Bad at hands-on work

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I'm a junior in mechanical engineering. Over the years, I've noticed that my hands-on abilities are at best, average. In my opinion, I'm below average. </p>

<p>I know that hands-on abilities are something you develop over time. As an example, in my machining class, I had a hard time remembering how to use a lathe and milling machine after the instructor showed us. Part of this was because I've never heard of a lathe and milling machine until the class. It was hard to memorize all the instructions. Some other students had problems with this, but I felt stupid. It takes me a good while to get good at these things, much longer than most other people IMO, but once I get good at it, I end up doing better on projects than my peers for some odd reason.</p>

<p>In all the other classes (pretty much just problem solving classes), I am usually near the top. But I feel all the stuff I'm good at are useless in practical engineering situations and that I won't make a good engineer if I suck at hands-on work. </p>

<p>I plan on going to graduate school. Do you guys think being bad at hands-on work will affect research skills? What research areas in AE/ME involve less hands-on work?</p>

<p>I can always improve, but I would prefer doing something I'm better at.</p>

2

<p>I have the same issue and my dad gives me crap about it. I’m curious about this too.</p>

3

<p>It might have something to do with how I was brought up. My parents emphasized studying textbook material, but never emphasized hands-on stuff.</p>

4

<p>^^^ I was the other way around and I’m the exact opposite from you, OP. I love hands-on and it’s easier for me to grasp than reading it as instructions or stuff like that. I’m a doer, not a visualizer.</p>

<p>I’m sure there would be plenty of opportunity for you to be able to do more reading-writing-reasoning kind of research than do-it research. I mean, I’m sure there has to be a little of both (maybe not in everything).</p>

<p>Even if you don’t like it as much, I would still keep practicing because it would be a shame if you miss some opportunities due to the (I can’t find another word) lack of practice with do it-kind of work.</p>

<p>Good luck :)</p>