Is There an Engineer Inside You? A Comprehensive Guide to Career Decisions in Engineering (Second Edition)

Rating:
Summary: To much like a search engine
Review: First off, let me say that if you are a young woman in high school this is certainly worth your time reading, because that is basically who this book was written for. For the most part, this book does give the reader the basics of what engineering offers, but I think the book would have been more effective and entertaining if she either tried to limit her topics or increased the length of the book. I find that most of the book starts off interesting, gives you a vague glimpse and then spends the next 130 pages telling you where to go if you want to know anything about the topic, I thought that was the whole purpose of buying this book in the first place. In my opinion, this book is like Raymond Landis' " Studying Engineering"( a book I did enjoy), without the depth. If you're looking for a book that's written with junior high-schoolers in mind, this book will give them a starting point with which to explore their interest in engineering.

Rating:
Summary: A perspective from a non-engineering science methods teacher
Review: I am not an engineer, not have I ever --even for one brief shining moment-- entertained the notion of becoming one. However, in my chosen profession as a science teaching methods educator I have had the opportunity to work with professors from the College of Engineering at my university in a collaborative effort to integrate the best instructional strategies from my area, the College of Education, with the best problem solving techniques and knowledge from their college. In an attempt to better understand the world from their perspective I picked up a copy of Celeste Baine's IS THERE AN ENGINEER INSIDE YOU? I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly gained a new appreciation for this field. This book is written at a level which can easily be understood by a lay person, and it is both engaging and entertaining. Even a non-engineering type like me can appreciate her wonderful anecdotes along with her insightful observations about her field. This book is more than just a comprehensive guide to career decisions in engineering; it is an informative, reader-friendly reference to the entire field. With exhaustive research Baine has put together a composite handbook on engineering --complete with descriptive analysis of 25 branches of engineering, several available non-traditional opportunities, and resources for those who are even thinking about getting interested in some aspect of this fast emerging and diversifying job market. Baine accomplished something no one heretofore has been able to do; she had me thinking, "Hey, maybe I'd like to be an engineer!" Even if it was only for a moment . . .

Rating:
Summary: A perspective from a non-engineering science methods teacher
Review: I am not an engineer, not have I ever --even for one brief shining moment-- entertained the notion of becoming one. However, in my chosen profession as a science teaching methods educator I have had the opportunity to work with professors from the College of Engineering at my university in a collaborative effort to integrate the best instructional strategies from my area, the College of Education, with the best problem solving techniques and knowledge from their college. In an attempt to better understand the world from their perspective I picked up a copy of Celeste Baine's IS THERE AN ENGINEER INSIDE YOU? I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly gained a new appreciation for this field. This book is written at a level which can easily be understood by a lay person, and it is both engaging and entertaining. Even a non-engineering type like me can appreciate her wonderful anecdotes along with her insightful observations about her field. This book is more than just a comprehensive guide to career decisions in engineering; it is an informative, reader-friendly reference to the entire field. With exhaustive research Baine has put together a composite handbook on engineering --complete with descriptive analysis of 25 branches of engineering, several available non-traditional opportunities, and resources for those who are even thinking about getting interested in some aspect of this fast emerging and diversifying job market. Baine accomplished something no one heretofore has been able to do; she had me thinking, "Hey, maybe I'd like to be an engineer!" Even if it was only for a moment . . .

Rating:
Summary: Cheerleading for Engineering Education
Review: Most books have a dedication. This book has a "Warning - Disclaimer" that it is not what the title purports to be and if you are disappointed you can return it to the publisher for a refund. If the author and publisher cannot sync up on the purpose of this book what are we to make of it?

I make of it two small books labeled Part I and Part II with different subject matter and different target audiences. Part I does not do justice to the characteristics of a slam-dunk candidate for engineering education, but of course, girls of its target audience are too young for this metric. It makes more sense to write for their parents. Their parents are the ones who need to know how to guide them through sexism and gender expectations to keep her engineering option alive through middle school and high school. The author could discuss clues of a future engineer for parents to recognize in their daughters to encourage them. Instead we get cheer leading, hurrah for engineering, engineering "... is the perfect example of the American dream" without elaboration.

Part II is entitled "The Many Faces of Engineering". This part combines a discussion of the different engineering disciplines with career stories. It is directed to high school students who are already on their way to choosing engineering education. This second part is good but Part I left me shaking my head in disbelief.

For example ...

The author writes, "Excellent grades in math and science ... are not prerequisites to becoming a good engineer." This is silly. One does not learn to think like an engineer without doing the math. Mathematical concepts should come easy to a prospective engineer and he/she should make A's and B's with reasonable effort. Someone interested in a career in technology who does poorly in math should consider an engineering technology degree.

When you get beyond the platitudes and vacillations of Part I, what is left is a flicker of light here and there that does not shine consistently or convincingly.

Rating:
Summary: Cheerleading for Engineering Education
Review: Most books have a dedication. This book has a "Warning - Disclaimer" that it is not what the title purports to be and if you are disappointed you can return it to the publisher for a refund. If the author and publisher cannot sync up on the purpose of this book what are we to make of it?

I make of it two small books labeled Part I and Part II with different subject matter and different target audiences. Part I does not do justice to the characteristics of a slam-dunk candidate for engineering education, but of course, girls of its target audience are too young for this metric. It makes more sense to write for their parents. Their parents are the ones who need to know how to guide them through sexism and gender expectations to keep her engineering option alive through middle school and high school. The author could discuss clues of a future engineer for parents to recognize in their daughters to encourage them. Instead we get cheer leading, hurrah for engineering, engineering "... is the perfect example of the American dream" without elaboration.

Part II is entitled "The Many Faces of Engineering". This part combines a discussion of the different engineering disciplines with career stories. It is directed to high school students who are already on their way to choosing engineering education. This second part is good but Part I left me shaking my head in disbelief.

For example ...

The author writes, "Excellent grades in math and science ... are not prerequisites to becoming a good engineer." This is silly. One does not learn to think like an engineer without doing the math. Mathematical concepts should come easy to a prospective engineer and he/she should make A's and B's with reasonable effort. Someone interested in a career in technology who does poorly in math should consider an engineering technology degree.

When you get beyond the platitudes and vacillations of Part I, what is left is a flicker of light here and there that does not shine consistently or convincingly.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and indepth information to aid career decisions.
Review: This is a "must have" book for anyone considering an engineering career. The book provides insights on what engineering is and what engineers do in a wide variety of engineering fields. It is very well written and easy to read. Feature Articles that highlight many of the sections are especially interesting. They provide a personal look at the engineering life and add a historical perspective. Information on engineering camps, high school preparation for students interested in engineering, and what to expect in college when you enter an engineering program is especially valuable. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who wonders what exactly it is that engineers do and whether or not they would like doing it. School counselors will also find the book very useful.