Engineering students are often thought of as incredibly studious, very meticulous, and at least somewhat lacking in social life. And if I’m being completely honest, there’s a little bit of truth in that; but there’s also SO much more.
I look at my engineering friends and professors and see nothing short of a commitment and drive to make the world a better place. It is an amazing community to be a part of that goes way beyond academics. These are the people I spend every day with (out of choice, not to mention), the role models I look up to, and some of the most genuine, supportive, and fun humans I have ever met. Engineering is a lot of work, but the people in it make it absolutely, positively worth it.
Yes, it is true that we are constantly studying and therefore may not have quite as much free time. However, what most people don’t see are the competitive Wordle challenges during study breaks, the celebratory swivel chair races around the halls once our physics homework is turned in, or the continuous laughter filling our grind sessions with good vibes and great memories. Engineering IS a lot of studying, but who said studying couldn’t be made fun?
Engineering to me is the integration of almost all things STEM-related to build a better world and create a brighter future. It is giving me the knowledge I need to understand the intricacies of the world and the skills necessary to change it for the better. It is definitely something to be excited for and proud of.
But don’t just take my word for it. Here are some snippets from some of my absolute favorite people (who just happen to be fellow STEMers!) and what engineering means to them, hope you enjoy!
“Entering the world of engineering means being welcomed into a community of thinkers and innovators who push each other. Every engineer has a story and a cause that fuels their passion for creating products that help the greater community.”
- Rachel.Amir Chatman, Redwood City, CA (Class of 2024)
“To me, engineering is more than just a discipline or what I study in college. It is really a way of life. Studying engineering means the world to me because it has changed and molded the way I think about and go about my daily life. It has made me more curious and a better problem solver. Most importantly, it has introduced me to the smartest, most ambitious, and kindest people. Lastly, it gives me so much pride in belonging to and representing women in engineering. It’s such a great feeling and emphasizes how important the work we’re doing is, not just as engineers but also as women in STEM.”
- Veda Bansal, Bangalore, India (Class of 2024)
Engineering is truly a lot more than a major for us and while we put in a lot of academic work it is because engineers end up doing a lot of really important work. So while we may fulfill the stereotype in some aspects, just know that we as engineers are a lot more than that.
And you can be too 🙂
*Pic of the BME squad!
