Need advice for high school student considering engineering.

perazziman
Sat, 26 May 2012 12:39:16 +0000

Thank you CalAlum that was a very helpful post. You are right, going to the right schools can make a difference. Some of the things you have touched on make a lot of sense. For example, I have not seen him show an interest in constructing robots/ fixing machines/ cars etc. which worries me about his choice of engineering too. The closest he gets to creating something technical are websites. For example, he has a chess website that is linked to Youtube, on which he uploads videos of himself playing chess on a split screen with a chess board on which you can see the pieces moving. These videos can be quite interesting and entertaining. I have actually seen some copycat videos of people trying to do the same thing. He has also been talking about making some phone apps. I think he imagines himself working in a field where he turns less screws and bolts, and perhaps more time on some theoretical aspects of engineering, as a college professor or something. If that is not feasible, then he may have to change his focus towards Physics rather than engineering.

I also found your comment on AMC/ AIME very relevant. Two of his best friends compete in Math competitions and have asked him to join them next year. These are kids who also play chess with him. They have been testing him on Math problems and think he might do well.