Materials Engineers

If you're interested in materials engineering, it's a good idea to take on special research assignments from teachers who can provide guidance on topics and methods. There are also summer academic programs where students with similar interests can spend a week or more in a special environment. It's also a good idea to join a national science and technology club, such as the Technology Student Association (https://tsaweb.org). In this organization, member students have the opportunity to compete in academic events and participate in summer programs that allow them to explore the field of engineering.

For hands-on experience with materials, take pottery, sculpture, or metalworking classes; this will allow you to become familiar with materials such as clay, glass, and metals. You should also check out the Web site for the American Society for Engineering Education’s Student Division, https://sites.asee.org/students, for general information about careers in engineering and helpful resources, including a monthly newsletter.