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A Teen’s Guide to Engineering
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08 December 2026

This engaging and practical guide for ages 13+ includes real-world examples, helpful assessments, and lists of top colleges to guide teenagers towards a career in the engineering discipline that best suits their interests and talents.
A Teenager’s Guide to Engineering provides high school students with a clear, accessible introduction to the various disciplines of engineering. This engaging book demystifies complex concepts by breaking down each discipline into relatable terms and real-world applications. Explore various fields of engineering including:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Software Engineering
With inspiring stories, practical advice, quizzes to determine which engineering path is best for you, and detailed college preparation sections, this book will empower you to explore your interests in engineering and prepare for your future academic and career paths.
Dr. Jim Gifford is a nuclear engineer and US Army Colonel with more than twenty-five years of service. He currently serves as the Senior WMD Effects Officer at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he has specialized in nuclear and counter-WMD operations since 2013. A combat veteran, Dr. Gifford has served in various leadership positions since commissioning into the Field Artillery in 2001, including three deployments to Iraq.
An accomplished educator, Dr. Gifford has taught at the US Army’s Field Artillery School, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. He currently teaches high school physics and chemistry online at DoctorGScience.com. His academic background includes a BS in Chemistry from West Point, an MA from Webster University, an MS in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from North Carolina State University. He lives with his wife, Natalie, and their five children: Cole, Alli, Avery, Cooper, and Rori.
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Mechanical Engineering
Chapter 2: Civil Engineering
Chapter 3: Industrial Engineering
Chapter 4: Environmental Engineering
Chapter 5: Electrical Engineering
Chapter 6: Computer Engineering
Chapter 7: Aerospace Engineering
Chapter 8: Chemical Engineering
Chapter 9: Nuclear Engineering
Chapter 10: Biomedical Engineering
Chapter 11: Systems Engineering
Chapter 12: Software Engineering
Conclusion
Find your Engineering Path: Quiz 1
Find your Engineering Path: Quiz 2
Appendix A: Top Undergraduate Schools for Each Engineering Discipline
Appendix B: Top Graduate Schools for Each Engineering Discipline