Discussion Thread

Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

  • 1.  Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 02-22-2021 09:17 AM

    For fun, I recently googled “engineer stereotypes” to see what came up. This was the first article I found.

    https://newengineer.com/blog/the-10-most-common-misconceptions-about-engineers-948663

    Engineers are often stereotyped in media as unathletic geeks who enjoy few sports or hobbies, none too far removed from their jobs. The article above even mentions that TV shows like The Big Bang Theory have reinforced some of these perceptions. I think most of us realized pretty early in school or in our careers that this isn’t always (or even usually) true.

     I wanted to start a thread to learn about observations from others on this subject. Here are some questions I had:

    1. Is there anything about you that defies the perception of a stereotypical engineer?
    2. And upon closer inspection, is there anything you like about those hobbies that ties back to something in engineering as well?
    3. Why do you think these stereotypes exist, and do you think that the perspective of the public is changing?

     I’ll go first.

    For starters, math was my least favorite class in school, and probably also the one I struggled with the most. I much preferred English and history, and spent a lot of my free time undertaking various creative writing pursuits. Nowadays during the pandemic, I have been spending a fair bit of time learning to draw.

    In terms of my life intersecting with engineering, I like to hike simply for the sake of getting outside and seeing cool places. But I also enjoy getting to see all of the hydrologic occurrences in rivers and streams that were discussed and presented in textbooks. I also enjoy surfing for its own sake, but have also found that it has taught me about the basics of wave mechanics as well.

    I can think of a number of other friends who studied engineering with me who were responsible for showing me that “engineers were just people like everyone else”. It helped to ease my own imposter syndrome, coming from a background of someone who didn’t love math. Its my belief that as with a lot of stereotypes, occasional quirky or eccentric behaviors tend to be expanded on by the media and presented as the baseline of what engineers (and people in general) are. But taking a closer look at those around you can usually highlight a number of flawed assumptions offered by most stereotypes. In the end, there are all types of people who get involved in engineering. This is probably a conclusion that seems obvious, but sometimes I like to consciously try to work my way through it.

     What do you think?



    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-03-2021 05:55 PM
    I'd say one of the biggest ways I break the typical idea people have of engineers is my personality. When I take personality assessments, I come back as nearly 100% extroverted. I am energized by being around and interacting with others. I love telling stories and making connections.

    My interests have also always been very diverse. Growing up I wrote a lot of poetry and continue to enjoy art. On the career assessment in high school, I didn't even get a career recommendation. It said I needed to narrow my interests since I showed interest in everything but the medical field based on my answers. Instead of narrowing my interests, I got duel degrees in Civil Engineering and Spanish with a math minor while writing my own curriculum for my preschool class at church, leading a college small group, and participating in on campus organizations. One morning at church some moms of preschoolers asked me what my major was. When I said Civil Engineering they laughed and said, "Well we weren't even close. We were trying to decide if you were Early Childhood or Elementary Ed. That's so cool!" I always tell people that it's easier for me to work with kids and do art on the side as an engineer than it would be to have another career and fulfill the engineering part of my interests as a hobby. 

    I think in some ways the stereotypes are based on what may have been a little more typical years ago or in certain specializations within engineering. For example, I could never love an engineering job in which I design small parts of something primarily in isolation. What I love about my job is that I take whole projects from start to finish while interacting with our clients. My particular area within Civil Engineering (site development) wasn't even really in existence until recent decades. I think that public perception of engineers is slowly progressing as we have more diversity in engineering and as kids become more aware of engineering through STEM outreach activities and curriculum.

    ------------------------------
    Heidi Wallace EI, P.E., M.ASCE
    P.E.
    Tulsa OK
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-05-2021 10:08 AM
    Thanks for your input Heidi! I really like how you found ways to stay true to yourself and not be boxed in by the suggestions of a career recommendation from a computer. Those tools are great for some people who might not realize they are naturally suited to a particular field, but there are definitely other cases where the limited datasets they use for inputs don't give them a clear picture about the person they are meant to help. 

    I found myself making the same decision when I was in school and trying to find ways of balancing my major and my unrelated hobbies and interests. It might be difficult to find time to do art on the side, but would probably (for me anyway) be a lot more difficult to "engineer on the side" of whatever else I was doing. 

    I also like your thoughts on how the stereotypes around engineering may change or disappear as public perception grows and more kids have access to STEM outreach events. 


    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-11-2021 11:13 AM
    I have a very similar experience to @Heidi Wallace in the sense that when I take personality tests I always get extroverted (which happens to be true). 

    I happen to play basketball and video edit, neither of which are typical engineering character traits.
    When people ask what I do and I respond Structural Engineer, they almost always respond, "I didn't see that coming."

    I have always been creative and analytical which definitely helps when trying to overcome challenges that contractors and architects present. But as Heidi mentioned, one of the best parts of engineering for me is to work on a team, with other parts of the construction industry, to reach a common goal. 

    As the ever-changing industry evolves, the stereotypical, pocket-protecting engineer is becoming obsolete. (Nothing wrong if you do have a pocket protector.)
    I think all the outreach that is being done within the STEM fields will continue to change public perception on civil engineering.

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    Daniel Bressler EIT, A.M.ASCE
    Structural Engineer
    Brooklyn NY
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-11-2021 04:50 PM
    Thanks Daniel!

    I definitely share your enjoyment of working on a team to accomplish a common goal, and it was definitely one of the factors that attracted me to engineering as well.

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-17-2021 11:09 AM
    Chris,
    Very cool topic. 
    One way that I feel I don't fit into the typical engineer stereotype is that I do a lot of athletic activities. I snowboard, I competitively run, I rock climb, and if the opportunity presents itself, play table tennis (ping pong). I like to do physical activities, as most of my work is done in an office setting. So after 8+ hours of sitting at a desk, I need to physically exert myself to balance out. I think in some ways I can relate this back to engineering as when I am doing physical activities, I have goals and am always striving to improve. I can say the same with my engineering career. Constantly improving has always been a passion, both in my professional and personal life.

    I also enjoy woodworking a lot, and I feel that is much more closely related to the "engineering design process". I identify something I want to make out of wood, then I sketch up some ideas, then I plan out how much and what size wood I would need to build my project, then I carefully layout and cut and shape the wood to the desired dimensions, do some dry fit-ups to make sure everything will connect as intended, apply a finish to protect the wood and make it look aesthetically pleasing, and then assemble together. That has engineering written all over it.

    So there are ways that I break the mold of a stereotypical engineer, but there are also ways that I fit into the stereotypical engineer mold. As with anything, you need to find a balance that works for you.

    ------------------------------
    Doug Cantrell P.E., M.ASCE
    Professional Engineer
    Durham NC
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 03-17-2021 04:00 PM
    Thanks Doug!

    Heidi had mentioned that she believed the stereotype of engineer is changing with more outreach and with new generations entering the profession. I and a number of my coworkers share most or all of your hobbies that you listed here as well. It seems to me that perhaps many of us who notice engineering mentalities in our hobbies are either finding ways to experience things we grew up doing via the analytical lens, or trying to use our engineering mindset to further progress in things we already enjoy doing. 

    Of course, sometimes its just fun to completely shut one's brain off too. I can think of a number of skiing or surfing experiences where trying to approach a drop or a technical spot on the trail didn't involve much in the way of calm analytical thinking.

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 04-01-2021 11:49 AM

    I was the typical "math" nerd only because early in my childhood I would sit in math classes with my mom while she was in college. I got a head start learning the basics where in 2nd grade I had math skills of a 5th grader.

    The two that stick out the most for me are athletic stereotypes and racial stereotypes.  The main reason why I went to college is because I received an athletic & academic scholarship. Other then that, I had no intention of attending college even though I graduated high school with a 3.6 and 30 ACT.

    On a racial note, I had been told and shown only examples of engineers that were white or asian, male, and told is not a path that people of color are involved in. I noticed that some of my teachers would have me consider other career options by telling me that "engineering is difficult" or just flat out say "I haven't seen a black person become an engineer".  Even today many individuals have reacted with surprise to find out I'm an engineer. Obviously this all stems from ignorance due to a lack of education, but there is a part of this world that reduces stereotypes of engineers down to race. 



    ------------------------------
    Jay Garth P.E.
    Structural Engineer I
    Progressive AE

    EWB: An Engineering Culture Shift
    Grand Rapids, MI
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 04-01-2021 01:17 PM
    Jayvon,

    I'm glad you didn't let discouragement from others keep you from a career in engineering. We need more people willing to break expectations in order to reduce some of those incorrect notions that only certain kinds of people can be an *insert career,* and we need more people to think before those kinds of things leave their mouths when giving advice. 

    I hope your path can be an encouragement to those around you. It's amazing what people, especially kids, are capable of doing when they dare to dream.

    ------------------------------
    Heidi C. Wallace, P.E., M.ASCE
    Tulsa, OK
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 04-01-2021 01:17 PM
    Hi Jay!

    Thanks for being willing to join in on the thread and share your experiences as well. While I was writing the original post, I was thinking about stereotypes like "people who enjoy the outdoors" or "who don't like math". I hadn't stopped to consider the more serious and unacceptable racial stereotypes that still pervade parts of our industry that it sounds like you have had to deal with in college and beyond. 

    I'm always always impressed by people who were able to make time for athletics in college on top of their engineering curriculum. To me, it speaks volumes to your time management skills and work ethic.  I myself actually had to quit the swim team after two weeks because I was asked to drop one or two classes to make time for all of the practices, and I wasn't willing to do that.

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 04-09-2021 06:58 PM
    Chris,

    Many schools that showed interest in me requested that I not major in civil engineering and instead major in something more "general" like mathematics, then go to grad school for civil engineering. All those schools I turned down. Five schools encouraged me to major in civil engineering. It was a huge commitment, literally no days off from studying and practice. But I commend you for having the strength to say no because some athletes I know listened to the advisors & coaches regarding their education and a year or two later they weren't satisfied with school or sports & wound up quitting both.

    ------------------------------
    Jay Garth P.E.
    Structural Engineer I
    Progressive AE

    EWB: An Engineering Culture Shift
    Grand Rapids, MI
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 04-13-2021 04:58 PM
    To one & all:
    To date, seems we have only heard back from those who learned they
    have an extraverted preference.

    Stay Healthy!
    Cheers,



    ------------------------------
    William M. Hayden Jr., Ph.D., P.E., CMQ/OE, F.ASCE
    Buffalo, N.Y.

    "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliot 1819 - 1880
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 08-02-2021 03:07 PM
    In high school, it was the FIRST Robotics team that got me interested in engineering, but I have had hobbies that remained outside the field. Metro High School had a STEM-based learning program: so, having finished up on piano and percussion in band before that, I figured out a free way to create character pictures through intense photo-manipulation, while starting to teach myself how to visualize cinema through analytical and historical lenses.

    In college, I also joined clubs from outside engineering, like a Scholar's program on environmental and natural resources. The Wikipedia Connection club introduced me to gamified work on helping websites grow to increase the fun of the work, while the Big Data and Analytics Association introduced me to IT companies and programming languages I had not heard of before. And most recently, my work on pictures has transitioned into work on videos.

    Looking back, I can see various hobbies connected back to learning programs and software. This connected to the work of data analysts, which I am sure is also seated in similar stereotypes because they are considered nerdy professions. As I realized over time through video essays about cinema, there are all kinds of tropes, cliches and stereotypes that become related to STEM professions, especially ones that involve gender, race and sexual orientation.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3-hOigoxHs

    I have also seen historical progress in either evolving or deconstructing these tropes so as to allow for more nuance and understanding of what other people are like.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1vuhrFfEkE

    ------------------------------
    Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
    Student
    Bexley OH
    granato.3@...
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 08-04-2021 10:47 AM
    Thanks for sharing those links Alex! I hadn't originally thought about engineering stereotypes through the lens that you described here, but it may well be the more important one to view it through.

    ------------------------------
    Christopher Seigel P.E., M.ASCE
    Civil Engineer
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Debunking (and discussing) Engineering Stereotypes

    Posted 08-06-2021 09:35 AM
    You're very welcome, Christopher.

    I have come to think of cinema as a sideways history of cultural and societal values and leanings. There is a reason that even tones and concepts evolve over time.

    ------------------------------
    Alexander Granato A.M.ASCE
    Student
    Bexley OH
    granato.3@...
    ------------------------------