• Question: was you all top of the class in science at school and what does it take to get to your level

    Asked by _f_r_e_x_a_ to Hilly, Lee, Liz, Tadhg, Yasmin on 14 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Lee Margetts

      Lee Margetts answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      Hi @_f_r_e_x_a_. I was not the top of the class in science at school. However I’ve always been very interested in science and since I left school, I’ve improved through continued study throughout my career.

    • Photo: Yasmin Ali

      Yasmin Ali answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      No, I wasn’t the top of my class in science. I think it takes patience to get to my level, studying engineering was hard work but it’s most definitely worth it now.

    • Photo: Tadhg O'Donovan

      Tadhg O'Donovan answered on 14 Jun 2015:

      Hi, I wasn’t top either. I just liked Maths and Physics and figuring things out in a creative way – so that to me spells “Engineer” (and engineers are stereotypically bad at spelling).

      BTW: I think a key skill that we don’t talk about enough in engineering is “creativity” – it’s not all hard maths and theory, there is a lot of innovation and invention in engineering!

      I don’t think it takes much to “get to my level” – just a passion for what what we do. Think of it this way: when I was a kid, I took stuff apart and tried to put it back together – sometimes I tried to combine things (Train set and Walkie-Talkies – don’t ask) – now I get paid for it 🙂

    • Photo: David Hill

      David Hill answered on 15 Jun 2015:

      Tadhg has it right in my opinion, it doesn’t matter if your top of the class or not! If your keen, interested and engage in the subject, engineering is VERY rewarding!

      Tadhg also highlights one of the biggest misconceptions about Engineering – “its all about physics and maths!”

      Its true… for a lot of the engineers in the profession today… they became engineers because they were good at physics and maths! This is changing!

      Programmes like this (imanengineer) help get the message to pupils that its not ALL maths and physics. I’ve been working on a pipework systems for a new build power station! Trying to fit all the different pipe systems into very small spaces, allowing for the pipes ability to grow when they are really hot… not allowing them to smash into each other when they “jump”… ensuring that you can still walk around the power station… ensuring that they dont explode when pressurised… there really is millions of things that govern our design, and not all of them require physics or maths to be solved! its all about thinking, problem solving… and wow… sometimes it makes your head hurt!

      When you get the solution, its all worth it!

      Engineering is a learning game… your NEVER top of the class… there is always someone who knows more than you on something!

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