MacBook Pro MechE

Hi, I’m currently a freshman at Johns Hopkins University as a MechE major. I have a MacBook Pro 13 in, 2017. 3.1 GHz Intel Core i5, *GB 2133 MHz LPDDR3, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650 1536 MB, 256 SSD. Unfortunately I will need to run programs only compatible for Windows. I was wondering if it is still possible to install windows on an external SSD since I don’t want to partition a 256 GB Hard Drive. What is the best way to go to be able to run these MechE related programs?

Thanks in advance!