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It’s not that easy but if the person took physics, chem, and bio in HS they can have some basic ideas about electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, and bio engineering and if they took AP Computer Science (not all HS have it) they can have some idea about computer science/engineering (part of the school of engineering at a number of college campuses).</p>
<p>I agree though - I’ve seen many posts on CC from HS students considering ‘engineering’ but they have no idea which area to go into and maybe not that clear of an idea of the differences in these widely different areas. I’ve seen posts from many parents on CC who also have no idea at all about ‘engineering’. It seems to be a mystery to many unless they happen to know someone who’s an engineer. Most lay people have at least a rough idea of teachers, lawyers, doctors, business people, nurses, and other professions they come into contact with in their life but engineering can be a mystery. Since the various aspects of engineering can be very interesting, afford a good income, contribute to society, allow one to be creative, etc. it’s a shame the schools don’t spend at least a bit more time explaining what it is and how, for example, EE is a completely different area than a ChemE.</p>
<p>It’s also true that females are very much in the minority in engineering despite the fact that many females do quite well in math and science and some of them have no interest in the medical field. I think more females should consider the various engineering majors as a possibility.</p>