Should I do engineering?

donmoister

Hey there. When I was in third year I done an aptitude test in which I got 70/100 in mathematical/numerical reasoning. The careers guidance teacher said that people who do higher level maths(which I was doing), usually score higher than that. I also failed two maths tests getting 38% and 35% in each (the summer test in 5th year and the christmas in 6th), a few percent away from a pass, and the teacher advised me to drop down to a lower level. Does this mean I should re-consider doing engineering?

endacl

Base your choices on what you would like to do, and what interests you. Aptitude tests only demonstrate whether or nor you're good at doing aptitude tests, unfortunately. I guess from the tone of your post that you're going lc this year? You're under enough pressure from teachers, peers, and parents at the moment. All of whom want the best for you. The only choice that really matters however, is yours. Trust yourself. I'm 38, and am on career number 3 at the moment. None of my work to date has had anything whatsoever do do with the business studies course I did after school on the advice of well meaning people. Wasn't a waste of time. Just didn't interest me. Figure out what you want to do, not what you should do. If these are the same, happy days! Good luck.

brownacid

I wouldn't necessarily be the greatest at maths, having failed a few of my maths tests in 6th year I was told to drop down. I was adamant that I wasn't dropping down moreso that someone tried to tell me I couldnt do it. I put in teh work, got grinds, went to the institute and eventually landed myself a C1 in the L.C. I've just graduated and now doing a post grad in Aeronautical.

I would say that if you are motivated enough and are willing to put in the work you can do it. If thats not enough and you still can't handle the maths, I know a few colleges do a separate maths test after you achieve the points to see if people with ordinary level maths are capable.
There are quite a few options if you are set on doing engineering!

00MARTZ00

mate if you want to do engineering then go for it! i left school straight after the junior cert to become an electrician so i never did my leaving cert. But because of the good aul recession i went back to college. im now in the final year of electrical services engineering and im going onto the electrical/electronic degree next year. so nothing impossible pal if you want to do it then go for it!

apoeiguq3094y

There's a good bit of maths in engineering, and some courses are heavier than others on maths.

I think some IT courses will have more practical courses than theory/academic courses, so that might be a good route to go down.

At the end of the day though, if you really want to do engineering, you should give it a go.

donmoister

I'm also not doing applied maths or physics or chemistry- just biology... Would this be something that would stand against me?

Offy

donmoister wrote: »

I'm also not doing applied maths or physics or chemistry- just biology... Would this be something that would stand against me?

Applied maths would carry you a long way on an engineering course as would physics. You have to ask yourself why you didnt pick them as lc subjects. If it because you dont like them then you might not be suitable. Why exactly do you want to become an engineer?

donmoister

I was always going to pick just one science subject, and one business to keep my options open and I picked biology simply because according to people who had done the lc, was the easiest science subject to get points in(I had no clue what I wanted to do after lc when I picked the subjects in transition year...) Biology is so easy, I've got all A's in it so far. I got a B in both honours maths and science for the junior, but I find honours maths for the leaving very hard, although I can do better if I work harder..
I want to become an engineer as from a very young age I've also enjoyed building things, eg. construction sets, mechano etc. and I have always enjoyed knowing how things work, and taking things apart...

EngIreland

Hi Donmoister,

Just to let you know that we have free maths grinds for students doing higher level maths every Saturday for both Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students.

The lectures take place in our HQ in Clyde Road or if you are outside of Dublin - you can follow the course online.

http://www.steps.ie/maths/maths-video/videos.aspx

If you are interested in attending please e-mail mathsgrinds@engineersireland.ie

Hope you find this useful.