Many young people, particularly females, do not really know what engineering is all about in today's world and how important it is to all our lives. For years engineering fields have been dominated by males, but that is changing rapidly now, and well time that it should. More and more young females are discovering the beauty, interesting aspects, challenging nature, and rewards of engineering and in choosing careers related to more than 20 different types of engineering. These fields can be studied on many web sites or references.

Simply put, engineering is the application of scientific principles and fundamental laws of nature to the creation, design, building, and use of the natural concepts to humans' benefits. Almost anything we view and observe has been engineered in some way, even if we cannot determine how that has been done. For example, a cell phone or computer utilizes the talents of mechanical, software, hardware, electrical, design, materials, and chemical engineers. Without engineers, our world would be very much different and more difficult for humans. With engineering, our world is expanding in knowledge and development at a pace unparalleled in human history.

While it is true that engineering utilizes basic, and very advanced in some cases, science and math principles, the practicing engineer takes these fields from theory and places them into the laboratory or workspaces to invent, design, and build things that matter. Thus, quite often a practicing engineer uses her creativity and innovation more than some technique learned in a textbook. By creating new and practical solutions to problems facing humans, the engineering teams change our world on a daily basis. More and more females are joining those teams.

Engineers have college degrees, travel to wonderful places, and work with a variety of people from all countries, states, and cultures.   Some engineers go on to become doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and other professionals, so it is a wonderful field for bridging into other opportunities. The topics and ways of thinking taught in engineering schools can be used throughout life regardless of the final choice of profession. The pay is quite good too. For example, in every survey done in the last decade, more than 50% of the top 10 jobs are related to engineering or science in some fashion. This trend will most likely continue due to the advancement of science and technology in our everyday lives.

During February 17-23, 2013, a celebration of Engineer's Week will be held. Many of the activities and suggestions illustrate how young women can become involved in and learn more about engineering.

For more information check out the following sites:

http://www.eweek.org/EngineersWeek/DiscoverEngineering.aspx

http://www.discoverengineering.org/