• Question: What would you say/do to encourage a student who doesn't really enjoy maths/engineering?

    Asked by Crystal to Andrew, Angela, Eleanor, Emma, Withdrawn on 5 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Andrew Pidgeon

      Andrew Pidgeon answered on 5 Mar 2016:

      Engineering and Mathematics are so wide and varied. Sometimes you have to look at other parts within the subjects to find some enjoyment as not everyone likes every single part, which is normal.

      For example my colleague has a Masters Degree in Electronics however he dislikes hugely designing! He has found however by asking people within engineering about other opportunities. He loves looking after projects and making sure things get done on time so he has focused not on the engineering design or making/fixing a problem but on the management side!

      So my advise would be to break down a part of engineering and see what positive parts you do find interesting and make this your strength:)

    • Photo: Emma Bradley

      Emma Bradley answered on 7 Mar 2016:

      I would say that you should try to identify exactly what it is you don’t like about it. For example, I wasn’t that keen on maths for its own sake, but once I worked out that you could use it in a practical way, then I started to enjoy it.

      Think of it this way, maths gave us trigonometry. I used a lot of trigonometry when I was working on site and telling two guys in excavators (diggers) where to put the bottom of a thirty degree slope for an escalator. I wasn’t doing maths for its own sake, I was using it to solve a problem!

      Also, lots engineers aren’t that keen on different types of engineering. I personally have an irrational dislike for mechanical and electrical engineers as they always try to put holes in my structures (just kidding, they are essential for making the whole station work, but they are a bit like moths). The trick is to figure out what you like, and follow that path – everyone is an individual!

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