Hello, I am currently a high school student (junior) and I am hoping to pursue engineering one say. But, here’s the problem, I kinda have a public speaking problem… I’m good at math and I enjoy it! But when I have to get up and talk in front of a decently sized group of people, my mind seems to take over. And this leads me to wonder how much public speaking is actually involved with the major as a whole? Can any engineering students give me advice and or tell me how much public speaking is actually involved with the major? Also, does anyone know how much public speaking is involved with an engineering job?
Not much at all in the beginning, but more if you move into engineering management as your career progress, but by then you’d be comfortable with it.
It depends a lot on the job / level. But really almost any field has potential to need public speaking skills. I’d say in engineering really the ability to write clearly and collaborate in small groups is more important.
Several of my classes have had a speech/presentation/teaching component, but I’m sure you’ll find that in lots of majors. Most students learn to get past any nervousness, or at least live with it.
It depends on the amount of “visibility” that your projects get. If you are working on something of critical importance, you will be expected to make presentations to upper management. That is not at all a bad thing for your career. Also, if you are involved in research and publish, you will likely present your work at conferences. That too is good for your career.
I find that the people that are most nervous about public speaking tend to be the best at it, because they practice a lot to avoid screwing up. Those that are arrogant/overconfident tend to flub the presentation and the Q&A after. Finally, if it’s really a serious problem for you to stand up in front of people, there are medications (e.g., beta blockers) that can help ease the anxiety and build your confidence.
Public speaking as an engineer should be viewed as a net positive because it gives you a chance to be “seen.” Many engineers, ime, toil in anonymity.
I guess if you are like doing internal R&D at a company maybe you would do less public speaking. If you are doing consulting or something like MEP design that requires getting/maintaining relationships with clients then it gets more important. I have social anxiety and had issues with the same sorts of things, tbh my major had tons of public speaking, like presentations twice a week and it was probably the best thing for me since I got over my issues and am now a lot more comfortable and it helps me out a lot in my job.
Most engineers will have to at a min speak and present in smaller team meetings. Sometimes you’ll present in front of a larger group of managers on up. It’s something you’ll get used to as you go through school.
Most engineers are on the shy, introverted side when in high school. I was, my son was and my daughter was; all of us being engineers. Standing up in front of an audience is something that takes getting used to. All of us did get ued to it and can now do a good job with large presentations.
My daughter was making presentations to high military commanders after about 6 months on the job. Totally freaked out the first time she had to do it. Was on the phone with me for a long time the night before discussing what to do and say. Now she can do it without hardly a second thought.
I’ve never made it to a high school reunion, but if I had to make a presentation to that group I am not sure they would recognize it was really me. Not that wall flower any more.
The “secret” to making a large presentation is to know your material very well; what you know and what you DON’T know. Don’t be afraid to say you don’t know and that you will get back to them with an answer (although there will be parts of your presentation that you are expected to know and not knowing these would not be good). Then be sure to follow up and get them that answer in a timely fashion.
So, don’t let it bother you at this point. You’ll get there.