What are the personality traits of mechanical/technology engineers?

[BunsenH]

......

My 12 year old DS shows strong signs of some type of engineering future. Definitely wants to take everything apart to make it better. Will work puzzles one piece at a time (not from the outside in). He had a bad habit for a while of dismantling anything electronic to get at the "Microchip" inside so he could use it in his experiments. I think he's over that now.

That was me at twelve. The Erector Set was fine, but taking stuff apart was the best! I can still hear my dear departed father saying, "You just got that, why are you taking it apart!". He was a piano teacher, but gave up on me when I was about 14. I was more interested in how the piano worked than how to play it. Fortunately, my parents supported my choices and put me through engineering school.

 

[twinklebug]

Wow. 60 responses and counting. Who knew this thread would be so popular.

A true engineer trait: You have to know how something works, and SEE theory in action before you're comfortable with it. Ex: flying, motors, computers, etc.

As far as a hierarchy, I know at my school the chem and elec eng. tended to look down on the mech and civil eng. The only reason I can think of was that they thought their own courses were more difficult. I'm not saying this is correct, only how some people acted.

I agree in the snobby attitude toward the other engineering diciplines from EEs (can't say about ChemEs - but my cousin is one and wouldn't look down on anyone) I think *some* EEs just don't "get" the concept of using one's hands other than to measure voltage or pop a few things in/out of a circuit board. Just the idea of getting dirty is foreign to them... please note, this does not by any means mean ALL EEs are this way -- my dad relishes time spent getting dirty fixing the car or house & I'm no stranger to it either (I have changed my own oil, belt & tires, I've blown up an antique capacitor in lab and thought it was great (the other EEs were horrified & boy did I have some explaining to do when maintenance saw the smoke stains on the ceiling. ) AND I've changed well over 3000 dirty diapers. Yea. I'm just too cool HA! not.

 

[chrissyk]

DH had to have a graphing calculator for school. It's totally beyond me. Any calcutor that does more than add, subtract, multiply and divide is wasted on me.

Oh! You are missing out! The graphing calculator is one of the best inventions ever I love my TI86...not a day goes by that we don't use it for something around here.

 

[twinklebug]

Oh! You are missing out! The graphing calculator is one of the best inventions ever I love my TI86...not a day goes by that we don't use it for something around here.

Ohhh!!! You reminded me! I *just* bought my 11yo DD her very FIRST TI calculator yesterday ... It took willpower (and a look at the checkbook) NOT to get her a nice $80+ one that would probably scare her away from math altogether. But point is, a MAJOR milestone has been reached in her life ~sigh~

I love my palm ALMOST as much as my first TI

 

[sharbear]

Okay the calculator talk is cracking me up. DS is taking AP Calc this year and on the supply list is said that they needed a TI-89. I held off buying the calculator until he talked to his teacher. Thankfully the teacher had enough TI-89's for the kids who hadn't bought a calculator yet.

My reasoning for not buying the TI-89 (and this still cracks me up) is what if he gets to college and they want them to have HP's because most engineers that I know use HP's. Am I pathetic or what! Wondering about the useablity of TI's versus HP's.

Even funnier is that they have a new teacher (it's a really long and very sad teacher but they had to replace the AP Calc teacher a week into school). She is from the University. She admitted to the class the other day that she is having problems using the calculator because she's used to her HP!

 

[chrissyk]

Okay the calculator talk is cracking me up. DS is taking AP Calc this year and on the supply list is said that they needed a TI-89. I held off buying the calculator until he talked to his teacher. Thankfully the teacher had enough TI-89's for the kids who hadn't bought a calculator yet.

My reasoning for not buying the TI-89 (and this still cracks me up) is what if he gets to college and they want them to have HP's because most engineers that I know use HP's. Am I pathetic or what! Wondering about the useablity of TI's versus HP's.

Even funnier is that they have a new teacher (it's a really long and very sad teacher but they had to replace the AP Calc teacher a week into school). She is from the University. She admitted to the class the other day that she is having problems using the calculator because she's used to her HP!

Seriously?!! Most engineers that I know use their TIs!! I wonder if this varies by geographic area I could never really get into the HP graphing calculators...I'll take even an ancient TI81 over an HP anyday.

 

[FINFAN]

My usual phrase for DH is "paralysis by analysis"....he re-thinks, re-thinks, RE-THINKS!!!!!
No spur of the moment type here, very calculated and logical.
Oh yeah...he also uses an anchor to hang anyhting on the wall...even the paper calendar...
I see my DH is lacking in middle ground...very extreme one way or the other. I love the guy, but I am a free spirit...we are def. opposites...but balance each other. He is reserved in the emotional and communication areas of life, but can explain any mechanical, mathematical situation off the top of his head. DD calls it his "moon man" speak.
Nerds are gonna rule the world one day.


Pam

 

[sharbear]

Seriously?!! Most engineers that I know use their TIs!! I wonder if this varies by geographic area I could never really get into the HP graphing calculators...I'll take even an ancient TI81 over an HP anyday.

I have no idea but there is a discussion on this thread about HP's. My DH said last night (I wonder where he was when I was discussing this weeks ago!) that professors don't care what calculator you use just that you get the work done. The tour guide at Purdue said that they don't even use calculators anymore, they do everything on their laptops. I think that I'll end up buying the TI-89 but sheesh $150!

 

[chrissyk]

I have no idea but there is a discussion on this thread about HP's. My DH said last night (I wonder where he was when I was discussing this weeks ago!) that professors don't care what calculator you use just that you get the work done. The tour guide at Purdue said that they don't even use calculators anymore, they do everything on their laptops. I think that I'll end up buying the TI-89 but sheesh $150!

Try Ebay for the TI-89. I looked on there last fall for a cheap TI graphing calc for my old neighbor and the prices were pretty decent. Think of how many students are "required" to buy these calculators in high school and then never end up using them afterwards...you can definitely get some deals on them on Ebay

BTW, Purdue was on my short-list when I looked at engineering programs (granted, back-in-the-day, but still!). That school has a fantastic engineering program!

I don't know about everyone using the laptops now, but it wouldn't surprise me. I definitely couldn't afford a laptop in college, but they're much cheaper now. DH and I still use our graphing calcs quite a bit now that we can afford laptops though, so maybe having both wouldn't hurt

 

[Pluto2003]

is a web site www.Giftsforengineers.com Haven't visited that one yet but thought of this thread when I saw it.

 

[chrissyk]

is a web site www.Giftsforengineers.com Haven't visited that one yet but thought of this thread when I saw it.

I'm sorry, but most of the stuff on that site was too dorky even for a 2-engineer household I had no idea that you could make so many different things out of old circuit boards

 

[Caradana]

I'm sorry, but most of the stuff on that site was too dorky even for a 2-engineer household I had no idea that you could make so many different things out of old circuit boards

aaah, the breadboard ... memories, like the corners of my heart ... capacitors still make occasional cameos in my dreams.

I was a systems engineering major who went on to a career in finance. This is a common track. We use all those formulas to add dollars.

Have you all heard the MIT Love Song? I still remember the words from Pre-Frosh Weekend. "Diode, Cathode, Electrode, Overload, Generator Oscillator ... Make a circuit with me!!!" (think creatively about what "making a circuit" might mean to a dorky college-age male engineer who is looking for love. )

 

[ducklite]

My Dh is an engineer...some of his personality traits include:
o Very analytical
o Excellent mathematical ability (it is almost scary how good he is with numbers)
o Takes time with decisions
o Methodical
o Thorough
o Very logical
o Very good at seeing issues from all viewpoints
Those are the ones that really relate to his choice of being an engineer - imo

Edited to add - he is also very good at spatial thinking. (I am not! )

Are we married to the same guy?

You left out anal retentive.

Anne

 

[crzy4pooh]

This thread is making me laugh!!! My DH is finishing his PhD in Electrical Engineering - and has a 4.0! He just has to do his comps and his research, etc, but he keeps finding these classes that sound "interesting"... Ummm, when a math book has no numbers, it ceases to be a math book to me. Anyway, I'm a music teacher (now SAHM) - can we get any more opposite?? Our DS (age 2) already loves to take things apart, loves blocks/building/etc, and LOVES puzzles - he's already doing the 24 piece ones. I can already see which direction he is headed... DH is the best daddy and hubby in the world, though, and I can't wait until Christmas - Daddy puts together all the toys with DS handing him the tools, and Mommy gets to play with everything!!! Yea!!! Can't wait!!!! Thanks for this thread!

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Have you all heard the MIT Love Song? I still remember the words from Pre-Frosh Weekend. "Diode, Cathode, Electrode, Overload, Generator Oscillator ... Make a circuit with me!!!" (think creatively about what "making a circuit" might mean to a dorky college-age male engineer who is looking for love. )

I don't know that one, but in college, we had a cheer that started, "E to the X, dy, dx, e to the X, dx" I don't remember the rest of it, maybe if I find my old yearbook...

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

My usual phrase for DH is "paralysis by analysis"....he re-thinks, re-thinks, RE-THINKS!!!!!
No spur of the moment type here, very calculated and logical.
Oh yeah...he also uses an anchor to hang anyhting on the wall...even the paper calendar...
I see my DH is lacking in middle ground...very extreme one way or the other. I love the guy, but I am a free spirit...we are def. opposites...but balance each other. He is reserved in the emotional and communication areas of life, but can explain any mechanical, mathematical situation off the top of his head. DD calls it his "moon man" speak.
Nerds are gonna rule the world one day.


Pam

I can relate! My DH and I are complete opposites and it makes life very interesting! Sometimes frustrating but never dull.

Lori

 

[grlpwrd]

My usual phrase for DH is "paralysis by analysis"....he re-thinks, re-thinks, RE-THINKS!!!!!
No spur of the moment type here, very calculated and logical.
Oh yeah...he also uses an anchor to hang anyhting on the wall...even the paper calendar...
I see my DH is lacking in middle ground...very extreme one way or the other. I love the guy, but I am a free spirit...we are def. opposites...but balance each other. He is reserved in the emotional and communication areas of life, but can explain any mechanical, mathematical situation off the top of his head. DD calls it his "moon man" speak.
Nerds are gonna rule the world one day.


Pam

You have described my hubby to a T.

He's degreed in ME and has worked for Boeing for years and now does only contract work. He has diversified and has been in aerospace, automotive, computer/IT, and structural engineering fields.

Our 14yo, 10yo, and 7yo dd's have a tendency to love computers and calculators, too. He takes credit for their intellect as all 3 are in TAG and excel in math and science.

Anyway, he's really the ying to my yang.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm a Civil Engineer by degree. I have worked in different areas of engineering, as a structural engineer, pipeline engineer, and, now, hospital facility engineering for the last 15 years. My problem is that when I go anywhere, stay in a hotel, go to a restaurant, go to the mall, I immediately check out the ceiling tiles, fire extinguishers, make sure exit routes are not blocked (I saw a server in a restaurant move some tables around and a few of the chairs weren't needed, so she placed them right in front of the emergency exit) and so on. \I look for stained ceiling tiles and dirty vents. It's what I do.

I read the map, pick out the routes, do the planning, pay the bills, etc for our family.

My husband loves that I take care of the stuff, but I make him take care of the yard.

We engineers have quirky senses of humor. Most people wouldn't think we are that funny. We know better, though.

I like to look at how things are put together. I used to take things apart when I was a kid and got in trouble for not getting them put back together. I love my son's legos and K'Nex.

I was in Engineering School when calculators first came out. I did lots of Engineering classes with paper and pencil. I have a slide rule. A few of the guys in my classes worked at Texas Instruments, so they were able to buy calculators for some of the other people with a discount. If I remember correctly, it cost about $150 for a calculator that only did add, subt, mult and divide. I got my first calculator for $400 and it had a 50 step programmable computer on it.

 

[DVC Jen]

I think they are divided into about 3 or 4 groups

Group 1 - The people they import from foreign countries because no one in the US has the experience in certain technologies or is willing to work practically 24/7 for peanuts, and believe it they will

Group 2- Those who are filling a space just to make sure their co. gets their govt. contract money. Our friend usually does this at various companys. The general regular employees can be found e baying, talking about their families, activities etc. while the job shop people do all the work and get no benefits like vacation, sick time etc.

Group 3 - Those who have been at jobs for a long time, get pigeon holed and can only do one thing, have stagnant skills and basically just warm their seats from 9-5 and do nothing. My dh works with alot of these types. Like to create lots of do nothing paperwork, this would include dh boss, he is of the useless reports and paperwork type, just tries to justify his existence, He is not old, but young and a definete waste of the govts. money. Sigh, Sigh.

Group 4 - This includes my dh. Always being dumped on by the management to come up with new and innovative ideas, is not allowed to say no to any job, cannot take a vacation, works from 8-5 and then they have him work at home on his comptuer till like 2 am for no more money, just his salary. Yes he was awarded engineer of the year, he did invent one of the top 100 inventions in american one year but they expect him to do the work of like 4 people and they take all the credit for it and my poor dh is ready to drop dead.

Our plan is for dh to sell his inherited property from his dad and we will retire. My dh works just too hard.

You forgot group 5

Group 5 - This includes my dh. Works extremely hard. Put in 50-60 hour weeks for years to do the very best he could for the company. Is loyal, understanding, patient, can deal with the political side of the job, interacts equally well with co-workers and customers. Has the ability, intelligence and people skills to start out as a test engineer, go to system engineering, software engineering and then management. Works extremely hard to be a very people yet goal oriented manager, and succeeds... and is now waiting to find out if he is getting yet another promotion that will put him 3 positions away from President of his international company (and it is looking like he is getting it).


yeah... I am very very proud of him. Nothing was given to him. He has had to deal with so many personalities..endless hours, politics that would make most run and hide under the nearest rock. I could never do what he has done.

Also.. he is not the typical "nerdy" engineer most people think of when they picture an engineer.

I think my DH is HOT!