms to help do building audits.

The skills you gain learning engineering can transfer over to many, many areas.

MBA, MD and law school programs also seek engineering students. If you can make it through an engineering degree with good grades, you can make it anywhere.

Your analytical and quantitative skills and logical thought process will be desirable traits in any of these professions.