# I want to be an engineer but I hate physics **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 11, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440 "2018-08-11T18:35:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/1 "2018-08-11T18:35:59Z")
I tried understanding most of the concepts about electricity,thermodynamics,mechanics and most of them were easier to understand but the rest not so easy.Is that possible?I tried solving every problem but the problem was that I couldn’t understand what the formulas meant and I memorized each of them.Is that what engineering means?Memorizing formulas without the ability to see what they do?I mean math to me is a piece of cake but when it comes to describe some phenomens or whatever they are called I just can’t grasp these theorems and everything complex in electrostatics,electrodynamics,forces in body diagrams and even these chapters in AC about coils,capacitor,etc. What do you think?Am I suited for this career? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/2 "2018-08-11T18:40:30Z")
Okay, I’ll bite: Why do you want to be an engineer? What is it about engineering that appeals to you? ---
**Author:** ![Sefton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Sefton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sefton)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/3 "2018-08-11T18:41:22Z")
There are plenty of engineering fields that don’t involve physics, such as software engineering and systems engineering. What do you think of chemistry? If you don’t like physics, why are you interested in engineering? ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/4 "2018-08-11T18:43:12Z")
Why do you want to be an engineer? Do you have to decide now? Where are you in your scholastic career? General rule is that you are suited for whatever excites your interests. If you’re passionate about something then you’ll do the work to rise to the peak of your abilities. If you can’t see yourself doing the work then it might be wise to explore your motivations and your options. ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/5 "2018-08-11T18:47:29Z")
Also I had some C grades in physics(12th grade is the class where I got Cs and Fs).Sorry for not mentioning that. ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/6 "2018-08-11T18:49:25Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Okay, I’ll bite: > > Why do you want to be an engineer? What is it about engineering that appeals to you? Well I like the fact that in naval engineering you can become a ship captain and explore the world.I always liked that. ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/7 "2018-08-11T18:53:54Z")
> [@Sefton](#): > > There are plenty of engineering fields that don’t involve physics, such as software engineering and systems engineering. What do you think of chemistry? > > If you don’t like physics, why are you interested in engineering? For the fact that you can build things and explore the world?I always wanted how an engineer thinks in difficult situations whatever if it’s about engines,electrical machines,mechanical machines etc. I just don’t know if an engineer is passionate about physics in general.Why?Can’t you use math? ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/8 "2018-08-11T18:55:07Z")
> [@wolly](#): > > Well I like the fact that in naval engineering you can become a ship captain and explore the world.I always liked that. You can explore the world by joining the Navy as an enlisted crew member also. No engineering certification required. Do you want to explore the world or do you want to be an engineer? Either one of these may or may not be true but they are not dependent on one another. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/9 "2018-08-11T19:08:08Z")
> [@wolly](#): > > I tried solving every problem but the problem was that I couldn’t understand what the formulas meant and I memorized each of them.Is that what engineering means?Memorizing formulas without the ability to see what they do? I would say learning engineering is the opposite of this. A good engineer needs to understand what is going on, and what is needed. I recall one exam where the prof told us no cheat sheets or open books were allowed, he would provide all the equations we needed. Then he turned to the white board and wrote, F=MA. He wanted us to derive any other equations from that. He certainly could do it. While there are certainly interesting jobs in the field, I would say not to expect to travel the world. Many engineering jobs are very detailed work in a small area of expertise. Some one has to design all those beams, gear trains and stressed members. If you can get into the research field like I did, it can be quite rewarding and interesting. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/10 "2018-08-11T19:13:11Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > You can explore the world by joining the Navy as an enlisted crew member also. No engineering certification required. > > Do you want to explore the world or do you want to be an engineer? Either one of these may or may not be true but they are not dependent on one another. It’s just that as a sailor you need good sight…I have myopia and I can’t see from 5-10 meters. As a ship captain,that’s another story…Anyway if you think that I’m not suited for both I guess I should try a trade career. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/11 "2018-08-11T19:17:32Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > General rule is that you are suited for whatever excites your interests. If you’re passionate about something then you’ll do the work to rise to the peak of your abilities. If you can’t see yourself doing the work then it might be wise to explore your motivations and your options. This. I’m an engineer. And work with lots and lots of other engineers. It’s very obvious that many of the engineers I work with _hate_ engineering. I am guessing the only reason they went into engineering is because of the reputation of “good pay” and “good job prospects.” As a result, they tend to be sad and bitter people who can’t wait to retire. I find it rather pathetic. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/12 "2018-08-11T19:20:52Z")
If your total exposure to physics is a class or two in high school, it’s a little too early to decide you hate it. Did you have a good teacher? It’s easier to switch from an engineering major to another field than the other was around. I’d give it a semester or a year. Try to find the GOOD physics teacher or find/invest in a good tutor. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/13 "2018-08-11T19:22:55Z")
> [@wolly](#): > > Anyway if you think that I’m not suited for both I guess I should try a trade career. I said nothing about what careers may or may not suit you. You say you want to be an engineer, wonderful. That’s a fine goal. I’m attempting to understand why you specifically want to train as an engineer. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/14 "2018-08-11T19:28:02Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > I would say learning engineering is the opposite of this. A good engineer needs to understand what is going on, and what is needed. I recall one exam where the prof told us no cheat sheets or open books were allowed, he would provide all the equations we needed. > > Then he turned to the white board and wrote, F=MA. He wanted us to derive any other equations from that. He certainly could do it. That’s so funny, because I always told folks never to sweat physics tests. Just write F=ma at the top of the page, and it would be smooth sailing from there on. I was only half joking, and I was talking about Freshman Physics, of course. As for the OP, it will be tough getting in engineering if you aren’t good at math. Someone suggested software engineering, so that might be worth looking into. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/15 "2018-08-11T19:29:55Z")
ask fairy chat mom she was a engineer in the navy for like 20 years or so ……… ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/16 "2018-08-11T19:58:44Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Did you have a good teacher? No.My highschool physics teacher was a dumbass.He made fun of us and he told us that we are parallel with physics.He literally told us that we are stupid at physics. ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/17 "2018-08-11T20:04:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > As for the OP, it will be tough getting in engineering if you aren’t good at math. I have no problem with the math.Actually I was pretty decent at math. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/18 "2018-08-11T20:06:32Z")
Regardless of what field you go into, you will go further if you remember to put a space after a period or comma. ---
**Author:** ![wolly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b9e5f3/32.png) [@wolly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolly)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/19 "2018-08-11T20:09:31Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Regardless of what field you go into, you will go further if you remember to put a space after a period or comma. Sorry,I’m not so experienced with grammar and neither with the syntax of it. I know a few things but I have no idea how to use all the verbs,adjectives,etc. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440/20 "2018-08-11T20:28:21Z")
Well, in that respect at least, you’ll do fine in engineering. (Many of the people I’ve worked with have horrible language skills.) But at least for mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering, you need to understand the physics. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-want-to-be-an-engineer-but-i-hate-physics/819440.md?page=2)