Engineer Your Life Dream big. Love what you do.

Engineer Your LifeDream big. Love what you do.Created ByDarshana Lakkad, Charmi BhattKishan Patel, Rupesh Vaghela

Talking to High School Girls about Engineering

Inspire college-bound girls to explore engineeringProvide resources for adult influencersparents, counselors, and engineersWhat are the first two words that come to mind when you hear engineer?

What type of person do you think is most suited to be an engineer?

What do high school girls think about engineering?

What do their parents think?

HistoryIn 2004, 55 engineering groups formed a union to explore why arent college-bound girls choosing engineering?Less than 20% of students enrolled in engineering degree programs are women, yet more women are now pursuing college degrees than menGirls take math and science courses at the same rates as boys, and perform as well as or better

What Do High School Girls Think? Engineering is for people who LOVE both math and science

Dont know what engineering is

Arent interested in the field nor do they think it is for them.Someone who excels in math and science.... Someone who is motivated, dedicated, and who doesnt mind sitting in a cubicle all day.

What High School Girls WantEnjoyableHow happy I will bewhats the point of doing anything you dont like?

Good working environmentIf I cant interact with peopleI will probably drop the job.

To make a difference That I would make a difference in some way, you know, make my mark on the world.

Income As shallow as it sounds, money is the one thing I have to consider when Im choosing a job. Im not going to do something that I know cant help me pay bills.

FlexibilityMy career cant consume all of my timeI need free time to do a lot of other thingsbefore I die.What Do Counselors Think? It is not popular or well-understood, there is a fundamental lack of awarenessAppropriate only for unique studentsStudents who are interested tend to be on the honors track and heavily involved with a math and science curriculumprimarily malesNerd perception. When recommending engineering to students who have been identified as good problem solvers, students are shocked. They dont think of themselves as nerds.Dont know enough about engineering to help students learn moreNot familiar with how to guide students toward engineeringWhen asked how students can learn more about engineering, the respondents suggested that students should go online or check out local university departments

Meet an EngineerWhat Engineers Like about their CareersI feel pretty lucky to have such a creative and interesting job. Im surrounded by brilliant people. It doesnt seem like work. Its just plain fun! - Judy Lee

I enjoy the travel and interacting with an amazing array of people. - Daniele Lantagne

Its never boring. I feel that I can make a difference in society by working on new technologies to improve peoples lives. - Mona Masghati

Engineering is such a versatile field. It is practical, applicable, and always in demand. - Molly Lebowitz

What Can We Tell Girls about Engineering Appeal toGirls Boys

Live your life, love what you do82%81%

Creativity has its rewards74%81%

Make a world of difference72%79%

Create possibilities71%77%

Why Engineering

Why EngineeringMeet Inspiring Women

Find Your Dream Job

Take Engineering for a Test Drive Take engineering courses in school Attend a summer or after-school program Watch Design Squad Talk to engineers Enter a contest Consider an internship or summer job

Try as many things as possible. Find internships in different areas, experiment, and make sure that you see all that engineering can offer.

- Rachel Fine, Mechanical EngineerResearching Engineering Schools Do a search Make contact Look for interesting opportunities Consider your options Talk to your parents

Follow your passions find out what really captures your interest and then determine the path to get there.

- Daniele Lantagne, Environmental EngineerScholarships and Financial Aid Do an online searchLocal opportunities Colleges/Universities Higher Education Resource Centers Engineering Societies and Associations

If I knew then what I know now, I could have applied for plenty more scholarships. There area lot of opportunities out there.

- Melissa Reeves, Electrical Engineering Student Resources for Advising StudentsEngineer Your Life Brochure

Engineer Your Life Poster

Take Engineering for a Test Drive

Recommended High School Coursework

Researching Engineering Schools

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Talk to your teacher and parents tonight to.

Focus Your Future

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME &SUPPORT