Advice is sought...

[cghhmnrtt]

Is there a way to determine whether I have the intellectual capacity to handle the maths required for engineering, architecture, and other such math-oriented careers?

Having never taken anything above high-school level algebra 1, I doubt myself, especially being that I failed it, although it was due to apathy toward school.

Supposing that I am able to handle the subject matter, should I even bother studying them? Currently, the idea of attaining anything higher than a B.S. doesn't appeal to me, not that that's set in stone or anything. Is it possible for one to work in such a field with less than a master's degree?

 

[Meer]

Are the advanced high school math courses not a prerequisite for those things? I didn't try to do (proper) engineering because I decided to lie around with a girl in high school, instead of doing calculus.

School kind of killed math for me, too.

Anyways, I would like to know other's opinions on this as well.

 

[dark]

First off before taking any engineering classes, try out the math. Take steps to see if you are mentally capable of it. Some are, some aren't. I personally am excellent at math, yet I fucking hate it. I felt trapped, stuck in a box and my air was running short. I wasn't able to progress because the more math became complicated, the more trapped I felt.

If you are unlike me, maybe you will like it. If you aren't capable of math, I wouldn't suggest going into any of those majors even if you enjoy them. If you must, work your ass off and become good at math. Use a calculator, fuck arithmetic.

Actually my real advice, completely contradictory to what I said above. If this is your dream, your function, then pursue it with all you have, it doesn't matter if you suck ass at math, learn it. But pursue your dreams, don't miss that chance, you'll never know when you may get it again. Also don't plan a huge goal, work it step by step. If this is truly what you want in life, you will know. It will be so powerful to you that you loose yourself in it, all your emotions, your thoughts, your life will just become better, and I am sure it will make you feel alive.

If it doesn't make you feel alive, escape, this isn't you. All the power to you, I hope you find your dream, find your path and never let go, never surrender.

Edit: oops forgot, I love physics, but that isn't me. I can read it all day and be so excited, but at the end of the day, I am not a scientist, my dream is elsewhere because physics requires a lot of math, I am a theorist, a philosopher. That is my dream, that is what makes me feel alive, what makes me feel real.

 

[Kuu]

Architecture, math-oriented? bwahahaahahah

Maybe before the industrial revolution, when structural engineering wasn't divorced from architecture...

Nowadays, while some university curricula for architecture do include some math-based courses (such as those dealing with structural calculations or cost-analysis) the math in those is around 80% basic algebra and maybe 20% basic trigonometry (mostly for use with simple vectors) and negligible amounts of other things, so it's rather easy even if you take classes alongside structural or civil engineers. And not all universities focus so much on construction and project management; some are very into pure 'design' and feature next to no math. This varies a lot depending on country and university, so do some research first.

A decent conceptual (rather than mathematical) grasp on physics (statics) is more important. It's all about common sense stuff.

And you will encounter more complex math in university than in actual practice. Nearly everything is done in computers and in pre-made spreadsheets, and for structures anything beyond simple columns, beams and slabs are calculated by engineers. Besides, the profession has a lot of specializations within it and work is almost never done by a single individual so you can always choose to avoid the math.

Engineering, I can't speak much regarding that, except that I can guarantee it will have lots more math that Architecture. But you do have to be a special kind of mad to study Architecture, perhaps that is more of an ordeal...

 

[Kellhus]

Generally, like all students anways, you need self discipline and dedication to get through something you do not have a natural affinity for or interest within. I, like Dark, began quite easily to excel at maths, yet found it despisable. I took high school algebra in 7th grade and that was all it took to get me to understand I didn't like it. Sadly, it wasn't until trigonometry in freshman year I realized it was something I simply could not motivate myself to continue. It is my suggestion you do that in which you can see the most profit and which has the most personal motivation for following through.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Is there a way to determine whether I have the intellectual capacity to handle the maths required for engineering, architecture, and other such math-oriented careers?

Go buy a prep book for the SAT and another one for the GRE (these are American tests, but the books should be available to anyone), and take their practice tests.

Having never taken anything above high-school level algebra 1, I doubt myself, especially being that I failed it, although it was due to apathy toward school.

You'll have a lot of work to do, even if you're good at math, to catch up.

Supposing that I am able to handle the subject matter, should I even bother studying them? Currently, the idea of attaining anything higher than a B.S. doesn't appeal to me, not that that's set in stone or anything. Is it possible for one to work in such a field with less than a master's degree?

In almost any field, it's possible to find work without the desired degree, but generally only if you're exceptionally gifted or have decades of experience. If you have neither, then, the more education you get, the more employable you'll be--in general. Sometime relentless persistence works as well as having a good education. But not always.

Oh, and the credentials I bring to the discussion are that I've been a math tutor for 20+ years, a math teacher for 10+ years, and a university instructor for 20+ years. Not that this sort of thing matters to an INTP, but, that's just as much a flaw of the INTP as otherwise.

Dave